Majestic Johor: Discovering Johor Bahru, Mersing & Kota Tinggi

Text by SHAHIDA SAKERI Images by ED JUNAIDI

Johor’s stunning islands have always been in the radar among those in the know. A short ferry ride brings you to some of the state’s most exclusive islands like Rawa and Tengah, but don’t let their skyhigh accommodation price tags shy you away from exploring other affordable yet equally stunning paradises. Besar Island provides you the vibe similar to Gili Trawangan (minus the partying, of course) without the need for Peninsular Malaysia-based travellers to fly across the ocean, while Pemanggil attracts avid anglers, especially those who love deep sea fishing.

And since you’re making a plan to visit the islands off coast Johor, why not stop over at some of the urban centres along the way to make the trip more enriching? Do stop by at Kota Tinggi for its longestablished history and thriving art scene, and of course, Johor Bahru for its vibrancy and modern offerings. Read on to find out some of the places that we suggest you visit when in Johor.

JOHOR BAHRU

Skyscape, Menara Jland (www.menarajland.com.my/skyscape)

Gaze out across the beautiful cityscape and watch the city comes to life beneath you at the Skyscape, the first ever aerial entertainment space in Johor. The deck, which juts out from the side of the Jland building 149-feet above ground, allows uninterrupted view to as far as the Tebrau Strait on a clear day. But if you have vertigo, Skycape has something other attractions such as a virtual reality zone that let players fight zombies, ride roller-coaster and skiing. Entrance tickets are priced at MYR28 (adult with MyKad), MY18 (child with MyKad) and MYR23 (senior citizen with MyKad).

B5 Johor Street Market (FB: B5 Johor Street Market)

B5 Johor Street Market offers an array of stalls selling food and fashion accessories.

Dubbed as the latest hangout place for Johoreans, B5 Johor Street Market occupies 2.35 hectares of an area that used to be called Batu Lima (B5). It serves as a one-stop centre boasting a variety of offerings such as arts and crafts programmes, a box park, retail bazaar housed in a collection of unique train coaches, food trucks and food courts. Try out Johor’s signature dishes under one roof, which include chicken feasting, be entertained by a daily cultural performance at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., along with buskers’ performances in between. Special craft workshops are also organised weekly. B5 Johor Street Market opens every day from 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (midnight on weekends).

Swiss-Inn Johor Bahru (www.swissgarden.com/inn-johorbahru)

The hotel sits right smack in the city centre with easy access to plenty delicious eateries, tourist attractions and shopping malls, including a golf course. It is also surrounded by key government offices like the Employee Provident Fund (KWSP), Wisma Persekutuan Johor Bahru and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Headquarters. The standard rooms are small yet equipped with all the necessary amenities to make your stay pleasant.

MERSING

Travellers need to depart from the Mersing Jetty to reach the pristine islands of Johor such as Aur, Besar, Rawa, Tengah and Pemanggil. Once arrived at Mersing, travellers should head to the Mersing Harbour Centre to buy or collect the boat transfer tickets and pay the fees to enter the Marine Park. This is also the place where you will find operators and hotel representative counters selling various packages to the island; but during peak season, be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

For those who are pressed for time, you may opt for an island-hopping day tour that takes you to the nearby Tengah, Hujung, Besar, Sibu Kukus, Lima and Tinggi islands. Call Mr. Firdaus (+6 018 383 5565) for trip arrangements.

Pemanggil Island (FB: lanting Beach Resort Pemanggil Island)

Legend has it that the island was discovered by a man called Abdul Rahman Jumaat in 1923, when he was searching for a new place to settle. As he sailed through what is now known as the South China Sea, he suddenly heard a female’s voice calling him, so loud that it led him to this remote island where he met the one who summoned him: an old lady, who permitted him to live on the island under the condition that he should not bring anyone else except his family to the island. Abdul Rahman agreed and later named the island as Pemanggil (meaning ‘the caller’ in Malay) based on this story.

Today, it is said that the seventh generation of Abdul Rahman’s family still remain on the island, which is now home to six villages with less than 50 inhabitants. There are basic facilities too like clinic, police station, and primary school; however, many youths have moved out to Mersing and beyond to pursue higher education. There is also a resort called Lanting Beach Resort offering modest accommodation filled with vintage items and indoor game room. The resort sells leisure packages focussing on diving and fishing activities. The all-inclusive packages start at MYR598 (adult) and MYR498 (child) for a three-day two-night stay. Interested visitor may contact Mr. Asyraf Iqbal Abdullah, General Manager, at +6 012 698 9348. The resort, however, is closed between December and March.

