Seeking Sunsets and Serenity: A Guide to Batu Layar Beach
On the hunt for some scenic views and a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Then look no further than Batu Layar Beach!
Picture this for a moment: beautiful turquoise waters as far as the eye can see and pristine shores lined with trees providing natural shade. This type of scenery makes it worthy of being called one of the best honeymoon destinations and most beautiful beaches in Malaysia.
Before visiting, however, check out our guide to learn important things such as where to stay, eat and things to do on the beach. Let’s get started!
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit a tropical setting like this is during the dry season, which runs from May to September in Kota Tinggi. This weather will be perfect for sunbathing, swimming and tons of other water activities, but keep in mind that this is also when crowds are at an all-time high.
If you want to enjoy a more peaceful beach getaway, we recommend visiting during Batu Layar’s “low season” (November to April). During these months, crowds will be far in between and you’ll have better chances of scoring great deals on hotel rooms, plane tickets, etc.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: 81600 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Contact Number: +60 7-822 2044
How to Get There
Buses: If you want to save money and experience a somewhat comfortable journey to Batu Layar, you can ride a bus from Johor Bahru. More specifically, you must ride the one coming from Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal to Bandar Penawar, which will take 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Taxis: You can also hail a taxi if you want to get to Batu Layar Beach comfortably and quickly. The only downside that comes with this mode of transportation is its hefty fares, which is especially true if you’re staying far away from the beach.
Car rental: Renting a car is the best way to get to Batu Layar Beach, as it lets you and your loved ones experience a scenic journey. Aside from that, it’s also the most comfortable way of getting to the beach and you’ll get to decide which routes to take and which stopovers to make.
When driving your way there, we recommend starting at Johor Bahru. From there, you can take the Johor Bahru-Kota Tinggi Expressway (E9) where you can then exit at Exit 133 (Bandar Penawar).
From Bandar Penawar, all you have to do is follow the coastal road, which will take you directly to Batu Layar Beach in just around 30 to 40 minutes.
Where to Stay
Amerald Resort Hotel
Address: Lot 1231, Jln Kg Punggai, Sungai Rengit, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-824 3000
Pricing: $$
Hotel and resort balled into one, this is the perfect sentence to describe Amerald. From the outside, it looks like your typical multi-storey hotel, but what’s surprising about it is that it features resort-like facilities.
One of the best things about staying here during your trip to Batu Layar is that you’ll have easy access to the sea since it’s located by the beachfront. However, we feel like you’ll have as much fun when you’re inside, as it features a playground, obstacle course and an outdoor pool.
Tanjung Sepang Beach Resort
Address: Kampung Tanjung Sepang, 81900 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 19-763 9594
Pricing: $-$$
Tanjung Sepang Beach Resort is one of the best options if you’re visiting the beach with your family. This is because it features spacious suites and rooms as well as facilities that can be utilised by huge groups like barbeque grills, halls and gathering areas.
It doesn’t have recreational facilities like swimming pools, but what good would that be if the glistening sea is at your fingertips once you step outside your room?
Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that this resort’s price range is relatively lower than other beachfront hotels you’ll find around the area—steal!
The Rhu Glamping
— From: desarusurprisebyyaya
Address: GM149, Kampung Punggai, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 10-902 9416
Pricing: $-$$
The Rhu is one of the best glamping spots in Malaysia mainly because it lets you go camping by the beachfront—pretty cool, right? This place is perfect for those who don’t want to break their connection with nature by staying in a traditional hotel room.
With this glamping site’s high-quality tents, you’ll technically still be in the outdoors when you sleep. The best part? You’ll get to be serenaded by the sea’s waves crashing into the shore while you rest.
Lotus Seaview Beach Resort
Address: Lot 1272, Tanjung Punggai, Sungai Renggit, 81620 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-822 2944
Pricing: $-$$
Lotus Seaview Beach Resort is a top pick among frugal travellers and we can’t blame them! This is one of those resorts that are great if you’re not looking to spend too much money on accommodation but still want to stay in high-quality rooms.
The rooms here are spacious and most importantly, clean! Plus, you’ll have access to their massive outdoor swimming pool, which is great if you want to take a break from soaking in the sea.
It also features great amenities too like hot water and televisions, which are impressive to see given its affordable price point.
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort – Desaru
Address: 90, Bandar Penawar, 81930, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-833 8888
Pricing: $$
If you’re willing to travel a bit, we recommend checking out Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort, as it treats you to fantastic rooms with unobstructed views of the sea. Also, these rooms are all fitted with all the essentials you need for a comfortable stay from toiletries to hot water and more.
We also recommend staying in this place because of its handful of wellness facilities, which do a great job of making you feel like a brand-new person. Among these facilities, we recommend checking out D’Ombak Spa, where you can get massaged to your heart’s content.
Where to Eat
Kedai Makan Asam Pedas Mak Kiah
— From: johordistro
Address: C73F+27, 81900 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 1-3763 1736
Pricing: $
Kedai Makan Asam Pedas Mak Kiah is a bit of a drive away from the beach, but we can say with confidence that the trip is well worth it. This humble Asian restaurant can be found just by the roadside and it offers delicious variations of asam pedas at affordable prices.
