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Top 10 attractions in Desaru

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Masjid Selat Melaka
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Melaka

Masjid Selat Melaka

7
4.5/5
141 reviews
The Masjid Selat Melaka is located on the artificial island of Malacca. If the water level is high, it looks like a floating building. The Straits Mosque under the sunset is very beautiful. The sound of chanting from the radio and the sound of the waves are intertwined. The golden dome is reflected in the setting sun. After dark, the mosque will light up, and the whole building will turn into another color, with a unique charm.Malaysia · Melaka Tengah
Dutch Square (Red Square) Melaka
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Melaka

Dutch Square (Red Square) Melaka

6.2
4.4/5
181 reviews
Dutch Square (Red Square) Melaka is located in Melaka Tengah, Melaka State, Malaysia, and serves as the heart of the historic city of Melaka. Because the square and surrounding buildings are uniformly red, it is also known as the Red Square. This area was once the administrative center during the Dutch colonial period and now, as an important part of the Melaka World Heritage Site, it continues to attract visitors from all over. The square itself is an open space, and the "I LOVE MELAKA" sign is a popular photo spot. It is not far from Jonker Walk Melaka and Harmony Street, while St Pauls Hill Melaka and the Malacca River are also within walking distance. Many tourists use the square as the first stop for their tour of the old city.Malaysia · Melaka
Lebam River

Lebam River

2.2
The Lebam River is a river and surrounding wetlands located near Disharu in the eastern part of Johor, Malaysia. Visitors can take boat trips to see wildlife, especially fireflies in the mangrove apple trees.Bandar Penawar · 15.6km from Desaru
Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Johor

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

5
4.8/5
18 reviews
Jalan Tan Hiok Neeis an old street with a strong Chinese cultural atmosphere in the old town of Johor Bahru, with a total length of approx. 300 m. The street is named after Tan Hiok Nee, a Teochew merchant who developed markets and traded gambier and pepper along the Segget River in the 19th century and was later appointed as the leader of the Chinese community by the Sultan of Johor. Rows of old Nanyang-style shophouses are preserved on both sides of the street. The five-foot way corridors, wooden louvered windows, and Western-style relief facades still maintain their original appearance. The old walls in the back alleys are painted with murals depicting themes such as the port master's wharf loading gambier, wood-fired bread baking, and teh tarik, making it a great place for taking photos while walking around.Johor Bahru · 56.8km from Desaru
Church of Saint Paul, Malacca
No. 6 of Night Attractions in Melaka

Church of Saint Paul, Malacca

5.4
4.5/5
311 reviews
Church of Saint Paul, Malacca stands atop St Pauls Hill Melaka and is a roofless church ruin dating back to 1521. It was originally a small chapel built by the Portuguese to give thanks for surviving a storm at sea, and was later expanded by the Jesuits into the structure seen today. The missionary Saint Francis Xavier used this place as a base for his missionary work in China and Japan. After his body arrived in Melaka in 1553, it was temporarily buried here, and an empty grave remains in the church, which is said to be the original resting place. After the Dutch took over Melaka in 1641, the interior was used as a burial ground for a time, and the tombstones in Portuguese and Dutch lining the walls mostly date from this period. A white marble statue of Saint Francis Xavier stands in front of the church. The statue's right arm is broken. The day after its unveiling in 1952, a tree fell and broke the arm. Historically, Xavier's right arm was indeed sent to Rome as a relic, a coincidence often mentioned by visitors. The church is located in a spot with an expansive view, overlooking the city of Melaka and the Strait of Malacca.Malaysia · Melaka
Malacca River
No. 5 of Night Attractions in Melaka

Malacca River

5.3
4.7/5
526 reviews
The Malacca River is a small, narrow strait that connects the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. However, it is this long and narrow ocean passage that carries the necessary passage between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. There are boating activities on the Malacca River held here every day. The registration office is at the tourist center office behind the pier. . This tour takes 45 minutes and travels all the way through the city, where you will see old warehouses, fish markets and more. You will also pass KAMPUNGMORTEN, a typical Malay village house called VILLASENTOSA. The return journey will pass through various piers along the river. Yachts are also provided here to take tourists to the islands off the Straits of Malacca to play.Malaysia · Melaka
Port Dickson Beach
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Port Dickson

