Well I rounded off my Singapore 2026 series last week, but I’m not going far with this post. In fact I’m just hopping over the border. So, if you’re in need of a quick beach getaway from Singapore without the hassle of flights, then the Desaru Coast in Johor, Malaysia, might just be your ideal escape. Just a short 2-hour car journey from Singapore, this coastal destination offers gorgeous beaches, luxury hotels, family-friendly attractions, and enough activities to fill a relaxing weekend.
As frequent visitors to Singapore, Mr. Travelling Han (MTH) and I wanted a relaxed getaway outside the city before I had to fly home. After spending a solo week exploring while MTH worked, we had a full long weekend to enjoy before my Tuesday flight home and his return to work. We fancied escaping the city and we settled on Desaru due to the appeal of exploring Malaysia’s undiscovered East coast, well off the normal Malaysia tourist trail. Ever a sucker for somewhere new, but also off the beaten track – I found it to be the perfect break from the city life.
You can read my all my Singapore posts HERE, and Malaysia posts HERE.
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How to get to the Desaru Coast from Singapore
One of the biggest draws of Desaru Coast is how easy it is to get there. Located roughly 2 hours from Singapore (depending on your mode of transport), it’s one of the most accessible beach destinations in the region.
There are 3 ways to reach the area from Singapore:
- Drive – via the Johor–Singapore Causeway; all major hotels have parking.
- Drive (Private Transfer) – most hotels along the Desaru Coast can organise a transfer for you, or you can book online. Transfers cost between SG$200-500 one way depending on time of day, day of the week, booking provider etc.
- Ferry – from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Bandar Penawar. Ferry tickets cost SG$70 one way, or SG$120 for a round trip.
- Bus – Available from the Singapore Flyer to various Desaru hotels from around SG$20 one way.
Because travel time is short, you can leave Singapore on Friday evening and leave late on Sunday giving two full days to enjoy the beaches and attractions of the area.
Important Information: Transferring from Singapore to Malaysia requires passing through immigration. You will exit Singapore and enter Malaysia, and will need to fill in a Malaysia digital arrival card in the 3 days before you travel (if you are not a Singapore citizen). Please also check if a VISA is required for entry to Malaysia based on your nationality (it wasn’t for me).
Where to Stay on the Desaru Coast?
Given its beach destination, the Desaru Coast is known for its high-end hotels, making it a popular choice for those looking to unwind in comfort. Many properties are beachfront, offering stunning ocean views and direct access to the sand across miles of undiscovered beaches.
Importantly, most hotels are also family friendly – the entire area is geared to cater for children. As two people who do not have children, we were surprised by how many children there were at the hotel we stayed in.
Top Tip: Book in advance for the best rates, especially during school holidays and long weekends, given the coast is popular with families.
There are lots of options for a stay depending on what you’re looking to prioritise.
Luxury Resorts
- Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas – A beachfront resort known for its villas, private pools, and spa experiences. Great if you want something peaceful but still close to activities.
- Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast (previously The Sireya, previously One & Only) – One of the most ultra-luxury options, focused on wellness, privacy, and high-end service. Perfect for a special occasion or romantic escape.
Mid-Range Resorts
- The Westin Desaru Coast Resort – Popular choice with great facilities, beachfront access, and reliable service.
- Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort and Spa – A more relaxed beachfront option with a slightly lower price point, good for casual weekend travellers.
- Amansari Hotel Desaru – Located slightly inland, this is a solid budget-to-mid option if you don’t mind being a short drive from the beach.
Family Friendly Resorts
- Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast – One of the best picks for families with direct access to the Adventure Waterpark, plus kid-friendly pools and activities.
- Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa – Spacious apartment-style rooms and plenty of facilities make it ideal for larger families or group trips.
You can read my review of Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast HERE (coming soon).
Things to Do in Desaru Coast
The Desaru Coast is an up and coming destination; it’s main attraction is the miles of gorgeous coastline, but there is also a lot else on offer.
Relax on the Beach
The main highlight is Desaru’s long stretch of undeveloped beaches. A lot of resorts have beach access but even if they don’t, large sections of the coastline are freely accessible. It’s perfect for sunbathing, or in our case simply enjoying a peaceful walk along the shore. Please do not expect trendy beach bars or lots of places to eat though, it’s quiet and deserted rather than busy and bustling.
Important: Swimming isn’t always possible as the water is full of low level jagged rocks. Do not swim unless there are green flags.
Play Golf
Aside from the beaches, Desaru Coast is a prime location for golfers as it’s home to two courses set up by the famous golfer, Ernie Els. You can play the Valley Course or the Ocean Course and both are absolutely stunning. The offer of world class golf courses is what convinced my husband to visit!
Visit the Adventure Waterpark
Ideal for families, the Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark features slides, wave pools, and one of the largest water coasters in the region. As two adults who value peace and quiet (and given I can’t even swim!), this wasn’t on our list!
Explore Nature
There’s lots to see if you’re interested in nature along the coast. There are large sections of rainforest which are perfect for walking and spotting 200+ year old beautiful banyan trees and pandan plants. In addition, the area is home to probiscis monkeys, dusky monkeys, langurs, macaques, huge monitor lizards and hornbills.
If you really want to escape in to nature, then it’s a 1hr drive to Gunung Panti Recreational Forest for some great hikes and views. Alternatively you could drive 45 minutes to the Lebam River for a boat trip to see the fireflies.
Indulge in Spa and Wellness
Many resorts offer spa treatments, making it easy to unwind and recharge over the weekend. We had an amazing couples massage during our stay which was so relaxing; the perfect way to finish an indulgent weekend break!
Desaru Coast 2 Day Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday), assuming you travelled Friday night:
- Morning: Beach or pool relaxation time
- Afternoon: Activity (water sports, waterpark visit or golf)
- Evening: Seafood dinner and a relaxing walk by the coast
Day 2 (Sunday):
- Morning: Nature walk
- Afternoon: Relaxing spa treatment
- Evening: Check out and head back to Singapore
There is something pretty beautiful about walking along undeveloped coastline looking out at the sea, feeling the warmth on your skin and your body relaxing. The Desaru Coast gave us that, plus completely stress-free and easy travel. Whilst there isn’t that much to do, it is perfect for a short getaway, and we’d highly recommend it.
If you’re looking to swap Singapore’s skyscrapers for sea breeze and a much slower pace, even if just for a couple of days, then Desaru Coast might be exactly what you need. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay safe and happy travelling!
Want to read more about Malaysia? You can check out my posts below.
- Kuala Lumpur 2 Day Itinerary HERE
- Thean Hou Temple (KL) Visitor Guide HERE
- Perdana Botanic Gardens (KL) HERE
- Batu Caves Day Trip Guide HERE
- Putrajaya Visitor Guide HERE
- Kilim Geoforest, Langkawi HERE
- Desaru Coast Guide HERE
- Hotel Reviews: Banyan Tree (KL) HERE, Ritz Carlton (Langkawi) HERE & Mandarin Oriental (Desaru Coast) HERE
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