Desaru

DesaruBeach - Desaru Beach

Desaru is a coastal resort area in Kota Tinggi District, Johor, Malaysia. The small town of Bandar Penawar, about 2 kilometers inland, serves as the area's transport hub.

Desaru Halal Travel Guide

Desaru is an area stretched along the 22 kilometers of beach with various resorts.

How is the Climate in Desaru

Like all of Malaysia's east coast, Desaru is highly seasonal, with monsoon winds and rains lashing the coast between November and February. There is still plenty of sunshine even during the rainy season, but waves are high and it rains more. The "good" season is thus from April to October, with June to August being the busiest months, when the waters are inviting and the sand fine.

How to travel to Desaru

By Plane

The town does not have its own airport. The closest airport is the Senai International Airport (IATA Flight Code: JHB) in Senai.

Travel on a Bus in Desaru

Penawar Bus and Taxi Terminal - Penawar Bus and Taxi Terminal

There are direct Mara Liner coach services four times a day from Johor Bahru's Larkin Bus Terminal to Bandar Penawar via Kota Tinggi at 10:30AM, 1PM, 5PM and 8PM. The one-way fare is RM8.20.Alternatively, you can take a non-express bus from Larkin Bus Terminal (Maju 227 or Causeway Link 66) or from downtown Johor Bahru's Jalan Wong Ah Fook (Transit Link 41, Maju 227, Causeway Link 6B; the bus stop is opposite City Plaza) to Kota Tinggi's bus terminal (duration about 1h; Maju 227 one-way fare from City Plaza RM4.80; average frequency of Maju 227 is 15 min), and then take another bus from Kota Tinggi to Bandar Penawar (duration max. 1hr, one-way fare RM4.50, frequency every 90 min).

From Bandar Penawar, you can either take a cab (teksi) for about RM10, or wait the shuttle van that will take you directly to Desaru Resort (the shuttle van is RM1, comes every 30 min). You can also take a cab from Kota Tinggi directly to Desaru Resort, this will cost you roughly RM35.

By car

The long-awaited opening of the Senai-Desaru Expressway and its bridge across the Johor River has shaved an hour off travel duration to Desaru, which is now just 30 minutes away from Johor Bahru.

By Boat

Limbongan Maju Sdn Bhd (tel. (+60 7 8278002) operates 2 services daily on weekdays and 4 services daily on weekends between Changi Ferry Terminal in Singapore and Tanjong Belungkor Ferry Terminal in Belungkor, Johor. Car ferries are no longer in operation. The present service is operated using a passenger ferry with a capacity of about 120 passengers. The ferry operator charges S$24 for one way and S$38 return.

At the Changi Ferry Terminal, visitors can still arrange for tours to the Desaru Fruit Farm as part of a tour package along with a stay at the Lotus Desaru Beach Resort. Other ground arrangements can be made via the ferry operator as well.

An alternative is to take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Pengerang for S$10 per person, and then hire a taxi from the Pengerang hub to Desaru. This should cost around RM40 one-way. The schedule is flexible - boats leave whenever they have 12 passengers - but be prepared to queue for a couple of hours at weekends.

Get Around

There is no public transport in Desaru. If you find yourself stuck with no bus to take you to Bandar Penawar, try asking the staff at the restaurant to call you a taxi. They know a lot of taxi drivers and most likely will love to help both you and their driver friend. The price should be around 15 RM to Bandar Penawar or 40 RM to Kota Tinggi.

What to See

tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum - Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum

Museums

Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum

Nature

Desaru Beach - Pantai Desaru

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Desaru

Desaru Fruit Farm - Desaru Fruit Farm

Desaru is not a well developed resort, but there are a lot of things to do while you are there. Take advantage of the nice wide beach, and of the shallow and clear water.All 22 kilometers of it is open to all, even the stretches in front of the hotels, but most local residents congregate at the public beach, which provides a carpark, a few barbeque pits and grotty toilets.

Snorkeling is an excellent option, but don't expect banks of colorful fishes and wonderful sea creatures. Scuba diving here is out of the question, although some of the resorts do arrange trips out to Johor's northern islands.

One thing you can definitely try is surfing. If wind is good and the waves are quite OK, and especially the lack of jellyfish and sharks makes it an attractive location. During December, January and first half of February (monsoon season) and the waves are almost constantly high, but do expect the water to be a little cold. There is a company that rents surf boards for 20 RM/hour and provides surf lessons for 100 RM. The same company rents jetskis.

