Redang Island is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, and there are many things to do on the island. You’ll find your perfect activity no matter what mood strikes: whether relaxed, exploratory, adventurous or just looking to meet people.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 Redang Island activities and attractions you won’t want to miss, so prepare yourself for an exciting week!
1. Go snorkeling
Redang is a paradise for divers and non-divers alike. Diving remains the top activity here, but snorkeling still offers a unique underwater experience without diving too deep or spending too much money.
The Redang Island Marine Park has impressive biodiversity and is located in a protected marine area. During the season, the surrounding waters are calm and clear. Numerous species of marine life can be found in Redang, including clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish, baby sharks, and coral reefs.
You can snorkel around Redang to view the island’s fascinating marine life, and there are plenty of chances to see turtles, which is what the island is renowned for.
If you’re here during the non-monsoon period, you can snorkel anytime. The best time to explore the underwater world is from April until August, when visibility and water quality aren’t affected by waves or currents.
Many resorts offer snorkeling trips as part of their holiday packages, which will take you to the best snorkeling spots on the nearby islands. You can also find independent operators at Long Beach or villagers who offer snorkeling activities and excursions starting at about RM50 per person. Independently organized snorkeling trips tend to be cheaper than those provided at resorts, and you can negotiate a price depending on the number of people in your group and the spot you’re interested in.
Snorkeling excursions will take you to amazing spots and smaller islands like Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Lima, and Teluk Mak Kepit.
Snorkeling off the Beach is an alternative to snorkeling trips. Several locations around the island are ideal for this, including Teluk Kalong, in front of Taaras Resort at Teluk Dalam, Tanjung Mak Cantik and Tanjung Tengah at Pasir Panjang (Long Beach). Beautiful coral reefs, turtles, and even young blacktip reef sharks can be found here.
Most resorts offer rental snorkel equipment for RM30 for a set of masks, snorkels, and life jackets.
Update (2021) – In response to Covid-19, most resorts have stopped renting equipment.
Read more at Redang Island Snorkeling Guide.
2. Scuba Diving
In Malaysia, Redang Island has some of the best scuba diving spots.
Located within a protected marine park that forms part of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia and The Philippines, Redang Island has a wealth of beauty and biodiversity. The archipelago, which comprises a collection of small islands, is surrounded by crystal clear waters, making it the perfect spot for divers of all levels.
The island has over 20 dive sites with varying depths and difficulty levels, so there is something for everyone. Popular diving spots include Tanjung Tokong, Tanjong Lang, and Terumbu Kili. Divers can also explore two large WWII shipwrecks.
Redang’s best diving months are between March and October when no monsoon rain causes strong wind or current.
Consider getting certified at one of these fantastic dive centers if you have never scuba-dived before. PADI courses are available for beginner divers up to expert divers who want more in-depth training. Those who aren’t ready to take the plunge but would like some exposure can participate in “Discovery Scuba Diving” programs without obtaining certification.
3. Jungle Trekking
There’s more to Redang Island than relaxing on its beautiful white sand beaches and exploring its vibrant marine environment.
There is also a great diversity of plants and animals, such as macaques, monkeys, and monitor lizards. It is possible to cross paths with mouse-deer ( Sang Kancil ), which live in the island’s forest. Tropical pitcher plants, or Nepenthes, are also among the interesting species you can see here, but they are becoming less common.
Those who visit Redang island tend to explore the eastern side, as this is where most resorts are located. Hiking is best done in the morning to catch the sunrise on the east and enjoy the cooler weather, making hiking enjoyable.
Take a pair of shoes with you if you plan to explore the island on foot. There are many hiking trails on this beautiful tropical paradise, and you are sure to find serenity here.
Here are some popular routes to explore:
Pasir Panjang/Long Beach to Teluk Dalam
This trail is one of the most popular and well-used paths on the island. It connects Long Beach to Teluk Dalam (where Taaras resort is). Other than boat rides around the bay, there is no road access between the two points.
The walk is about 2 km each way from either direction and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
From Pasir Panjang, you can also walk up the main road to the village after the trail ends at Teluk Dalam. This is how the locals use this path to get between the village and long Beach.
It’s not a strenuous hike, but if your fitness isn’t very good, you might feel tired. Make sure you pack drinking water and snorkeling gear so that you can swim on the other part when you get there.
