Just two hours from Singapore, this familiar coastal getaway is gearing up for a bigger future, with international sporting events, new attractions and plenty more on the horizon.
I’ve driven to Desaru more times than I can remember, and somehow, I never get tired of the journey.
There’s something rather nice about leaving Singapore behind, getting through the checkpoints and settling into a long, mostly straight drive towards the eastern coast of Johor. With fewer buildings, less traffic and plenty of open road ahead, it already feels like a holiday.
Our latest trip was particularly pleasant. We left Singapore shortly after lunch and, rather surprisingly, encountered absolutely no jams at either checkpoint. That made the journey exceptionally smooth.
We were driving our BMW X1, which regular readers will know I’ve grown rather fond of. It’s nimble, responsive and has enough punch to make overtaking on Malaysian roads effortless. The compact dimensions are also just right for a road trip, providing all the comfort and practicality we need without feeling unnecessarily bulky.
With traffic on our side, Desaru Coast was about two hours away. That’s part of its appeal. You can leave Singapore after lunch and be enjoying a completely different environment by late afternoon.
This time, however, we had another reason for making the trip.
A world championship comes to Desaru
We were invited to witness the 2026 World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) World Final, which brought an international gathering of golfers to Desaru Coast.
Held from 23 to 31 October, the 31st edition of the championship attracted around 620 golfers and delegates from 48 countries. Desaru Coast served as the main host destination, with competition taking place at The Els Club Desaru Coast and other championship courses around Johor, including Forest City and Tanjong Puteri.
Seeing an international event of this scale taking place here gives you a sense of what Desaru Coast is working towards.
Golf has long been one of the destination’s strongest attractions. The Els Club Desaru Coast offers 45 holes across two courses: the 27-hole Ocean Course designed by four-time major champion Ernie Els, and the 18-hole Valley Course designed by Vijay Singh.
The Ocean Course is particularly picturesque, with rolling fairways, coastal views and a beautiful clubhouse. It’s easy to understand why golfers from around the world would want to play here.
The championship also provided a glimpse into a much larger ambition for Desaru Coast.
Building a destination around sport
Desaru Coast has been steadily positioning itself as a regional sporting destination capable of hosting major international competitions.
Earlier in July, it hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast, a challenging triathlon comprising a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run. The event took place on 26 July 2026 and attracted athletes from across the region.
Now, with the World Amateur Golfers Championship bringing competitors and visitors from around the world, the pieces are coming together.
The idea is to develop Desaru Coast into a destination with the facilities and infrastructure necessary to host sporting competitions regularly.
This makes sense when you consider what is already here.
There are international-standard golf courses, established hotels, a conference centre, well-maintained roads and plenty of space to accommodate sporting activities. The destination is also relatively easy to navigate, with the various resorts and attractions well connected.
Having visited Desaru Coast several times, I’ve always found the development well organised. The roads are generally excellent, signage is clear, and everything feels thoughtfully planned.
For event organisers, these are important considerations. Accommodation, transport, competition venues and supporting facilities all need to work together.
Desaru Coast already has a good foundation to build on.
Pickleball, karting and more reasons to visit
The sporting ambitions extend well beyond golf and triathlons.
Three outdoor pickleball courts opened at Desaru Coast Riverside in July 2026, with another three planned. Padel facilities are also part of the future expansion.
For motorsport enthusiasts, there’s something particularly interesting coming.
A new RM10 million karting facility is currently under construction at Riverside, with an opening targeted for the end of 2026.
Singapore-based Arina International, the company behind Singapore’s well-known KF1 karting circuit, is developing the project.
The new development, called The Sports Arina, will feature a competitive karting circuit with professional-grade karts and an electronic timing system. It will also include an air-conditioned KF Kiddy Circuit for children aged four to 12.
Spectator areas, dining facilities and other amenities are also planned, making it a proper family-friendly motorsport attraction.
As someone who enjoys driving, this is certainly one development I’ll be keeping an eye on.
More importantly, these additions provide visitors with new reasons to return.
Imagine a weekend where you can enjoy a round of golf, play some pickleball, take the family karting and still have time for a relaxing evening by the beach.
That’s a rather appealing proposition.
There’s already plenty to enjoy
Of course, Desaru Coast is already an established holiday destination.
Spread across approximately 4,000 acres and 17 kilometres of coastline facing the South China Sea, the integrated resort development currently features four internationally recognised hotels.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast offers a family-friendly atmosphere, music-inspired experiences, and convenient access to the Adventure Waterpark.
