From its azure skies to white powdery sand and cool sea breezes, Pulau Redang is definitely an island resort destination that is hard to beat.

Scenes of welcoming crystal clear waters gently kissing spectacular beaches effortlessly take your breath away. Pulau Redang will have you mesmerized from the very moment you set foot on the island.

Call it a tropical paradise or sheer heaven, Pulau Redang will melt away all the stresses of life with its idyllic combination of lush green rainforests surrounded by an aquamarine ocean. Just leave everything behind and allow yourself to enjoy the best gifts nature has to offer.

The 42 square km island received Marine Park status in 1991. There are nine islets situated within the Redang archipelago perimeter namely Pulau Redang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Kecil, Pulau Kerengga Besar, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Ling and Pulau Pinang.

Lying about 45km to the northeast of Kuala Terengganu, Pulau Redang, the biggest island in the area, is blessed with rich marine life covering multifarious coral, marine plants and sea creatures.

Pulau Redang gloriously fits the bill of a tropical paradise, as it is a brimful of underwater surprises. Snorkeling and scuba diving are possibly the island's best selling points. You will find yourself in the company of colorful fish in their natural habitat. The vibrancy of being with the water with schools of fish will introduce you to the beauty of life underwater. If you are lucky, green turtles or migratory whale sharks depending on the season may greet you. Amazingly there underwater encounters can be experienced in shallow waters just by the shore. A leisurely dip may include encounters with reef fishes like groupers, barracudas, snappers, parrotfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, sweetlips, damselfish, wrasses, cardinalfish, fusiliers, pufferfish, soldierfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, batfish, clownfish and lionfish. Also, watch put for moray eels, baby blacktip sharks, stingrays, sea cucumber and starfish.

A word of caution, although things seem like paradise underwater it is always best to heed safety advice and warning as the current can get choppy at times. Some marine creatures can be poisonous or delicate, while others may get aggressive if approached.

The golden rule is to take good care of our environment. Our marine parks play a pivotal role in sustaining our ecosystem.

Sustainable Eco-tourism is one way to share our underwater heritage with the world positively. For a luxurious island stay, Berjaya Redang Resort is the best pick. The picturesque beachfront resort is strongly characterized by the clear turquoise water of its cove, a scene unrivalled by other parts of the island. Coupled with a harmonized landscape, Berjaya Redang Resort promises guest fond memories of treasured experiences.

It's a great place to just sit and relax to relish the unspoiled beauty of the ocean while enjoying a fresh coconut drink. You can also bask in the sun, play on the sand and embrace the energetic waves with your open arms.

You will incline to capture as many photos as you can. Your only enemy is time. You'll wish the clock could stop clicking.

Adventurous souls can take to the open sea. There are lots of water sports besides snorkeling and scuba diving such as jet skiing and kayaking.

Pulau Redang also offers world-class dive sites from shallow to deep diving. The beauty is that most dive sites are located near the main island and easily accessible by speedboats.

Berjaya Redang Resort has a dedicated 5-star PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified dive catering to both beginners and avid divers. The resort's dive course director Vincent Toh leads it.

On land, you can enjoy games like beach volleyball or football, ping pong, carom, darts, pool, billiards, or table-football. You can also get on a bicycle for a ride in the bush or have an aqua-aerobics session in the beach-entry swimming pool.

Equally enjoyable and relaxing is reading a novel on a sun lounger under the atap roofs that line the beachfront. Sip your favorable drink over at the beach bar while listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves.

More relaxation and rejuvenation can be found with a spa message. Indulge in the beachfront dinner with your loved one as you gaze at a romance sunset and later the twinkling stars above.

The rule at Berjaya Redang Resort is very simple-keep yourself entertained! There's always something enjoyable to do and plenty of enticing food to keep you satisfied. Staff at Berjaya Redang Resort will take the time to pamper you throughout your stay.

The resort has expanded its facilities to include three luxurious 4-storey blocks on the hillside. These reward guests with picture-perfect vistas of Teluk Dalam cove. Up here above the treetops, you can watch the morning dew evaporate with the heat of the rising sun. Lazing on your balcony's a sun lounger, you will find the sparkling mist over the hills an incredible sight to behold as the sun climbs over the hilltop.

Berjaya Redang Resort also offers charming wooden-cabins. You will feel privileged to have access to possibly the most amazing beach on Pulau Redang right at your doorstep.

This is a tropical wonderland that will delight all and promises lots of thrills and spills both in and out of the water. You will find yourself completely revitalized-both in body and soul.

Berjaya Redang Resort is open throughout the year and the peak season is between March and October. From November to March the northeast monsoon carries strong winds and heavy rain to the area resulting in rough seas.

The simplest way to get to Redang is to fly direct on Berjaya Air from Subang Airport (also known as Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) or from Singapore's Seletar Airport. Berjaya Air (www.berjaya-air.com) operates daily flights on its 48-seater Dash 7 for the Subang-Redang route. The flight takes one hour and 15 minutes. The airstrip is a mere 5 minutes drive from Berjaya Redang Resort.

For more information on Berjaya Redang Resort including the latest promotions go to www.berjayahotels-resorts.com. For reservations call 03-2141 0088. To learn more about Pulau Redang visit www.redang.org.