What To Do In Desaru: Stay, Eat, Play

Last updated 10 Jul 2024SGMYTAXI

Singaporeans love to go to Desaru for a family vacation, as it is easily accessible from Singapore.

Ferries are a great option to reach Desaru, but only available on weekends and may cost more for a big family.

The easier option would be hiring a private car to enjoy flexibility with time and less hassle at crossing the border.

There’s plenty to enjoy in Desaru, from budget to luxurious hotel stays, to animal farms, beautiful beaches and water activities. Not to forget delicious fresh seafood!

Here is a list of things to do in Desaru for you to add into your itinerary!

 

1. Stay At Luxurious Resorts in Desaru Coast

 

If luxury is something you would indulge in, then Desaru has plenty to offer for a stylish and luxurious beach escapade. Here are the top-picks for luxury stays in Desaru Coast:

• Westin Resort Desaru: for its popular Seaview room, with a lower price than Anantara and One&Only Resort. Most of its rooms also face the beach.

 

• Anantara Resort Desaru: for its huge infinity pool overlooking the open sea

 

• Hard Rock Desaru: for free waterpark tickets for each room and direct connection to the Desaru Waterpark. Fun and family-friendly resort perfect for the kids.

 

• One&Only Desaru Coast: for the most luxurious and expensive among the 4 private luxury resorts in Desaru

If you looking for private taxi to Desaru from Singapore, click here: Private Taxi From Singapore To Desaru

 

2. Splashing At Desaru Adventure Waterpark

 

Here are the exciting rides to do in Desaru Adventure Waterpark:

• Kraken’s Revenge – only for the adventurous at heart, this roller coaster flume ride will go through a 360-degrees loop and then plunge down into a massive water splash!

 

• The Tempest – Ride in a vortex of a gigantic funnel on a float and circle the circumference down to the bottom

 

• Tidal Wave Beach – Laze in the water or ride the tidal waves in this 3-acre beach pool

 

• Penawar River – Chillax and drift away in the river lined with lush green riverbank

 

• Scallywags & Starfish Splash – Let the kids enjoy a safe and kid-friendly water play

Also read: How To Go Desaru Coast From Singapore

 

3. Pick Juicy Fruits At Desaru Fruit Farm

 

Here are fun and educational things to do in Desaru Fruit Farm:

• Tour the fruit orchard while learning about the growing methods

• Pick and taste fruits like guava, mangosteen, dragon fruit and many more!
• Marvel at exotic fruits like the 1000 fingers banana tree
• Enjoy a nice fruit platter at the cafe when you are done

 

 

4. Petting Animal At The Kids Friendly Zoo

 

If you are looking for family things to do near Desaru, don’t skip these wonderful zoos that would definitely entertain the children:

 

4.1 Desaru Mini Zoo

 

• See animals like as alpacas, hedgehogs, turtles, reptiles and domestic animals
• Pet, feed and take photos with the animals
• Play and bounce at the mini playland

 

4.2 Desaru Alpaca Farm

 

• Tour the zoo in an indoor and shaded mini zoo
• Interact with cute animals including exotic alpacas, capybara and meerkats

 

4.3 Mini Petting Zoo At Desaru Fruit Farm

 

 

• Feed domestic animals like goats, rabbits, chickens and ducks
• Learn about honey bees at the bee-keeping area

 

5. Dine At A Romantic Beach Dining & Bar (Anantara Resort)

 

After all the adventurous things to do in Desaru, take some time to wind down with your loved one at a romantic dining experience in Anantara Resort Desaru.

• Enjoy fresh signature seafood delicacies at Sea, Fire and Salt restaurant
• A romantic bespoke dinner for two by the beach, customised by the hotel
• Buffet dining at Turmeric restaurant with a rustic colonial setting

More details about Anantara Desaru Restaurant, click here: 4 Restaurant of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

 

6. Ride Big ATV at Desaru Farm 

 

Desaru Fruit Farm has garnered multiple awards for their agro-tourism efforts, so it’s a destination not to be missed in your list of what to do in Desaru.

• Thrilling ATV ride packages suitable for kids and adults
• Choose to just ride ATV or combo with fruit picking activities and lunch

 

7. See Magnificent Reptiles At Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm

 

You would not expect that visiting a crocodile farm is one of the top things to do near Desaru!

 

This largest crocodile farm in Peninsula Malaysia has many resident saltwater crocodiles of different sizes and ages, even up to 150 years old.