Port Dickson Beach

5.3
4.5/5
226 reviews
Port Dickson is a good place for a beach vacation close to Kuala Lumpur. There are golden beaches stretching for more than ten kilometers, with soft sand, blue water and beautiful scenery. Among the more well-known ones are Gehman Bay Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach. Every weekend holiday, many urban crowds in Kuala Lumpur will come here to enjoy a leisurely holiday. Port Dickson Beach is a great choice for a variety of water activities, from sailing, canoeing, surfing, water skiing, beach volleyball and beach football, it is a paradise for water sports lovers. Of course, if you are not keen on water sports, you can also walk on the beach and feel the passionate Malay style. The most lively season in Port Dickson is every August, when the grand "Port Dickson Carnival" is held here. During this annual happy season, water sports performances and competitions as well as cultural performances are often held, attracting many tourists.Malaysia · Port Dickson
Tioman Island

Tioman Island

5.2
4.7/5
62 reviews
Tioman Island is located on the east coast of Malaysia and is known as the world's top leisure island. Legend has it that the island was also the palace of a dragon girl. The picturesque Tioman Island is sunny, and because of its beautiful scenery, the Hollywood musical "South Pacific" has also been filmed here. Tioman Island is well developed and has various facilities such as water sports, accommodation and dining. The waters around Tioman Island are blue and clear, and there are colorful sea fan corals, stone pines, sea hares and other marine life on the bottom, so there is also the nickname of nature aquarium. Moreover, the visibility of the sea water here is more than ten meters, and the warm and clear seabed makes it the best choice for diving enthusiasts. Swim with hordes of tropical fish for fun. In addition to diving, there are also water sports such as windsurfing, jet skis, banana boats, etc. to choose from. If you don't play in the water, you can also go hiking in the virgin jungle. The virgin jungle on the island is full of wild vines, apes and large lizards, and it has a Jurassic Park visual sense. In addition, the granite formations on the island make it an excellent place for rock climbing. Adventure lovers who like adrenaline can climb the legendary GunungNenekSemukut cliff or Longjiao Rock.Malaysia · Tioman
Johor Ancient Temple
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Johor

Johor Ancient Temple

4.2
4.6/5
29 reviews
Johor Temple is located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It has a history of more than 100 years and is one of the oldest buildings in Johor Bahru. The ancient temple building is based on the architectural design of southern China and has a strong Chaozhou architectural style. The roof is gradually increased in height. The roof of the gate of the front yard is short and the roof of the hall is high to highlight the importance of the hall. There are five gods enshrined in the ancient temple. On the 21st day of the first lunar month every year, the ancient temple of Johor will hold an annual grand tour of the gods.Johor Bahru · 56.8km from Desaru
Johor Premium Outlets
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Johor

Johor Premium Outlets

4.1
4.7/5
71 reviews
Johor Bahru outlets are the only outlets in Malaysia. The shopping mall covers two floors and has more than 100 shops and design brand outlets, ranging from fashion, jewelry and furniture to specialty goods. Although there are many famous shops here, the price of goods is very attractive, and the discount is very big. It is a paradise for shoppers.Kulai · 72.2km from Desaru

Experiences you can't miss in Desaru

Featured Cultural experiences in Desaru

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Kidzooona theme park admission ticket in Johor
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3.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 4 hrs
English
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FromTWD 230
Star kids children's play area in Johor
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Duration: 4 hrs
English
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FromTWD 585
Johor Game On Theme Park
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Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromTWD 397
Johor buggy experience tour (Buggy Jotic)
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Duration: 30 mins
English
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FromTWD 1,584
Jdt stadium tour
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Duration: 1 hr
English
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FromTWD 455

Featured Day tours in Desaru

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Featured Outdoor experiences in Desaru

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Desaru 10-Hour Private Charter | Depart from Johor Bahru or Singapore | Customizable Itinerary
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Duration: 10.2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromTWD 1,217
Jdt buggy tour off-road vehicle tour
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Duration: 30 mins
English
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FromTWD 373
Johor Bahru: Firefly River Cruise Night Tour
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Duration: 45 mins
Free cancellation
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FromTWD 197

