Sunrise over the sea
The beach faces due east.
Jpatokal — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kai Gan — CC BY 3.0
A long beach of soft, pale sand on Johor's south-east coast, facing the South China Sea, and the best-known beach at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. For decades it was the weekend escape of families from Johor and Singapore, and today it is the heart of Desaru Coast, the resort area that TIME magazine placed on its 2021 list of the World's Greatest Places. Large resorts and international hotels line the shore, but the sand itself is open to everyone free of charge. People come to swim, take long walks along the sand, relax in the shade of the trees and watch the sunrise over the open sea, since the beach faces due east, and early morning is its loveliest and quietest time. This is open sea rather than a sheltered bay, and the waves grow rough in the north-east monsoon, especially from November to January, so watch the warning flags and don't swim far out. The rest of the year the sea is calmer and the skies clearer, with the occasional short afternoon shower. It is about an hour's drive from Johor Bahru on the Senai–Desaru Expressway, and a ferry links Singapore's Tanah Merah terminal with the Desaru Coast ferry terminal on the days it runs. Combine it in one day with the neighbouring waterpark and the Fishermen Museum at Tanjung Balau to the north.
The beach faces due east.
Plenty of room to walk and relax.
Resorts and the waterpark alongside.
Desaru Coast on the South China Sea, Kota Tinggi district, about an hour's drive from Johor Bahru
On most days of the year, yes, close to shore, but this is open sea and the waves build in the monsoon from November to January. Follow the warning flags and swim where others are swimming.
By ferry from Tanah Merah to the Desaru Coast ferry terminal on the days it runs, or by car across one of the two crossings into Johor and then the Senai–Desaru Expressway. Check the ferry timetable before you travel.