 

Things you can do at Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm

• Tour the enclosures and learn about crocodiles, their habitat and life cycle
• Get up-close with baby crocodile and snap photos
• Witness live feeding of crocodiles

 

8. Visit Hundreds of Desaru Ostrich Farm

 

Are you curious about ostriches? In Desaru Ostrich Farm, there’s 200 ostriches roaming the ground for you to get acquainted with. Activities you can do are:

• Learn about their species, and watch hatchery activities
• Feed ostriches with the food provided by caretakers
• Ostrich riding activities
• Taste ostrich eggs delicacy

 

9. Walk & Picnic On White Sand At Desaru Coast Beach (Westin)

 

Head on to the beautiful sandy beach near Westin Desaru:

• Enjoy the breeze and view of the South China Sea
• Go fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking
• Enjoy a picnic and play with sand
• Stroll along the beach and take beautiful photos with Casuarina trees

 

10. Get Your Adrenaline Going At Dash Outdoor Adventure (Public beach)

 

What to do in Desaru when you are at the Desaru public beach? Enjoy water activities of course!

 

Dash Outdoor Adventures offers plenty of exciting water activities that you can do, such as:

• Banana boat rides
• ATV rides
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Zorb water ball
• Jet ski tours
• Mangrove kayaking

 

11. Take The Desaru Firefly Cruise

 

The Kota Tinggi Desaru Firefly Park is one of the memorable things to do in Desaru especially for young ones to experience.

• Take a cruise along the mangrove river and spot beautiful luminous fireflies
• Write a wish and send a floating lantern up in the air
• Light up mesmerising fireworks while at the jetty area

 

12. Eating The Best Seafood In Desaru 

 

Looking for things to do in Desaru at night?

How about a sumptuous seafood dinner?

Here’s a few top recommendations:

 

12.1 Super Lobster Village 

 

• Popular seafood restaurant among locals
• Beautiful “kampung” style ambience and restaurant decor

 

12.2 Super Lobster Restaurant

 

• Longest-operating Desaru seafood restaurants famous for huge lobsters
• Award-winning delicacies such as lobster in Superior Broth and Chilli Crab

Also read: 11 Best Desaru Food For Family Trip

 

12.3 Jade Garden Seafood Corner

 

• Alfresco dining with a beautiful view of the sea
• Wide selection of local and international lobsters and seafood

 

12.4 Lotus Seafood Restaurant (Rhu Seafood Restaurant)

 

• Variety of food cooked in Malay, Chinese, Thai and Western style
• Stroll along the adjacent beach after enjoying your meal

 

 

13. Dine On A Floating Boat Surrounded By Fireflies

 

There’s a unique thing if you are looking for what to do in Desaru at night.

• Enjoy nice seafood dinner surrounded by beautiful luminescent fireflies
• Take a river cruise provided by the restaurant to find more fireflies spots

 

14. Play Golf At The Els Club Desaru Coast

 

Golfers need not to worry about what to do in Desaru.

• Play at the 27-hole Ocean Course
• Play at the 18-hole Valley Course
• Dine at the restaurant to wind down and fill your stomach after the game

 

15. Explore Tanjung Balau Fishing Village

 

• Visit the Tanjung Balau Beach for a scenic rocky beach with an extended platform overlooking the sea
• Pack some food and enjoy a picnic and fly kites on the windy beach.
• Explore the quaint fishing village to observe the fishermen’s way of life
• Watch beautiful sunset view from the beach

 

16. River Cruise Mangrove Tour 

 

Sign up for these tours to explore forests of mangroves that protect the Desaru coastline.

 

Mangrove EDU & Kampung Tour

• Tour along mangrove forest of Tanjung Belungkor
• Learn about the history of Johor Sultanate
• Spot beautiful birds and wildlife like Brahminy Kite and otters
• Plant a baby mangrove tree at the mangrove nursery conservation
• Visit villagers in Tanjung Surat Island & Linting Village
• Visit a stingless bee garden

Marina Mangrove Tour

• Kayak through the beautiful and enchanting mangrove forest
• Explore the waterways on a Seadoo Jet Ski
• Marvel at the mesmerising beauty of the ecosystem and wildlife

 

Sedili Wetland and River (Available Soon)

• Visit Sedili fishing village and learn about the people and Sedili wetlands
• Explore Nypa swamp, Putat and Pandanus belt before reaching the freshwater wetland
• Admire the views of South China Sea from a higher clifftop vantage point

 

Provided by Dash Outdoors

 

17. Snap IG Shot at Sungai Rengit Jetty & Beaches & Horse Riding

 

• Head on to Jomis Old Jetty near Sungai Rengit to get a nice IG photoshoot.
• Strike your best pose at old jetty ruins and make it a memorable photo!
• Take a leisurely horse ride or horse carriage ride with JDT Horse Carriage

 

18. Instagrammable Tea Time Spot: Yard & Co Seaview Cafe

 

• Soak in the chilled seafront vibes while sipping on a cup of coffee
• Snap a shot of the aesthetics of the cafe, perfect for a photo post on your Instagram
• Enjoy delicious foods and desserts such as Lobster Rolls, Smoked Duck Aglio Olio and Tiramisu