Hey Guys,

If you r keen to know more of the east coast islands in Mlaysia or have any questions which u may want to ask u may click on the following forum site:
http://www.redang.org/forum/index.ph...ac4374fa11c8d6

The site also have picture gallery, Q&A session with people living in the islands and also to certain extend, contact numbers of business operators.
Im sure u find it helpful

Suz83,
How do you get to Sinbu from Singapore. My cousin is interested. Should he fly from SIN to Malaysia ( which city and then take a boat trip?), please advice.
Can you recommend any travel agency that he can contact for the tours and Sinbu? I told my cousin that if he wants to visit Sinbu ( should go between March & October.) Is 3 hrs from SIN to Sinbu on the bus? please explain more. If it is on the bus, he wants a nice bus and who/group should he contact to buy the bus tickets.
Thank you.

hi maisymoo-
when i go to SIBU island i just take the resort bus from Singapore. they pick up daily downtown Singapore and its a nice mini van with a nice driver & aircon. the drive is only 3 hrs and then a 20 minute boat ride (you book everything through the resort). Perfect for a weekend since its not hard to get to. Just contact the resort directly, Sea Gypsy Village. Not sure of their number, but their website is www.siburesort.com I am sure you can email them from there.
Have fun and maybe ill see your cousin at Sibu!

JannaG- I saw you travelled to NZ last August- how did driving South Island work out ? Do you have a comments re the drive, route, accomodations ? We are considering similar route in August.

Thanks guys still trying to price east cost malyasian hotels. They seem to be a bit more expensive than what I was expecting. It may be though that we both like a little bit of creature comforts when on holiday. If anyone knows of any great websites or deals going for Redang and preihentian islands let me know. thanks all

Hi Maisymoo

The rates on the tour package for east coast islands can be found in the following site

http://www.pinganchorage.com.my/redang_island.htm

P/s I doubt that u can find a better rates elsewhere.

There is a lot of good info here but I am dense or confused.
We are staying in the Redang Islands and are avid...avid... snorkelers/skin divers, but not scuba. We are told Redang will offer us a variety of shallow 5-20 ft depths of great snorkeling. How easy is it to get a boat but not a private charter, but not all divers, and go to the Prehentians on a 8 AM-5PM trip? Will we see a variety of sea life not observable in the Redangs. Any idea of cost per person in May? Thanks.

Hi StanKase

Good to hear u will be in Redang this May. Ill be going there for the 2nd time this June. My first trip was 5 yrs ago. I was in Perhentian last yr and my first trip to perhentian was way back in 1992.
Perhentian has changed a lot since then , and I noticed that most of the lower depth sea corals has died or in great danger of dying. I would say Redang Island has a far better variety of fishes n corals in depth of 5-20ft. There is no point going to Perhentian which is bout 3 hrs boat ride fm Redang if you just gonna snorkel and have a day trip. However Perhentian as i was told offers a much better sites if one is scuba-diving...
As for the hotel rates, it would be much cheaper if you book the package deal( which includes accomodation, food, boat transfer, island hopping(optional), snorkelling trips) either direct with the hotel or the site which i mentioned earlier.

If you r not private chartering any boat, usually the standard package comes with a free 2 trips per day snorkelling trips on various parts of the island.

In terms of accomodation, Perhentian Island is slightly more expensive than redang as most foreigners prefer to stay there as its more peaceful and laid-back. Furthermore, Redang Island is usually packed due to heavy local response and u need to book much early.

DavidKhoo; Thanks. I will stay in the Redangs. I am not in a package just a week at the resort.
I am told that local vendors who offer snorkel trips that take 2-8 snorkelers are reliable and generally quite knowlegeable. Further, I am told the hotel trips are a good deal more expensive for the same trip. For $10US/day/person I would rather go with hotel staff but do they go to the more accessible locales and not necessarily the best? We plan to do a 5-6 hour day sail/snorkel and 3-4 3 hour outings and just relax. Is there a tour on the island worth taking? We will have toured on full day trips outside Bangkok, Chiangi Mai and KL before our last stop at the Redangs.
Any thoughts?