Excursions to see the fireflies (api-api) in the Sungei Lebam river are very popular. While it's feasible to arrange yourself, this would require bumping about dirt roads to find the dock and then cruising around a pitch-black jungle river, so it's much easier to join one of the hotel excursions. The best time to go is after rain on a new moon.

Other options mostly of interest to families with young kids to entertain are:

Desaru Fruit Farm - Sungai Cemaran Desaru. 100 cultivars of fruit and a mini zoo.

Muslim Friendly Theme Parks in Desaru

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Water theme park.

Shopping in Desaru

The Tanjung Belungkor ferry terminal has no exchange facilities, but the hotels will change money in a pinch, and most shops and restaurants will accept Singapore dollars at a 1:2 ratio. You can find an ATM at the Petronas gas station at the Highway 90 turnoff to Desaru. However if you mainly stay in your hotel and only go for the hotel excursions, you can basically bill everything to your room and pay by credit card.

At the public beach and there are a couple of stores selling soft drinks, organic juice and the sort, but you can find a store that sells branded t-shirts, (Malay) batiks and souvenirs.

Halal Restaurants

tanjung Balau Food Court - Tanjung Balau Food Court

You're pretty much stuck eating at your resort restaurants, which may have limited choices and are expensive. Even if you want to try the restaurant of the next resort, it can be a long distance to walk there.

However, if you have your own wheels or join one of the hotel-arranged "excursions" and the fishing village of Sungai Rengit, some 30 kilometers away, has a few seafood restaurants. (Oddly and the much closer Tanjung Balau does not have any.) There are also a few basic restaurants in Bandar Penawar.

Medan Selera Desa Food Court | Simple restaurant with a few outdoor stalls (hence "food court") serving up (Malay) basics like ed-rice-frozen/ fried Rice and Ramly burgers. Simple, tasty and affordable.

Terminal Cafe | Another simple, friendly little eatery dishing out (Malay) favorites, located in the ferry terminal building (look for the signs to "Canteen"). The nasi ayam (chicken rice) is excellent.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Desaru

Desaru - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Desaru, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Desaru. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Desaru and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Desaru. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Desaru. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Desaru: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Desaru.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Desaru: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Desaru, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Desaru.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Desaru, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Desaru, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Desaru and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Desaru, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Desaru, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Desaru without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Desaru is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Desaru.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Desaru is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Desaru, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Desaru Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Desaru

eHalal Group Desaru is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Desaru. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Desaru.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Desaru ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Desaru. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Desaru, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Desaru are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

All hotel lodging in Desaru dates from the early 1990s and looks like it. However, many hotels went through a round of long-overdue renovations to meet expected new demand after the opening of the expressway.

Desaru Holiday Chalets | Opened in 1974, thit is Desaru's oldest place to stay. Simple little beachfront chalets with aircon, fridge. "Standard" chalets have no hot water, while "Superior" ones do. The "Single" chalets house 2, while the "Doubles" are intended for four.

Pelangi Balau Resort | North of the main resort strip in the fishing village of Tanjung Balau and the beach here isn't as nice, but at least they have a swimming swimmingpool and a water slide.

Lotus Desaru | The refurbished Desaru Impiana, now fully open and Desaru's nicest place to stay by a long shot. Has waterslides, a beach and other activities for the whole family. Hotel staff are very courteous and friendly. Rooms and apartments are nice and renovated.

The Pulai Beach Resort | Formerly the Desaru Perdana Beach Resort, thit is the second nice option, although it's not quite up to the four stars it claims or the heavily airbrushed pictures on the website. Rooms are old-fashioned and basic but clean. Direct beach access, large swimmingpool with water slide, waterfall, kiddie pool, watersports shop, basic gym with male/female saunas, kiddie play area, two restaurants

Sebana Cove Resort | Golf resort on a river in the jungle (no beach), accessible by direct ferry from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and hence popular among Singaporeans for a quick spot of reasonable priced golf. However, few spend the night, and the rooms are in dire need of renovation.

News & References

More Muslim Friendly Destinations from Desaru

Kota Tinggi — visit the famous Kota Tinggi waterfall and the local Kota Tinggi museum, and do some simple Malaysian shopping
Pengerang (Sungai Rengit) — seafood restaurants at the southeastern tip of Johor
Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang
Singapore — an hour and a world away