Pulau Redang is the largest island in the state of Terengganu and lies approximately 45 kilometres off its coast. It is one of the nine islands that make up the Redang Archipelago Marine Park. Two topics are particularly important when planning your trip: the different coastal areas and the marine environment, from sea turtle conservation to snorkelling and diving sites.
Coves and Beaches on Pulau Redang
Long Beach, locally known as Pasir Panjang, is on the island’s east coast and stretches for 800 metres. Chagar Hutang has a different character: the protected bay lies in the north of Pulau Redang and includes a 350-metre crescent-shaped beach. Rocky cliffs, clear blue water and a coral reef are also part of its landscape. Teluk Dalam Kecil is another protected bay, on the northeastern side of the island. The named places thus already differ in their location and landscape; the length measurements for Pasir Panjang and Chagar Hutang also give a concrete sense of the scale of the two beaches.
Pulau Redang is also part of a marine protected area in the broader regional context: the Terengganu Marine Park comprises four major marine park archipelagos. In addition to the Pulau Redang Archipelago, these include the Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Tenggol archipelagos. This places the island within Terengganu’s marine park while keeping its own coves and named sites in view.
Sea Turtles and Visitor Conditions
Chagar Hutang is an important nesting beach for green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. The beach was declared a sea turtle sanctuary in 2005. Program information updated on 19 February 2025 stated that the public program at Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary included an introduction to sea turtle conservation by SEATRU staff; visitors could also take part in a nest check. According to this program information, the program was open to individuals, families, schools and universities, clubs, NGOs, companies and government agencies, and welcomed people of all ages. The same program information stated that the number of participants was limited to a maximum of 30 people.
According to the program information updated on 19 February 2025, anyone interested could book a date for the Chagar Hutang program by email; the request had to be made at least three days in advance. According to the visitor information updated on 19 February 2025, the bay was closed to boats, visitors, snorkellers, divers and other activities from 1:00 p.m. Check the current program information and this requirement before your trip so you can plan your request and visit accordingly.
The Turtle Lab on Pulau Redang provides local and international visitors with information about marine conservation and sea turtle protection. Tourists also take part in an annual sea turtle volunteer program run by the Turtle Lab. Program details may change, so check the latest information in advance.
Snorkelling, Diving and Maritime History
The sites described offer different highlights. At the Marine Park Centre, wrasses, sergeant majors and sea bream gather around snorkellers. Terumbu Kili is characterised as a dive site by its underwater topography: a rocky landscape covered in soft and hard corals at a depth of around 15 metres slopes down to a sandy bottom at 20 metres.
At the Big Mount dive site, divers can observe small marine life; they may also encounter whale sharks there. Mini Mount offers other marine highlights: it is home to numerous cowries and wing shells, as well as large clusters of colourful tube worms covering coral blocks. Tunnel Point is another dive site near Pulau Redang. The H.M.S. Prince of Wales adds a historical connection to this selection: the wreck is associated with the island.
Those exploring the underwater world can therefore distinguish the sites by their described character: from snorkelling at the Marine Park Centre to the depth profiles and coral landscape at Terumbu Kili, and the marine life at Big Mount and Mini Mount. The possible whale shark encounter at Big Mount remains a possibility, not a guarantee.
Travel Season and Accommodation
When choosing when to travel, it is important to consider the usual seasonal closure of the resorts: during the northeast monsoon, they typically close for several months, usually from November to February. Individual resort calendars may differ. Therefore, compare your planned dates with the accommodation’s information and check availability for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Kuala Terengganu, Dungun, Kerteh, Cukai, Permaisuri, Kuala Berang, Kemaman, Jerteh.
For the broader travel overview: Terengganu.
