Snorkeling is the number one activity on Redang. Many resort packages include snorkeling tours by boat to nearby islands, but there are some decent reefs right off Pasir Panjang. The best of the lot is at the southern end next to the aptly named Redang Reef Resorts, and the small hill/island in the middle of Pasir Panjang is a nesting ground for baby sharks. It is very important to be concious while snorkeling if you are using fins as it can take many years for the coral to re-grow.
The snorkeling is quite protected making the water quite calm and fins are not necessary. Redang offers a safe and family-friendly snorkelling experience with its clear, calm waters. Even young children, the elderly and ‘newbies’ can enjoy snorkelling. Just put on a lifejacket, mask & snorkel and jump in
According to a year 2000 study Pulau Redang Marine Park has a very high coral & fish species richness and is considered to be a globally important area of coral biodiversity. Specifically, the study at Pulau Redang Marine Park was carried out at Teluk Mat Dollah, Chagar Hutang, Terumbu Kili, Pulau Ling, Pulau Lima and Pulau Lang Tengah. Coral reefs at Redang were among the less severely affected during the outbreak of El Nino in 1998, which wiped out coral reefs in some other parts of the world.
where to snorkling?
1.Tanjung Tengah
Tanjung Tengah and Shark Bay as seen from the southern side of Pasir Panjang beach.
Probably the best house reef (and the busiest) is Tanjung Tengah in Pasir Panjang. The southern side of Tanjung Tengah is commonly known as ‘Shark Bay’ as the reefs there are a nursery for baby black-tip sharks. April to August seems to be the best time to spot these shark pups, up to a dozen of them. Also resident to this reef are schooling needlefish, a few turtles, squid, an orange-striped triggerfish, a resident barracuda and the other coomon reef fishes.
Due to the popularity and easy accessibility of this house reef, over the years it has suffered quite a lot of damage particularly the corals nearer shore. During low tide, the corals are in very shallow water and are easily damaged through physical contact with snorkellers when they stand on them or kick them accidentally, especially when wearing booties or fins. As a precaution, some environmentally-conscious resorts at Pasir Panjang have stopped rental of fins to guests who snorkel. Please do not use fins unless you are able to control your buoyancy and use them well. Snorkel carefully, don’t go too near the corals and for your own safety, do not snorkel beyond the floating white markers where you may put yourself in the path of boats.
The house reef at Tanjung Mak Cantik begins in front of Redang Reef resort and goes around the rocky outcrop to the back of the resort.
This house reef is easily accessible from the front and rear beach of Redang Reef Resort at southern Pasir Panjang. From the front beach, get in the water and snorkel right along the rocky outcrop. It is not as ‘busy’ as Shark Bay, but you’ll get to see just as much variety of reef life, including a resident stingray, titan triggerfish, school of squid, porcupine fish, giant grouper, clams, christmas tree coral and perhaps even a banded krait sea snake and octopus.
Alternatively, you can also start from the rear beach and head out with the outcrop to your left. Going around the outcrop should be left to experienced snorkellers as the water can get a little choppy once you reach the side facing the open sea.
3.Marine Park Centre
The Marine Park Centre is the most popular snorkelling destination and can be crowded during peak visiting season. At 3-6m deep,the area around the jetty at the Marine Park Centre in Pulau Pinang is covered mainly with hard corals and offers easy access to a large variety of marine life that are resident among the PVC pipes of the artificial reef directly under the jetty, the most popular being the resident moray eel.
This place has the largest concentration of fishes in any single location probably due to the fact that many visitors feed the fish. Expect plenty of hungry damselfish, sergeant majors, wrasses, parrotfish and the resident triggerfish seeking food handouts from visitors. Just be careful not to get your fingers mistaken for food! Napolean wrasses are occasionally spotted to the west of the jetty, as are adult blacktip sharks.
To the east of the jetty is a shipwreck lying in about 8-10 metres of water with part of it visible above the water surface. The coral encrusted structures make it an interesting place to explore. Just be careful not to scratch yourself on the metal structures and avoid touching the stinging hydroids that grow on the wreck. It’s many crevices and hiding places are home to moray eels, giant groupers, batfish and angelfish. Be careful of currents when swimming out to the wreck – it is best to avoid visiting it when there are currents. Also keep within the white marker buoys as there are strong currents sweeping through the channel between Pulau Pinang and Pulau Redang.
