Redang Island Malaysia: Is It Worth It? Costs, Resorts and What to Expect

Redang Island is often called the “Maldives of Malaysia”, but is it actually worth the cost and effort to get there?

After visiting Redang, I’d say it is worth it if you want clear water, easy snorkelling and a simple resort based beach trip. However, it’s not the best Malaysian island if you want lots of things to do, cheap accommodation or a more independent backpacking style trip.

This guide covers exactly what to expect, how much Redang costs, where to stay, how to get there, what to do and the practical things I wish I had known before visiting.

If you’re planning a wider trip, this Malaysia travel guide covers how Redang fits into a full route and what else to include.

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Is Redang Island worth visiting?

Yes, Redang Island is worth visiting if you want clear water, snorkelling and an easy beach trip where most things are organised for you. It is one of the best islands in Malaysia for a short, resort based stay, especially if you want to relax rather than plan a packed itinerary.

However, Redang is not the best choice for everyone. It is more expensive than mainland Malaysia, most accommodation is sold as full board packages, and there is not a huge amount to do beyond snorkelling, diving and relaxing on the beach.

For me, Redang worked well as a two night trip because everything was simple once we arrived. Transfers, meals and snorkelling were arranged through the resort, so it felt easy and genuinely low effort to organise.

If you prefer more flexibility, cheaper accommodation or the ability to move between different beaches, the Perhentian Islands are usually a better fit. If you want a wider range of things to do and easier access, Langkawi is often the better option.

Quick overview of Redang Island

• Best for: snorkelling, clear water and an easy beach escape
• Stay style: full board resorts with meals and transfers included
• Time needed: 2 to 3 days
• Best months: March to October
• Budget: mid to high for Malaysia
• Good for: couples, short trips, low effort travel
• Not ideal for: backpacking, nightlife or lots of variety

What surprised me about Redang Island

Before going, there were a few things that weren’t obvious when booking.

There are no ATMs on the island, so you’ll need to bring enough cash for anything not included in your resort package. While some places accept card or local payment apps, it’s not something you can rely on.

Redang is very resort based. Once you arrive, everything is organised for you, but there’s very little to do beyond snorkelling and relaxing on the beach. For most people, two to three days is enough.

When you arrive by boat, you’ll usually stop at the main jetty before being transferred to your resort, sometimes by tractor along the beach.

It’s also worth knowing that most resorts arrange everything in advance, including transfers and activities, so there’s very little planning needed once you’re there.

Cost of visiting Redang Island

Redang Island isn’t the cheapest place in Malaysia, but because most stays are all inclusive, costs are fairly predictable once you book.

For our trip, we booked fairly last minute, around six days in advance, so prices weren’t at their lowest.

• Return flights from Kuala Lumpur: around £80 per person
• 2 night resort package: £378 total for two people, including meals and transfers
• Snorkelling gear: around 30 ringgit for a couple of days

Overall, we paid just under £230 per person for two nights, which felt reasonable considering everything was included. It’s not the cheapest destination in Malaysia, but once you’re there, there’s very little extra to spend.

If you’re booking through Agoda or Booking.com, it’s worth checking TopCashback before booking to see if you can get money back on the same reservation.

If you’re planning a wider route, this Malaysia travel guide explains how to combine Redang with other destinations.

Where to stay on Redang Island

Accommodation on Redang Island is almost entirely resort based, and most places operate on full board packages rather than room only stays. This usually includes meals, snorkelling trips and return boat transfers, so while prices can seem high at first, most of your costs are covered upfront.

One thing that isn’t always obvious is that many of the resorts sit along the same stretch of beach, particularly around Pasir Panjang. In our case, we were able to walk between neighbouring resorts, use beachfront bars and even visit places like a kopitiam as a paying customer.

This makes the island feel less restrictive than it might seem, even though most accommodation is package based.

If you’re deciding where to stay, I’ve broken down the best resorts on Redang Island in more detail here.

Best resorts on Redang Island

Budget to mid range

Redang Holiday Beach Resort is one of the more affordable options on the island and sits along the main stretch of beach. It offers full board packages including meals and transfers, making it a good option if you want to keep costs lower without sacrificing location.

Mid range

Laguna Redang Island Resort is one of the most popular choices and offers a more polished experience, with better facilities and organised snorkelling trips included in most packages.

Higher end

The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort is the most premium option on the island, with higher quality rooms, quieter surroundings and a more upscale feel overall.

It’s worth checking availability as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling between May and August. Resorts on Redang have limited capacity and tend to book out quickly, particularly if you’re looking for better value options.

Overall, where you stay on Redang matters less than you might expect. Most resorts are set directly on the beach, and the experience is fairly similar across the island. The main difference comes down to budget, how busy you want the resort to feel, and how polished the facilities are.

How to get to Redang Island from Kuala Lumpur

Getting to Redang Island is fairly straightforward, but it does involve a couple of steps. I’ve broken down the full journey step by step in this guide on how to get to Redang Island from Kuala Lumpur.

The closest airport is Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu. You can fly from Kuala Lumpur in around an hour, and this is the easiest way to reach the island.

You can quickly compare flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu to find the best times and prices

Shahbandar Jetty is closer to the airport, around 15 to 20 minutes away, while Merang Jetty is slightly further at around 30 to 40 minutes by car. Most resorts use Merang Jetty and will include transfers as part of their package.

