Lang Tengah Island – Remote Paradise in Malaysia
A little remote and somehow ignored island tucked between Redang Island and the Perhentian Island, Lang Tengah Island (Pulau Lang Tengah) is one of Malaysia’s most underrated beach destinations. It doesn’t have the crowds of Redang or the backpacker / party buzz of Perhentian. Instead, it offers something different: stillness. With only a handful of resorts, no roads, and limited visitors, Lang Tengah feels like a private island getaway.
Getting There
From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly to Sultan Mahmud Airport (TGG) in Kuala Terengganu. This flight offers flights from Kuala Lumpur (under 1 hour), Penang, and even Singapore. We flew with AirAsia and it was a breeze (shocker, I know!).
From the airport, it’s about a 40-minute drive to Merang Jetty, the main departure point for boats to Lang Tengah. Resorts typically arrange transfers, so your journey is seamless from the airport to the island. When you book your flights, make sure to check the jetty schedule or you might wait for a long time at the port or airport. Or you can also do tours within Kuala Terengganu which we did flying back to KL.
Merang Jetty Boat Schedule
Boat schedules can vary slightly by resort, but these are the standard times:
Merang Jetty → Lang Tengah: 9:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Lang Tengah → Merang Jetty: 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM
Tip: Always confirm with your resort, as schedules may shift due to weather or tides. Missing the last boat often means waiting until the next morning.
Staying at Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa
We stayed at Sari Pacifica Resort & Spa Lang Tengah, one of the island’s best-known resorts.
Rooms: Spacious, air-conditioned villas with tropical-inspired interiors. Waking up to ocean views and walking straight onto the sand was a highlight.
Facilities: A beachfront pool, dive center, and a relaxed restaurant. The resort also organizes snorkeling and diving trips.
Dining: Fresh seafood dishes and local Malay specialties. While options are limited (there aren’t many restaurants on the island), meals were satisfying, and dining under the stars by the beach was magical. We had buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner in this resort.
Service & Ambience: Friendly staff, a laid-back vibe, and the quietness you won’t find on busier islands.
While the facilities aren’t ultra-luxury, the real luxury is the remoteness. The resort also offers snorkeling and island hopping tours. Because there’s not much to do in the island, we embraced peace, nature, and the sound of the ocean as our background music. No emails and work WhatsApp… that was living the dream.
Things to Do on Lang Tengah Island
Even though it’s a small island, there’s still some activities you can do in the island.
Snorkeling & Diving: The reefs just offshore are alive with coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles. Resorts offer guided snorkeling trips to nearby spots.
Turtle Watching: The island is a nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles. If you’re lucky, you might witness hatchlings making their way to the sea.
Jungle Trekking: Trails through the island’s interior let you see tropical plants, monitor lizards, and rare birds.
Kayaking & Beach Walks: With calm waters and secluded bays, it’s easy to explore at your own pace.
Stargazing: With little light pollution, nights on Lang Tengah are breathtakingly clear.
Lang Tengah feels like your own private island. When I told my colleagues I’ll be flying to Lang Tengah, they had puzzled looks on their faces because there’s really not much establishments in the island. Unlike Redang or Perhentian, Lang Tengah Island is remote and quiet. There are no shops, nightlife spots, or noisy crowds, just beaches, reefs, and forest. But this is what I needed at that time. And it was the perfect vacation!
If you’re planning a Malaysian island-hopping trip or simply want a secluded beach retreat, Lang Tengah is worth putting on your list.