December 1, 2007
Pulau Redang is one of the largest and most beautiful of the islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is a popular holiday island for Malaysians & Singaporean.
Redang is one of nine islands which form a marine park and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities. Access is from Merang Jetty or Terengganu on boats operated by the resorts; there is also a small airport with services operated by Berjaya Air from Singapore (Seletar Airport) and Kuala Lumpur. Coach transport are also available from Singapore to Merang Jetty.
One of the most beautiful beaches of Redang is Pasir Panjang. The beach is covered with soft white sand. Corals and fish can be seen just a few metres from the beach.
The island is also an important conservation site for sea turtles. There are some islands which are protected for the turtles to lay their eggs and no visitor are allow unless authorise by the management.
The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks. The H.M.S Prince of Wales and the H.M.S Repulse were sunk here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
The Pulau Redang archipelago comprises Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang.
Pulau Redang is the biggest of all the islands in the Marine Park, measuring about 7 km long and 6 km wide. It’s highest peak is Bukit Besar at 359 metres above sea level.
The boundary of the Pulau Redang Marine Park is established by a line linking all points 2 nautical miles from the shores of Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Ekor Tebu and Pulau Pinang.
The other nearby islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Susu Dara are also gazetted and protected as Marine Parks.
Today, only the bigger islands like Redang, Lang Tengah, Perhentian and Kapas have resort facilities for visitors. The management of Marine Parks primarily involves protection of the sensitive marine and terrestrial ecosystems by controlling the impact from human activities. These include waste & pollution management and conservation of coral reefs and terrestrial habitats.
Posted by Maple Holiday
Posted by Maple Holiday