Scuba diving in Pulau Redang

In August, I packed my bags and left Singapore for a short holiday at Pulau Redang.

Pulau Redang is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is a popular holiday getaway for tourists, most of whom come on package deals to one of the many resorts available on the island.

Access is from Merang Jetty or Kuala Terengganu on boats operated by the resorts or via Berjaya Airlines from Seletar Airport Singapore.

Laguna beach front, Pulau Redang.

True to the contrary, the island is renowned for their soft sandy beaches, clear sea waters, the very beautiful sunset view, and the famous More More Tea Inn.

Bikini babes are a plenty too.

We stayed at the most expensive resort - The Laguna Island Resort because we are damn rich their dive centre is one of the best on the island..

Our package of S$350 includes return coach transfer, 3D2N stay, all meals and 4 dives (with gear included).

The only drawback is that the TV programmes show nothing except Malaysian channels, and 24 hour broadcast of 夏日的麽麽茶.

Not that we are complaining, we are not there to watch their TV programmes, but to scuba dive.

Normally, we only get to interact with marine life by visiting the aquarium, keeping them in fish tanks, or eating them on the dinner table.

Diving gives you the opportunity to enter the marine territory and experience life underwater.

Pacific Pomfret, Brama Japonica - Do you recall eating it steamed?

Nothing beats experiencing the real thing yourself, and capturing the beautiful memories on camera.

The underwater world is home to many fantastic marine creatures. Some are colourful.

Some are shy.

Some are familiar faces. They are not afraid of humans and will even play with you.

Ocellaris Clownfish, Amphiprion Ocellaris.

Some will eventually end up at the dining table, complete with sambal and a dash of lime.

Stingray, Taeniura Lymma.

The best part about scuba diving is the surreal feeling you get when you are totally immersed in the water.

Swimming freely in the sea, forgetting all your troubles. Getting yourself surrounded as the fish swim along with you.

Scuba diving may seem as an expensive and dangerous activity. You might lose your life anytime when the regulator leaves your mouth.

Smile =).

The dangers are always there. But you have to go through a proper course before you are qualified to dive in open waters. That was where my S$400 went to when I took the beginner’s course in 2004 at Pulau Tioman. But I’ve never looked back since.

The sun casting it’s rays on the calm waters of Pulau Tioman in 2004. Unforgettable.

Diving is always in done in buddy system. Equipments are checked throughly to ensure safety is not compromised.

After all the equipments are taken care of, there will be a briefing session by the dive instructors regarding safety and any potential dangers during the dive.

Finally, we get on the boat, travel to the dive site, and we are off!

A lot of preparation, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

After 4 dives, we concluded our stay at Pulau Redang.

Group picture with my friends and dive instructors.

Scuba diving is great.

We’ll be back for more.