Ultimate Guide: How to Get to Pulau Redang, Malaysia's Stunning Beach Paradise
Pulau Redang is widely regarded to have one of the best beaches in Malaysia.
Measuring about 7km long and 6km wide with long white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, it would be hard to argue otherwise. Pulau Redang features many resorts on the island, among them, being Berjaya Redang Resort, Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, Laguna Redang Island Resort, and many more.
It would be advisable to get some adventuring items and clothes before embarking on your trip! And for how to get to Pulau Redang, let’s begin the discussion in detail…
Also Read: Must Visit Places In Kuala Lumpur
Getting to Pulau Redang, Malaysia
First, travellers should head for Shahbandar Jetty or Merang jetty in Kuala Terengganu.
Some resorts on the island operate their own ferries which normally leave Merang Jetty directly to the resort. Most of the hotels will utilize the public ferry which leaves from Shahbandar and transfers guests to another boat from Kampung Jetty in Redang. Transfers are normally included in the resort’s package.
It is important to note that in Pulau Redang, there are no water taxis or roads connecting to the different beaches. The only road on the island connects Kampung Jetty to Berjaya Resort and the Redang Airport.
Travel to Pulau Redang By Bus
Travelling by bus is relaxing and a fantastic way to enjoy the scenic views of the countryside. Buses make one or more rest stops along the journey for food, refreshments, and toilet stops.
Most buses do not have toilets on board, so if you miss a scheduled stop and need to relieve yourself, just inform the crew or driver and they will stop at the next available toilet (usually at a petrol station).
Many bus companies operate a luxury single or double-decker buses. Some come with personal audio-video entertainment systems, massage seats, and even attendants to serve food and drinks. The most comfortable are those with electrically-operated snoozer capsule seats which can be reclined close to horizontal without eating into the rear passenger’s seat space.
The luxury coaches have as few as 16-18 seats while the norm today is VIP coaches with 21-27 seats (for single-decker) in a 1-2 seating configuration which offers good legroom, comfort and space for sleeping on long journeys.
KL to Kuala Terengganu (7 hours)
Express coaches from KL to Kuala Terengganu include Transnasional, Nice, Sani Express, Maraliner, and Kesatuan. Most buses now depart from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) which is well-connected via the KTM (Seremban Line), LRT (Sri Petaling Line), and the KLIA Transit Line.
If you are travelling from KL, I recommend you read this article for the best islands in Malaysia and travel more islands beyond Redang.
Penang to Kuala Terengganu (9 hours)
Coaches like SP Bumi, Cepat Express, and Atieza depart daily from Komtar or Butterworth stations to Kuala Terengganu.
JB to Kuala Terengganu (8.5 hours)
Coaches depart from Larkin Sentral Bus Station. Many choices available include KKKL Express, Konsortium, Adik Beradik, Transnasional, and Cepat Express.
Singapore to Kuala Terengganu/ Merang Jetty (9.5 hours)
Transnasional departs for Kuala Terengganu from Kallang Bahru/Lavender station while Konsortium departs for Shahbandar/Merang from Golden Mile Centre at Beach Road.
Ferry Ride to Pulau Redang
After arriving at the public ferry in Kuala Terengganu either via bus or car, travellers who have bought a package with the resort should check if they will be ferried by the resort personnel or will need to collect/ convert their ticket with the public ferry operator.
Ferries to Redang depart either from Shahbandar jetty in Kuala Terengganu or from Merang jetty (40 minutes away from Kuala Terengganu town centre). Resorts that have their own ferries operate between Merang jetty and the resort and these boat transfers are usually included in the resort’s vacation package. There is only one public ferry to Redang which runs between Kuala Terengganu Shahbandar jetty and the Kampung jetty in Pulau Redang.
Ticket Rates
Tickets for the public ferry can be purchased at Shahbandar jetty for RM 50 one way for adults and RM 25 for children.
Resorts that use the public ferry may include the ferry ticket as part of the package price or may charge you extra, so check with the resort before buying your own tickets.
Do note also that there will be a marine park conservation fee before boarding on the boat (RM30 for Adult Foreigners, RM15 for Child Foreigners, RM5 for Adult Malaysian, RM2 for Child Malaysian).
The ferry is operated by Sejahtera Ferry Services Sdn.Bhd. (T: +609-6225233 | M: +016-4170 152, +016-4160 338 )
