The monsoon season on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia sets in towards end of October and lasts through till late February/Early March. The best time to visit the East Coast is in March and April especially for diving where visibility can hit 40m. It is not advisable to visit this part of Peninsular Malaysia at its peak of the monsoon season - that is, November till early January. The seas are rough and the boat and resort operators would be closed between October and February.
Packing Checklist
Swimsuit
Snorkelling gear - mask, snorkel, fins, booties, life jacket (prescriptive mask if required)
Diving equipment - mask, snorkel, fins, booties, regulator and octopus, BCD, dive table, dive logs, dive computers, knife, lycra or 3mm skin suits, gloves, underwater torches, dive watch - it's advisable to bring your own kit as rental can be expensive
Dive card
Life jackets especially for children
Waterproof pouches
Clothing - shorts, t-shirts, sarong, towel, light dress
Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, after-tan lotion, shampoo, soap, women's sanitary products, shaving foam and shaver, combSun block, mosquito repellent, mosquito netting, hammock
Travel journal, reading material
Binoculars
Prescriptive medicine, dietary supplements, motion sickness tablets
Amenities
Food
All resorts have restaurants but not all serve alcohol. Lighthouse and Garden Resort are the two resorts that still serve alcohol.
Electricity
There is electricity on the island and run on normal 240V.
Telecommunication
The general phones are at the reception and some resorts allow overseas call. Internet service is now available on the island via wireless phones at Aquasport and Garden Resort.
Nursery
Resorts do not carry such facilities
Photo Developing
There are no developing shops on the island. If required, Kuala Terengganu town has 1 hour developing shops.
Money Changer
A few resorts will be able to change US dollars and Singapore Dollars. Not all resorts have credit card facilities.
Language
The staff at all resorts can speak English but if need to, it will be best to talk to the reception for any enquiries, requests or grievances.
Things to Buy
The resorts do sell some toiletries and some t-shirts and island souvenirs but nothing to shout about.
DO NOT BUY any souvenirs made from corals, shells and other marine animals such as starfishes. Anyone found in possession of such items will be fined RM5,000. If the villagers don't know better, advise them not to exploit their environment. Even dead corals - the bleached ones sometimes found washed ashore should be left where it is found. Did you know that hermit crabs do not grow their own shells? ..they inhabit abandoned or empty shells. For all you shell collectors out there, have a thought for these poor, homeless creatures. Leave those shells where you found them!
Accommodation and Holiday Packages to Kuala Terengganu, Merang, Marang, Kapas Island, Tenggol Island, Gemia Island, Redang Island, Lang Tengah Island, Bidong Island, Penarik, Rantau Abang, Kenyir Lake, Tanjong Jara, Dungun, Paka and Surroundings
Peninsula Malaysia Islands |
| Pulau Aur | Pulau Besar | Pulau Bidong | Pulau Duyung Besar | Pulau Gemia | Pulau Kapas | Pulau Langkawi | Pulau Lang Tengah | Pulau Pangkor | Pulau Payar | Pulau Perhentian | Pulau Pemanggil | Penang | Pulau Rawa | Pulau Redang | Pulau Sibu | Pulau Tenggol | Pulau Tioman | |
Peninsula Malaysia Coastal Beaches |
| Marang | Merang | Rantau Abang | Penarik | Port Dickson | Tanjung Jara | Cherating | |
Sabah and Sarawak ~ Borneo Islands & Coastal Beaches |
Sabah ~ | Kapalai | Pulau Mabul | Pulau Sipadan | Selingan Turtle Island | Mataking Island | Tuaran | Lankayan Island | Pulau Tiga Resort (Survivor Island) | Sarawak ~ | Damai Beach, Santubong | Kayakking with Dolphins | |
Getting There and Away
Best Time to Go