Diving and Snorkelling in Johor Islands

The blissful atmosphere of a beach on one of Johor’s islands during sunset.

Only thirty minutes by boat from Mersing, Besar Island (formerly called Pulau Babi Besar) is an idyllic tropical hideaway blessed with powdery white beaches and lush green jungle. Snorkelling excursion is perhaps the best way to explore the area since Besar and its surrounding islands are collectively gazetted as a marine park, so expect diverse underwater species, for instance giant cockles that have a lifespan of up to 70 years! There are two popular snorkelling spots within the area namely Besar Field and Tengah Island. Rates begin at MYR70 for a two-hour-and-a-half trip.

As for diving, there are numerous world class diving sites in proximity to Mersing that divers should explore, ranging from Besar and Pemanggil to Rawa and Tengah islands. However, the most prominent sites are the first underwater Royal Post Box, which lets divers deliver a waterproof letter while being underwater, and the first man-made coral garden in Malaysia called Tunku Laksamana Corals Garden. Both sites are located at Mensirip Island, a 45-minute boat ride from Mersing jetty. Divers are recommended to contact certified dive operators such as LayPark Pulau on Besar Island for bookings. Contact Mr. Kelana (+6 019 779 2589), Mr. Ijat (+6 019 322 9108) or Mr. Hans (+6 019 753 3317).

Aseania Beach Resort, Besar Island (www.aseaniapulaubesar.com)

The laidback kampung-like vibe at Aseania Beach Resort.

This resort boasts 47 air-conditioned chalets set in a laidback kampung-like atmosphere. Its swimming pool, along with jacuzzi, proves to be the favourite playground among its guests, while those who prefer to participate in funfilled group activities can opt for beach volleyball and beach futsal. At night, pick a spot to stargaze and devour on scrumptious barbecue spread prepared by the resort’s talented in-house culinary team.

Batu Batu Resort, Tengah Island (www.batubatu.com.my)

Batu Batu is the epitome of barefoot luxury guided by prevalent ecofriendly mindset through and through. Nestling in Tengah Island, the resort is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and azure blue ocean. The best part? You don’t have to share the sand with the crowds! There are 22 sustainable villas made from tropical hardwood that are perfect for tropical island paradise seekers. Outside of the resort, guests can find a PADI diving centre, including a non-profit biodiversity management initiative called Tengah Island Conservation (TIC), which specialises in environmental conservation and education through research, special projects, and community outreach programmes. Swing by TIC with your friends and family to learn how this organisation conserves, protects and regenerates sea turtle population and other marine life.

Rawa Island Resort, Rawa Island (rawaislandresort.com)

The view of the pristine white beach fronting Rawa Island Resort and its lush surroundings.

Powdery, sun-baked sand with majestic peacocks roaming freely on the ground, Rawa Island Resort is an idyllic tropical hideaway, perfect for couples, families and even solo guests to escape from the stress of city life. Plenty of relaxing activities are available on the island for guests to enjoy, which include catching the sunrise from the nearby hill, snorkelling in the warm waters of the South China Sea, going down the thrill-inducing slides, or simply lounging lazily with a fresh coconut water in hand at sunset. In whichever way you plan to indulge, the resort brings you to a complete bliss.

Rawa Island Resort is situated within the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park archipelago and accessible using a thirty-minute boat ride from Mersing Jetty. It boasts 77 rooms that are cleverly designed to blend with the natural landscape. Room rates here start at MYR689 per night, while meal packages start at MYR230 per adult per night and MYR175 per child per night. The resort also offers return boat transfers from Mersing Jetty that costs MYR100 per person. There is a special discount available for every room booked between September and November, but do take note that there is the rule of two-night minimum stay imposed when staying here.

Keropok Haji Puteh, Mersing

A worker at Keropok Haji Puteh with keropok lekor made fresh at the shop.

Keropok lekor (a snack made from ground fish and sago floor) is a specialty in the east coast region of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Terengganu. But do you know that the word lekor is a Terengganu dialect that is derived from the Malay word, lingkar, which describes its elongated coiled shape? Interestingly, keropok lekor is common along the coast of Mersing as well. Head to the 50-year-old shop called Keropok Haji Puteh at Jalan Abdullah, which uses only the freshest herring in the production of keropok lekor to maintain its sweetness.

