If you need a serious dose of R&R this winter get out your atlas and look up Redang Island.

If you can't find it, just think powdery white beaches with tall coconut trees, crystal-clear turquoise waters and a picture-perfect sunset.

Located 45km off the coast of the Malaysian state of Terengganu in the South China Sea, the island (just 7km long and 6km wide) is pristine with a fabulous beach and unspoilt underwater marine life.

The white sand here is so soft, it sometimes feels as though you are walking on rice powder, with nary a stone to stumble over.

Apart from its clean beaches, one of the main attractions at Redang is the marine park.

If you love underwater marine life, then the marine park is a must-visit.

The seas surrounding Redang Island is home to some 3,000 species of fish, 1,000 species of bivalves and 500 species of reef-building corals.

Forget about donning flippers or snorkelling gear. Just take a few steps into the water and you are rewarded with fish of every size and colour swimming around your legs.

Venture deeper with snorkel and mask, and you will be surprised by shoaling fish such as jacks, snappers, rabbitfish, or groupers, silver barracudas, clownfish, triggerfish, parrotfish, stingrays, hammerheads and green turtles.

The quickest way to Redang Island is by plane. Berjaya Air takes only 75 minutes to fly from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to Redang.

There are numerous places to stay, but one of the best is Berjaya Redang Beach Resort, according to a writer with Nexnews.

The resort, located at Teluk Dalam, has 143 rooms featuring a Malay traditional house theme, and is air-conditioned and fully equipped with modern amenities.

Berjaya's other resort is the Redang Golf and Spa Resort which is perched on the cliffs of Teluk Siang.

Redang is a paradise for snorkellers and divers, offering 32 sites for diving alone. There are many diving packages available, including night diving, where you will get the chance to swim with rarely seen nocturnal marine life.

Don't know how to dive Then sign up for diving classes at the resort's dive centre.

The classes are open for children aged 10 years and above and they guarantee full refund if you are not satisfied with their classes.

Berjaya also offers spa services and traditional Malay massage. It has facilities for wet sauna (hot sauna) and dry sauna and jacuzzi.

The resort also has a special glass-bottom boat that allows you to see the underwater life without even getting wet, perfect for children and senior citizens. Other activities available include fishing, turtle watching and jungle trek.

For more information contact Tourism Malaysia at 1-888-669-6872 or go to www.malaysiantourism.ca