Redang - Tanjung Tokong - Perhentian Islands

Tanjung Tokong, tucked away on the southeastern side of Redang, is one of our favourite spots in the Perhentians. Forget the often-crowded sites closer to the main islands, this one gives you a real feel for the reef’s quiet energy. We often drop in early, before the day boats arrive, to catch the reef waking up. The topography here is a gentle slope, mostly hard coral with scattered bommies, before it eventually gives way to sandy patches with seagrass beds. It’s here, in the seagrass, that we’ve had some cracking encounters with Large-toothed Ponyfish, almost glowing in the morning light. Keep an eye out for Yellow Largescale Flounder too, perfectly camouflaged against the sand, they’re masters of disguise. The corals themselves, a mix of impressive Cauliflower and Closed brain corals, create plenty of little hidey-holes for Rock Cod and juvenile Triggerfish. We’ve found the best visibility tends to be around the slack tide, making it easier to spot the more elusive Brown Sandfish tucked into the sand. You’ll find the occasional Whale Shark here, too, if you’re lucky. We’ve only seen one, but what a sight. This site suits divers who appreciate a slower pace, keen to seek out the smaller, often overlooked creatures rather than just chasing pelagics. It’s a great spot for honing your macro skills or simply enjoying a tranquil dive.

Location: Perhentian Islands, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 5.818576, 103.010090

Marine Protected Area: Pulau Redang Marine Park

Best Time to Dive in Perhentian Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Perhentian Islands occur in June, averaging 31.2°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.3°C
February: 28.4°C
March: 29.1°C
April: 30.6°C
May: 31.1°C
June: 31.2°C
July: 31.1°C
August: 30.9°C
September: 30.8°C
October: 30.4°C
November: 29.8°C
December: 28.7°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Redang - Tanjung Tokong

Marine Life in Perhentian Islands

Home to 169 recorded species including 105 reef fish, 39 hard corals, 11 sea cucumbers, 5 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Notable Species

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
Common Ponyfish (Leiognathus equula) - Reef Fish
Yellowstripe scad (Selaroides leptolepis) - Reef Fish
Yellow Citharid (Brachypleura novaezeelandiae) - Reef Fish
Blacktip Ponyfish (Eubleekeria splendens) - Reef Fish
Lattice monocle bream (Scolopsis taenioptera) - Reef Fish
Jack (Selar crumenophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Silver Sillago (Sillago sihama) - Reef Fish
Flathead Sleeper (Ophiocara porocephala) - Reef Fish
Silver moony (Monodactylus argenteus) - Reef Fish
Three Banded Razorfish (Iniistius trivittatus) - Reef Fish
Golden rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) - Reef Fish
Deep Body Silver Biddy (Gerres erythrourus) - Reef Fish
Triggerfish (Aluterus monoceros) - Reef Fish
Blue-banded wrasse (Xiphocheilus typus) - Reef Fish
Grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) - Reef Fish
Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) - Reef Fish
Banded-Tail Glassy Perchlet (Ambassis urotaenia) - Reef Fish
Estuary Cod (Epinephelus coioides) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Redang - Tanjung Tokong

Based on average water temperature of 30.0°C, currents 5 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories