Travel Tips for Visiting Redang Island

Redang Island is a popular destination, but there are a few things to keep in mind before planning your trip. Firstly, the island can be crowded with Chinese tourists, leading to long queues for meals and entertainment that mainly features Chinese songs. However, many Malaysian Chinese staff can speak Mandarin, which is a plus. The journey to Redang can be quite exhausting, especially if you're traveling from Chengdu. It involves flying to Kuala Lumpur, then to Terengganu, followed by a hotel shuttle to the pier and a ferry ride that takes about two hours. The return trip on the Laguna speedboat is equally bumpy, so it's advisable to take motion sickness medication and avoid a heavy breakfast if you're prone to seasickness. The island itself is smaller than expected, with limited activities beyond diving. If you're not into diving, a five-day stay might feel monotonous. Unlike the Maldives, where the entire island feels like paradise, Redang has a lively area around Laguna Beach, but the further you go towards Sari Pacifica, the quieter it gets, with few lights and less aesthetic appeal. The hotels on the island are backed by staff quarters and tractors, lacking visual charm. The underwater scenery during deep-sea dives was average, with sightings of stingrays but no turtles, possibly due to bad luck. Be cautious of triggerfish while snorkeling, as they can bite. Neither the beach nor Laguna rooms offer Wi-Fi, but purchasing a Hotlink SIM card on Taobao provides 4G access, which is fairly reliable. Unfortunately, on July 22nd, the island experienced an internet outage from morning until evening, causing inconvenience for those relying on Alipay for purchases, including pre-booked massages that had to be canceled. Thankfully, meals were included in the hotel package. For the return journey, flights were at 12:45 PM to Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport and 6:00 PM to Chengdu from the international airport. Despite initial concerns, both flights had ample time for connections. Hotel transfers from the airport to the pier were booked at 20 MYR per person, and the trip from Subang to the international airport took about an hour. Grab taxis were convenient, with Alipay payments totaling 130 RMB. AirAsia's online check-in and no checked baggage made security checks smooth. The international airport offers delicious roast chicken rice for around 20 RMB, providing great value. During security checks, AirAsia weighed luggage, and after some adjustments, my suitcase was allowed through. Overall, Malaysia left a positive impression compared to other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. The cost of living was lower than expected, and the staff encountered were friendly and responsible. However, without direct flights to Redang Island, it's unlikely to return, as it lacks the allure of the Maldives, which beckons repeated visits. #RedangIsland #RedangTravel #LagunaBeach