Pulau Lang Tengah is located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the state of Terengganu, nestled between Redang Island and Perhentian Islands. This hidden gem boasts unfiltered, glassy blue waters and an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Despite being the smallest of the three islands, Lang Tengah is by no means inferior in beauty or water quality. The island is popular among both local Malaysians and Western tourists, offering white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. It even hosts a sea turtle conservation volunteer base to protect and nurture the island’s turtle population.
The beaches on Lang Tengah are stunning, perfect for a leisurely stroll while taking in breathtaking views of the beachside resorts, the surrounding lush hills, and the mesmerizing seascapes. For the adventurous, the island offers small hills to climb, providing a chance to explore the unspoiled rainforest and enjoy panoramic views.
One of the most captivating aspects of Lang Tengah is the combination of tropical rainforest, bright sunshine, and endless ocean horizons. The island’s development is minimal, with just three resorts, one homestay, and a small campsite spread along the coast. The distance between the accommodations ensures privacy while maintaining a charming, intimate vibe. Limited space for activities has kept tourism on a small scale, preserving the island’s natural environment and protecting its coral reefs from damage. This makes Lang Tengah an ideal destination for those seeking nature’s unspoiled beauty.
Lang Tengah’s crystal-clear waters make it perfect for diving and snorkeling. From the island’s jetty, visitors can spot a variety of fish, including fascinating fish swarms and even baby sharks chasing schools of fish. Dive equipment is available for rent at local dive centers, and visitors can also join organized diving trips offered by the resorts. For those who prefer snorkeling close to shore, the reefs around the island promise vibrant encounters with coral gardens in pink and blue hues, along with colorful schools of fish, creating a scene straight out of an underwater animation.
At night, the island offers another magical experience—stargazing on the beach. Sitting on large rocks by the shore, you can witness a sky filled with stars and even spot the Milky Way with the naked eye. It’s a truly breathtaking sight, perfect for unwinding and soaking in nature’s wonders. Visitors rave about Lang Tengah as a top-tier getaway, often awarding it “ten thousand stars” as a recommendation.
Lang Tengah—nature, tranquility, relaxation, beaches, seascapes, snorkeling, plus the beauty of untouched forests, blue skies, and white clouds—checks all the boxes for an island enthusiast’s dream destination. Now, the only thing left is to pack up and go!
To get to Lang Tengah Island, you can first take a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, then take a boat from Terengganu’s jetty to Lang Tengah Island.
After a scenic 40-minute boat ride, we arrived at the waters surrounding Pulau Lang Tengah. As check-in at the hotel wasn’t available immediately, we had time to take in and enjoy the stunning island scenery at a relaxed pace.
We stayed at the Sari Pacifica Resort, one of the older resorts on the island. It offers a mix of detached wooden villas and two-story townhouses as basic room options. With only about 40 rooms, the resort’s layout is spacious and open, creating a tranquil and natural environment. The snorkeling area near the rocky shore in front of the resort is excellent, and the beach’s water quality is top-notch.
We booked a basic room package that included breakfast and dinner, but not lunch. The polite staff at the reception informed us that lunch could be added for 40 MYR per person. After checking out the options, we found the lunch offerings relatively simple and decided to skip it. However, the staff kindly informed us that even if we didn’t order lunch, complimentary drinks—including tea and coffee—were still available at the restaurant. This thoughtful touch really deserves a shout-out to Sari Pacifica Resort for being so accommodating!
The resort’s main entrance faces the reception hall, with the seaside restaurant located to the left, providing easy access to ocean views during meals.
Hotel recommendations for Lang Tengah Island
Summer Bay Lang Tengah Island Resort features an outdoor pool at its center and offers snorkeling equipment rentals and diving activities.
The resort is a 45-minute boat ride from Merang Jetty, a 30-minute ride from Redang Island, and 45 minutes from Perhentian Island. Scheduled boat transfer services are available for an additional fee.
The rooms offer views of the pool or direct access to it, and are equipped with a flat-screen satellite TV, a desk, and an electric kettle. Some rooms also feature a private balcony. The private bathrooms come with a hot shower and a hairdryer.
The hotel offers a variety of room types to meet different needs, including double rooms, twin rooms, poolside rooms, garden rooms, honeymoon suites, and boutique rooms.
During their stay, guests can go canoeing or enjoy a forest hike. The hotel provides luggage storage, a tour desk, and a mini-market.
Squirrels and lizards can be seen everywhere around the resort.
De Lang Restaurant offers local buffet-style cuisine, while Okeechobee Grill & Sushi Restaurant serves Western dishes and a Japanese à la carte menu.
At night, you can participate in a night snorkeling activity (100 MYR per person). Each person is given a flashlight, and groups of 3-4 are led by a guide who pulls everyone along, so there’s no need to swim on your own. Since I brought my own fins, I was able to swim near the guide by myself. It was my first time night snorkeling, and I was super excited. Not long after we got into the water, we spotted a catshark, and later we even saw a porcupinefish. At one point, everyone turned off their flashlights to see the “blue tears” (bioluminescence), which was incredibly beautiful. I thought I might feel scared, but surprisingly, I didn’t at all—maybe because there were a lot of people. For anyone who hasn’t experienced night snorkeling, I highly recommend it.
Sari Pacifica Resort offers a full-board package with relatively few rooms, providing a quiet and peaceful environment. The resort features spacious detached wooden villas of 45㎡, while the basic rooms, which are two-story single units, are smaller at around 15㎡, priced at 120 USD per night. However, some drawbacks include outdated facilities and weak air conditioning in the villas. Despite these minor inconveniences, the beachfront in front of the resort is excellent, with top-notch water quality and superb snorkeling opportunities. The ocean view is also exceptional, making it a solid choice for those seeking tranquility and seaside relaxation.
Dewati Homestay consists of more than ten triangle-shaped wooden cabins with an open-plan layout. During the off-season, a room costs about 50 USD per night without meals. Guests can add breakfast for 15 MYR, while lunch and dinner are available for 20 to 30 MYR per person. The beach in front of the homestay is particularly beautiful, offering a broad, open ocean view, making it an appealing option for those seeking a scenic, budget-friendly stay.
D’Coconut Resort provides a more average experience overall. While the rooms are better maintained, the rate is 70 USD per night, including breakfast only. The resort’s location is somewhat remote, and the beachfront is less appealing due to coral fragments mixed in the sand. The sea view is relatively unimpressive, and some visitors have mentioned an issue with flies in the restaurant, which may affect the dining experience.
To the east of Sari Pacifica, near the rocky beach, there is also a camping site with basic facilities, including a common area, showers, and a kitchen. A few Malaysians were camping there, and they mentioned the rate was 278 MYR per day. However, due to language barriers, it remained unclear whether tents need to be self-provided or are available from the camp operator.
Overall, the impression from this visit is that Lang Tengah Island offers limited accommodation choices, and the facilities and dining options are quite simple. This destination may not suit those who prefer luxurious hotels and extensive amenities. Instead, it is better suited to travelers who enjoy outdoor activities, such as soaking in the sunshine, lounging on the beach, snorkeling, or exploring the natural surroundings. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences.