The boat journey to Redang Island usually takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on the departure point and sea conditions.

When you arrive, boats often stop at the main jetty before you’re transferred to your resort. In some cases, this involves a short tractor ride along the beach, which is part of how transport works on the island.

Important tip before you go

If your resort is arranging transfers, make sure you confirm which jetty you’re departing from in advance. Merang Jetty has multiple small departure points, and different resorts may use different areas, so it’s worth double checking to avoid confusion on the day.

If you’re spending time in the city first, my Kuala Lumpur guide covers where to stay and things to do.

What to do on Redang Island

Redang Island is mainly focused on beaches and water based activities, rather than lots of different things to do.

Snorkelling is the main highlight, with clear water and coral reefs that are easy to access. Most resorts run daily snorkelling trips, and even from the beach you can often see plenty of marine life.

If you dive, Redang is one of the better places in Peninsular Malaysia. Conditions are generally calm during the season, and it’s common to see turtles, reef sharks and a wide variety of fish.

Island hopping is also available, usually organised through your resort. These trips typically focus on visiting different snorkelling spots rather than sightseeing, so the experience is quite similar to what you’ll already find around Redang itself.

Most visitors stay around the main beach area, where the majority of resorts are located. Since everything is close together and organised through your accommodation, there’s less need to move around compared to other islands in Malaysia.

Overall, most people spend their time snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and joining one or two organised trips, which is why a short stay works well.

Day trip option to Redang Island

If you don’t want to stay overnight or commit to a full resort package, there are also day trips to Redang Island that include snorkelling, equipment and boat transfers.

These are a good option if you’re short on time or visiting from Kuala Terengganu, and still want to experience the clear water and marine life without staying on the island.

These typically cost around £25 to £30 per person, making them one of the more affordable ways to experience Redang.

If you’re short on time, this is one of the easiest ways to experience Redang without staying overnight, you can check availability for Redang snorkelling day trips here.

Best time to visit Redang Island

The best time to visit Redang Island is between March and October, when the weather is generally dry, seas are calm and visibility for snorkelling is at its best.

The peak period runs from May to August, when you can expect the clearest water and the most reliable conditions. This is also when prices are highest and resorts book out quickly, so it’s worth planning ahead if you’re travelling during these months.

From November to February, the northeast monsoon affects Malaysia’s east coast, bringing rough seas and heavy rain. During this time, most resorts close and boat transfers are either limited or unavailable, making travel to Redang difficult.

Overall, timing your visit makes a big difference. If you’re coming mainly for snorkelling and beaches, it’s best to stick within the main season when conditions are most reliable.

Redang vs Perhentian vs Langkawi

If you’re deciding between Redang Island, the Perhentian Islands and Langkawi, the best choice depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.

Redang is the most resort based of the three. It’s best if you want an easy, organised beach trip with clear water and good snorkelling, but it has fewer options once you’re there and tends to be more expensive overall.

The Perhentian Islands offer more flexibility. There’s a wider range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses to mid range stays, and it’s easier to move between beaches. It’s a better choice if you prefer a more independent trip or are travelling on a lower budget.

Langkawi is the most developed and easiest to reach. It has the widest range of hotels, restaurants and activities, making it a good option if you want more variety or are short on time. However, the beaches and water are generally not as clear as Redang or the Perhentians.

Which one should you choose?

• Choose Redang if you want a simple, resort based beach trip with great snorkelling
• Choose Perhentian if you want flexibility, lower costs and a more independent feel
• Choose Langkawi if you want variety, easier access and more things to do

Practical tips for visiting Redang Island

• Bring cash, as there are no ATMs on the island
• Some places accept card or QR payments, but if you don’t have a local payment app, you can use GrabPay through the Grab app as an alternative
• A dry bag is useful for the boat transfer, as you may need to walk through shallow water when getting on or off the boat
• The boat journey can be choppy, so consider seasickness tablets if you’re prone to it
• Wear sandals or footwear you don’t mind getting wet, and avoid bringing nice shoes as there can be tar on the beach and in the water.
• Snorkelling gear can be rented cheaply, usually around 30 ringgit for a couple of days
• Most people wear swimwear while snorkelling, but it’s also common to wear shorts or light coverage in the water
• Two to three days is usually enough for most people

FAQs about Redang Island

Is Redang Island expensive?

Redang Island is more expensive than mainland Malaysia, mainly because most accommodation is sold as full board packages that include meals, snorkelling and transfers. While the upfront cost is higher, there’s usually very little extra to spend once you arrive.

How many days do you need in Redang Island?

Two to three days is usually enough to enjoy Redang Island. Most visitors spend their time snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and joining one or two boat trips, so a short stay works well.

Can you visit Redang Island without a resort package?

It is possible to visit Redang without a package, but options are limited. Most resorts operate on full board stays, and independent travellers may find fewer choices for accommodation, transport and food compared to other Malaysian islands.

Is Redang Island better than Langkawi?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Langkawi is easier to reach and offers more variety, while Redang has clearer water, better snorkelling and a more relaxed, resort based experience.

Is Redang Island safe?

Redang Island is generally considered very safe for travellers. Resorts are well organised, and most activities are structured, making it an easy destination even for first time visitors to Malaysia.