PULAU REDANG
Terengganu
For its sheer alluring beauty, Redang remains one of the most popular islands in Malaysia, and a must-see for any traveller keen on exploring the best of Peninsular Malaysia’s diving. The waters here sparkle with an aquamarine shade, and the sand is invitingly soft in its own pearly whiteness.
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Pulau Chupak to the southeast will enthrall you with some of the best coral gardens once again. The pretty sinularia corals exist in very shallow waters. Deep down it is a cornucopia of colours. Batfish, rabbitfish and white-eyed moray eels can be found if you swim at the right places. Even the rare loggerhead turtle has been spotted here
If you think this makes a fantastic sight then your safety stop at five metres will offer a breathtaking vista of green staghorn corals. Tanjung Tok Kong is definitely a site not to be missed.
If soft corals take your fancy then don’t miss Northern Run. Large groupers, parrotfish and large green triggerfish are prominent here. More enchanting are the corals, both hard and soft. Vast staghorn gardens must be explored at your leisure – you will find plenty of fish and invertebrates lurking within these intertwining abodes
To the west, Big Mount is considered by many to be among the best dive sites in Peninsular Malaysia. Gigantic boulders dominate the vista with a carpet of hard and soft corals, sponges, sea anemones and their clownfish inhabitants. From its beautiful plateau, this site lures you downwards to the deep where more treasures lurk. Soft tree corals, cup corals and whip corals bunch together in unison as groupers, pufferfish and sergeant majors patrol about. Big groups of schooling fish also make frequent visits. Jacks, snappers and fusiliers are some of the many species you will see throughout a dive.
You can indulge in first-class diving service by staying at the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort and taking your dives with them. To the west of the island, several budget accommodation providers offer convenience without missing out on the natural delights. Pulau Redang is accessible directly by air. There are also regular coach services to Kuala Terengganu, a mere half an hour’s speedboat ride away.
