Plan for a Weekend Getaway and Fun Things to Do in Desaru
If you're looking for a quick weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, Desaru Coast is a great spot to chill and unwind. And it's not that far off from Singapore too! Located along the east coast of Johor, Desaru is about a 1.5-hour drive from Woodlands Checkpoint or a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
From its many golden beaches for seaside picnics and water sports to fishing villages for hearty seafood feasts, and of course, Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast for a splashing good time, Desaru boasts many amazing things to see and do. Take it from us, we did a 3D2N trip there and were pleasantly surprised with how packed our itinerary was 🤩
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Desaru to inspire your next trip!
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How to go to Desaru
Travelling to Desaru by Ferry
You can book ferry tickets between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal on Klook. The ferry ride is about 1.5h long.
The ferry to Desaru operates every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is recommended to be at the ferry terminal at least 1 hour before your departure.
There is only one timing for the schedule:
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast: 8.30am
Desaru Coast to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal: 5.30pm
Tickets are available on Klook at $108/pax for a round trip.
Travelling to Desaru by Car
If you are already driving up to Johor Bahru for your weekend retreat, getting to Desaru is easy peasy. The driving distance from JB to Desaru is 71km and the journey is an easy 55-minute drive.
Need a vehicle? You can rent one on Klook for a hassle-free road trip! Choose from a variety of vehicle options available at affordable prices - from compact cars to SUVs and even vans for bigger groups of travellers.
Desaru Private Car Charter
If you don't want to drive, the hassle-free option is to go for a private car charter. It's perfect for big groups (especially if you are travelling with kids in tow), and it is definitely a more convenient transport option. All you need to do is sit back and relax, and your driver will get you to where you want to go!
We took the private car transfer from Desaru back to Singapore on our last day and it was a breeze!
Things to Do in Desaru
1. Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
If you're a fan of Wild Wild Wet and Adventure Cove, you have to visit Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark! This family-friendly waterpark houses one of the biggest wave pools in the world, and plenty of thrilling rides to conquer for both the young and young at heart!
Cannot-miss highlights include:
- Swing Ship: a pirate ship that arches up to 180 degrees
- Surf Wall: surf simulator for catching waves
- The Tempest and RIPTIDE: thrilling tube slides you can ride with your friends and family
- Kraken's Revenge: roller coaster and splashing flume ride that includes a full 360º horizontal loop
- Kids Ahoy: kid-friendly splash zone for the little ones
Address: 82200 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
2. Desaru Fruit Farm
Next stop, Desaru Fruit Farm! Enjoy an educational tour around the fruit farm grounds with your expert guide and learn more about the various species of fruits grown there, including passionfruit, starfruit, jackfruit, banana, durian and more!
Besides learning more about fruit, the tour also allows you to:
- Get up close and personal with stingless bees, learn about how honey is made, and enjoy honey tasting at the end of the tour
- Feed colourful koi at the koi pond (food sold separately)
- Feed adorable little bunnies and playful goats at the petting zoo (food sold separately)
You can also have lunch here! Our lunch was colourful and tasty, with dishes made from fruits freshly harvested from the farm. Our top favourites were the Tom Yum soup made with coconut water and sweet coconut flesh, fried calamari rings served with yummy dragonfruit dip, and the rich and creamy Lemak Cili Padi with bananas.
But wait, lunch is not all - there's also the all-you-can-eat fresh fruit buffet where you can tuck into all sorts of fruits from jackfruit to guava, mango, pineapple, rockmelon and rose apple 😋 It's a fruit party!
For those feeling more adventurous, we highly recommend booking an ATV-riding sesh while you're here too. Strap on your helmets and start your engines - you'll get to zoom around the farm's sprawling grounds. An activity too fun to be missed, we say!
Address: 92, 82200 Kota Tinggi Johor, Malaysia
3. Go Birdwatching
Can you spot the pair of woodpeckers on the right?
If you think that birdwatching sounds like a very slow activity or if you're doubtful about what kind of birds you'll be able to spot (after all you don't want to spend an hour just looking at crows or something right?). Trust us, this birdwatching experience was one of the most enjoyable activities we did and you won't be disappointed with what you will be able to spot!
Accompanied by our birdwatching guide and armed with a trusty pair of binoculars each, we went on a walk on a mission - to spot as many birds as possible! And boy, were we surprised! Besides the the usual suspects like crows, we also were able to observe woodpeckers, egrets, and killdeer too - cool right?
Thanks to our guide, we also learned so much about the various types and species of birds that we saw. It was truly a fun and educational tour that will leave you in awe of nature and wildlife.
4. Do a Beach and Tide Pool Walking Tour
Another interesting activity that's great for wildlife enthusiasts! Instead of birds, this tour consists of a guided coastal walk where you can get up close and personal to marine creatures, as well as learn more about them and their habitat!
We got to see little hermit crabs and sea snails and observe them in their surroundings as well as learn more about the marine biodiversity. You can also pick up some beautiful seashells to keep as souvenirs too!
Note: To get to the coast, you will have to first walk through a stretch of forest that can get quite muddy depending on weather conditions. We highly recommend wearing booties if you have them, or sports sandals that can be washed after you're done with the tour. Do prepare mosquito repellent and water as well!
5. Fireflies Tour
Here's something that you probably won't be able to see in Singapore - fireflies! Hop on a boat tour into the mangroves on this Firefly River Cruise Tour in Kota Tinggi Johor, to catch a glimpse of these elusive little twinkling fireflies ✨
If you're lucky your guide will catch one and hand it to you so that you can get a closer look at it under the cupped palm of your hand - truly a magical sight and experience!
6. Play Golf at Els Club Desaru Coast
Image credit: The Els Club Desaru Coast
For those who enjoy golfing, be sure to pack your golf set and set aside some time in your itinerary for a golfing sesh at Els Club Desaru Coast, a scenic golf club located along the Desaru Coast. Els Club offers two courses, the Ocean Course and Valley Course, which allows you to play against the backdrop of the South China Sea or lush rainforest.
If you don't have golfing experience, you can still sign up for a lesson at the in-house golfing academy to learn how to swing and hit some balls!
After your golfing sesh, you can enjoy a hearty brunch or moreish high tea at Big Easy Bar & Grill, a restaurant located on the grounds of Els Club itself. Boasting a whopping varoety of both asian and western dishes - you can tuck into local favourites like smokey wok hei infused char kuey teow or nasi goreng, or indulge in a burger, beautifully stacked with all the fixings - your choice!
Address:
Ocean Course: Darul Ta’zim, 4, Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Valley Course: No. 2, Jalan Pantai 2 Desaru Coast, Desaru, 81930 Coast, Johor, Malaysia
7. Indulge in a Seafood Feast
Due to its close vicinity to fishing villages, Desaru is a great destination for seafood lovers, and you'll get to feast on affordable, fresh seafood dishes here!
We recommend having a sumptuous dinner at Nelayan Restaurant where you can enjoy comforting and tasty zhi char favourites like fresh steamed fish, salted egg prawn, hotplate tofu, lemon chicken and more!
8. Pamper Yourself To A Luxurious Stay
Whether you're planning a holiday with your family, friends or partner, Desaru Coast is a perfect destination for those craving a beach getaway to relax and unwind.
Pamper yourself to a luxurious stay at one of the town's beautiful 5-star resorts where you can wake up to the gentle ocean breeze and indulge in ultimate comfort. Most of these resorts have direct access or are within walking distance to the beach as well.
- Best for families/friends: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast (has direct access to Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark)
- Best for families/couples: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort (has a private beach for its guests)
- Best for couples: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas (has a private beach for its guests)
9. Desaru Beach + Water Sports
The long stretch of Desaru Beach overlooking the South China Sea is the highlight of the coastal town. Pack a beach mat and a picnic lunch and laze your day away lounging with family - or maybe pack a volleyball so you can have a game with friends!
If you'd like to swim, the waters here are generally calm and shallow, great for casual dips and for kids to splash around in. Water sports are also available here - there are plenty of local operators around so you can compare prices before committing.
10. Go on a River Cruise Eco Tour
Looking for more nature getaways? For a tour around Desaru's wetlands, hop on a river cruise eco-tour to explore the mangrove and its surroundings and spot the rich wildlife in the area!
Your guide will also share more about the various species of mangroves (there can be up to 42 species in the area alone!), ocean tides, and how these affect marine life and the ecosystem too!
11. Desaru Ostrich Farm
Photo Credit: @jmin_wee
Did you know that the Desaru Ostrich Farm is one of the largest in Malaysia? This farm is home to over 100 ostriches and you'll get the opportunity to get up-close and personal with these giant flightless birds.
Photo Credit: @syazreenrdza
Learn some educational and interesting facts on ostriches and get the chance to feed and even ride them! The farm is especially popular amongst families and promises an educational experience for your little ones.
Address: Jalan Telok Ramunia, Kampung Changi, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
12. Tanjung Balau Fishing Village
Photo Credit: @fathinsolehah_
To catch a glimpse of a different side of Desaru, head out to explore the nearby fishing villages along the coast. Watch fishermen dock their boats and empty their nets - most of these villages are free of tourists and exude a charming kampung feel.
The most popular of all fishing villages here is the Tanjung Balau Fishing Village where you can fly kites by the beach, walk along the rocky shore at low tide, catch a breathtaking sunset, and even visit a fishermen museum (Muzium Nelayan) and local art gallery.
Address: Lembaga Bandaran Johor Tenggara, Jalan Dato' Haji Hassan Yunus, Bandar Penawar, Johor, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Malaysia
13. Take part in a Charity Run/Walk
If you love running and would love a change of scenery - why not do it for a cause? Check out Westin Desaru's annual charity run event, which gives its proceeds to a charity in Malaysia.
We witnessed the flag-off for Road to Give 2022, which was done in partnership with Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton, with proceeds pledged to the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia to support the upgrade of medical equipment in their facilities.
For more on their upcoming events, do keep your eyes peeled on their socials!
More Desaru & Johor Bahru Road Trip Inspiration
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