Diving in Pulau Redang

Pulau Redang is located in the state of Terengganu. There are practically 2 ways to get to the island from the mainland Kuala Terengganu; Shahbandar Jetty right in the middle of the town OR Merang Jetty 45 minutes from town. From Merang to Pulau Redang only takes about 35 mins boat journey.

We stayed in Redang Pelangi Resort for RM380 – 3D2N stay in triple room plus meals. No complaint about the room / meals. Even so I hardly comment on accommodation while traveling..the cheaper, the better. The only luxury local island stay was a few years back in Laguna Island Resort, also in Pulau Redang. Still I spent most of the times at the beach and pool rather than inside the room.

Diving in Pulau Redang

Since its nearing monsoon season, September may not be the prettiest time to go diving in the East Coast. However judging from my previous experiences diving in Pulau Perhentian in September, I know that this trip is not going to be wasted. Plus I HAD to put on my brand new mask for a try 🙂

1. Shore dive / house reef

The vis. was okay. Started at 3m deep and we worked our way deep. The stupid new mask decided to give me a hard time. The water kept on coming inside the mask, that I had to go up few times to re-adjust the mask. Cursed all my way throughout the dive.

2. Pulau Kerengga

Saw turtle, triggerfish, shark

3. Terumbu Kiri

I’ve always loved morning dive. Sadly I can’t recall the fishes that I saw haha.

4. cant remember the name of the site. imma check later with my log book.

Supposed to be a deep dive in the open sea and we were promised with nice soft corals. I had trouble equalising (my buddy was with me all the time) and when we finally gone down to 21m, we’d lost everyone. Tried searching for them for few minutes, but as the water got murkier and darker we decided to abort the dive and go up. The boat picked us two back and later on we saw the bubbles streaming from the water. Upon seeing that my buddy decided to go down again. But not me cause I know, me and my ear problems would only slow her down. Funny thing though my buddy has gone into deco stage that she had to stop several times during descending, only to be reunited with the rest of the divers while they’re doing safety stops. Ha ha. So, a very unlucky dive for both of us.

The rest of the divers reported that they saw lion fish while they were ascending.

5. Che Isa

Saw morray eel, crocodile fish. Pretty soft corals during safety stops. I think the best dive I had in Pulau Redang.

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Diving in Perhentian Island

This would be my 6th time in Pulau Perhentian. My most visited island, my utmost favourite island gateway. Haihhh there are so many wonderful memories in Perhentian that made me put in the efforts of going there every year without fail. Twice a year even sometimes.

My fellow friends, I hereby present you the Perhentian island 🙂

Coral Bay

Basically Perhentian Island is divided into two;

Perhentian Kecil (small island) and Perhentian Besar (big island). Normally I would go to the small island for the sandy white beach and clear water. The two main beaches are Long Beach and Coral Bay. If you are a sun worshiper like me, then Long Beach is perfect for you. If you prefer privacy then go to Coral Bay. It is also cheaper to stay in Coral Bay.

Annnddd of course, diving. The main dive sites are Tokong Laut (temple of the sea), Sugar Wreck, Terumbu Tiga, D’Lagoon, Batu Layar, etc.

Dive sites and schedules

Off to dive

We had the most awesome dive in Temple of the Sea on a Sunday morning 9th June 2013. The water was clear, the visibility was perfect and being a morning dive, there was practically less current underwater. Saw groups of yellow tailed fishes forming highways (as they moved in line and in groups, sorta highway-like). If you could control your breathing, as in try to produce less bubbles outta your regulator, then you’d be surrounded by these fishes. Amazing.

Then we saw some huge ass morray eel, idiot shark (cause it does nothing, sort of harmless), scorpion fish and many more, I cant quite recall ’em. No pictures as yet, but if I get them I will try to post ’em here.

Oh yeah, these dives at Perhentian are my first dives in 2013, being the last ones in Bali, Nov 2012. So yeah, it felt good to be able to breathe nitrogen again. And mostly to be able to float underwater again after few months.

We dived with Ombak Divers, price is RM70 p/dive (w/out equipment). No complaint from me. But others have their disappointments with certain dive at the sites that were not supposed to be on schedule. 3D2N accommodation + food + transfer boat from Kuala Besut to Perhentian = RM400.