KOTA TINGGI

Kota Tinggi Museum

The museum has recently reopened after being closed for almost six years for upgrading, and now becomes the latest attraction in Kota Tinggi. It recounts the evolution of Johor kingdom from the beginning when Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah II founded the Old Johor government. Highlights of the museum include the exhibition on artefacts found from various shipwrecks and the incredible collection of pre-modern combat weaponries. In fact, this museum has Meriam Cetbang (a cannon from the Majapahit era) in the most complete form found throughout the region. The museum opens every day except Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Entrance is free.

Balai Kota 1528

Initially a police station built in 1920 by the British, this building has been given a new life in 2020 when the Johor government converts it into a tourism information centre called Balai Kota 1528 to commemorate the beginning of Johor Lama era. Besides dispensing information concerning Kota Tinggi and the Johor Sultanate, visitors get to enjoy a variety of family-friendly offerings such as an open-air bazaar and a dazzling light installation space. On top of these, if you were a passionate coin collector (unlike the scammers encountered on social media platforms), be sure to check the small but no less impressive exhibition of old coins here.

Firefly River Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Johor river in Kota Tinggi as thousands of fireflies illuminate the night and filled the spaces between the trees. It is said that the best time to watch these luminous insects is right after dusk, especially after the rain stops. The tour is priced at MYR25 per person, and tickets can be bought online or at Balai Kota 1528.

Kota Tinggi Mural Paintings @ Lorong Seni

The colourful mural along Lorong Seni highlights the harmonious cultures in Malaysia.

Get your camera ready and strike a pose in front of colourful murals along Lorong Seni that primarily highlights on the harmonious cultures in Malaysia. You might just spot a familiar face on the wall (hint: a popular female doctor) so if you are a fan, be sure to come here and take a picture or two. The project is helmed by Wall Craft Deco Art and Kota Tinggi city government.

Pantai Tanjung Buluh

Bigfoot Industries Enterprise conducts surf lessons for both adults and children at Pantai Tanjung Buluh in Kota Tinggi.

The monsoon season has always seen Malaysians shy away from the ocean, but who knew that for avid local surfers, it is the most exciting time of the year. Waves are ferocious during this period, which lasts from November until March, turning the ocean into a thrilling playground. In recent years, Kota Tinggi has become a popular destination for surfers, including Pantai Tanjung Buluh. In fact, there is an annual international surf challenge organised by Bigfoot Industries Enterprise, where surfers from as far as United States come to ride the waves. The same operator also conducts surfing lessons for both children and adults with rates starting at MYR100 per person.

Wetland Kampung Linting, Tanjung Surat

Belungkor Adventure brings visitors around a rich tidal mangrove ecosystem.

Those who appreciate nature should consider joining a community-based tour at Wetland Kampung Linting organised by Belungkor Adventure, which brings travellers around a rich, undisturbed tidal mangrove ecosystem. But unlike the typical mangrove tour, this tour includes a visit to nearby fishing villages for travellers to get a taste of the kampung lifestyle. Expect kompang and silat performances, apart from savouring local dishes. If you’re in luck, you may also witness sea cucumber and horseshoe crab up close! Culminate the tour at Restoran Asam Pedas Tanjung Belungkor that serves up – you guessed it right – the most lip-smacking asam pedas that could make other competing restaurateurs a run for their money. This tour could last for up to two hours; for arrangements, contact Tok Amin (+6 010 413 5025).

Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa (lotusdesaru.com)

It’s easy to mistake the resort for a theme park because from the outside, the building resembles a huge, colourful fairy-tale castle. Inside, a small bird sanctuary near the lobby keeps young guests entertained while the parents check in. The resort boasts 700 comfortable and incredibly spacious units, each come with a separate lounge and dining area, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom. The breakfast buffet is superb with a vast spread of delicacies to accommodate discerning palates. Children has expansive space to run around, but if that is not enough, the Splash area complete with water slides, lazy river and pool will keep them busy. Adult guests, on the other hand, may find their bliss at the designated spa. Create more unforgettable memories by experiencing fun water sport activities by the hotel’s beach.

Gaya Travel Magazine team members express our heartfelt gratitude to Tourism Johor for organising the trip to Johor Bahru, Johor islands, Mersing and Kota Tinggi.