redang or perhentian?
Both are Terengganu islands with clear water, coral and the same March to October season, so they end up in the same argument. Redang is a resort island where most people book a package with the boat, meals and snorkelling included, while Perhentian is two small islands with no roads, where you pick your own bay and get around by water taxi.
redang island
Dear group chat,Clear blue water, soft white sand and snorkelling trips in the marine park.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingRedang IslandMY, Terengganu
perhentian islands
Dear group chat,Clear water, turtles off the beach and no cars at all. Go between March and October.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingPerhentian IslandsMY, Terengganu
- From KL
- redangAbout 330 km
- perhentianAbout 330 km
- Best months
- redangMar–Oct
- perhentianMar–Oct
- Vibe
- redangOne bigger resort island, mostly on packages
- perhentianTwo small islands, no roads, water taxis everywhere
- Beaches
- redangLong, soft white sand at Pasir Panjang
- perhentianLots of small bays, from busy Long Beach to quiet coves
- In the water
- redangSnorkelling trips around the marine park islands
- perhentianTurtles and reef sharks close to the beach
- Getting there
- redangFly or drive to Kuala Terengganu, then about an hour by boat
- perhentianFly to Kota Bharu, 1.5 hours to Kuala Besut, then speedboat
- Evenings
- redangQuiet and resort-based
- perhentianBeach barbecues and a backpacker crowd on Long Beach
- Best for
- redangCouples and families who want it all arranged
- perhentianSnorkellers, divers and groups who like to wander
Go redang if…
- you'd like one package that covers the room, meals and boat trips
- a long, wide white-sand beach is the main thing you're after
- you're bringing the family and want everything sorted
- you'd rather fly into Kuala Terengganu or drive there in about five hours
Go perhentian if…
- you want to snorkel with turtles and reef sharks just off the beach
- you'd rather choose your own place and hop between bays
- you want a bit of a beach scene in the evenings
- you're planning to learn to dive
The verdict
Redang is the easier trip: book a package and the boats, meals and snorkelling are taken care of. Perhentian gives you more freedom and more of a social scene, with turtles often just off the beach. Can't decide? Families and couples who want it easy should go Redang, groups who like to wander should go Perhentian, and either way go between March and October.