What to do and what to eat in Desaru? A trip to Johor Desaru Beach

Before the end of the year, we make a trip to Johor beach since we were in Singapore during Christmas day. From Singapore, we took the Senai-Desaru Highway from Cahaya Baru to Desaru which is approximately 27km across Sungai Johor and end at Penawar Interchange. It took us around 2 hours to reach Desaru from Woodlands check points.

Here is the map of each exit to Desaru:

Bandar Penawar and Desaru located at the same area, just a few kilometre away from each other. You can follow either one to Desaru.

During our trip in Desaru, we stayed at Pulai Desaru Beach Resort & Spa. It was one of the best resort there so far with better furnished rooms and facilities. However, if you have kids, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort will be better choice since there is a Water Park for the kids to play.

Review on Pulai Desaru Beach Resort & Spa

What are the attractions in Desaru and What to eat there? This are the questions when it come to our road trip. I actually found this place because he wanted to go for a beach holiday this time and the nearest beach I can find is Desaru if travel from Singapore. I read a lot of posts regarding the accommodation and hardly find a full review of the place with food & attractions.

So, I'm going to cover as much as possible about the attractions near Desaru beach and of course the FOOD. Here is a map from Pulai Desaru Hotel that covers some of the attractions and resorts you can find in Desaru. Basically quite complete I would say.

What can you do in Desaru?

In Pulai Desaru Resort itself, you can find a few activities:

1. Pulai Spa- where you can pamper yourself with some massage

2. Gymnasium-still stay fit even you are on holiday

3. Swimming Pool

4. ATV

5. Paint Ball

6. Arcade Centre

7. Horse Carriage Ride 

Activities around Desaru:

1. Fruit Farm Tour - 180 Acres of Tropical Fruitland

Entrance fee: RM25 (adult), RM20 (children)

Opening Hour: 9am-6.30pm

Address: No 1, Sungai Cemaran, Desaru, 81930 Kota Tinggi, Johor Darul Takzim

Find out more http://www.desarufruitfarm.com/

2. Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm

Entrance fee: RM8 (adult), RM4 (children)

Opening Hour: 9am-6pm

Address: Lots 1289 & 1290,  Jalan Sembilan,  Kampung Belading, Teluk Sengat,  81940 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia 

3. Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum

Entrance fee: RM2 (adult), RM1 (children)

Opening Hour: 9am-6pm

Address: L3-26 Aras 3, Bangunan JOTIC, 2 Jalan Ayer Molek, Johor Bahru 80000, Johor, Malaysia

4. Ostrich Farm

Entrance fee: RM15 (adult), RM10 (children)

Opening Hour: 10am-6pm

Address: EMR 15, Teluk Ramunia, Kota Tinggi, Johor

Recommend to have lunch there, you can try out their Ostrich steak, satay, omelette and many more.

5. River Cruise/ Firefly tour

Both are at the same area. It is located in Restoran Terapung Bujang. Walk into the restaurant and ask for the cruise.

Opening Hour: frpm 12pm-12am 

River Cruise (1 hour) - RM 20 (adult), RM15 (children)

Fireflies River Cruise (30mins), from 8pm-12am - RM20 (adult), RM15 (children)

Address: Jalan Johor Silica, Sg. Lebam (3km off the main road Desaru- Kota Tinggi). 

Coordinate: N 01’ 33.37 E 104’ 11.22

What to eat in Desaru?

If you are lazy to drive out, there are two Restaurants in Pulai Desaru:

1. Palm Brasserie

2. Teppan! Japanese Restaurant

I would recommend to drive out to get better food. We tried Teppan on our first day since it is raining heavily, we end up have to pay a big chunk with low quality of Japanese food.

1. Marrybrown @ Bandar Penawar

The nearest fast food chain that we can find from Desaru. 5 mins drive from Pulai Desaru to Bandar Penawar. You can easily use Waze to get there. 

2. Restoran Terapung Bujang

It is the same location with the River cruise/Firefly river cruise. We actually had our dinner here before we go for the firefly river cruise. All meal are served in set based on number of people. To our surprise, the food turn out to be quite good although we don't have good impression of the place at first. The portion is quite big too for both of us, quite worth the price.

Here is the price list of the set meals, the price still the same although the blog posted in 2011. 

3. Surf & Turf Restaurant @ Ostrich Farm

There is a small stall beside the Ostrich Farm that gave you the chance to try out some local Ostrich delicacy. They served Ostrich satay, Ostrich steak, Ostrich egg omelette, Ostrich bak kut teh and others.

4. Sungai Rengit Seafood Restaurants

Sungai Rengit is famous for its mini lobsters. There are a few seafood restaurant there like Jade Garden Seafood Corner, Yoou Kee Seafood Restaurant, Sin Kong Seafood Restaurant and others. I didn't manage to make a trip there as it was raining and too dark to drive there after 6pm. I would recommend to go for lunch instead of dinner as it need 25 mins drive from Pulai Desaru to Sungai Rengit.

A map from Johorkaki on the restaurants in Sungai Rengit:

I will update more on my trip in Desaru soon.. Stay tuned!