13 Best Things To Do In Desaru (Updated)

Can you remember the last time you went to Desaru?

This go-to weekend destination for Singaporeans may look a little different now!

With a proper water theme park, golf course and luxurious Desaru resort!

Despite all the development, the district has not lost its sleepy coastal charm!

Read this list of the 13 best things to do in Desaru, including new Desaru attractions!

Table of contents:
1. Desaru Public Beach
2. Desaru Water Sports At Dash Outdoors
3. Desaru Adventure Waterpark
4. Desaru Coast Riverside
5. Golf At Els Club Desaru Coast
6. Spend A Night In A Luxury Hotel
7. Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
8. Desaru Ostrich Farm
9. Tanjung Balau Fishing Village
10. Kota Tinggi Waterfalls
11. Desaru Fruit Farm
12. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
13. Best Seafood At Sungai Rengit & Teluk Sengat

1. Relax On Desaru’s White Sand Beaches (Desaru Public Beach)

Desaru beach is a tranquil spot for a picnic or strolls along the beautiful 6km coastline of white sand fringed by casuarina trees!

This is the closest beach to Johor Bahru and many Singaporeans and Malaysians like to bring their family here for outings!

Do check with the life guards before you get in the water!

Some areas in the shallows slope down unexpectedly and while it’s not common, there have been jellyfish sightings!

2. Give Water Sports A Try With Dash Outdoors

Dash Outdoors operates a sports equipment shack right on the beach!

Also read: How To Go Desaru From Singapore

Their staffs are well-trained to international standards and they are fully insured which means you don’t have to worry when you’re out on the ocean having fun!

They have new quality equipment for rent:

• Jet skis
• Pedal boats
• Surfboards
• Kayaks
• Zorb balls
• Water skiing apparatus
• Stand-up paddle boards
• Fat bikes

And more!

Also read: Desaru ATV Ride

3. Make Waves At The Desaru Adventure Waterpark

Desaru Adventure Waterpark is huge at 25 acres with a gigantic wavepool (~3 acres across) that can rival many around the world!

The waterpark is one of the newest in Malaysia too and many have yet to try their numerous rides and other attractions!

Rides you have to try:

• The Tempest – Slides with turns and unexpected drops!
• Kraken’s Revenge (roller coaster/ splash ride)
• Surf Wall – Surf simulator
• Kids Ahoy – Playground with water slides for the kids!

Also read: How To Go Desaru Water Park From Singapore

4. See The New Waterfront At Desaru Coast Riverside

It might be almost entirely manmade, but the 23-acre Desaru Coast Riverside is still a sight to behold!

The beautiful waterfront is ideal for leisurely stroll as you browse through some shops before or after a meal at one of the eateries.

As you might expect, things are pricey here.

Also read: Where To Stay In Desaru

There are weekly cultural shows as well as the occasional festivals! See their event page on desarucoast.com.

5. Golf At Els Club Desaru Coast

If you want to play golf by the sea without having to go too far, The Ocean Course by Els Club Desaru Coast may be just what you’re looking for!

Designed by golf champion Ernie Els himself, the spectacular course overlooks the South China Sea and has three challenging 9-hole courses!

Facilities:

• Golf carts with impressive Visage GPS system
• Driving range and practice areas
• 261 Bar & Restaurant
• Golf shop
• Locker rooms

Also read: How To Go To Els Club Desaru From Singapore

6. Spend A Night In A Luxury Hotel

Desaru Coast has luxury resorts that are affordable if you happen to be earning Singaporean dollars!

6.1 Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

Staying at a Hard Rock Hotel Desaru is an experience in itself. Especially if you are a keen guitarist!

6.2 The Westin Desaru Coast Resort

Besides a private beach in front, another highlight of The Westin Desaru Resort is the wonderful spa!

6.3 Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

Opening in December 2019, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort has stand-alone villas with infinity pools and a private butler and chef!

