Pulau Redang, or Redang Island, is a thriving scuba diving destination located in the South China Sea, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Known for its clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and the Redang Marine Park, it provides an array of diving opportunities for both beginners and experienced divers.

Big Mount: This site is a submerged pinnacle reaching down to 30 meters (around 100 feet), making it perfect for advanced divers. Big Mount is teeming with marine life, including leopard sharks, barracuda, and batfish.

Chek Isa: Offering an impressive array of hard and soft corals, this site descends to around 24 meters. More experienced divers can explore the deeper parts where nurse sharks often hide.

Tanjung Tokong: Also known as Turtle Bay, it is one of the most popular dive sites around Redang Island. Its shallow depth (up to 18 meters/60 feet) and weak current make it an ideal spot for beginners, and you might even encounter sea turtles here.

Marine Park Centre: The site is near the Marine Park's main jetty, with depths reaching 15 meters (50 feet). Its calm waters are perfect for beginners, offering encounters with colorful reef fish, cuttlefish, and occasional blacktip reef sharks.

The marine life around Redang is vibrant and diverse. Divers can expect to see various coral species, schools of jacks and fusiliers, turtles, reef sharks, and if you're lucky, even manta rays or whale sharks. Macro enthusiasts will also appreciate the smaller critters, such as nudibranchs and frogfish.

Dive conditions in Redang are generally excellent, with the water temperature averaging around 28-30°C (82-86°F). Visibility can vary but often reaches up to 20 meters (65 feet). The diving season runs from March to October, avoiding the northeast monsoon from November to February, during which most of the resorts are closed.

The cost for diving in Redang is reasonable, with a typical fun dive priced at around $30-$40. The cost for a full PADI Open Water Diver course is about $300-$400, which includes equipment rental. As always, remember to choose a dive operator that emphasizes safety and respects marine conservation.

With its crystal-clear waters, rich marine life, and attractive dive sites, Redang Island offers an unforgettable scuba diving experience for divers of all skill levels.