Paradise Awaits: A Quick Guide to Visiting Desaru Beach
Want to go on a relaxing beach escapade but don’t want to run into overwhelmingly dense crowds? We’ve got just the place for you to check out!
Imagine this: crystal clear waters filled with bustline marine life, luxurious hotels that line the beachfront and more. These are just a handful of things that you can expect from a trip to the underrated Desaru Beach.
To help give you a better idea of what a perfect visit to one of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches looks like, check out our guide below:
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit a beach paradise such as this is during the dry season, which usually runs from April to October. During these months, you can expect sunny weather, clear skies and mostly calm waters—perfect for chill vacations.
Also, the dry season is the best time to go scuba diving, as visibility is heightened underwater during these months.
If you want to experience the hottest weather, you can visit during June, July or August, but beware because these are considered the peak months. This means that crowds will be more dense and rates will be significantly higher.
Meanwhile, if you want to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting in December up to February. Granted that there will be a higher likelihood of rain, you can enjoy off-peak rates, cooler weather and fewer crowds.
Things to Know
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Malay, English
Calling Code: +60
Address: 81600 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Parking: There’s a public parking spot on the beach’s premises that charges RM8 per car, RM6 per motorcycle and RM4 per bus.
How to Get There
Plane: If you want the fastest way to get there, we recommend flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru. From there, you can rent a car and drive towards Desaru via the Senai-Desaru Expressway.
Trains: For a cheaper option than flying, you can ride a train from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru, which will take around 5 hours. Upon dropping off, you can either hail a taxi or book a ride through Grab to get to Desaru.
Buses: If you want an even cheaper option, we recommend taking a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Desaru. There are two ways you can go about this method.
The first one is the cheapest but longest option where you have to ride a bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru Sentral. From there, you can either hail a taxi or another bus going to Desaru.
The second option is the slightly pricier but more comfortable way. This will involve you riding a bus that features a direct bus to Desaru
Taxis: You can also take a taxi that will take you directly to Desaru Beach, but do remember that this is far more expensive than other public modes of transportation.
However, you will feel more comfortable with this compared to the aforementioned methods so it depends on your idea of a pleasant trip.
Car rental: If you really want to prioritise comfort above all, we recommend renting a car. Not only will this let you travel with utmost comfort and privacy, but it will also leave you in charge of which routes you want to take.
Where to Stay
One&Only Desaru Coast
Address: Darul Ta’zim, Persiaran Damai, Desaru Coast Bandar Penawar, 90, 81930, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-878 3400
Pricing: $$$
One&Only Desaru Cost has several accolades under its belt and it’s not hard to see why. This luxurious hotel features beautiful beachfront villas that are spacious and complete with just about every amenity you need for a multiple-day stay.
Staying here is like spoiling yourself too, as it features a world-class spa that will treat your body to utmost relaxation.
Meanwhile, if you’re feeling hungry, you can head to the hotel’s fine-dining gourmet options and treat your tastebuds to a wonderful gastronomic experience.
Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort and Spa
Address: Jalan Desaru Desaru, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-822 2222
Pricing: $$$
Sand & Sandals Resort and Spa is another great option if you want to be pampered during your stay. Aside from offering beachfront bungalows that come with all the bells and whistles of a high-quality hotel room, this resort will also treat you to lavish facilities.
One of these facilities is the massive outdoor swimming pool which overlooks the stunning glistening sea. But if you’re feeling a bit sore, you can treat yourself and your partner to an amazing massage at their wellness & spa.
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
Address: Lot 1854, Jalan Desaru, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-884 2800
Pricing: $$
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa is a great mid-tier option if you want to save money without settling for less. The rooms and overall motif of this resort may not be as fancy as the two aforementioned hotels, but you can still expect world-class quality with its rooms and facilities.
Speaking of facilities, this resort features tons of them! For starters, they have multiple outdoor swimming pools where kids and adults alike can splash around underneath the sunny skies of the island.
Aside from that, it also features a water park that consists of slides and fountains—perfect for your children!