6.4 One & Only Desaru Coast

The theme at One & Only Desaru is jungle meets the ocean and you’ll never feel far from either here!

7. Meet The Scaly Residents At Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm / Taman Buaya Teluk Sengat

It will surprise you that Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm is home to more than 1,000 saltwater crocodiles!

Visitors can see and learn about them thanks to Mr Ng and his family who have been running the farm for 4 generations!

There is one crocodile here that is over a century old!

You will have the opportunity a see a baby crocodile up close and watch crocodile keepers feed the crocodiles!
Curious visitors can sample crocodile meat and bring back some unusual souvenirs.

8. Visit An Ostrich Farm Right in Malaysia – Desaru Ostrich Farm

Bring your kids for a short trip to see this quaint rustic Desaru Ostrich Farm with more than 100 ostriches!

Feed ostriches vegetables or corn and learn some fun facts from the friendly staff!

Also read: Top 6 Desaru Animal Farm

Try to stand your whole weight on an ostrich egg to see if it will take your weight!

Little ones can sit on one of the ostriches for a photo but take note that most activities here will cost extra – like RM15 to try an ostrich omelette!

9. Visit The Tanjung Balau Fishing Village and Museum (Muzium Nelayan)

It’s not every day you come across a museum just on fishermen, their stories, superstitions and ancient fishing techniques!

There is a gallery just for shipwrecks from around the area too!

Also read: Tanjung Balau Beach

North of Desaru, the spacious Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum houses exhibits consisting of:

• Boat models
• Posters
• Films
• Replicas of tools
• Dioramas
• Actual fishing vessels
• Other fishing paraphernalia like nets and tackles

10. Go For A Refreshing Soak At The Kota Tinggi Waterfalls

Kota Tinggi waterfalls is popular with Malaysians and Singaporeans wanting to get closer to nature! The falls are at the base of Gunung Muntahak (Mount Muntahak) with natural beauty all around!

Visitors can picnic by the waterfall or flounder in the cool water of the shallow pools. Or just float along the river! It costs ~RM5 to rent a tube.

Those wanting to stay overnight can consider the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls Resort!

11. Pick Your Own Fruit At Desaru Fruit Farm

Over at this agro-tourism Desaru Fruit Farm is 100 acres of fruit! More than 120 various tropical fruit grow here! Have a taste of their fruit buffets!

Aside from the sprawling orchards, there’s a mini petting zoo too.

Fruit that they plant:

• Guava
• Passionfruit
• Jackfruit
• Breadfruit
• Thousand Fingers Banana
• Brazilian Longan
• Durian
• Rambutan
• Abiu Fruits
• Pineapple
• Limau Kasturi
• Soursop
• Pulasan
• Mangosteen
• Amra (Kedondong)
• Roseapple

12. Take A Firefly Cruise At Kota Tinggi Firefly Park

It’s an 8-minute drive from Kota Tinggi through a palm tree plantation where boats wait to take visitors out to the mangroves to see fireflies!

Fireflies are not widespread anymore but you can still see them 2 hours away from Singapore! Their numbers decrease each year so don’t wait!

13. Dine On Fresh Seafood At Sungai Rengit And Teluk Sengat

Indulging in seafood while you’re Desaru is a must!

Here are 2 restaurants to try:

Also read: What To Eat In Desaru (Local Suggest)

13.1 Sengat Seafood Restaurant

In the rural fishing village of Teluk Sengat, this halal-certified Desaru seafood restaurant is close to the crocodile farm.

Expect the basics like plastic chairs and no air conditioning! However, it’s the food that will impress! Dishes like chili crab and Nyonya style steamed fish!

13.2 Jade Garden

Jade Garden Seafood Corner was featured on Singapore TV for their affordable and fresh seafood including huge lobsters!

Further reading:

• 5 Star Beach Hotel Near Desaru Water Park
• Top 2 Best Desaru Golf Course
• 7 Best Massage Spa In Desaru
• Singapore To Desaru By Bus
• Singapore To Desaru By Ferry