Snorkelling and Marine Park in Redang Island
Part of the Redang Island travel guide — see every topic in All Redang Island Guides.
Redang is one of the best places in Malaysia for easy snorkelling. The island and the smaller islands around it lie inside a marine park, which protects the sea up to about two nautical miles from the shore. Inside this area fishing and collecting are not allowed. The reefs start close to the beach, the water is warm and clear, and you can see colourful fish, giant clams, reef sharks and sometimes turtles. Most resort packages include guided snorkelling trips by boat.
Snorkelling from the beach
You do not always need a boat. At Pasir Panjang and some other beaches, there is coral only a short swim from the sand. Fish gather in the shallow water, so even children can see them while standing. Many resorts rent masks, snorkels and fins, but bringing your own mask that fits well makes a big difference. Wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer. Stay inside the swimming areas marked with buoys, because boats pass close to the beaches. The water is clearest in the morning, before the wind picks up.
Boat trips and the marine park centre
Resort snorkelling trips usually visit two or three spots in one outing. A popular stop is the Marine Park Centre on Pulau Pinang, a small island just off Redang. It has a jetty, a small information centre and a reef with many fish close to the shore. Other trips go to the small islands and rocky points around Redang, such as Pulau Lima, where the coral is often in better condition. Boat trips take about two to three hours. Ask your resort which spots they visit, and wear a rash guard to protect your back from the sun.
Diving
Redang is also good for scuba diving, with dive centres at several resorts. Dive sites lie around the small islands, with hard and soft coral, big schools of fish, turtles and sometimes reef sharks and rays. Visibility is usually best from about May to August, when the sea is calmest. Beginners can do a short try dive or a full open water course in a few days. Experienced divers can dive two or three times a day. Check that the dive centre is certified, and ask about the gear and group sizes before you book.
Marine park fee and rules
Every visitor to the Redang marine park must pay a conservation fee. The fee is higher for foreign visitors than for Malaysians. It is often collected at the jetty or included in your resort package, so ask when you book and keep the receipt. Follow the park rules. Do not stand on, touch or break the coral. Do not feed the fish, because it harms them and the reef. Do not take shells, coral or sea animals. Fishing is not allowed in the park. Use reef-safe sunscreen, or cover up with a rash guard instead.
Turtles
Green turtles and hawksbill turtles live in the waters around Redang, and you may see them while snorkelling or diving. Keep a calm distance, never touch or chase them, and do not block their way to the surface. Some beaches on the north side of the island are turtle nesting sites, and a conservation project protects the nests. Access to these beaches is controlled, especially at night during the nesting season. If you want to learn more, ask your resort whether there are approved talks or volunteer programmes, and follow the rules of the project.
Snorkelling and Marine Park at a glance
| Getting there | Snorkel from the beach, or join a resort boat trip |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime trips, usually morning and early afternoon |
| Cost | Marine park conservation fee, higher for foreigners; often included in packages |
| Best time | About May to August for the calmest, clearest water |
| Rules | No touching coral, no feeding fish, no fishing, take nothing |
| Bring | Own mask, rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen |