Desaru is one of the nearest destinations for a short getaway from Singapore. It would take less than two hours to drive up to Desaru from Singapore.
The short travel time makes it a great place to get a quick escape from the busy city life.
How to get to Desaru from Singapore?
Other than driving, there are other alternative forms of transportation, like private car/taxi, bus, and also ferry.
Check out https://www.sgmytaxi.com/singapore-desaru/ for more information.
Where is the best place to stay?
Accommodation like hotels, apartments and resort villas are easily available, so where you decide to stay depends on your plans, the number of people in the group and your budget.
If you are a small group, hotels would be perfect. There are a few hotels right by the beach of Desaru, with a beautiful view from your room, where you could walk mere minutes to experience the sun, the sand and the sea.
If you are a large group, you may consider apartments or villas. It will be cheaper to share an apartment or a villa with 3 to 4 bedrooms, than to book 3 to 4 separate hotel rooms. Apartments and villas also have kitchens available for you to prepare your own meals. Plus, it is more fun to have a private common area to share with your group. However, most of the villas are not located right by the beach, so you may not get the beautiful beach-side view from the windows of the holiday villa.
We have been to Desaru a few times. Here are some of the places we stayed in.
1. The Hotel Resort
Our hotel room at Sand and Sandals Desaru Resort (formerly known as Pulai Desaru Resort), overlooking the pool and the beach.
Website: http://www.sandandsandals.com/
Address: Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa Bandar Penawar, 81930 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia.
2. The Resort Apartment
Our 3-bedroom apartment at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort. This is also right next to the beach. And it also has its own water park.
Website: http://lotusdesaru.com/
Address: Lot 1854, Jalan Desaru Bandar Penawar, 81930 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
3. The Holiday Resort Villa
Our 4-bedroom resort villa at Desaru Utama. It may not be by the beach, however it is not too far away from the attractions at Desaru.
Visit Facebook page.
Address: Desaru Utama, Bandar Penawar, Desaru, Malaysia 82200
Watch our video of the holiday resort villa!
When is the best time to visit Desaru?
Because it is a beach holiday destination, and it is located on the east coast of Malaysia, Desaru will be hit by the monsoon season between the months of November to February. There will be a lot of rain, and the tides can get very high. And it will not be safe to swim at the beach as the waves can be very dangerous.
From our experience, the best months to go are May and June. During these 2 months, the sea is calm and the water will be much clearer compared to the other months.
The waves were higher when we were there in the months March and July.
Well, it really comes down your idea of a perfect beach holiday. Which do you prefer? The calm sea for a relaxing dip in the clear waters, or the high waves for exciting sea sport activities. Now you know the best time to go! And the beach is simply beautiful all year round!
So what to do? Where to go?
Desaru has many places of interest for you to visit. From the beach, to a brand new water park, to farm tours and petting zoos. Here are some of places to visit.
We picked 9 attractions in Desaru for you!
1. The Desaru Beach
Of course you have to go to the beach when you visit Desaru! It is one of the best, if not the best, beach spots nearest Singapore. Try to catch the sunset on the beautiful water!
Desaru Beach in March
Desaru Beach in July
Desaru Beach in May
Beach Activities
Beach activities are available at most of the resort hotels and apartments . They include jet skis, banana boats, para sails and others.
2. Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark
One of the newest attractions in Desaru is the the water park. It recently opened in November 2018.
There are fun rides ranging in thrill factor available for the whole family! For the bravest thrill seekers, you can try Kraken's Revenge and The Tempest.
And for the not-so-brave chill seekers, there is the Penawar River.
There is also a huge water playground for the kids! With many slides of various shapes and sizes.
Our favourite would be the Tidal Wave Beach! One of the world's biggest wave pool.
Click to visit website.
Address: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark,
Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Watch our video of the Adventure Waterpark!
3. Bujang Firefly Floating Restaurant
This is a nice place to have a delicious dinner with a backdrop of the sunset. And after the sun sets, take a boat ride into total darkness to see fireflies light up.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Address: Jalan Johor Silica, Sungai Lebam, 81900 Tanjong Surat, Malaysia
Watch our video to catch a glimpse of the fireflies!
4. Desaru Fruit Farm
Drop by the Desaru Fruit Farm during lunch time, as their tour package includes lunch as well. Try local dishes infused with local fruit flavours, like passionfruit chicken and dragonfruit cuttlefish! We were impressed at how good the fruit-fusion-dishes taste!
There is also a mini petting zoo, where you can get up close and personal with the farm animals.
You can also choose the ATV tour where you can navigate around the farm on ATV.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Address: Sungai Cemaran, Desaru 92, 82200 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Watch our fruitful experience here!
There are some other attractions that we wanted to check out, but didn't get a chance to. Well, it is just nearby. Maybe we would just have to have to make a trip to Desaru again!
5. Desaru Ostrich Farm
A place to see and discover more about ostriches. You are able to get up close and personal to the magnificent birds.
Photo from Desaru Ostrich Farm Facebook page.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Jalan Telok Ramunia, Kampung Changi, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
6. Teluk Sengat Crocodile World
A place to see and discover more about crocodiles. It may be an interesting experience, or a scary one.
Photo from Teluk Sengat Crocodile World Facebook page.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Teluk Sengat, Kota Tinggi, Johor, 81920, Ayer Tawar 2, Johor, Malaysia
7. Firefly Valley Leisure Park
A mini farm and park where you can watch fireflies at night.
Photo from Firefly Valley Leisure Park Facebook page.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Address: Jalan Jemaluang, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
8. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Thousands of fireflies spread over the banks of the Kota Tinggi river creating a unique landscape.
Photo from Kota Tinggi Firefly Park Facebook page.
Click to visit Facebook page.
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
9. Kulim Eco-Trail Retreat
The most iconic building along Johor river that provide accommodation, meals, outdoor activities. The original building, with the stairs and flooring made of lasting cengal wood, still exists today.
Photo from Facebook page.
Click to visit Website.
Address: 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
There you go! Our top picks for 9 places to visit in Desaru!
We have been to 4 of them. 5 to go!
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Watch our video featuring the highlights of our 3D2N stay at Desaru in March 2019.
Thank you!
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