Desaru Coast is a coastal resort town in Malaysia, just a few hours outside of Singapore. It consists of a long stretch of beach, four resorts, and an adventure waterpark. Perfect for a short weekend getaway from Singapore!
I have visited Desaru a long time ago in 2010 before Desaru Coast was built. Back then, there wasn’t much to do in Desaru – the hotels were rather dated, so I never thought about going back there for another visit.
Then, I read the news that a new resort town called Desaru Coast had opened in 2019 – it piqued my interest. I wanted to check it out again, but because of COVID and the border lockdown that happened shortly after, I didn’t actually get to visit until recently.
I am so glad I gave Desaru another chance! Read on to find out how my trip went. Spoiler alert: It was amazing!
- Packing List for Desaru Coast
- How to get to Desaru Coast from Singapore
- How many days should I spend in Desaru Coast?
- Where to stay on Desaru Coast
- Getting around Desaru Coast
- What to do on Desaru Coast
- Shops near Desaru Coast
- Cost Breakdown of a weekend trip to Desaru Coast
Packing and Travel Check List for Desaru Coast
Here are a few items you want to prepare for your visit to Desaru Coast:
Malaysia eSIM from Klook – I’m a huge fan of eSIM. You’ll get access to a Malaysia local data package without the hassle of having to buy and swap your phone SIM card to a local one, which comes in handy when you need data at any time. Simply buy them from Klook, activate from the app, and you’ll be connected in seconds. It worked very well for me throughout the trip.
Passport – With its proximity to Singapore, it’s easy to forget that it’s still an international trip. PS: Make sure your passport has at least six months validity!
Malaysia visa (if necessary) – Yes, you’ll be crossing the border so you’ll need your passport and an entry visa depending on the passport you hold! You can check Malaysia visa requirements here.
Cold hard cash in MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) – You might not need cash if your plan is to just stay at the resort, but if you want to buy snacks or other things from outside the resort, you will need cash in local currency.
Snacks – There are no convenience stores at Desaru Coast, so if you want food without the premium price from getting it at the resort, you’ll need to bring them yourself. There are a few places you can stop by on the way in from Singapore if you’re coming by car though.
Sun Protection – You’ll likely be spending a lot of time outside by the beach, so bring all the sun protection you need – SPF 50, Aloe Vera (if you’re prone to sunburn), hats, and a couple of sunnies. I personally use Biore UV Sunscreen as my daily sun protection, a Japanese face sunscreen with SPF50+ that is not oily and easy to apply.
Swimsuit – The main activities to do at Desaru coast involves water activities, so bringing a swimsuit is a must! I’d even bring multiple if you plan to be there for more than a day, to alternate each days.
Beach or water toys for kids – Anything that keeps them entertained, right? We brought this beach toy set by Mideer and my son had fun for hours by himself at the pool and beach.
How to get to Desaru Coast from Singapore
One of the reasons why Desaru is such an easy getaway from Singapore is that there are multiple convenient ways to get to Desaru Coast from Singapore. I’ll cover all of them below:
- Shared Bus
- Ferry
- Public transportation
- Cross-border taxi
- Excursion Van (Good for large groups up to 14 people)
I’ll go through each one in detail below:
1. Shared Coach
| Pros | Cons |
| – Easy direct way to get to Desaru from Singapore – Cost-effective | – Must go to Suntec or Jurong to board the bus – Non-flexible timing, Only one departure per day – Still need to go through SG <> Malaysia land border |
One of the easiest ways to reach Desaru Coast is to go via a shared coach. These are buses operated by a private company with a route that goes directly to Desaru from Singapore (no stop in between except for the border immigration). You will be joined by other tourists on this bus, however it is quite a cost-effective way to get to Desaru.
Book a Singapore <> Desaru shared bus here via Klook
2. Direct Ferry to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal by Batamfast
| Pros | Cons |
| – A straightforward way to get to Desaru – The Desaru Coast ferry terminal is really close to the resort area – There is a shuttle bus that goes to 3 of the resorts – Cheaper than private car hire if you are going solo or as a pair – You don’t need to gamble on the traffic congestion in the SG <> Malaysia land border | – This ferry might get re-routed due to the monsoon season – Expensive, and children pay the same fare as adults even for babies who don’t require seat |
Starting from 2022, there is now a direct ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal (DCFT) offered by BatamFast.
Book SG to Desaru ferry by Batam Fast via Klook
This makes going to Desaru from Singapore extremely convenient – you just need to get yourself to TMFT, take a 1.5-hour ferry ride to Desaru terminal, go through immigration, and then it’s a short 10-15 minute car ride to your resort. The ferry ride costs $118 round trip per person, including children and babies. There is no special fare for babies and children.
