Pulau Tenggol (Tenggol Island)

The Tenggol group of islands is the most southerly of Terengganu's Marine Parks. It consists of Pulau Tenggol, Pulau Nyireh (Nyireh Island), Tokong Timur, Tokong Talang, Tokong Burung and Tokong Kemudi.

The main island, Pulau Tenggol, is about 50 hectares in size and is one of the most beautiful and serene islands off Peninsular Malaysia's east coast. It is also famous for its spectacular rocky cliffs that offer many excellent dive sites. Here, one can find pristine coral formations and a number of submerged rocks with excellent coral growths. The deep waters surrounding the island offer good visibility especially during the months of April until June.

Marine life that can be seen here includes sharks, rays, nudibranch and a wide variety of hard and soft coral. Before being declared a marine park, Pulau Tenggol was a favourite hunting ground for spear-fishermen, particularly for snappers and groupers.

Pulau Tenggol is 40 minutes by speedboat from Kuala Dungun, a fishing village about one and a half hours north of Kuantan, midway between Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

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Pulau Kapas (Kapas Island)

Pulau Kapas (Kapas Island) and its neighbouring island Pulau Gemia are two popular day excursion and overnight destinations for locals and foreign tourists seeking a quick gateway to a relaxing lifestyle on the white sandy beaches.

The reefs surrounding Pulau Kapas ranges in depth from three to 20 metres. It has good marine life and coral despite being located so close to the mainland (only six km from the coastal village of Marang). Varieties of fish that can be seen here include Moorish idols, Wrasses, and Butterfly fishes.

The best time to go diving is between the months of May and October as the visibility is excellent. However, it is best not to visit the island between the months of November and February as it is affected by the northeast monsoon. There can be days when the rain is heavier than usual and the waves can get quite big.

During the months of April to August, green and hawksbill turtles come onshore to lay eggs. Pulau Kapas has also become a popular place for squid fishing especially in the month of June.

Visitors to the island can choose from a variety of accommodations ranging from the up-market Gem Isles Resort to basic A-frames. It can get crowded during weekends and public holidays.

Kapas Island is about 30-minute boat ride from the jetty in Marang, a picturesque fishing village 30 minutes south of Kuala Terengganu. Bus ride to Marang from Kuala Terengganu costs only RM1. There are also bus services connecting Marang with Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Cherating.

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Pulau Redang (Redang Island)

From a sleepy fishing village, Pulau Redang (Redang Island) has grown into one of the most popular tourist destinations on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The reefs of the Redang archipelago are home to over 55 genera of corals and 100 species of fish. Every year, Pulau Redang attracts thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the sun, beaches and spectacular marine life.

The Redang archipelago, located off the coast of Terengganu state, comprises Pulau Redang (Redang Island), Pulau Pinang (Pinang Island), Pulau Ling (Ling Island), Pulau Ekor Tebu (Ekor Tebu Island), Pulau Kerengga Besar (Kerengga Besar Island), Pulau Kerengga Kecil (Kerengga Kecil Island), Pulau Paku Besar (Paku Besar Island), Pulau Paku Kecil (Paku Kecil Island) and Pulau Lima (Lima Island). This group of islands boasts white sandy beaches, spectacular coral reefs and crystal clear waters, making it one of the best dive spots in the world.
The waters surrounding the Redang group of islands have been the second area to be gazetted as a Marine Park following Pulau Payar in Kedah. The park headquarters is located on Pulau Pinang which is off the main jetty of Pulau Redang.

Getting there via Kuala Terengganu Port, it is located 50km away and takes approximately one and a half hours by ferry. The shortest route to Pulau Redang is a speedboat journey from Merang, which takes about 45 minutes in total. Another additional point of embarkation is from the coastal town of Chendering. A very comfortable and luxurious double-decked catamaran plies this route and it's the most comfortable journey to Pulau Redang by far.

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