Redang Island

Redang

Native name: <span class="nickname" ">Pulau Redang ڤولاو رداڠ
Pasir Panjang Beach
Geography
Location	South China Sea
Coordinates	5°46′30″N 103°0′54″E / 5.77500°N 103.01500°ECoordinates: 5°46′30″N 103°0′54″E / 5.77500°N 103.01500°E
Archipelago	Redang Archipelago
Total islands	9
Administration
Malaysia
State	Terengganu
District	Kuala Nerus
Additional information
Redang Island (South China Sea)

Redang Island (Malay: Pulau Redang) is an island in Kuala Nerus District, Terengganu, Malaysia. It is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is famous for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. It is one of nine islands, which form a marine sanctuary park offering snorkeling and diving opportunities for tourists.

Archipelago

The Redang archipelago comprises Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang. Pulau Redang is the biggest of all the islands in the Marine Park, measuring about 7 km (4.3 mi) long and 6 km (3.7 mi) wide. Its highest peak is Bukit Besar at 359 metres (1,178 feet) above sea level. The boundary of the Pulau Redang Marine Park is established by a line linking all points 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the shores of Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Ekor Tebu and Pulau Pinang. The other nearby islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Susu Dara are also gazetted and protected as Marine Parks. Today, only the bigger islands like Redang, Lang Tengah, Perhentian and Kapas have resort facilities for visitors. The management of Marine Parks primarily involves protection of the sensitive marine and terrestrial ecosystems by controlling the impact from human activities. These include waste pollution management and conservation of coral reefs and terrestrial habitats.

Tourism

In contrast to the neighbouring Perhentian Islands, Redang has a more upmarket image, as almost all accommodation on the island is resort-based. The largest beach is Pasir Panjang on the east side, featuring half a dozen resorts. The beach is covered with soft white sand. Coral and fish can be seen just a few metres from the beach. The other beach resorts are located in Teluk Dalam on the north and Teluk Kalong to the south. Redang has a tropical climate with temperatures steadily around 30 °C (86 °F) and frequent but brief thunderstorms. Like the rest of Malaysia's east coast, Redang is affected by the northeast monsoon from the South China Sea, so most resorts are closed and ferry transport schedules are severely restricted between October and March.

The 2000 film, Summer Holiday was filmed on the Laguna Redang Island Resort, and a replica of the tea house now serves as the resort's gift shop.

Ecology

The island is an important conservation site for sea turtles. Previously, the indiscriminate economic exploitation of turtle eggs had caused fewer turtles returning to nest on the island. This has led the Terengganu state government to set up the Koperasi Setiajaya Pulau Redang in 1989, a cooperative aiming to develop and manage socio-economic programmes that could improve the livelihood of Pulau Redang locals without endangering its natural resources.

Transportation

Access is from Merang or Shahbandar jetty on boats operated by the resorts. Redang Airport is a small airport with services operated by Berjaya Air from Singapore (Changi Airport) and Kuala Lumpur (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport).

Features

Pasir Panjang beach on Pulau Redang.

A rocky beach and a wooden bridge near Laguna Redang Resort in Pulau Redang.

See also

• List of islands of Malaysia
• List of islands in the South China Sea

References

External links

• Media related to Pulau Redang, Malaysia at Wikimedia Commons

• SEATRU - A sea turtle project in Redang, Malaysia
• Tourism Malaysia - Pulau Redang