If you want to take the ferry and you’re also planning to visit the Desaru Waterpark while you’re there, you can consider getting the waterpark + ferry package from Klook, because it is more cost-efficient!
However, during the North East Monsoon season (usually from November to around February), this ferry route might be diverted to Tanjung Pengelih due to the water conditions. This means a 1-hour ferry ride to Tanjung Pengelih, then 45 minutes bus to Desaru Ferry Terminal, and then a 10-15 minute ride to your resort.
I initially booked the ferry as I thought it was the best way to go to Desaru, but I was informed that my ferry will be rerouted due to the NE Monsoon. Since we were traveling with a baby and a toddler, and we aren’t keen on changing transport mode so many times, we decided to cancel the ferry and booked a private car instead. I still think it was an acceptable way to get to Desaru though. If, for example, you’re traveling during the holiday season and you are actively trying to avoid crossing the border by land which can be notoriously congested.
3. Combination of public transportation from Singapore and Grab Car in Malaysia
| Pros | Cons |
| – The cheapest way to get to Desaru for a party of 2-3 people – Somewhat time-flexible, only limited to bus availability to the checkpoints | – The most time-consuming way out of all the options presented |
If time is not of the essence and you’re feeling adventurous, you could try this method and save some money.
How to get to Johor Bahru from Singapore by Bus: Read this post for a run down of all the options and tips and tricks for crossing over to JB from Singapore.
You could take a bus to Woodlands checkpoint, and catch a taxi to Desaru once you’re on the Malaysia side in Johor Bahru. A one-way trip to Desaru from Johor Bahru should cost $80, so you could potentially save $140 if compared to hiring a private car.
But similar to option 3, I would avoid crossing the border by land if you’re traveling during a long weekend or any holiday season.
4. Cross-border Taxi
| Pros | Cons |
| – Private car and you won’t be joined by anyone – You can be picked up directly from your house in SG – The most flexible time-wise – you get to choose when to make the journey – Can be cost-effective if traveling in a group of 4 or more – Border-crossing is super easy, you don’t have to leave the car | – You can’t go directly to Desaru, you have to make a stop at Larkin and get another taxi to go to Desaru – Need to cross the SG <> Malaysia border by land, which can be potentially congested so it is not recommended for the holiday season – Expensive if < 3 people are traveling |
Starting 4 May 2026, the cross-border taxi system has been refreshed with proper licensing and insurance. Going by taxi is a convenient way to get to Desaru. You don’t need to get off the taxi when you clear immigration. And by taking taxi, you do get some flexibility in the timing of your journey.
The downside is that the time it takes to get to Desaru is variable due to the traffic in the Singapore <> Malaysia border. I would avoid crossing the border by land if you’re traveling during a long weekend or any holiday season. It can also be a little confusing as the rules are different for Singaporean taxi and Malaysian taxi.
How does cross-border taxi work? You can refer to my post about legally crossing border to Malaysia here for more information, where I also cover about how the cross-border taxi works.
Going from Singapore to JB, you can be picked up from any address in Singapore including your house, but you can only be dropped off at Larkin terminal (or within 35km of the terminal). Unfortunately, Desaru Coast is outside of the 35km radius, so you’ll need to book a separate car to Desaru Coast.
The easiest option to get a cross-border taxi is to book via Grab app. In the app, you can select the SG > JB option, which lets you book in advance and pick the type of car you want. At the time of writing, a 6-seater to Larkin terminal costs S$133 while 4-seater costs S$110 via Grab. I called ComfortDelGro to compare quote, they told me it’s S$200 for 6-seater and S$100 for 4-seater.
On the way back from JB, you can book a Grab car in advance from your hotel in Desaru back to Larkin terminal. I also pre-booked my taxi back to Singapore from Larkin terminal using Grab which costed 370 MYR (~S$120) for a 6-seater.
5. Excursion Van
| Pros | Cons |
| – Easy, get picked up directly by car and straight to Desaru – The most flexible time-wise – you get to choose when to make the journey | – Need to cross the SG <> Malaysia border by land, which can be potentially congested so it is not recommended for the holiday season – You need to get off at the checkpoint with your luggages for security check |
Excursion vans are a great option if you’re traveling as a large group. It can take up to 16 people, or 14 people if you have a lot of luggages.
Hire Private Excursion Van: You can book excursion van to popular destinations in Malaysia here.
