The little island of Redang is a fantastic place to get away from all your worries. With lovely coral reefs and healthy marine life, plus great resorts and diving for everyone from novice to expert, it is not surprising that this tiny piece of paradise is gaining popularity. Surrounded by smaller islets which are mostly uninhabited, it boasts hundreds of coral species – in fact, eighty percent of the corals which inhabit the Coral Triangle can be found concentrated in this small area. While there are many dive sites to choose from, some deserve special mention. Here are just seven of Redang Island’s best dive sites to start you on your way.
Pulau Lima - Redang Island Dive Sites
Palau Lima is surrounded by several separate dive sites. North Palau Lima and South Palau Lima are two of the best. At the North, you’ll find a site sometimes referred to as Big Mount, where manta rays and whale sharks are often seen, thanks to the strong current that helps to nourish these magnificent filter feeders. The bottom here, located just about 80 meters from the northern tip of the island, features a huge hill composed of big boulders covered in gorgonians and sea fans, and offers maximum depth at 30 meters. Due to the strong current, this side of the islet is reserved for experienced divers. Look for tuna and barracuda.
At the southern tip of Pulau Lima, you’ll find small caves filled with lobsters and crabs, moray eels and groupers. In addition, there are more huge boulders which are a good place to find flamboyant nudibranchs. The wall on this side of the little islet is well-protected from the current and is beautifully coated in colorful coral and sponge. A wonderful multi-level site for all, the south edge of Pulau Lima features maximum depth at 30 meters. Watch for black tip reef sharks, puffer fish, and the occasional turtle among all the other tropicals that live here.
Chek Isa - Redang Island Dive Sites
A wonderful little reef whose name translates to Mini Mount, Chek Isa begins in 8 meters of water and features maximum depth at 20 meters. With very little current, this site is suitable for intermediate divers and up. Here, you’ll find a pair of massive boulders, each covered in a kaleidoscope of soft coral and sponge growth. Be careful – there are also stinging hydroids on these monoliths!
Crawling with cowries and spider crabs, urchins and spiny lobsters, the rugged boulders are also home to angelfish and wrasse, damsels and parrotfish, some large groupers, squid and octopus. Watch for small black tip reef sharks resting in the sand. At night, enjoy watching the crustaceans as they forage for food, and look for sleeping parrotfish, which hover silently in the cocoons they construct for themselves each evening.
Tanjung Cina Terjun - Redang Island Dive Sites
Suitable for all divers, and a macro photographer’s dream, Tanjung Cina Terjun is very popular for night dives, as well as for daytime dives. With maximum depth at just 18 meters, and nearly endless opportunities for exploration, this is one of those places where you can simply relax and enjoy the many creatures who call this fringing reef their home.
At the bottom of the reef, little cat sharks and leopard sharks, as well as a few bamboo sharks and the occasional black tip reef shark can be found resting on the sand. A lovely, mystical garden of sea whips hosts puffers and lionfish, parrotfish and a variety of other colorful inhabitants. If you’re lucky, you might even see a free-swimming moray eel here!
Last, but certainly not least, the rocks are covered in soft coral in shades of pink, orange, yellow and lavender, as well as anemones and sponges. You’ll find cowries and crabs, little lobsters and nudibranchs coexisting with tiny reef fish.
Pulau Ekor Tebu - Redang Island Dive Sites
Simply magnificent, and with varied terrain that includes towering granite boulders as well as a cave, Pulau Ekor Tebu is a site you’ll never want to leave. Maximum depth here is 24 meters, and as the bottom is composed of bright white sand, the light quality is just spectacular. With stands of staghorn coral and swirling compositions of lettuce coral, massive table coral formations and beautiful leather corals, sea fans and soft corals, plus giant clams with their iridescent mantles, the setting is perfect for photography. You’ll find small black tip reef sharks, bamboo sharks and cat sharks, massive silver trevally hunting for a meal of baitfish, and torpedo shaped barracuda stealthily looking for their own lunch. Pompano and batfish, eagle rays, the occasional manta ray, and turtles can often be encountered here as well, particularly if the current is running. While not a particularly challenging site, it is best for intermediate divers and above.
Tanjung Tokong - Redang Island Dive Sites
One of the best places to encounter green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles, Tanjung Tokong is located near Chagar Hutang’s Turtle Bay. In addition to the turtles, the site shelters napoleon wrasse and schooling jacks, lots of snapper and fusiliers, along with pairs of tang and angelfish, Moorish idols, and butterfly fish.
With huge boulders whose stark outlines have been softened by the corals and sponges that cover them, the site is both magnificent and colorful. Although there can sometimes be a bit of current and surface conditions can be rough at times, the site is perfect for snorkeling in calm weather and is ideal for all divers. You can find nudibranchs and other colorful creatures hiding on the rocks, and on occasion, black tip reef sharks have been spotted in the area.
As in many places, the dive operators at Redang focus on responsible diving. Strict no touch and no take policies are enforced, and good buoyancy control is a must. Harassing marine life is strictly forbidden, and there is no anchoring to reefs. These policies ensure that the beauty and wonder you’ll encounter here is preserved for generations to come. Lastly, you should know that prices for staying and diving here are quite economical. Getting reservations on short notice can sometimes be tricky, so plan in advance and you’ll be able to enjoy a fantastic experience you won’t soon forget.