5 Most Beautiful Islands To Discover In Terengganu

Located along the South China Sea, these stunning islands beckon with the promise of an unforgettable experience during your visit to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Apart from its mesmerizing beauty, Terengganu is also rich in authentic Malay culture that permeates his traditional home designs right down to his back-to-basics lifestyle that is both intriguing and alluring. Among the islands that are considered the pearls of Terengganu are Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Redang, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Tenggol.

Known for its clear aquamarine waters, powdery beaches and pristine rainforests, Pulau Perhentian ranks high on the list of ideal holiday destinations. Lovingly crowned the 13th best beach in the world by CNN in 2013 and the 5th best island for swinging a hammock by Lonely Planet Travel Guide 2010, Perhentian more than lives up to its reputation given its serenity and tranquility. Fun fact: The island is also a pristine jungle paradise and is also a valuable water catchment area.

The name Perhentian can be translated as "stopover", which aptly references the island's past as it was once used as a refuge for fishermen and ancient traders who plied the old trade routes between Siam and Terengganu. Pulau Perhentian is just a 30-minute boat ride from Kuala Besut Jetty.

Perhentian Island has many interesting sites and water activities that you can try, including snorkeling and diving. Pulau Perhentian Besar is also a great destination for families and couples and offers more luxury and tranquility. On the other hand, Pulau Perhentian Kecil consists of two main beaches: Long Beach and Coral Bay. Romantic Beach in Perhentian is another small beach that is best for couples looking for a romantic getaway and lastly Turtle Beach which is located in Perhentian Besar is a more secluded beach named after the sea turtles that are known to come here to lay eggs during the nesting season.

Located in Perhentian Kecil, Perhentian Marriott Resort and Spa is a place where natural beauty meets sophisticated elegance. The entire resort is luxuriously decorated with local touches that add a touch of Malaysian flair to your stay.

When you arrive at the resort's private jetty, you will be warmly greeted by a local performance and invited to enjoy a refreshing pandan and lemongrass drink while also a delicious portion of onde-onde upon check-in.

During your stay at the Perhentian Marriott Resort and Spa, you can indulge in various activities such as batik painting, coconut grating in beautiful Terengganu, or perhaps test your diving skills at the YBD Dive Center.

The diving center has a special pool with three levels of salt water to simulate ocean conditions. Thanks to the use of enriched air, also known as Nitrox Air, YBD Dive Center is known as the only diving center in Perhentian that offers this, making it a safe and suitable place for those who want to dip their toes into the world of diving.

Younger guests are welcome at the Penyu Club, which is designed specifically for children and teenagers and offers them entertainment and local activities.

Those seeking peace and quiet can visit the Qi Forest Spa or Fitness Center to relax, unwind and enjoy some well-deserved 'me time'.

This beautiful resort has over 200 rooms, each offering ideal views of either the open sea or lush greenery. Some of the rooms you can choose from are Deluxe Guest Room, Sanctuary Villa and Deluxe Coastal Category.

Feeling hungry? Fill your bellies with local delicacies at Dapur, where mouth-watering local flavors come alive with every bite.

In Sekochi, enjoy the best of coastal offerings, as well as seafood delicacies. Step into the Great Hall and be enchanted by the over 132 batik blocks that tastefully decorate the space while you enjoy afternoon treats and local cocktails.

Just 20 minutes by boat from Merang Jetty, Pulau Kapas is relatively smaller in size compared to other northern Terengganu islands such as Perhentian Island or Redang Island. Pulau Kapas is still famous for its white sandy beaches, but what makes it unique is that it is also a breeding ground for squid. Thus, the island attracts the most attention during the squid fishing season, which lasts from March to August.

Pulau Kapas simply translates to "cotton island"; The name lives up to its beautiful white sandy beaches. The island is also known for its clear sea water, lush forests and coral reefs, topped with a delightfully peaceful atmosphere. Activities available on the island include snorkeling and kayaking.

Its pristine blue waters and white sandy beaches make Pulau Redang a hit among travelers and locals. The closest pier to Pulau Redang is Merang Pier, which can be reached in 45 minutes by speedboat, while the boat ride from Shahbandar Pier takes 30 minutes. Cesium turtles, turtles, humpback parrotfish, cuttlefish and small black reef sharks can be seen all year round in the clear waters of Pulau Redang. The best time to visit is from March to September when sky and water visibility is at its peak. The monsoon season occurs after October and during this time most tourist sites remain closed and diving and boating are temporarily prohibited. Some of the many attractions in Redang Island include snorkeling and diving.

Redang Island Resort offers comfortable rooms with magnificent views. Enjoy a stay at the Rainforest Chalet, where stunning rainforest views set the tone for the perfect tropical getaway.

Seaview Chalet is renowned for its expansive views of the sparkling sea, which can be enjoyed with the cool breeze in the morning. Enjoy a delicious meal at Santapan Cafe, the resort's coffee shop serving both Malaysian and international cuisines. From there you can climb the stairs which will take you to a hidden beach within the resort. Here at Redang Island Resort's private beach, you can enjoy the calming waves and lush greenery that surrounds the area at your own pace.