It costs S$500 to hire an excursion van to Desaru which does not make it the most cost-effective, but the benefit is that it’s almost true point-to-point transportation to Desaru. But, it’s worth noting that excursion vans goes through the bus lane at the check point. Which means you’ll need to take your luggages out of the van at least once when crossing over the border, at the side of the country you’re entering. They won’t let you leave your luggage in the van, because it needs to be scanned before entering another country.
By the way, a few tips when coming back to Singapore by land, here are some tips:
- Arrival Card – Make sure to fill out the Singapore Arrival Card only if you’re a foreign visitor. Singapore residents (and this includes foreigners who hold EP, work pass, and LTVP) do not need to fill out the arrival card when entering by land.
- Be prepared to show your onward journey to exit Singapore! If you’re lucky, you might not get asked. But my friend from Japan was questioned about this, and he did not have the onward ticket handy. It was in his luggage, which was at the back of the car. He had to physically get off the car, open the car boot and rummage through his luggage to get a print out of the ticket.
How many days should I spend in Desaru Coast?
Our visit to Desaru was really lovely, but given the size of the resort area, I think 3 days and 2 nights is maximum. You could even stay just 1 night if you’re just there for the resort and not planning to do other activities. Besides the adventure waterpark, there is not much else to do in Desaru outside of your resort.
Where to stay on Desaru Coast
While in Desaru, you’d be spending most of your time within the resort, so you will want to choose the one that you’ll enjoy the most! Desaru Coast is brand new and only started to operate in 2019. In Desaru Coast, there are four 5-star resorts:
1. Anantara Desaru Coast Resort
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort was opened in December 2019. Given they started operating just before COVID, the facilities are still very much new and not dated at all. They have a swimming pool directly next to the beach and direct beach access. Having visited the other resorts (except The Sireya) I personally think Anantara is the best option out of the 3.
➡️ Check this out: We stayed in Anantara Desaru Coast Resort during our time and we loved it! I’ve written in detail about our stay at Anantara Desaru in a separate post, so be sure to check it out.
2. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast first opened its door at end of September 2018. Hard Rock Hotel is very family-friendly as it is the closest hotel to the waterpark. You can even see the park from the lobby! There is a direct entrance to the waterpark exclusive to Hard Rock Hotel guests, and of course, guests will receive complimentary access to the waterpark.
However, Hard Rock hotel doesn’t have direct beach access. You will have to cross the road to The Westin and go past the resort to go to the beach. It is not a very long walk, and there is a buggy that can take you to The Westin where the beach is only a few minutes away. Also, if your main destination is the waterpark, I imagine this will not be an issue.
3. The Westin Desaru Coast
The Westin Desaru Coast is also located within the same area as Anantara and Hard Rock. This resort was opened in April 2019.
The Westin has direct beach access and a beach bar, but there is no swimming pool near the beach. It is located closest to the public area of Desaru beach, so you’ll likely see more people on the beach than compared to Anantara.
4. The Sireya by Mandarin Oriental (Previously One&Only Desaru Coast)
The Sireya by Mandarin Oriental is the newest resort in Desaru Coast, opened during COVID on September 2020. If you want an extra luxurious secluded getaway, this is a great option! The property used to be managed by One&Only, but as of May 2025 it has been taken over by Mandarin Oriental and rebranded as The Sireya.
They are located further away from the rest of the resorts, with their own private beach that isn’t accessible from the other resorts. They only have suites and villas, so be prepared to shell out more compared to the other options. It is so secluded that Valtteri Bottas, a world-renowned F1 driver, chose this resort for a short vacation before Singapore Grand Prix 2024.
How to get around Desaru Coast
Unfortunately, Desaru Coast is not an area where ride-sharing apps flourish. I couldn’t get a Grab when I was there! But there are still ways to get around:
1. Shuttle Bus
If your goal is to just check out the resort town, don’t worry! There are three shuttle buses that go around Desaru Coast and stop at every interest point and every resort (except The Sireya). It makes visiting other resorts very easy!
When I went in February 2023, these are the schedule:
This gives you an idea of the route and timing. I have to warn you that we did have to wait for the shuttle one night when we wanted to go to another resort. They were 20 minutes late. The schedule might be updated periodically, so be sure to double check when you’re there.
2. Walking on the beach
If your goal is to get from resort to resort (except The Sireya), you might be able to just walk on the beach.
On one of the days of our stay, we wanted to visit the Hard Rock hotel to see what it looks like. We took the shuttle bus to go there, but going back we decided to walk by crossing over to The Westin and then walking along the beach back to Anantara. The walk was short, only 10-15 minutes. This ended up being a much faster way since we didn’t have to wait for the shuttle.
