Gemia Island Destination Guide

OVERVIEW
An island known only to a few, Gemia Island covers about 9 acres and its closest neighbour is Pulau Kapas. The island is a 15-minute boat ride away from the Marang. Gemia Island retains its peaceful, mysterious and quiet atmosphere and is the nest site for sea eagles, reef herons and many other birds. In an effort to save wildlife one of the beaches on the island is used as a turtle hatchery.

Gemia Island is the few places where turtles (including the giant Leatherback) come ashore to lay their eggs. On the island the green turtle is the most common. But the Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtle are regular visitors.

The rugged rock face of Gemia Island invites exploration and provides an ideal spot for bird watching and has an abundance of fascinating marine life. Gemia is the tiny island surrounded by coral garden that abundance with marine life.

Gemia Island located about 800 metres away from Kapas Island. Transport is by boat and it takes 15 minutes to get there from Marang Jetty. The jetty is 18 kms away from Kuala Terengganu, the capital of Terengganu. If you are a lover of sea sports, activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and squid fishing are available.

GETTING TO GEMIA ISLAND
There is a daily bus service from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu. From here, transfer to Marang by bus or taxi. Gemia Island is about 30 minutes from Marang by boat.

By Air
Both the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, and the budget carrier, AirAsia, fly directly to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur twice daily. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

By Car
From Kuala Lumpur
Head east towards Kuantan. You will be driving on the Karak Highway (Highway 2) all through to Kuantan, which takes approximately 3 - 3½ hours. Once arriving on the outskirts of Kuantan town, it can get a little tricky. Head towards the Northeast, on highway 3 (the coastal road) or Highway 14 which will lead you to Kuala Terengganu. Marang is just on the outskirts of Kuala Trengganu town.

From Penang
Head towards Kota Baharu via the East-West Highway (highway 4). Perhaps one of the most scenic routes found in the Peninsular, the East-West Highway is one of the last frontiers to be conquered, so to speak. A stronghold for the communists in the 60's and 70's where terrorist activity was rampant in the area then. This may be the reason why going through this part of Malaysia seems a little alien. There are neither plantations nor housing development lining the highway. Zip back 60years and this would probably have been the landscape for most parts of Malaysia. Little trunk roads splitting dense forests, with no evidence of civilisation far into the horizon.
Look out for the ‘Elephant Crossing' Signs. Wild elephants forage at night and may cross the highway to other feeding grounds within their roaming range

From Johore or Singapore
travel north on the North-South Highway and exit at Yong Peng. From Yong Peng, take highway 1 to Labis and later onto Segamat. Segamat will lead you to Highway 12 and all the way to Kuantan. From Kuantan, head towards the Northeast on highway 3 (the coastal road) or Highway 14 which will take you to Kuala Terengganu.

From Kuala Terengganu, transfer to Marang by bus or taxi. Gemia Island is about 30 minutes from Marang by boat.

All boat journey start from Marang Jetty (25 KM from Kuala Terengganu Town)

Accommodation and boating are all pre-arranged and on package deal only.

View Pulau Gemia in a larger map
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