Joanna James
Desaru is a Malaysian beach town that has established itself as a tourist destination. Travellers come here for a respite from daily demands of life. Getting here involves a two-hour drive from Singapore.
Located far away from the city bustle, Desaru is a nature lovers' paradise. Singaporeans travel to Desaru from far away regions for a tranquil getaway; the town is favourite among Malaysians too. The shoreline is calm and paradisiacal, and the waters are pleasantly warm and free of jellyfish. The coast stretches over 6 kilometres, and in the evening, it turns into a veritable heaven. Guests at Anantara Desaru Coast Residences make an easy trip to the coastline.
Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm is an intriguing place to visit. Home to nearly 1,000 crocodiles, the farm was opened in 1979. Some of the residents of the farm are about 130 years old. If you like seeing species that go a long way back in history, you must visit Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm; it is only a 20-minute drive from Desaru.
This is one of the family-friendly attractions in the town. Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark offers around 13 thrilling rides. If you are not one for adventurous activities, you can revive the pastime you are used at pool villas in Malaysia by lounging at a cabana while sipping a cold drink.
If you love animals, the Desaru Ostrich Farm should be on top of your list of places to visit. The world's largest birds take shelter here, and there are nearly 100 of them at the park. If you are up for it, you can also enjoy an ostrich ride.
A trip to the Tanjung Balau Fishing Village is going to be gratifying for seafood lovers. This laidback, quaint village offers visitors an array of seafood dishes. Your trip to this village is a chance to learn a bit about history; there are four different galleries you can visit: Sea Gallery, Fisherman's Gallery, Geology Gallery and Desaru Shipwreck Gallery. Each of these galleries does a fine demonstration of how Malaysian fishermen tamed the volatile Malay waters.
An hour drive from Desaru is the Kota Tinggi waterfalls; this is one of the most scenic spots in Malaysia. The tracts around these waterfalls are perfect for picnics, hikes and camping. The food stalls found here keep the travellers sustained, and most travellers choose to spend the night at a nearby resort.
Though called a farm, the Desaru Fruit Farm offers more than what a farm constitutes. The farm spans over 100 acres, and there's a petting zoo as well. The ATV track and the paintball course are another two features of the farm. You will see over 120 types of fruits here, and you are allowed to taste some of them. The lush greenery the farm incubates is absolutely breathtaking, and visitors usually spend a few hours here. Before leaving the farm, make sure you feed the fish in the pond at the farm.
You can buy tickets for the Firefly cruise while at the fruit farm. You will be cruising on the Bujang River with thousands of fireflies flying around you. After you are done cruising, you should visit the Desaru Firefly Valley Leisure Park; here, you can wander around under the starry sky and enjoy the soothing night air; nighttime is the best time to be here as that's when the mangrove terrains become lively with the buzz and the soft glow of fireflies.
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