Whether you like fish, beef and chicken, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the tastiest version of asam pedas.
They also serve a variety of desserts like ais kacang, which hits the spot during those hot summer days in Kota Tinggi.
Amerald Seafood Restaurant
Address: Lot 1231, Jln Kg Punggai, Sungai Rengit, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-824 3000
Pricing: $$$
Whenever there’s an instance where you’re by the sea, it’s always a no-brainer to feast on delicious seafood. For this need, we recommend checking out Amerald Seafood Restaurant, which is a classy spot that serves the freshest seafood in the area.
The dishes here are prepared in Cantonese and Chinese style, from the crab to the prawns, lobsters and more. Among all their offerings, however, we recommend the simple but timeless butter lobster the most because of its sweet and tender meat.
Big Easy Bar & Grill
Address: THE ELS CLUB DESARU COAST OCEAN COURSE 4 JALAN DANAU Pantai 2, Desaru Coast, DESARU COAST BANDAR PENAWAR, 81930 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-8780 002
Pricing: $$-$$$
If you’re looking to feast on delicious Western dishes, we recommend travelling to Desaru Coast to dine at Big Easy Bar & Grill. This spot serves Western staples like burgers, fries, steaks, salads and everything in between—perfect for picky eaters and kids!
The price may be a bit steep, but it’s well worth it, considering the serving size and overall quality of the dishes themselves.
Lastly, the place itself is worth highlighting as well, as the overall look has this classic vibe going on, which is perfect for taking photos!
Sea.Fire.Salt
Address: 90, Desaru, 82200 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-235 6666
Pricing: $$$
Sea.Fire.Salt is one of the most beautiful restaurants you can check out in the area, making it perfect for special occasions. We say this because it’s located by the beachfront so you’ll get to feast your eyes on stunning views while you feast on delicious dishes.
As for the dishes themselves, they’re nothing short of amazing! They offer various meat and seafood that are grilled to perfection—perfect for a beachside dining experience like this.
Want our advice? Order the seafood platter if you’re visiting with large groups to treat your tastebuds to different kinds of delicacies while saving money at the same time.
Woodfire Desaru
Address: Tunamaya beach resort, Bandar Penawar, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +601139991508
Pricing: $$
If burgers are what your heart desires, there’s no better restaurant to check out than Woodfire Desaru. This fancy joint is nestled in Desaru and travellers frequent it because of its massive burgers that are filled to the brim with different kinds of ingredients.
You can also look at this place as a typical meat lover’s paradise, as they also offer dishes like briskets, hotdogs, chicken wings and more.
Lastly, you can order one of their tasty milkshakes to balance out the savoury flavours of their meat-based dishes.
What to Do in Batu Layar Beach
Take photos of the unique-looking rock formations
— From: amalfc1303
One of the things that make Batu Layar Beach different from others is its various weird but interesting-looking rock formations. These are scattered across the beach and they certainly make for a great background for your photos!
Some of these rocks are submerged underwater so you’ll only see their tips during high tide—pretty cool!
Just be sure to wear comfortable and durable shoes when admiring these rocks up close, as they can be spiky and slippery.
Chill by the beach
— From: ohh_ismail
If the main reason why you’re here is to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you can simply lie down by the sand and relax, as you take in beautiful views of the glistening sea as far as the eye can see.
You can even dip in the water if you feel like cooling down under the hot sunny weather of Kota Tinggi. If not, you can get your tan on instead—just be sure to lather some sunscreen to avoid the harmful effects of direct sunlight!
Build sandcastles with your kids
— From: pacat85
Your kids will love Batu Layar Beach not only because of its clear and calm waters but also because of its pristine sands! The sands you’ll find here are golden and pure, making them perfect for building sandcastles—just don’t forget to bring your shovel and pail!
Stop by Desaru Beach
— From: lvrasyaa
If Batu Layar isn’t enough to satisfy your craving for island life, we recommend stopping over at Desaru Beach. Just like Batur Layar, this beach features beautiful views, pure sands and stunning cerulean waters that are perfect for swimming and different kinds of water activities.
This beach is also underrated and we feel like it deserves more shine, as it’s one of the most picturesque places in Kota Tinggi.
Looks-aside, you can experience an exciting time here, as there’s a nearby water park where you can go on fun and colourful slides!
Engage in fun water activities
— From: lotusdesarubeachresort
If you’re looking to experience more than just relaxing by the shores, don’t worry! The beach also offers opportunities for different kinds of water activities to satisfy your craving for adrenaline.
Some of the most common activities you can do here include jet-skiing, paddleboarding, canoeing and more. What makes these activities more special, however, is the scenic backdrop of the glistening sea.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Batu Layar Beach
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
XE Currency App: Real-time currency exchange rate app
Grab: Ride-hailing app of Southeast Asia
Google Translate: word translation with offline capabilities
CatchThatBus: Bus ticket booking app