In Desaru, you can enjoy thrilling adventures such as learning how to fly an ultra-light aircraft or take part in a go-kart race. Other forms of recreation include jungle trekking, horseback riding, archery and off-road adventures. Accommodation here includes hotels as well as budget chalets, dornmitories and camping grounds. The Desaru International Triathlon is held here annually. The Tanjung Balau Fishermen’s Museum, a few kilometres away, features exhibits on the lifestyle of the local fisherfolk.

One thing you can definitely try is surfing. If wind is good, 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), 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/h 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 theoretically possible 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.

How To Get There

By Road – Desaru is easily accessible as there is public transportation from Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi or Tanjung Belungkor. Buses are available from Kuala Lumpur.

By Sea – There is a ferry service from Changi Point in Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor where transport to Desaru can be arranged

All hotel accommodation in Desaru dates from the early 1990s and looks the part. Do keep an eye out for the upcoming Lotus Desaru, which is planned to be reborn on the ashes of the long-closed Desaru Impiana sometime in 2009.

Budget:
-Desaru Holiday Chalets
since 1974, this is Desaru’s oldest place to stay 
PO Box 20,
Tanjung Penawar
81900 Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 1212 / +607 822 1213
Fax
+607 822 1245

Mid-range:
*Desaru Golden Beach Hotel
P.O.Box 50,
Tanjung Penawar
81097 Kota Tinggi J
ohor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 1101
Fax
+607 822 1480  
Email: hotel@desaruresort.com
 

*The Pulai Desaru Beach Resort
P.O.Box 29
Bandar Penawar
81900 Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 2222
Fax
+607 822 2223  
Email: ssro@thepulai.com.my 
. Formerly as Desaru Perdana Beach Resort,
 

Sebana Cove Desaru Malaysia: Sebana Cove Desaru Malaysia
Lot PTD 2940/92/93/93 & 2931,
Mukim Pengerang,
daerah Kota Tinggi,
81620 Kota Tinggi,
Johor Darul Takzim.
phone
: 607-826 6688
fax
: 607-826 6677
Golf Club phone : 607-826 6655
Golf Club fax : 607-826 6622
Golf E-mail : golf@sebanacove.com
Marina E-mail : marina@sebanacove.com
Sales : sales@sebanacove.com
 
   
 Accommodation Listing
 
 
 

*Desaru Leisure Camp
P.O.Box 20,
Tanjung Penawar
81900  Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 1205 / +607 822 2888
Fax
+607 822 2666  
 
 
 
*La Cemara Desaru Beach Resort
P.O.Box 8,
Pejabat Pos Bandar Penawar ,
Pusat Bandar Penawar
81900 , Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 838 3333
Fax
+607 838 3833  

*Desaru Tennis Ranch Hotel (Desaru Chalet)
Pantai Peranginan Desaru ,
P.O.Box 20
Tanjung Penawar
81907 Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 1211
Fax
+607 822 1937  

*Desaru View Hotel
P.O.Box 31,
Bandar Penawar,
81900 Kota Tinggi
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 822 1221
Fax
+607 822 1237  

*Desaru Impian Resort
POO : Suite 3.01 – 3.02
The Penthouse ,
Level 30, Public Bank Tower,
Jalan Wong Ah Fook
80000 Kota Tinggi ,
Johor , Malaysia 
Phone
+607 2240827
Fax
+607 2228306  
Email: ihsr@po.jaring.my 

*Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort
Batu 10 Jalan Lombong
81900, Kota Tinggi
johor , Malaysia
phone
: 07-883 1753 
Fax
: 07-883 1480 

*Sea View
Lot 1272, Kampung Sepang,
Teluk Ramunia 81620 Pengerang, Johor. 
phone/Fax: 07-827 0128   
Sales Office
14, 1st & 2nd Floor, Jalan 2/3A,
Pasar Borong Selayang,
68100 Selangor Darul Ehsan.
phone: 03-6136 9012 & 03-6120 8012
Fax: 03-6135 1452 

*Balau Village Resort
Tanjung Balau
81900 Kota Tinggi,
Johor
phone: 07-822 8000
Fax: 07-822 8021 
Email: bvrsb@po.jaring.my

   
*Millennium Hotel
32, 32A, 32B, 32C, Jalan Hj. Abu Bakar,
Sungai Rengit, 
81620 Pegerang, Johor
phone: 07-826 5781
Res: 07-826 3239
Fax: 07-826 3900

*Chalet Tanjung Balau Kejora
phone: 07-822 1201
     07-822 1202
     012-709 3524
Fax: 07-822 1216 
 

*Batu Layar Beach Resort 
Tel: 07-822 2044
Fax: 07-822 2199 
 

*Desaru Chalet
P.O. Box 20,
Tanjung Penawar,
81800 Kota Tinggi,
Johor
phone: 07-822 1212
Fax: 07-822 1937 
Email: dsarugh@po.jaring.my

*Sibu Island Kelong Fishing and Holiday
Tg. leman, Johor
Person Contact: Mr Hee Yu Hook (Ah Fatt)
Tel: 019-712 0333 
Fax: 07-883 2333