Nestled on the south-east coast of Malaysia, Desaru is a relatively new but exciting development that feels unexpectedly remote, despite its proximity to Johor Bahru. At under 2 hours’ drive from central Singapore, or a 90-minute Singapore to Desaru ferry ride, this destination offers an exotic holiday that won’t involve waiting 2-3 hours at an airport for an international flight. Located in Johor and boasting warm Desaru weather, 17 kilometres of pristine beaches, and many world-class Desaru hotels, such as Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, this beach resort was recently voted one of the World’s Greatest Places by Time Magazine. Desaru is also a great centre for fun family adventures. What to do in Desaru with kids? Desaru Waterpark, Desaru Mini Zoo, fascinating tours, exhilarating water activities – and this is just the beginning. The BusyKidd team has compiled a list of the best Desaru activities for families and has selected the best Desaru resorts for your unforgettable stay. Let’s check it all out right away – and get on a ferry to Desaru!
What to do in Desaru with kids?
Related Reading: Check out our guides to Best Travel Insurance In Singapore.
Family-Friendly Things To Do In Desaru
Make Some Furry Friends At Desaru Mini Zoo
Desaru Mini Zoo will become your kids’ favourite place in this beach resort. It offers all visitors to pet some cute and friendly birds, reptiles, and furry friends. This zoo is a good place for boys and girls who like to communicate with animals.
Visitors can feed many animals in Desaru Mini Zoo with corn and beans. We bet alpacas, rabbits, camels, horses, ducks, and other inhabitants will not refuse your treats.
You can also enjoy many other hands-on activities. Feed milk to baby goats. Hold a sugar glider. Stroke a bearded dragon. Share your love with animals at Desaru Mini Zoo. Create memories.
Make A Splash At A Desaru Waterpark
Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark via Facebook
Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark isn’t just any old Desaru waterpark. It’s one of the world’s biggest and has over 20 exciting rides. A long looping lazy river, a giant wave pool, or a mix of wet and dry rides – where do we start? Try a surf simulator, tube slides, a rollercoaster with a 360-degree loop, a magnificent pirate ship, and other rides at Desaru Waterpark. The Tempest is another highlight not to miss. It is an exhilarating ride that sends you down a 20-metre tube before dropping you 8 metres. Desaru Waterpark is definitely among the most adrenaline-pumping things to do in Desaru with your little adventure seekers – and an ideal option considering the hot Desaru weather.
Get the Juice At A Desaru Fruit Farm
Desaru Fruit Farm is a huge farm that extends over 180 acres through the tropical countryside. One can take a guided tour of the Desaru Fruit Farm. The tour includes a visit to the fruit orchards, the fish pond, and the vegetable and herb garden. Visitors can see durians, jackfruit, guava, mangoes, starfruits, passion fruits, rose apples, soursops, and other fruits. Kids can feed koi carp in the fish pond and even visit the petting zoo with many cute inhabitants, such as rabbits and goats. There is also a bee farm where visitors can see how honey is made and taste the honey produced there. The Desaru Fruit Farm also has a restaurant that offers a tasty lunch menu.
Look For Crabs On A Desaru Rock Pool Walking Tour
Image Credit: Junglewalladesaru.com
Kids always love the anticipation of finding a tiny fish or crab in a rock pool. With its 17 kilometres of beaches, Desaru offers plenty of opportunities for exciting marine life explorations. Do you prefer an organised activity led by an expert in marine habitats? Many companies offer guided tours of the beaches and tidal flats. JungleWalla Tours is one such company. It provides fascinating tours that help participants find the best Desaru rock pools with crabs, barnacles, anemones, and even small fish.
Desaru Mangrove Tour
Companies such as JungleWalla Desaru also offer tours that can introduce you to one of the world’s most important ecosystems, the mangrove. Mangrove forests can be found on the Desaru coast, where they grow in the saltwater and play important roles such as reducing soil erosion and providing nurseries for small fish. In Desaru’s Sungai Lebam mangroves, you might be lucky enough to see kites, sea eagles, herons, mudskippers, and monitor lizards from the tour boat. Alternatively, if you want to get closer to the action, you could enroll in JungleWalla’s kayaking tour of the same Lebam River. This adventure includes a stop at Desaru Fruit Farm to sample and buy fresh fruits. Definitely one of the most exciting, inspiring, and meaningful things to do in Desaru with family.
Swing Some Clubs At The Desaru Els Club
Image Credit: The Els Club via Facebook
Golf fanatics, or even those who aspire to be golfers like iconic Ernie Els, should head to the Els Club Desaru Coast. Boasting 27 championship holes, designed by the great man himself, as well as a 50,000 square foot clubhouse, this world-class golf course is open to non-members and offers golf in a tranquil setting. One of its three 9-hole courses, called the Valley Course, was recently recognised as the best golf course in Malaysia at the World Golf Awards.