Long Beach to Teluk Kalong
The walk from Long Beach to Telok Kalong is a stroll along a well-marked path. Head towards the jetty from the Laguna Beach Resort at Teluk Bakau, then follow the trail, keeping left, onto Telok Kalong beach.
From the northern end of Teluk Kalong, it will probably take you another 40 minutes to get to the southern end, where Redang Mutiara is located. Halfway along, you must cross a rocky outcrop and trek 500m inland to reach the next part of the Beach.
The Teluk Kalong beach walk is quiet, and there aren’t as many resorts as on Long Beach. Since most of the time you will be on the sand, flip-flops are a great choice.
There is another trail that will take you up to a hilltop with spectacular views at the back of Wisana Resort. The climb to the top will take about 40 minutes, and the descent back will take about 15 minutes. If you plan to do this en route, pack your drinking water and wear sports sandals or shoes.
Tanjung Mak Chantek
This is a good choice if you’re looking for a short hike with lovely views next to Long Beach. Tanjung Mak Chantek Cape is located at Long Beach’s southern end. It is incredible to see the sunrise from the top of the cape if you wake up early enough.
There are two ways to get to the viewpoint. At Long Beach, you can enter the trail at the back of a More-More Tea Inn or enter at the football field near Laguna Jetty.
After about 20 minutes of hiking, you will reach a hilltop with a stunning view of the island’s east side.
4. Visit the Redang Marine Park Centre
Redang’s most popular snorkeling spot is around the Marine Park Centre on a small island called Pulau Pinang. Snorkeling tours usually include a trip here, but you can also rent a boat to get here.
The best place to snorkel is near the jetty. At depths of 3 to 6 meters, there is a large variety of marine life and corals. It is possible to see giant groupers, moray eels, octopuses, turtles, and many other types of fish. For more information, visit Pulau Pinang Snorkeling.
Visitors to the Marine Park center can choose from a variety of activities while there. The most popular activities are diving and snorkeling, but there is much more to explore.
Since 1990, the Department of Marine Park Malaysia has maintained this centre as a research facility that protects, conserves, and manages marine environments.
The exhibition centre is an excellent opportunity for many people to learn about marine life and conservation activities. There is also an exhibition of a turtle sanctuary where you can see baby turtles from the park’s hatchery.
Explore the island on foot. It is still possible to see an old cemetery on this island since it was once the home of the local fishermen who were later relocated to the main island.
To begin this short and scenic hike, take a right at the jetty. Follow the path until you reach an end and then turn left towards the hill area. Follow the short trail uphill until you reach the viewing tower and the lighthouse.
You can see a full view of beaches and a panoramic view of Redang Island from the top.
If you prefer to relax on the beach or have a picnic, you can do that too. There are picnic tables here as well as small shops where visitors can purchase food and drinks. Remember to dispose of all your rubbish and leftover foods in the designated bins on site after use.
The marine park centre offers basic facilities for visitors. There is no village or hotel here. Instead, there are camping grounds that serve as educational venues. There are restrooms on-site, as well as a small mosque.
Redang Island requires visitors to pay a conservation fee, which you would have purchased at the jetty on the mainland. If you don’t have the receipt with you, you’ll have to repurchase it when you enter the marine park center.
Fish Feeding
Fish feeding activities are common at the marine park, and many people assume it’s okay to feed the fish, but it isn’t.
It is not recommended because it may affect the fish’s ability to behave naturally as herbivores (plant eaters). Fish fed an unnatural diet may adversely affect both their plant-eating patterns and the ecosystem as a whole. This imbalance on reefs is becoming more and more common, resulting in the overgrowth of algae, which slowly fades coral reef colors and eventually causes them to die.
If you must feed the fish, make sure to do so in moderation. You would be better off just watching them rather than feeding them.
What would happen if there were no coral reefs? https://reef-world.org/blog/no-coral-reefs
5. Turtle Watching and Conservation Activities
There is no better place to observe turtles in their natural habitat than Redang Island.
It is easy to spot turtles during dives and snorkeling around the island. The main species found here is the green turtle, which comes here during the mating season. Hawksbill turtles also frequent the island.
One of the main activities on the island is the conservation of turtles, which is administered by the University Malaysia Terengganu’s Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU).
Visiting the SEATRU Turtle Lab at the Taaras Resort is highly recommended. In collaboration with the island resort, SEATRU educates visitors about turtle conservation and the importance of protecting these animals.
Visitors can see turtle eggs in incubators at the lab and learn how they grow. The resort’s laboratory also has a glass display where you can watch turtles hatch.
