Kuala Terengganu

This city is located at the Terengganu River and is the capitol of the State Terengganu. The city is located a mere 20 minutes drive away from the airport, but when you arrive by car it will be your second stop at the East coast.

In front of Kuala Terengganu, right in the South China Sea are the islands Pulau Kapas and Pulau Rendang. The islands are renowned for its clear waters, sandy white beaches and swaying palms. Home to an infinite variety of hard and soft corals, the waters around the islands are abound with sea-shells, fish and turtles. The islands laid back atmosphere is ideal for relaxation but the more adventurous will find it is also a haven for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing.

To take the boat to Pulau Kapas you have to go Marang, South of Kuala Terengganu. This fishing village is famous for its sweeping scenery. Beauty and function converge in the rows of colourful, elegantly carved fishing boats moored on the sparkling waters.

By bus it will take 30 minutes to come to Marang from Kuala Terengganu and the speedboat will bring in 15 minutes to Pulau Kapas. This jetty goes from 9 in the morning till 5/6 in the late afternoon.
Remember: m-A-rang you go to k-A-pas and m-E-rang you go to r-E-dang.

Rantau Abang (60 km from Kuala Terengganu) is a place where the turtles come ashore to lay eggs. This coast is one of the few leatherback nesting sites in the world. Turtle sanctuaries have been established in an effort to reverse the decline of leatherback turtles. Collection (except by licensed turtle egg collectors) or eating of turtle eggs are forbidden.
In the Rantau Abang Visitors' Center, a documentary on the turtle and its nesting habits is screened at regular intervals.

Visitors who want to see the turtles have to be alert quietly from midnight to dawn to watch the memorable sight of these Giant Leatherbacks laying their eggs. These giant turtles, up to 2.5 meters in length and sometimes weighing more than 375 kg is indeed a phenomenal sight to behold. Rantau Abang is one of only six places in the world visited by these turtles, from the months of May to September.

If you want to go to Pulau Redang, then you have to go Kuala Besut in the North of the State. That's also the kampong, where you can take the jetty for the Perhentian Islands.
You can also leave from Merang to Pulau Redang.
Remember: m-A-rang you go to k-A-pas and m-E-rang you go to r-E-dang.