Pulau Redang Marine Park

Located just off the northeastern of Terengganu, Pulau Redang Marine Park extends two nautical miles seaward from the low watermark of nine islands comprising Redang, Perhentian Besar, Perhentian Kecil, Susu dara, Lima, Ekor, Tebu, Pinang, Lang Tengah and Kapas. The reefs here are teeming with the largest assortment of coral species this side of the South China Sea, making the park a paradise for divers and snorkelers.
The gem in this setting is Pulau Redang, the largest among all the park's islands and one of the most blessed in terms of natural attractions, boasting of the beaches like Pasir Panjang, which is covered with the finest white sand imaginable and washed by crystal clear azure waters. Pulau Redang has numerous dive sites, the more popular ones being Big Mount (a large coral pillar), Picture Wall (a small coral facade brimming with sea fans and corals) and Cathedral Arches (a magnificently varied canyon network patrolled by huge groupers).
On land, a well-tordden path linking Pasir Panjang with other splendid beach, Teluk Dalam, allows visitors to explore the island. Trekking on this 2km long path, one will come upon a small stream and pools alive with catfish, and perhaps catch sight of the elusive mouse deer (kancil), a creature that is popular in Malay folklore. One may also encounter monkeys and monitor lizards along the way before finally ending the trek at Teluk Dalam where the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is located.
Getting to Pulau Redang - There are direct flights from Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Redang operated by Berjaya Air. However, the most popular and cheaper way of getting there is by boat from the main jetty in Merang, some 45km northeast of Kuala Terengganu, the state capital. From Merang, the trip to the island takes about 40 minutes on comfortable, large speedboats and prices are more of less standardised. Merang is also the gateway to Lang Tengah, which can be reached by a 30 minutes boat ride. Accommodation - Pulau Redang has accommodation ranging from budget chalets to international standard hotels. The Berjaya Redang Beach Resort in Teluk Dalam is located on the northern side of the island. It offers 152 rooms with modern conveniences and includes a pool, gym, dive shop and a tennis court. In Pasir Panjang, the Coral Redang Island Resort and Laguna Redang Resort offers 252 rooms between them.
Budget travellers can opt for the campsite at Teluk Kelong, which has pre-constructed tents with beds, toilet, shower and electricity, or the Redang Lagoon Chalet. Other paths in this locale lead to rocky cliffs and outcorps that offer spectacular overhead views of Pasir Panjang, but these excursions and energetic souls. Pulau Redang's Pasir Chagar Hutang beach is home of the largest green turtle rookeries in Peninsular Malaysia. SEATRU (Sea Turtle Research Unit) conducts conservation research n nesting populations of green and hawksbill turtles along its 300m stretch of sand, which is off-limits to visitors to prevent nesting sites from being disturbed. However, visitors can snorkel in the waters in front of the beach, and the lucky ones may catch a glimpse of these shy marine reptiles.
The wrecks of two British warships, H.M.S Prince of Wales and H.M.S Repulse, which were sunk just off Pulau Redang at the start of World War II, are an added attraction for scuba divers. Capped by tropical rainforest and blessed with golden sandy beaches as well as clear blue waters, the Perhentian Islands are great for water-based activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, wind surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing. The best and most popular beach in Perhentian Kecil Island is Pasir Panjang (Long Beach), which dazzles with its white sand and clear, shallow water. On Perhentian Besar Island, the best beach is Teluk Pauh, a beautiful half-moon bay that, like Kecil's Pasir Panjang, has white powdery sand and shimmering, crystal-clear water. Between them, the Perhentian islands have about 20 dive sites featuring gardens of giant soft corals, some as tall as a meter. In addition to coral and fish, these islands are home to sea turtles and many species of shark, which are not dangerous unless provoked.

The other islands in the Redang Marine Park are all excellent destinations for lazing around on pristine beaches, snorkeling, swimming and of course scuba diving. Terrestrial nature lovers will not be disappointed either, as they will find an interesting variety of fauna and flora in the rainforest vegetation on the most of these Redang. There are over 100 species of plants, some with medicinal properties and a few orchid species.
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