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort offers a more relaxed beachfront experience, with its wellness-focused facilities and dining options.
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers another luxurious seaside escape, with beautiful rooms, villas, and resort facilities.
At the upper end of the luxury market is Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, the spectacular beachfront property previously operated under the One&Only brand. The resort officially adopted the Mandarin Oriental name in January 2026.
These four properties cater to different types of travellers, from families with young children to couples seeking a quieter weekend away.
For families, Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast remains a major attraction, with more than 20 rides and attractions, including a massive wave pool and the region’s first water coaster.
The resort also offers beach activities, spas, restaurants, and a range of outdoor experiences.
Nature lovers can explore the surrounding environment through guided experiences with JungleWalla, including mangrove river cruises, kayaking, birdwatching and rainforest excursions.
Further afield, visitors can explore the Desaru Fruit Farm, enjoy local seafood or take an evening firefly cruise.
Desaru Coast also hosts cultural and lifestyle events, including the Ombak Festival, which brings together music, arts, food and entertainment.
There’s easily enough here to fill a weekend, especially if you’re travelling with family.
Personally, I also enjoy coming here simply to relax. There’s something refreshing about being so close to Singapore while still feeling properly away.
And this is only the beginning
What’s particularly interesting is that Desaru Coast is still developing.
The destination is part of a long-term master plan involving three development phases, spanning approximately 25 to 30 years.
The original first phase, which established the major resorts, golf courses, waterpark and supporting infrastructure, is now largely in place.
There are still additions being made, and two further phases of development are planned.
Future growth is expected to bring more hotels, serviced residences, recreational attractions, retail and dining experiences, and marina and waterfront facilities.
One recent announcement is Ormond Desaru, a new 396-room beachfront resort that broke ground in October 2026.
Located next to The Westin, the development is targeted to open in the final quarter of 2029. It is expected to offer another accommodation option for families and travellers looking for a more accessible resort experience.
The longer-term potential is considerable.
With so much land still available for development, there’s room for additional hospitality offerings, sporting facilities and lifestyle attractions.
It’s encouraging to see the destination developing a stronger identity around international sports and outdoor recreation.
The infrastructure is taking shape, the hotels are already operational, and the accessibility from Singapore is a significant advantage.
With the right events and continued investment, I can see Desaru Coast becoming an increasingly popular venue for regional and international competitions.
Getting here is easy, even without a car
For Singaporeans, one of Desaru Coast’s biggest attractions is its proximity.
Driving remains my preferred way of getting here.
Depending on where you’re starting from, the journey generally takes around two hours when traffic conditions are favourable. Travellers can enter Malaysia through Woodlands or Tuas before connecting to the highway network towards Desaru.
Much of the journey follows the Senai–Desaru Expressway, making it a relatively easy and enjoyable drive.
Having your own car also gives you the flexibility to explore the surrounding areas, especially if you’re planning to visit local seafood restaurants, fruit farms or attractions outside the main resort development.
However, another convenient option is for those who prefer to leave the driving to someone else.
You can take a direct ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal.
Operated by BatamFast, the journey takes approximately 90 minutes.
At the time of writing, the published departure times are:
Singapore to Desaru Coast: 10.10 am
Desaru Coast to Singapore: 5.30 pm
Both Singapore and Malaysia use the same time zone.
Services operate on selected days of the week, generally from Thursday through Sunday, with Monday sailings also advertised by Desaru Coast. Travellers should check availability directly with BatamFast before booking.
Return tickets are listed at S$108, excluding fuel surcharges. With the current surcharge of approximately S$12 each way, travellers should budget around S$132 per person for a return journey, before any additional luggage charges.
A shuttle service also connects the ferry terminal with the main resort area, making it possible to enjoy a short holiday without bringing a car.
For couples and families who simply want a relaxing resort getaway, this is a particularly convenient option.
A personal recommendation
Desaru has been one of my favourite short-drive destinations for years, and this latest visit has given me even more reasons to return.
It’s close enough for a spontaneous weekend, far enough to feel like a proper getaway, and has a good selection of resorts and activities for different types of travellers.
With the sporting developments now taking shape, I think we’ll hear a lot more about Desaru Coast in the coming years.
The upcoming karting circuit is certainly something I’ll want to experience, and I’m equally interested to see what the next two development phases will bring.
For now, if you’re looking for somewhere to escape Singapore for a night or two, Desaru Coast comes with my personal recommendation.
It’s an easy drive, a lovely place to unwind, and there are plenty of reasons to visit.
I’ll certainly be back.
