When leisure travel opens again, how far would you dare to travel? What if you could simply hop over to a nearby holiday destination that is just a short ferry ride or car drive away?

Instead of squeezing with crowds and tour buses, what about enjoying some personal space on an expansive beach or visiting local attractions as and when you prefer? All whilst staying safe in family-friendly accommodations with amenities to pamper yourself?

Here are 8 reasons why you should consider Desaru Coast for your next family vacation destination!

1. Desaru is super near to Singapore!

Did you know a brand-new ferry terminal has opened at Desaru Coast in March 2022? In just a 90-min ferry ride, you will soon be able to enjoy direct access to Desaru Coast from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which reduces unnecessary touchpoints and interactions.

Alternatively, the resort is also just a 90-minute drive from Singapore via Woodlands – making it extremely convenient if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with your loved ones and friends!

2. Great family-friendly hotel choices

Desaru Coast has several five-star hotels providing luxurious accommodation across 800 rooms. One family-friendly option is the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast which also has direct access to one of the world’s largest waterparks (more on that later!).

Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

For sweeping views of the South China Sea, choose The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, which has an adjoining conference centre, or enjoy direct access to the beach at the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villa. If you’re looking for a more intimate stay, hideaway at One&Only Desaru Coast’s beachfront suites and villas.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villa

3. Run wild at one of the largest waterparks in the region

Have you ever been to a waterpark with over 20 slides and a wave pool big enough for surfing? You can’t miss out on Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark (Available on Klook) which also has the region’s first water coaster as well as a host of ‘dry’ rides.

The Tidal Wave Beach at Adventure Waterpark is, in fact, one of the biggest wave pools in the world, boasting some of the world’s biggest man-made waves!

Splash away at the Tidal Wave Beach

This amazing water feature holds more than 4 million gallons of water over nearly 3 acres. You can opt to enjoy the wave pool views from the beachside cabanas or just lounge along the shoreline of Tidal Wave Beach!

Kids Ahoy for families with young kids

Get your adrenalin rush at the Riptide twister or chill by floating down the 350-metre Penawar lazy river. There is also a Kids Ahoy area for families with young children to wade and splash with 13 unique slides.

4. Revel in the sun, sand and sea with 17km of beachfront

If you sorely miss the beach, Desaru Coast offers 17km of amazing beachfront for you to take comfort in listening to the waves, running along the coast or just enjoying that laid-back vibe.

Sporty types can look forward to kayaking, surfing, jet skiing and plenty of beach sports to put some zest back into your body. End a perfect day by watching the sunset with your loved ones.

Beach at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villa

5. Reconnect with nature

Desaru Coast is strategically located near nature attractions such as the Panti Forest Reserve, a jungle with over 100 species of flora and fauna including the white-handed gibbons.

If you hope to get up close and personal with nature, leading nature and adventure operator JungleWalla Tours offers the opportunity to embark on off-the-beaten-path adventures such as tidepool and tidal shore walks, birdwatching, river cruises and hiking walks to the Panti Forest Reserve.

Desaru Tidepool (Source: junglewalla.com)

You can also consider booking the Tanjung Belungkor mangrove tour and travel through the scenic Linting Wetlands river ecosystem to appreciate the biodiversity of the Belungkor Forest Reserve, which is surrounded by several fishing villages.

Linting Wetlands (Source)

6. Soak up the local attractions

Visiting Desaru gives you the ripe opportunity to show your kids where fruits come from at the 180-acre award-winning Desaru Fruit Farm. With over 120 species of tropical fruits, Desaru Fruit Farm offers guided education walking tours and a petting zoo or you can rev up with an ATV Joyriding tour. Purchase local products or fresh fruits at the minimart before ending the tour!

7. Play at world-class golf courses

Set against dramatic coastal vistas, Els Club Desaru is a 45-hole golfer’s paradise with two clubs – the Ocean Course is a 27-hole course designed by Ernie Els and Valley Course, an 18-hole golf course designed in collaboration with Vijay Singh.

Els Club Desaru

Juniors and adults who wish to learn and improve their game can sign up at The Els Performance Golf Academy, the first state-of-the-art centre of excellence in Asia.

8. Safety measures for guests

To ensure safety and peace of mind for guests, the Stay Well @ Desaru Coast programme has heightened sanitisation, security and safety measures going above and beyond standard operating procedures set by the Malaysian government.

Temperature and health screenings are regularly conducted, as well as regular briefings and training for staff. Hotels on Desaru Coast are also adopting contactless check-in and room entry options, and contactless menus in their restaurants.

With a plethora of amazing activities in such a nearby destination, Desaru Coast offers a diverse experience for families and couples to rejuvenate and refresh when leisure travel becomes possible again.

Learn more about Desaru Coast’s holiday experience at its website, Facebook and Instagram.

This post is in partnership with Desaru Coast.

By Julia Chan.

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