Turtle nesting season is from May to July, and watching turtles lay eggs is a memorable experience. The best place to see turtles nesting is Pasir Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary. This Beach, however, is closed to the public, and it is a guarded area. Some of the resorts can sometimes arrange a trip here with SEATRU’s permission.
You can also watch baby turtles released into the sea during the hatching season from April to October. An annual turtle release program is held from June to August at the Taaras Resort at Teluk Dalam and Laguna Redang on Long Beach. Seeing the turtles up close and watching their journey back to the sea is a great experience.
It is a good time for kids to learn about nature and the importance of protecting these sea creatures for the future.
SEATRU offers volunteer programs for nature lovers who are interested in learning more about turtle conservation. As a volunteer with SEATRU, you will have the opportunity to assist with conservation work at nesting sites, hatchling releases, and environmental education. The event is open to volunteers from all over the world from April through September every year, and there are only ten participants per slot each week. Sign up early through their website. https://seatru.umt.edu.my/
6. Snap a cool selfie at the Redang Maldives, aka Atas Busung
Another must-see attraction on Redang Island is Busung Pulau Kerengga or the White Sand Bar of Kerengga Island. A crescent-shaped strip of pure white sand surrounded by blue water emerges at low tide, creating a picturesque scene. At every low and high tide, the shape changes.
Tourists and locals alike flock here to take photographs.
This particular sandbar has been named “Redang Maldives.” In Malay, it is referred to as ”Atas Busung”. Easily accessible from Teluk Kalong, its pure white sand can be seen from Teluk Kalong as well.
A boat usually takes you to the sand bar as part of your snorkeling trip. You can also kayak from Teluk Kalong beach.
7. Enjoy Fun Beach Activities
On the Beach, you will never get bored because there are so many other things to do. Take a swim, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, bodyboard, or play frisbee.
Transparent kayaks have recently become popular on the Beach. You can rent one if you like paddling and seeing underwater life at the same time.
You can paddle through a mangrove forest near Alor Raja near Teluk Dalam Besar if kayaking interests you. Mangroves are one of the most biodiverse coastal habitats in the world, and they are home to a wide range of plants and animals.
The sand is a great place to run or do your daily exercises.
When you’re on a beach, there are no limits to what you can do. At Redang, however, jet skiing, water skiing, boat racing, and fishing are prohibited because the island is a protected marine park, and motorised water sports activities could damage coral reefs and aquatic life.
*Fishing is strictly prohibited within a radius of 2 nautical miles (3.7km) around the marine park.
8. Relax at the beach
On the beach, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Spend your vacation relaxing, breathing fresh air, and admiring gorgeous scenery. Lie down on the soft white beach sand and enjoy the gentle sea breeze.
You can also read while basking in the sun. Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen is a must.
9. Stargazing and watching the sunrise/sunset
Get up before dawn and head to the beach to catch the sunrise. Seeing the light over the horizon is definitely an unforgettable experience.
Long Beach and Teluk Kalong offer the best views. There will be relatively few people on the beach in the morning, and it will be tranquil. You can even meditate in peace on the beach.
At sunset in Redang, the view is equally captivating. The best way to spend a romantic evening is to stroll along the beach with your significant other during sunset.
Even though the sunset set is on the west side of the island, away from the beach resort, you can still enjoy observing the skyline turn various magnificent shades of orange and red as it fades into the night. Some resorts offer sunset tours, or you can charter a boat to watch the sun slowly disappear into the horizon.
During the night, the stars are bright, and you can gaze at them for hours on end if you wish. Seeing the stars at night on the beach is an enchanting experience. Make sure to bring a camera with a tripod because star trails can be awe-inspiring if there is no cloud cover.
10. Nightlife
At Long Beach, you can chill out during the night after spending hours in the sun. While Redang isn’t a party destination, Long Beach has the best atmosphere of all. Bars and restaurants are open until late at night, and you can order alcoholic beverages.
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, some bars have live music. This is a fun place to chill out and sing along with others. Many resorts have karaoke lounges, pool tables, and board games available for guests to have fun with their family and friends.
Those who enjoy nature can also observe the sea creatures at night on the beach. If you go for a walk on the beach at night, you’ll need a torchlight since it can get quite dark.
Crabs, mudskippers, and ostracods are some of the nocturnal animals that are interesting to observe.