See The Lights At Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Image Credit: Kota Tinggi Firefly Park via Facebook
What about some magical things to do in Desaru? Living in Singapore, we never get the opportunity to see the beautiful firefly, also known as the ‘lightning bug’, which is in fact a species of beetle. It is time to catch your ferry to Desaru and admire this incredible natural miracle.
Kota Tinggi Firefly Park is only a 30-minute drive from the Desaru Coast and offers the opportunity to see these twinkling fairies. This area is a natural feeding spot and breeding ground for fireflies, so it is one of the best places in the world to see them. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park organises a boat trip which departs at sunset and allows guests to see daytime wildlife such as monkeys and lizards before night falls and the fireflies come out to dance! You can contact the park directly or book via a number of tour companies in Desaru.
Polish Off The Binoculars For Birdwatching
Image Credit: JungleWalla Desaru via Facebook
The Desaru coast is also a fantastic place for birdwatching, thanks to its coastal, wetland, and mangrove habitats, which are home to over 100 bird species. If you’re lucky, you might see birds such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Sea Eagle, Pied Hornbill, Common Kingfisher, Blue-throated Bee Eater, and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird. Most tours last around 90 minutes to 2 hours and provide experienced guides and transport.
Get Wet Doing Water Sports
What to do in Desaru for thrill-seekers? Bordering the South China Sea, the Desaru beaches are generally shallow and calm, and thus offer a great location for partaking in numerous different water sports. Virtually all the Desaru beaches are suitable for swimming, and many of the Desaru resorts offer water-based activities such as parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, and fishing trips.
What to do in Desaru? The choice of activities is impressive. From educational eco tours to exciting sea sports – there is something for every taste.
Are you packing your bags already? No wonder! Desaru is a good choice for a family vacation! Desaru weather, pristine nature, mind-blowing scenery, and an incredible selection of family-friendly activities make Desaru a beloved destination for traveling with kids.
We need a hotel for our perfect stay in Desaru! Let us check out several of the best Desaru hotels where you can enjoy your family vacation.
Best Desaru Hotels
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort And Villas
Anantara Desaru is a luxury beachfront resort that has outstanding amenities for your carefree vacation. Anantara Desaru is surrounded by lush tropical gardens. It is a charming islet of tranquility right in the bustling world. The choice of first-class facilities and family-friendly activities ensures that every guest enjoys moments of a lifetime.
You can stay in cosy rooms with a private balcony, villas with a private plunge pool, or luxury beach houses with an infinity pool. Six restaurants and bars offer various cuisines. What about in-villa barbecue or even Designer Dining by Anantara Desaru? It is a one-of-a-kind dining experience by the beach and under the stars that won’t leave anyone indifferent. A signature spa, several pools, a fitness centre, a library, and an outdoor cinema – there’s a place for relaxation, active rest, learning, and even more.
As for family-friendly activities, the choice is impressive. From a children’s pool and a playground to kids’ and teens’ clubs, various water sports, fascinating tours, and more.
Anantara Desaru absolutely deserves your attention! And your stay!
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
What about some electrifying rock and roll right in the tropical paradise? You can get plenty of this at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, a place where comfort, luxury, exhilarating entertainment, and vibe come together to provide a memorable staycation for every member of your family.
Chick accommodation for real rock stars, a choice of dining venues for every taste, and everything you need to get fit, rejuvenate, and have fun – Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast has it all. There is also a lively universe just for little rock stars, the Roxity Kids Club. This place is packed with games, adventures, laughter, and music, of course. Kids can also have an enjoyable time – and get totally wet – at the clubs’ Splazh Zone.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast also has an outstanding entertainment programme with live music, brilliant performances, inspiring tours, and more.
Have you already booked your Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast vacation?
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort And Spa
When it comes to water-based activities, Lotus Desaru is on top of the list – and not just because of its selection of water sports to enjoy. This Desaru resort is an absolute favourite among families searching for a perfect mix of luxury accommodations, great dining, total relaxation, and thrilling activities. Are you one of these families? Welcome to Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa!
From a 1-Bedroom Duplex Suite to a 4 Bedroom Family Suite and even a Pent House – no matter how big your family is, since Lotus Desaru has a comfortable option for you. The choice of dining venues, from lively Teratai Coffee House to elegant Seafood Restaurant, ensures everyone is well-fed and cheerful. And the range of family-friendly activities won’t leave anyone bored and sad. SPLASH Water Park, Gymnasium, Lotus Desaru Mini Golf, Lotus Spa – what are your plans for today?
