Location

Pulau Redang is located in the South China Sea off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia within 5°44' - 5°50' North latitude and 102°59' - 103°5' East longitude. It lies about 45km north-northeast of Kuala Terengganu, the state capital of Terengganu, and about 22km off Tanjung Merang, the closest point on the mainland

History of redang

The first settlers of Pulau Redang were believed to be the Bugis from Celebes, Indonesia. They established their first village at Teluk Kalong and later moved south to Pulau Pinang ("betel nut palm island") where the present Marine Park Centre is located. The villagers on Redang are believed to be descendents of these original Bugis settlers.

In the early 70s, when land in Pulau Pinang became scarce, some villagers moved to the Redang river estuary. The state government built a water village for these residents in 1976 which became home to about 250 fishermen families. Known as Kampung Air ("water village"), it comprised wooden houses built on stilts. Kampung Air was torn down in 2001 and some families relocated to the village inland while others went back to the mainland. Many of the residents have since left the fishing trade and moved into the tourism industry, running village restaurants, boat services or working in the resorts.

The first resorts on Redang appeared around the late 80s. With the declaration of Redang as a marine park in 1991 came gradual development of more resorts to cater to local marine enthusiasts who flocked to the relatively unspoilt island to snorkel and dive. By the turn of the century, most of the existing resorts today were already operational. In 2000, with the release of the successful Hong Kong movie 'Summer Holiday', much of which was shot on Redang, the island was thrust into the international spotlight. The movie generated much publicity, awareness and interest both locally and overseas and sparked development of a few new resorts and expansion of existing ones to cater for the increasing number of visitors. In 2003, the Berjaya Group completed work on the airport and the first direct flights between KL and Redang commenced in March 2004, with direct flights between Singapore and Redang commencing a year later.

Coral Redang Resort

 

My weekend get-away journey to Redang, the island of Summer Holiday fame, began with an excruciating twelve hours bus ride up north towards the state of Trengganu, Malaysia. From there on, I had to wait another hour as the ferry lumbered on. But even then, I was already restless with thoughts of white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Halfway through the trip, I gave up trying to fall asleep and joined several other tourists up on deck, enjoying the windy ocean breeze. As we marooned slowly by the pier, a noticeable air of enthusiasm broke out amongst the passengers - we have arrived.
Redang Island is famed for its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and the tropical fishes that inhabit the numerous coral reefs. Measuring a mere 7 km long and 6 km wide, this island paradise is the largest amongst the nine that forms the Redang Archipelago. It is a favorite destination amongst Malaysians and Singaporeans, with most tour packages offering a three days, two nights stay that is just the right amount of time for you spend here. The island is very low on sights, so most visitors spend their time lazing on the beach or exploring the corals.
The roads on the center of the island connect together the airport, the jetty, two resorts, and the southern fishing port, but provide no connectivity elsewhere. Most resorts provide their own means of transporting tourists in from outside, but exploring the other side of the island would be almost impossible. There was no room for exploration, for wandering around, getting lost in a foreign far away place. Instead, I was stuck in my own resort, only able to enjoy the services available here.
Once I conceded this point however, I grew to enjoy my time here a lot more. The famed beach did not disappoint, with smooth, soft white sand and crystal clear ocean water. Snorkeling is a popular activity, and I didn't even have to go on a boat trip to enjoy being with the fishes. Arm yourself with bread for fish food and you can see them already very near to the beach. For the more initiated, there are also various dive sites for you to enjoy. Several of these sites are fairly new diving destinations, with the visiting restrictions lifted only in 1999. You'll be able to enjoy good visibility in the deep clear waters, although visibility can drop dramatically after a storm.
At night, Redang's clear sky provides a breathtaking view of the myriad of stars. I lay on the cool sand and let my eyes adjust to the darkness, revealing even more stars. Thousands and thousands of them. Yet another way to pass the time here, lazing the night away. Thoroughly, this island is a place to relax, escape from the numbness of nine to five and just while your time away. There isn't much to see or do, but for those who know what they want, this may just be the perfect fit for that much needed summer get-away.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2023957

Redang Beach Resort

Laguna Island Resort

Redang Reef Resort

 

There are a lot of fantastic and superb islands in Malaysia that provide amazing holiday relaxation to travelers. Several of them are famous holiday destinations, for instance Pulau Redang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Langkawi. Pulau is a Malay term which translates as island in English.

Redang island is a wonderful holiday destination for visitors not only due to its compelling beauty, pristine nature and white sandy beach and azure sea water, but also because of its beautiful corals, flora and fauna as well as a national marine park that has abundance of attractive marine life. It is located at the northeastern of Malaysia Peninsular, about 22km from the mainland. It is one of the best snorkeling and diving destination in Asia.
The most famous beach on Pulau Redang is Pasir Panjang beach (Long Beach) which stretches for more than 800m long. Being an idyllic holiday resort that has best quality gleaming soft white sandy beach, crystal clear sea water, rich marine environment and many world-class accommodations, there are so much more you can do on this wonderful island. It is a resort for total relaxation.
There are so many beach activities that you are able to do here. You can lie down on the beach and gazing the wonderful sunrise and sunset, snorkeling in the crystal blue water to observe the swimming fishes and perhaps baby sharks, scuba dive to peek all type of sea creatures such as attractive corals, turtles etc, join other traveler to play beach volleyball or just pass your hours by basking beneath the sun on the beach.
Redang Island Marine Park is well-known for its marine creatures protection. The clear sea water with good visibility and abundant of marine life make it into a snorkeling and scuba diving paradise. It provides snorkeling and diving lover an ideal spot to have a close encounter with a countless type of marine life, from sergeant majors, moray eels, giant groupers to wrasses not to mention black-tip shark plus hawks hill turtles.
Northeast Monsoon blows on this island from November to March each year, and most resorts are closed during this period. April to September is the best time to visit this idyllic island. Pulau Redang will definitely promises you with a fantastic holiday of total relaxation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5125545

Berjaya Beach Resort