Amerald Resort Hotel
Address: Lot 1231, Jln Kg Punggai, Sungai Rengit, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-824 3000
Pricing: $$
Amerald Resort Hotel is one of the most beautiful places to stay on the beachfront of Desaru Beach. The sheer size of the hotel itself is already magnificent to behold but you’ll be further impressed when you see the room and facilities it offers.
The rooms are spacious, neat and complete with every amenity that you can expect from a 4-star hotel such as this. As for the facilities, they consist of an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a children’s playground and a handful of restaurants and cafes.
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort – Desaru
Address: 90, Bandar Penawar, 81930, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-833 8888
Pricing: $$
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort features some of the most beautiful rooms we’ve seen in Desaru Beach and it’s not just because of the interior. This is because every room will have a prime unparalleled view of the majestic South China Sea.
Views-aside, this hotel will pamper you with its wellness facilities, one of which is the D’Ombak Spa, where you can experience a different kind of tranquillity. Aside from that, you can also spoil yourself with delicious dishes from one of their in-house restaurants.
Where to Eat
Sea.Fire.Salt
Address: 90, Desaru, 82200 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-235 6666
Pricing: $$$
Sea.FireSalt is the best restaurant to check out if you’re feeling fancy or if you’re celebrating something special. This fine-dining restaurant will treat you to some of the finest cuts of meat and seafood that have been grilled to perfection—yum!
Aside from the place itself, the ambience is worth noting as well. This is because the restaurant is located by the beachfront, so you’ll be serenaded by the sounds of waves crashing onto the shore while you eat!
Prego – The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
Address: Jln Pantai 3, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-838 3815
Pricing: $$$
Prego serves amazing authentic Italian dishes and provides stunning views of the glistening South China Sea—now that’s how you pitch a restaurant. Whether you’re looking for pizza, pasta or anything in between, you can expect them to be prepared authentically here.
The atmosphere isn’t too shabby as well, as the interior features a classy design. This being said, be sure to follow the dress code so that you’ll be allowed to dine on their premises.
Nelayan Seafood by the Coast
Address: Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort – Desaru, Bandar Penawar, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-833 8803
Pricing: $$
It would be a shame to be this close to the beach without trying some of its most amazing seafood. This is why as much as possible, we recommend checking out Nelayan Seafood by the Coast, as they serve the freshest seafood dishes possible.
The restaurant’s menu consists of heavy hitters, but if we were to crown the best ones, we have to go with the crab and lobsters. These weighty crustaceans feature the sweetest meat and are cooked in a way that further elevates their flavour.
What to Do in Desaru Beach
Pamper yourselves at one of the luxurious hotels
One thing that Desaru Beach does spectacularly is spoil its visitors with amazing beachfront hotels. We’ve already mentioned a couple of them earlier on this guide but that just barely scratches the surface of what you’ll get when you visit this beach for yourself.
Most of these resorts feature fancy restaurants, world-class suites, amazing views and of course, relaxing facilities.
Stop by Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark
Address: 82200 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Phone: +60 7-878 3800
If your idea of relaxation involves adrenaline-filled slides, then visiting Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark should be on your to-do list! This park features 20 exciting rides and slides that are sure to have you screaming at the top of your lungs.
One of the biggest highlights here is the massive wave pool, which is known as one of the biggest ever in the world. Aside from that, it also features a dizzying pirate ship ride that goes 180 degrees on both sides—how crazy is that?
Don’t worry though, as there are also kid-friendly attractions that your kiddos will surely enjoy too!
Chill by the beach
— From: yushanthini__
Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete experience without chilling by the beach itself. Here, you can bask in the nice warm weather while you enjoy the serene atmosphere courtesy of the soft crashing waves and surrounding greenery.
There are tons of spots where you can chill along the beach so don’t worry too much about finding a place to lay down and relax. This is also a great time to get your tan on so be sure to bring your sunscreen!
Engage in exciting water sports
If swimming and admiring the glistening water isn’t enough for you to enjoy the beach, then you’re in luck! There are tons of exciting watersport activities you can try like banana boat riding, jet skiing and more to make your experience extra memorable and fun.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Desaru Beach
Travel Malaysia: A pocket travel guide to Malaysia
Maps.me: Offline map of the world
Parkopedia: Parking space finder for resorts
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