What to do in Desaru Coast
Looking for activities outside of your resort? Here are a few ideas you can do in Desaru:
1. Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
This waterpark is perhaps the main attraction of Desaru Coast. The waterpark features a large wave pool and exciting slides, great for adults and kids alike! The park is big enough that you can spend an entire day here.
You can buy tickets via Klook here. If you are getting to Desaru by ferry, I recommend checking Klook’s ferry + waterpark package to save money!
2. Desaru Fruit Farm
At this farm, there are more than 100 species of fruits. You can get a tour around the farm and learn about the fruits that can grow naturally in this part of the world, have a fruit buffet, ride ATVs or go horseback riding. It’s a good option to spend about 3-4 hours.
3. Desaru Beach
The Desaru Coast area features a long 17km stretch of beach. You can play on the beach and discover sea creatures living there. There is even a tour specifically for Desaru Beach discovery if this is what you’re interested in.
4. Play a round of golf at The Els Club
Another popular reason why Singaporeans would travel to Malaysia is to get in a round of golf games for a fraction of the cost in Singapore. Well, you can do so in Desaru at The Els Club!
There are two courses – Ocean and Valley course, and they are both reachable via the shuttle bus. The Ocean course was designed by the golf legend Ernie Els himself, while the Valley course was designed in collaboration with Vijay Singh, a name that should not be unfamiliar if you’re a golf enthusiast. With the Ocean course looking over the South China Sea, it would be a beautiful course reminiscent of the historic Pebble Beach.
Book tee times at The Els Club website
Shops near Desaru Coast
If you are driving to Desaru, there are a few places you might want to stop by to stock up on snacks or other necessities. Here are the closest places:
- SKS City Mall – A small and very local mall about 6km from Desaru Coast. You could get some basic amenities at Watsons (drug store) and snacks. There is also a wet market where you can get fruits.
- Pasaraya Jaison – If you want to get food and snacks before making your way to the resort, this is your best bet.
- Grab app – When I visited Desaru back in 2023, there was not much Grab presence. But when I came back in 2026, I was able to see a variety of food delivery options, as well as groceries. I got pain killers delivered to my hotel in under 20 minutes thanks to Grab!
Cost Breakdown of a weekend at Desaru Coast
Here is the cost breakdown of our trip for those interested!
As usual, this breakdown is only meant to serve as a guide. It might not apply to you depending on the method of transportation, how much food and drinks you consume, how many people are in the group, and any activities you do while in Desaru.
| Accommodation (We stayed at Anantara Resort) | SG$ 704 for 2 nights ($352 for one night) |
| Round-trip Private Car (Singapore <> Desaru Coast) | SG $63 per person (SG$ 380 for 6 people) |
| Food & Beverage (for 3D2N) | SG$ 250 for 3D2N (For 2 adults and 1 toddler) |
In total, we spent a little over SG $1,100 for the weekend. This is a very similar amount to what we spent at The Residence Bintan, which by the way was also a great short getaway option from Singapore.
And that’s all I know about Desaru Coast! Please feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions, or anything to add!
Hi Melissa! Thank you for your review ! I just wanted to check how old was your baby when you went on this trip? We are considering to take our baby too.
Hi Amanda, it was my friend’s baby – quite young I think! Baby was about 7-8 months if i recall correctly. My child was already about 3 years old when we took this trip.
Hi Is Grab the only option to travel around desaru? Also, do you know what other attractions are best to visit in desaru? Like Firefly magroove forest, ostrich farm?
Hey, when I was there, I couldn’t get Grab but maybe they are available now. Maybe ask your hotel and see if they have a car or if they have other solutions
Thank you. Currently, I use a M1 Singapore SIM. If I need data in MY, do I need to buy a SIM or are there any other options?
I don’t use M1, but they should have roaming plans you can check out. Though usually it’s still cheaper to get a malaysian SIM card.
Hi Melissa,
Without self-driving, how do you get to desaru fruit farm or other attractions ?
Thank you 🙂
When I was there, I couldn’t get Grab but maybe they are available now. If not, the hotel should be able to give you a car for a fee.
Hi when u say the fruit farm is reachable via shuttle bus, are u refering to the shuttle bus from desaru ferry terminal? I got a bit confused as i dont see the fruit farm on the 3 shuttle bus schedule u posted.
Hey Willie, just double checked on this and it seems that I was mistaken. It is not reachable by the public bus