The ostracods are tiny crustaceans that emit blue light to attract a mate or serve as a defensive mechanism. You can find them by gently sweeping the sand near the water’s edge, and they will glow bluish in the dark. This is a fascinating phenomenon known as ”blue sands” or ”blue tears”. It is often seen off Long Beach’s southern end, where Redang Reef Resort is situated.
*Important: Do not attempt to collect these tiny creatures for your collection. In such conditions, they will barely survive, and you will not be able to discover the blue speck.
11. Savour the local food
On this island, you have the opportunity to experience local Malaysian cuisine and delicacies. While many people book all-inclusive holidays that include a meal plan, you should venture outside the resort and try the local cuisine.
There are many restaurants on Redang Island to enjoy fresh seafood, local dishes, and snacks. Explore various eateries around the long beach and Redang village to sample local dishes.
You can also try Terengganu’s specialty, kelopor lekor and telur kubis from the village warong (stalls). Keropok lekor is a deep-fried fish sausage made from local fish and sago flour, spiced with salt and sugar, and served with a spicy sauce.
The Telur Kubis is the local twist on the omelette pastry in which three layers of deep-fried flour wrap are wrapped with layers of shredded cabbage, fish, and eggs. According to legend, this snack originated in Redang and was once served to royalty.
It was known as Telur Kubis because it was wrapped up with seven layers that resembled a cabbage (Kubis is Malay for cabbage). Locals pronounce it as ”Kue telo Kobeh” or ”Telur Kobis”.
For more recommendations, see the ”Where to Eat in Redang” section.
12. Learn Batik Crafting
Batik is a part of Malaysia’s rich textile heritage, and you can learn how to make batik at Redang Island.
The Sun Batik Gallery at Redang Beach Resort Long Beach provides an interactive discovery tour for visitors interested in learning more about batik cloth, designs, and how it’s made. You can take part in a workshop to create your unique piece of custom batik art cloth.
At Sun Batik Gallery, you can find various batik infused with modern cartoon characters or popular pop cultures such as Finding Nemo, Totoro, and more.
Everyone can do these crafts, regardless of age or experience level, making it an excellent place to visit if you’re traveling with children. You can also order readymade batik clothes or have a custom design printed on request.
13. Get souvenirs
You won’t want to leave Redang Island without getting souvenirs. You can find a variety of souvenirs for sale in the resorts, stalls on beaches, and villages of the island, such as batik mats, tee shirts, and beachwear.
Among the many souvenir shops on Redang Island, the most noteworthy is the “More More Tea Inn,” located in front of Laguna Resort. Bright and colorful, this house was originally built as a set for the Hong Kong film “Summer Holiday” in 1999. A harsh island climate caused the structure to deteriorate rapidly after filming. The Laguna Redang Island Resort rebuilt it in 2003 to create a more robust structure based on the original film. Since then, it has become a landmark on the island.
The colorful house makes an excellent backdrop for photographs, so visitors will flock here to take pictures.
14. Get pampered at the spa
Your body deserves some pampering after enjoying all that Redang offers, and a spa day is a perfect way to do so.
Redang is never short of spa packages, which is good news. Treatments include luxury spa experiences, massages, manicures, and facials. The prices of massage treatments vary from RM35 to RM880 per session, depending on the treatment type and resort. Traditional foot massage, oil massage, body scrub massage, and aromatherapy massage are popular.
You can find massage places in Long Beach at the Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa Redang. Also, try the D’Manja outlets at the following resorts:
- D’Manja Forest Spa & Salon @ Laguna Redang Island Resort
- D’Manja Beach Massage @ Coral Redang Island Resort
- D’Manja Ayu Ombak @ Redang Bay Resort
In Teluk Dalam, you can enjoy excellent spa treatments at Taaras Spa within the Taaras Resort. There is a wide range of massage and salon services for men and women and honeymoon packages. It’s an excellent way to pamper yourself and enjoy yourself on vacation at this exquisite spa.
Reservations are highly recommended because these services always fill up very quickly. Guests can book directly at the spa or through the resort.
15. Redang Island with kids
Redang is the perfect destination for families with kids.
With a wide range of activities to keep the most energetic kids happy as well as plenty of relaxation opportunities, this island paradise is ideal for those with children in tow. The kids will have fun learning about turtles, swimming, snorkeling, and even making their batik art.
There are several excellent family-friendly accommodation options on Redang Island. Some resorts also have kids’ clubs and pools where children can enjoy themselves while you relax with a good book.