Fortunately, we were given a complete tour of the place; from the entrance up to its golf courses so we're writing this based on our own experiences.
But for first-timers, let us list down the best things to do in Desaru Coast and see if you’re interested in trying any of these.
Check-in at one of the many hotels on the coast
So before we get into all the various activities you can get around here, we’d like to list down the kind of stays you can book for around the area.Firstly, if you’re into a casual and fun setting, maybe with your family or friends, we suggest bunking in at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast or The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. These two hotels offer a wholesome experience for all ages with their wide array of attractions, amenities and facilities (we will get into some of that later).
But if you eagerly want to shut off, relax and ignore your messages on Microsoft Teams, then Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is the place to be. Tucked a bit deeper into the coast, Anantara is a Thai-themed establishment that promises you a serene stay by the beach.
However, if you are in desperate need to disconnect, check out One & Only Desaru Coast, a super private resort tucked a bit deeper into the coast. One & Only is an exclusive establishment with limited rooms, ensuring that love and attention will be focused on you when you get there.
Whichever hotel you choose, you’ll still have a great time at Desaru Coast regardless. You just need to choose one based on your preference.
Check them out by clicking on these links:
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
One & Only Desaru Coast
Watch live bands at Hard Rock Hotel
What’s a vacation without a bit of music? At Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, you’re going to get a lot of music (even in the pool). As one of the major attractions of the Desaru area, Hard Rock Hotel organizes fun activities and events including their daily rock n roll nights with a powerful lineup of live bands to entertain you through the evening.
When we came, the band was jamming out to Sweet Child O’ Mine, Born to be Wild and other classics but their performance of Hotel California blew us away and caught us off guard.
You can check out more details on the performers, the event date and time here.
Enjoy the Beach at The Westin & Public Beach
Ah, the beach. Since Desaru Coast is slightly isolated in comparison with other popular beaches, you can expect the beach to be incredibly clean, especially at The Westin’s. Clean, clear and shallow; you can practically see your feet in the water!
However, Desaru Coast's beach attraction isn’t new but the visionaries at Westin upped the ante by introducing a beach bar on their grounds. Now, Desaru Coast's visitors can have an elevated experience of the beach - alongside coconut juice, cocktails and other drinks on the menu.
Golfing or buggy-cruising at The Els Club Desaru Coast
Do you happen to be a golfer? If yes, then The Els Club Desaru Coast is a 45-hole dreamland of a club for any golfers out there. Designed by the legendary Ernie Els himself, Els Club owns two large courses on its grounds; the Ocean and Valley Course.
The Ocean Course consists of 27 holes designed with Ernie Els signature vision in mind, overlooking the beautiful South China Sea, while the Valley Course, which was designed with the help of another golf legend Vijay Singh, was created for challenge-seekers.
Not a big golf fan? Fret not as the golf course is also home to various flora and fauna. Book a session with the club and choose the unique buggy plus dining package where you get to cruise on a buggy and dine at the Big Easy Cafe afterwards.
Either way, The Els Club Desaru Coast is a world-class golf club situated right here in Malaysia.
Thrilling rides at Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
Of course, there’s something for you thrill junkies out there. Adventure Waterpark was established in late 2018, the park is home to more than 20 wet and dry rides in their various zones including Penawar Falls, Penawar River, Shipwreck Reef, Tidal Wave Beach and Kids Ahoy.
Our favourite has to be Kraken’s Revenge; a hybrid wet-and-dry coaster with a nerve-wrecking 360 loop and a giant splash to remember at the end.
If you’re more of a chill-ride type of person, then the Penawar River is your best bet. Lie inside your float and let the river take you on a relaxing trip around the park.
Ticket prices start at RM75 for adults and children. Book your tickets here.
Spot the Global Rockstar Memorabilia
Other than being the liveliest chain of hotels on the planet, Hard Rock Hotels are famous for one other thing - their displays of rock n roll memorabilia. Each Hard Rock Hotel displays a large number of unique memorabilia around and that includes Hard Rock Hotel Desaru.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang showcased Gerard Way’s (My Chemical Romance) Black Parade costume at its cafe but at Desaru, the collection includes bands and artists like Oasis, The Beatles, Linkin Park, Beyonce and even local acts like Yuna.
The best part is, you won’t get to see their collection elsewhere in the world - only at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast!
Learn more about Malaysian fishermen at Tanjung Balau Fishing Village
A local told us to check out the Tanjung Balau Fishing Village. With only Waze and no information or study prior to that, we drove up to the location and witnessed a stunning view of the coast, far from the tourist attractions.
Tanjung Balau Fishing Village is home to hundreds of fishermen, plying their trade out in the open sea. Interestingly, the village is also home to a fishermen's museum, where one can learn more about their lives, the types of boats they use and their experiences - as told by the fishermen themselves.
River Cruise: Mangrove Tour
Nature lover? Don’t worry, there’s something here for you too. Desaru isn’t just a holiday destination with a ring of luxurious hotels, but a land with rich biodiversity as well.
We experienced the Mangrove Eco Tour, accompanied by a naturalist as a guide. The guide brought us on a river cruise through the lush forest comprising various species of mangroves. Monitor lizards and gibbons were also sighted in the area, alongside colourful birds and unique-looking plants.
The Mangrove Tour starts at RM200 per person in a group of four. Check out more info of the tour and other Desaru Coast experiences here.
Take a break at Heavenly Spa at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
After all, that walking, swimming and partying, why not take a pause at Westin’s Heavenly Spa; a relaxation hub that specializes in personalized experiences? The spa only employs highly skilled therapists, uses first-class facilities and uses high-end products. The moment you enter those doors, the world stops for a minute as it allows you to relax and rejuvenate under the tender care of the safest hands in Desaru Coast.
Since it’s our first time there, we chose the Signature Heavenly Spa treatment, which helped soothe our tired shoulders, untangled the stubborn knots and almost sent us into a state of meditation. If the treatment went on for another 15 minutes, the calming Kitaro music would’ve been accompanied by a powerful wind section aka my snoring.
Jokes aside, the spa was an essential part of our trip and a must-try for vacationers. Give them a call and a book session today.
Desaru Coast Restaurants: Paradise for Foodies
Of course, do you really think we’re going to end this article without a simple mention of food? Desaru Coast is blessed with a wide selection of food - and you don’t even need to travel far for them. (The next best food attraction is 30 minutes away in Sungai Rengit).At Desaru, each hotel has its own restaurants with its specialities. Personally, the best one for us has to be Prego in Westin, commandeered by the great Chef Jaffery Othman. Prego specializes in Italian cuisine which includes their excellent serving of vegan ravioli, smoked salmon and cream cheese pizza and more.
Another notable restaurant was Anantara’s Turmeric, located near the swimming pool with a stunning beach and sea view. Turmeric serves more fusion Asian cuisines including their scallop carpaccio, locally-sourced oysters with caviar soaked with yuzu together with their buttery-tasting pan-seared halibut served with their special sauce.
Make your reservations by clicking on the links below:
Prego at The Westin
Turmeric at Anantara
Excited already? If you are, get to know more about Desaru Coast by clicking on this link here.