Did we mention this Desaru resort is a real paradise for all active families, thrill seekers, and water sports lovers? Boat rides, fishing trips, parasailing, family tube, twister – and this is just the beginning of all sea sports you can enjoy at this Desaru resort. Be sure that the Desaru weather at this beach resort is always on your side!
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
For a perfect mix of relaxation and active leisure, stylish accommodation, mouthwatering dining options, and breathtaking sunsets, head to The Westin Desaru. Especially since you can admire those sunsets right from your spacious private balcony while sipping a refreshing cocktail and dreaming about the bright future. That sounds like a perfect plan for this weekend. Actually, it is an ideal plan! So, let’s implement it!
The Westin Desaru accommodates its guests in 275 cosy guestrooms. Each room has a spacious balcony or a terrace that offers mind-blowing views of the South China Sea or lovely gardens. But for some guests of this Desaru resort, the main highlight of each room is the signature Westin Heavenly Bed that is responsible for good sleep, and as a result, for good health and mood.
The Westin Desaru resort offers diverse dining options, a private beach, several pools, including a pool for the youngest vacationers, a spa, and a fitness centre. You can try many water sports and other engaging activities.
Tunmaya Beach And Spa Resort – Desaru
Are you looking for a place to merge with pristine nature in Desaru? To forget about the vanities of everyday life. To feel free. To create precious memories with your nearest and dearest. Is that about you? Congratulations! You have just found it!
It is the only Desaru resort with an all-beach view. Each of its 134 comfortable rooms and suites is your charming haven with a breathtaking scenery of the beautiful Desaru beach and boundless sea.
This tropical getaway is also a great destination for true foodies, since it has a choice of dining venues that serve international and local cuisines. Kids can have fun in the children’s pool, and parents are invited to enjoy various treatments at this Desaru resort’s spa. Who is ready to conquer the High Ropes Adventure Course? Lots of impressions and vivid emotions are guaranteed.
Four Points By Sheraton Desaru
Four Points by Sheraton Desaru boasts a strategic location. It is just 10 minutes from the Desaru Beach and a stone’s throw away from the Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, The ELS Club Desaru Coast, and other attractions you should visit with your family. By the way, this Desaru resort offers a shuttle service to all nearby attractions. Of course, this is just one of multiple benefits ensured by staying in one of the best hotels in Desaru. Let us check the others!
It is a modern hotel that aims to meet all needs and wishes of every guest – and to ensure that their travel dreams come true right here, in this charming tropical paradise. Guests stay in spacious rooms with the signature Four Points Comfort Bed. There are two restaurants, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and other first-class amenities that make this Desaru resort an excellent choice for a family weekend getaway, an unforgettable holiday, or a business trip. Absolutely deserves to be at the top of the list of the best Desaru hotels!
Have you already chosen your ideal Desaru hotel? It’s time to hop on the Singapore to Desaru ferry! Let’s see how to get to this dream destination.
How To Get To Desaru From Singapore
Are you looking for a weekend getaway from Singapore? Desaru is an excellent choice. A perfect combination of sightseeing, educational activities, and extreme sports. Incredible nature and breathtaking views all around. World-class resorts with outstanding amenities. And the main thing is that the Singapore to Desaru ferry will bring you to Desaru, your dream destination, in less than two hours. And we should admit that a ride on a ferry to Desaru is a fascinating adventure on its own. Of course, the Singapore to Desaru ferry is not the only way to reach Desaru. Let’s check the available options.
The Best Ways To Get To Desaru From Singapore
By Ferry To Desaru
The ferry to Desaru is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the beach resort. You can take a direct ferry from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in The Lion City to the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal. The ride will take you approximately 90 minutes. Then, you can take a short taxi or shuttle bus ride to your final destination.
Please note that ferries to Desaru operate every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only.
By Shared Coach To Desaru
Another easy and comfortable way to get to Desaru – and the most cost-effective one – is taking a shared coach. It is a bus operated by a private company that goes directly to Desaru without additional stops (except for crossing the border). The trip to Desaru takes approximately 2.5 hours, but it can take longer depending on traffic and customs clearance.
By Car
Do you prefer to drive? You can get to Desaru by car as well. It is about a 2-hour drive by car. But the trip to Desaru may take much longer because of traffic and crossing the border.
We highly recommend opting for the Singapore to Desaru ferry, since this way ensures the best combination of price, time, and convenience.
Warm Desaru weather, beautiful nature, mind-blowing scenery, world-class Desaru hotels, and a whole lot of exciting family-friendly activities for every taste – it seems we have just found a real paradise on Earth. What to do in Desaru? You know the answer! It is time to plan your Desaru holiday.
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