Visitors to Johor Bahru city have a choice of two beaches to enjoy. The Stulang Laut was the site of the U.l.M. Formula 1 Power Boat Competition. During the day, it is a popular spot for water activities such as wind surfing, boating and kayaking. By night, there are fast food joints and restaurants serving varieties of gastronomic delights. After a sumptuous meal visitors can take a leisurely walk along the beach to breathe in the cool air
 

Lido beach is about ten minutes drive from Stulang Laut offers a variety of sea sports during the day and a lovers favourite hide out in the evening. When dusk sets in stroll along the beach for a breath-taking view of the sun setting at the horizon.

The Rembah beach in the district of Pontian, is turned into a stage when there is a bird singing competition. Otherwise it is very quiet and you can hear the chirping of birds and sound of waves splashing against the embankment.

A half hour’s drive from Rembah, passing through several villages with interesting Bugis and Chinese architectural influences will lead you to Punggor beach in Batu Pahat, an ideal spot for picnicking and relaxation. But if you look to fishing then take the route to Minyak Beku beach.

Batu Pahat in the fourteenth century was an important waterway during the Malacca Sultanate.  There is the famous well Perigi (well) Batu Pahat from which the town derived its name. Not far from the beach along a winding road visitors can stop by an Orang Asli (aborigine) settlement and earn how this seafaring people live. About 500 metres from the settlement is Kampong Segenting, a Chinese fishing village. Look out for the diversity of these two villages. Visitors from different part of the world throng the Chinese temple in the village every week.

Mersing district has several popular beaches. Set your sights on the beautiful sandy shores and sparkling waters of the South China Sea. Stop at Penyabong. Bask, swim or picnic on the clean, white sandy beaches. This is a tranquil little resort town. Join locals over a cup of tea or coffee or read a book.

Travelling further down the coastline from Penyabong you will reach the peaceful quiet resort town of Air Papan. Here you can take a boat out and explore the eastern shores of Johor or if you feel like fishing, just drop a line overboard. You do not have to stay at the resort. You can join a homestay programme. Live with a local family, understand their culture and way of doing things.

If you are game for a wilderness tour take a combined activity of canoeing, camping and trekking in punishing terrain. Windsurfers converge on the beaches at Mersing for some of the best waves around.  If privacy and serenity are what you are looking for then travel to Teluk Buih beach. Its white sandy beaches and crystal clear water make it an ideal hideout for honeymooners and lovers.

Driving down south to Tenglu beach, a quiet getaway awaits you offering a variety of water activities and leisurely sightseeing. Take the winding road and pass through dotted little villages and turn in to an area planted with our ‘golden crop the oil palm, before reaching the Tanjung Leman beach It has a resort and it is here you’ll find the Tanjung Lemang Staging Point.

If you have a few days to spare make your way leisurely to the islands to explore what is in for you. You will be surprised some of the islands are only half an hour away from Tanjung Leman Staging Point. You can return to the resort for a campfire barbeque dinner under the sway coconut palms.

In the Kota Tinggi district you are never far from water Teluk Mahkota (Jason Bay) is a perfect getaway spot to escape the daily grind. It is an all season destination offering fishing, biking and bird watching. Resorts offering a variety of accommodations and activities to the visitors. Other attractions are a visit to a Malay village and a seashell handicraft centre.
 

Teluk Endau beach is a very quiet spot with very basic amenities popular for picnics.
 

Tanjung Balau is a white sandy beach with blue horizon and clear turquoise sea. It has chalets with modern amenities and one of the main attractions is the Tanjung Balau Fisherman Museum. It has artifacts and a wealth of materials for the visitors to delve and understand how fishermen make their living.

Desaru Beach

This popular seaside destination in Johor is great for a family vacation.  Its 18-hole golf course commands a magnificent view of the South China Sea.

Desaru (The Village of Casuarinas) is a 25 km stretch of sandy beach lined with casuarinas trees. It lies in the southeastern corner of Johor, approximately 98 km northeast of Johor Bahru. Desaru was developed as a tourist resort by the Johor Tenggara Development Authority (KEJO). Desaru in the district of Kota Tinggi is an internationally known destination.
 

The waters here are conducive or swimming, waterskiing. canoeing and catamaran sailing.  There is plenty to do. If you’re adventurous go canoeing. Foaming whitewater surrounds you and spray gets in your face as you and your canoe hurtle breathlessly down to the South China Sea.  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.  The Desaru International Triathlon is held here annually.

Accommodation here includes hotels as well as budget chalets, dormitories and camping grounds.  For the family there is a resort with modern facilities and a water theme park for the children.  It offers a wealth of accommodation choices with all modern amenities. For budget, there are small family run chalets.

 
If you are looking for fresh fruits to satisfy your taste buds and want to understand how the planting of the various exotic tropical fruits is done then take a slow drive from the beach and visit a fruit farm. For golfers there are courses, which are easily accessible, that offer rolling tree-lined fairways leading to beautiful greens.

One place visitors should not miss is the Fishermen’s Museum located at the Tanjung Balau fishing village. Visitors can view the museum’s impressive collection of fishing traps, tackles and floats on display as well as an exhibition on the folklore of fishermen.

How To Get There

Malaysia Airlines operates regular flights from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru, From there, you can catch a bus or taxi to Tanjung Penawar near Desaru.
 

Malayan Railway offers numerous train services connecting major Malaysian cities and towns as well as Singapore to Johor Bahru. At the Johor Bahru Railway Station, you can catch a taxi to Desaru or Mersing.
 

Ferry link provides ferry services from Changi Point (near the Singapore International Airport) in Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor, Johor where transport
to Desaru can be arranged, Ferry links are modem and spacious and vehicles can be driven on board.

Other Kota Tinggi district’s beaches are Batu Layar, Teluk Punggai and Teluk Ramunia. They offer both privacy and remoteness. Quiet and relaxing places are still accessible to stretches of clean water The main attractions are the Malay villages, which are filled with warm hospitality. Accommodations are available and they offer various activities.
 

Teluk Ramunia is another very popular beach that has several resorts. The resorts offer different activities and fishing packages are available. Nearby are the remains of an old British Army Observation Centre to remind us of the Second World War.