Taaras Beach Resort and Spa offers you an unforgettable experience with the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea.

Enjoy the comfort of spacious rooms such as the Garden Suite, Cliff Premier Twin, Cliff Bay Suite, Cliff Premier Suite, Oceanfront Suite, Two-Bedroom Hillview Deluxe, Two-Bedroom Bayview Suite and Oceanfront Master Suite.

Enjoy a refreshing swim in the clear waters of the resort's private beach, have fun swimming among friendly turtles and fish, or grab a paddleboard and kayak while taking in the resort's wonderful views.

Rest assured, Taaras Beach and Spa Resort has something for everyone. The lobby offers free games such as billiards, table tennis, carrom and mahjong. The resort invites guests to socialize with friends, have fun and laugh.

The gym here is also well equipped with the latest workout equipment and hosts daily yoga classes that guests can join.

In addition, the SEATRU Turtle Lab opened in 2018, educating people about sea turtle conservation and offering tours for those who want to learn more about sea turtles and their life cycles.

And don't forget to check out the Jungle Gym, a unique gym where everything is made of wood.

When it comes to food and drink, be prepared to immerse yourself in the mouth-watering flavors of the resort's many cafes and restaurants. Try Asean All-day Dining, serving authentic Malaysian cuisine as well as international and fusion cuisine. Depending on your preferences, you can dine in the restaurant or on the terrace overlooking the pool and bay. In addition, MareNero will delight you with rich Indian and Italian dishes in a relaxing and elegant beachfront setting. Meanwhile, Asean Terrace Lounge serves refreshing cocktails and relaxing music while you lounge by the pool. Finally, The Cove is a place where you can enjoy the cool ocean breeze while sipping cocktails and enjoying beach snacks.

At Laguna Redang Island Resort, you can be sure that both comfort and relaxation will be at its best for your stay. The resort also offers two full board packages filled with exciting adventures for you to enjoy, namely: Deluxe Promotion Package and Diving Deluxe Promotion Package.

The Deluxe Promotion package includes two nights of accommodation with two breakfasts and a buffet lunch. This package also includes three free snorkeling sessions, as well as roundtrip boat transfers from the jetty to Redang Island. This package offers you four types of rooms: Deluxe Garden, Deluxe Pool, Deluxe Sea and Premier Sea.

On the other hand, the Diving Deluxe Promotion package includes two nights of accommodation with breakfast and buffet lunch. Also included are four boat dives. Like the other package, this package offers two-way boat transfer from the jetty to Redang Island. The four rooms you can choose from with this package include Deluxe Pool, Deluxe Garden, Deluxe Sea and Premier Sea.

Pulau Lang Tengah is famous for its beautiful beaches and emerald waters. Situated between Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang, Pulau Lang Tengah is just a 30-minute drive from Merang Jetty. This island is widely known for its rich marine life and unique coral formations. The name Lang Tengah is a combination of the words Lang, which means eagle, and Tengah, which means middle. The eagle symbolizes freedom, while the word Tengah signifies the geographical location of the island.

Adventurous lovers will be in for a treat as Pulau Lang Tengah is also full of various exciting activities for everyone. Since the island is widely known for its pristine beaches and exotic marine life, snorkeling is a definite fan favorite, especially when you can swim among vibrant coral reefs and aquatic life. Like other islands in Terengganu, diving is also one of the many famous activities. Some of the most popular diving spots on the island include Summer Reef, Summer Wreck, Blue Coral and Fish Haven.

What makes Pulau Lang Tengah stand out is its turtle watching, as the island is well known as a nesting sea turtles. Another unique activity here is blue sand hunting. At the right time, you will be able to see small aquatic organisms swimming just below the surface of the ocean, emitting a bright blue light for a minute.

Pulau Lang Tengah is also known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue water, so make sure you don't miss some of the most popular beaches here, including Pasir Air, Summer Bay, Sari Pacifica, D'Coconut Lagoon and Turtle Bay. Stroll along powdery beaches or lie under shady palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze to experience the true tranquility these places have to offer.

Located in the southernmost part of Terengganu, Pulau Tenggol is a magnet for hardcore divers. There are different types of diving to choose from such as night diving, wreck diving, deep sea diving and drift diving. There are over 20 locations to choose from, including Batu Chanang and Coral Garden. Other popular diving spots in Pulau Tenggol include Teluk Air Tawar, Rajawali, Tokong Batu, Tokong Timur and Tanjung Gemuk. For all the non-divers, don't worry - snorkeling is always available in Pulau Tenggol.

Geographically, the island is a 45-minute boat ride from Kuala Dungun. There is only one beach on Pulau Tenggol, which faces both the mainland and the cliffs. The island is filled with smaller islands that are havens for divers and it is relatively smaller in size compared to other islands in Terengganu. Even though the island only extends for three kilometers, there is still plenty of entertainment for guests.

In addition, you can find many wild marine animals here. Whale sharks are often seen in the area and are known to appear between August and October. The best time to visit Pulau Tenggol is from July to August when the climate is calm. Visitors are generally advised to avoid traveling between October and February as the weather can be completely unpredictable and the island will be largely closed to the public.