The photo above is a white-sand beach on Pulau Redang — illustrative of the Long Beach coast.
The heart of Redang for most visitors — a long curve of powder-white sand and clear, shallow turquoise water on the east of the island, lined with the bulk of the resorts. Pasir Panjang (its Malay name, literally "long beach") is where you will swim, sunbathe, snorkel the house reef and eat, and because it faces east it gets a genuine sunrise over the sea. It is the social, lively side of the island rather than a deserted one: expect other people, beach bars in the evening and day-trip boats by day. For the postcard-empty version you go elsewhere on the island, but for convenience and easy swimming, this is the centre of things.
Where
Long Beach
Time needed
As long as you like
Best months
Sunrise and the calm early morning for the clearest, quietest water; the Jun-Aug peak for the most reliable weather
Type
Beach
What it costs
Free — it is a public beach. You only pay for what you do (snorkel gear, food, drinks) and the marine-park fee on arrival.
What to expect
- A long curve of powder-white sand and clear, shallow turquoise water
- East-facing — a real sunrise over the sea
- The house reef at Tanjung Tengah runs right off the beach
- Most resorts, restaurants and the evening scene are here
- Sociable and convenient rather than secluded
Our independent tip
Set your alarm for sunrise at least once — Long Beach faces east, the sand is empty at dawn, and the water is at its glassy, clearest best before the day-trip boats and the wind arrive. Through the day it is the busy, social side of the island, which is exactly what some people want and others do not; if you crave quiet, base yourself toward the southern (Redang Reef) end or pick a resort on a different bay, and use Long Beach for the swimming and the reef.
Frequently asked questions
What is Long Beach (Pasir Panjang) on Redang like?
It is the main beach: a long stretch of white sand and shallow turquoise water on the east of the island, lined with most of the resorts. It is excellent for swimming and house-reef snorkeling and has the island liveliest scene, but it is sociable and can be busy with day-trippers rather than secluded.
Is Long Beach good for families?
Yes — the water is shallow, clear and gentle, the house reef is right there for easy snorkeling, and the resorts, food and facilities are all on hand. The trade-off is that it is the busy side of the island; families wanting calm head for the sheltered southern end or a quieter bay.
More things to do on Redang
Building the trip around this?
Sort the boat over from Merang, or pick a base for the night.