Guide No. 04 · Getting there
Route · Pulau Kapas
How to get to Pulau Kapas
Take a boat from Marang jetty, 10 to 20 minutes. Marang is about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Kuala Terengganu airport. It is not Merang, the Redang jetty.
Operator notice
November 2026 to about February 2027: most boats and resorts are closed for the monsoon, and no operator has announced its first sailing. Confirm with your resort or boat operator before you travel.
The journey
- Kuala LumpurFly KLIA or Subang to Kuala Terengganu. Or bus from TBS straight to Marang, about 6 h, RM43–69.
- Kuala Terengganu airportTaxi or e-hailing to Marang jetty, 29.5 km, 30–45 min.
- Marang jettyBoat 10–20 min, about RM40 return. Pay the RM30 charge here.
- Pulau KapasNo roads: walk along the west-coast beaches to your stay.
Ways across
| From | Mode | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marang jettyThe only departure point, all stays | Speedboat | 10–20 min | RM25 |
| Marang jettyAfter the last boat, or for groups | Chartered boat | 10–20 min | – |
Fares are one way for an adult, from about RM25 on a bus-ticket site; a dash means no published fare. A return ticket costs about RM40 for an adult, RM35–50 depending on the operator. Child fares vary by operator; under-3s usually ride free. All Kapas boats leave from Marang.
Public boats
| Marang to Kapas |
|
|---|---|
| Kapas to Marang |
|
On Fridays the 1 pm boat leaves at noon and the 1.30 pm return at 12.30 pm, for Friday prayers. Times vary by operator, roughly 9 am to 5 pm, with returns about 30 min later. No scheduled boats run after dark.
Step by step
Get to Kuala Terengganu or Marang
AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly fly from KLIA to Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu; Firefly also flies from Subang. Eight bus companies run about 37 trips a day from TBS in Kuala Lumpur to Hentian Bas Marang, about 6 hours. Driving is about 430–440 km on the East Coast Expressway.
Get to Marang jetty, not Merang
Marang jetty is in Marang town, south of Kuala Terengganu. Merang, the Redang jetty, is in Setiu to the north, and going there by mistake costs about 40 minutes. From the airport, a taxi or e-hailing car takes 30 to 45 minutes. From the MBKT bus terminal it is 17.4 km, or take BAS.MY bus T30 or T31, hourly, RM1. Hentian Bas Marang is about 300 m from the jetty.
Buy the boat ticket and pay the charge
Several private operators and resorts have stalls at the jetty, including Kapas Marine, Makcik Gemuk, MGH, LongSha and Suria Link. Walk-up tickets work most days, but book weekend and holiday boats ahead, online with the operator or through a bus-ticket site. Pay the marine park conservation charge at the booth by the water before boarding.
Cross to Kapas
Speedboats take 10 to 20 minutes for the 6 km crossing, and land on the west-coast beaches where all the stays are. Slower boats can take up to 30 minutes. Boats do not sail in rough seas.
Questions
Which jetty do boats to Pulau Kapas leave from?
Marang jetty, in Marang town south of Kuala Terengganu. It is not Merang, the jetty for Redang, which is north of the city.
How long is the boat from Marang to Kapas?
About 10 to 20 minutes by speedboat for the 6 km crossing. Slower boats take up to 30 minutes.
Can I go to Pulau Kapas without a package?
Yes. Buy a return boat ticket, about RM40, at the Marang jetty stalls or online, pay the marine park charge at the booth, and book a room directly. Book weekend and holiday boats ahead.
Is there a boat to Kapas in the monsoon?
Generally no. Most boats and resorts stop from about November until about February. No state order closes the island; operators decide, and boats do not sail in rough seas.
Is there an ATM on Pulau Kapas?
No. Bring enough cash from Marang for the boat, the conservation charge and your stay.