Underwater Paradise @ Redang

Redang . 2010 . Jun 26 - 29

Our stay at the Berjaya Redang Resort comes with a free half day snorkelling trip to a place called Turtle Bay.  We thought that a ‘Bay’ would come with shallow waters, but we were so wrong!  The water was deep (and not so suitable for a beginner at snorkelling) and choppy, so hang on tight to each other if you are a poor swimmer.

Tip:  Come prepared and armed with your underwater cameras and sun-block before going to Redang.  Things could be expensive there and you end up paying more for the same thing.

Beautiful and massive coral structures taken with our disposable underwater camera...

This feels like swimming in an aquarium with no boundaries.
 

We were so impressed by the beautiful scenery underwater that we went back to the hotel and booked another half day snorkelling package from a private operator.   It felt like a private tour as there was only another visitor with us on the boat.  The package included snorkelling at five sites with a lunch break at long beach (lunch not included) and the last site at the Marine Park

Tip:  Book a snorkelling package with their local boat operators.  These locals do know where the best sites are and offer you free commentary on the type of corals and marine life you get to see at each site.  Our guide pointed out to us the green corals and brain corals, and the shadow of a sea turtle at the seabed as seen from the water surface.

 

Bring some bread with you to attract the fishes!

Snorkelling at the Marine Park.  Although this is an area protected by the government, we could see the damage already done to the corals here.  It is overpopulated with tourists who swim into you and the corals are less massive than the ones we saw at other sites, much of them already showing the signs of coral bleaching.  If you have an experienced local boat-man with you, they will be able to advise you on better sites to snorkel at.  This Marine Park is not worth a visit.

Read these too!

• Our Flight to Redang on Berjaya Air
• Our Stay at Berjaya Redang Resort
• Snorkelling Vacation @ Redang

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Hotel Review: Berjaya Redang Resort

Redang . 2010 . Jun 26 - 29

The 2 most established resorts on Pulau Redang are the Laguna Redang Island Resort and the Berjaya Redang Resort.  We chose the Berjaya Redang Resort as they offer us a package price with their airfare.  It also helps that the Berjaya Redang Resort occupies their own private beach surrounded by a bay of shallow waters.  It is located exclusively away from the rest of the resorts in Redang and so offers its guests a certain measure of privacy.

Laguna Redang Island Resort is located along the busier and more famous Long Beach, and the area is shared by several other smaller resorts.  Its redeeming point is that fact that this area is served with several small eateries and shops along the shore line.  Long Beach is also the filming site of the film ‘Summer Holiday’ filmed in 2000 and starring Sammi Cheng and Richie Ren.

Welcome drinks and reception lounge at Berjaya Redang Resort.  The whole resort has a relaxed and rustic feel to it, allowing you to unwind once you step into it. 

We were offered a buggy ride from the reception area to our seaview room.   And so we had the opportunity to have the first sight of the wonderful scenery of Redang island during the short 3 minutes ride.

Berjaya Redang Resort’s Deluxe Garden Suite, sited amid tall coconut trees, greenery and a small pond.  It is just a few steps away from the beach.

Our Berjaya Redang Resort’s Seaview Room.  We were glad that we paid a little bit more to get a sea view room.  This is a totally worthy choice as the balcony is facing the ocean and you get spectacular visions of sunset right from the comforts of your room.

There's a settee next to the balcony and with the same great view.  Ideal for reading and a cup of coffee in the comforts of an air-conditioned room.

The room also comes with a Balcony with deck chairs.  Great for sun-tanning and for some sea breeze.  At other times, this also doubles up as a sunning area for our wet swimming suits.

View of the ocean from the comforts of our balcony.

Spacious chalet-type room with a bath tub in the toilet and sliding windows.

Overall, we enjoyed the room during our stay at Redang. If opportunities arise again, we will definitely come to Redang again for a short getaway!

Read these too!

• Our Flight to Redang on Berjaya Air
• Snorkelling Vacation @ Redang
• Underwater Paradise @ Redang

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Berjaya Air to Redang

Redang . 2010 . Jun 26 - 29

We opted for the easier option of taking Berjaya Air from Seletar Airport to Redang Island. Berjaya Air is the only airline that flies from Singapore to Redang.  A round trip ticket cost SGD$298 per pax, not including airport charges of SGD $49.

Berjaya Air’s turbo propeller aircraft at Seletar Airport.

Ample leg space and a cosy seat.

Window seat near the turbo propellers.  Beware, the propellers do make a lot of noise during take-off, so ear plugs are highly recommended.

A seat on the left hand side of the aircraft allows you to have a preview of Malaysia’s eastern coastline.

Aerial view of Pulau Redang with its bay and lush greenery.

Redang Airport is a small, no-fuss, and open air airport that is served by only a few immigration officers.

Right after we disembarked from our flight and cleared immigration, a mini van from Berjaya Redang Beach Resorts was waiting outside to drive us to our resort.  We were greeted with the sight of a few kampong type houses and goats roaming the driveway.

Read these too!

• Our Stay at Berjaya Redang Resort
• Snorkelling Vacation @ Redang
• Underwater Paradise @ Redang

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!

Snorkelling Vacation @ Redang

Redang . 2010 . Jun 26-29 

Pulau Redang, or more commonly known as Redang Island, is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.  It belongs to the state of Terengganu and offers ample snorkelling and diving opportunities, white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and lots and lots of opportunity for sun-tanning and water activities!

The island is not just a place for recreation but also has an important conservation role to play in terms of marine biodiversity, especially for sea turtles.  This is why the Malaysian government has designated  a Marine Park at Pulau Redang for this purpose.

The simplest and fastest way to get from Singapore to Redang is by air from Singapore’s Seletar Airport to Redang’s airport by Berjaya Air.  Alternatively, a cheaper method will be to take an approximately 11-hour coach ride to Terengganu and transfer to a ferry which takes you on a 1hr 45 min journey to Redang island.

(Footnote: Berjaya Air has shifted their operations from Seletar Airport to Singapore Changi Airport Budget Terminal from 1 November 2010 onwards.)

Read these too!

• Our Flight to Redang on Berjaya Air
• Our Stay at Berjaya Redang Resort
• Underwater Paradise @ Redang

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!