Free things to do in Desaru

What travellers say about Desaru

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amy3235 October 2026
4.0
When visiting Malacca, one always wants to see the world-famous Straits of Malacca with their own eyes, to keep a promise to sail across the Straits. A special trip was made to the Floating Mosque, just to gaze upon this busy shipping lane. The sea was vast, and the sea breeze was strong. The architecture wasn't as stunning as expected, but the view of this strait was enough to leave a lasting impression. ✨

Masjid Selat Melaka

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CocaAchim6 January 2025
4.0
It's so different than all the other part of the city!You get the feeling that you are in a movie set, as the square is way different than anything you have seen in Malaysia. Enjoy it in the day, but in the night also as everything is open, night market arround the corner and split in 2 parts, one it's indian and on the other side is chinees

Dutch Square (Red Square) Melaka

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Peishan9729 March 2023
5.0
nice heritage style restaurant with unique Peranakan design, recommended to visit.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

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一直在路上的猫28 January 2026
4.0
St. Paul's Hill is located in the heart of the Malacca Old Town World Heritage Site, near the Dutch Stadthuys and the Santiago Gate. It was once an important high ground of the Sultanate, and Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty designated it as the "National Mountain." The hill is not high; a short walk of about ten minutes up the steps leads to the summit. The view from the top is excellent, overlooking Malacca city, the Malacca River, and the Straits, making it a popular spot for sunset photography. Several small museums and the remains of a Dutch cemetery are also located nearby. At the top is St. Paul's Church (Gereja St. Paul), originally built by the Portuguese in 1521 as a church for Our Lady. In 1548, it was handed over to the Jesuits, where St. Francis Xavier preached. His body was temporarily buried here in 1553. After the Dutch occupation in 1641, it was renamed St. Paul's Church, later used as a cemetery and fortress; bullet holes are still visible in the outer walls. It is now a magnificent, roofless stone ruin. There is a white statue of Xavier in front of the church (missing his right hand); inside are scattered ancient tombstones inscribed with Portuguese/Latin; admission is free, and opening hours are the same as in the old town; the building itself is one of the oldest European colonial relics in Southeast Asia.

Church of Saint Paul, Malacca

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LoisleyMeng11 December 2024
5.0
The Malacca River, steeped in history, has been transformed into a leisure and sightseeing destination, becoming a truly captivating tourist destination! 🤩 So, if you're in Malacca, a Melaka River Cruise is a must! ⛴ . Malacca's riverbanks are lined with beautiful flowers and plants 🌼🌿. As you cruise along, you'll see vibrant graffiti and vibrant buildings. It all feels so retro and historic, and a cruise is the perfect way to appreciate this historic city! 😆 . The view is breathtaking at night, when all the neon lights turn on, illuminating the entire river with a vibrant array of colors. 😍 Along both sides of the river, you'll find various small shops and bars, where you can see people strolling 🚶🏻, drinking and chatting 🍻, dining, and more 🍴. It's so relaxing! ✨

Malacca River

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Shinno Lew8 May 2025
4.0
Located on the seaside in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, it is only an hour and a half drive from Kuala Lumpur. After working in the city for a long time, if you want to relax by watching the sea and sunset, this is the best choice. On weekends, many ethnic compatriots will set up tents and camp here, listening to the sound of the waves and watching the sunset. The only drawback is that the water is not clean. If you have a choice, it is not recommended to play in the water at the beach. . There is also a museum nearby that records the history of Malaysia. It is worth visiting with children. Admission is free!

Port Dickson Beach

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January L24 July 2024
5.0
Probably the best island retreat in Malaysia. The island itself is with laidback environment, crystal clear water, quiet beaches, full of corals at some point and with abundant life of fish, turtles and etc.

Tioman Island

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Tania Akter (Sumi)17 February 2025
4.0
Last year, I was visted Johor Ancient Temple, located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is dedicated to five deities worshipped by different Chinese dialect groups, symbolizing unity. The temple’s red-and-white architecture stands out amid modern skyscrapers, offering a glimpse into the city’s heritage.In my opinion, its peaceful atmosphere, intricate carvings, and annual Chingay Parade. However, some find it small and crowded during festivals.Overall, it’s a must-visit for history and cultur

Johor Ancient Temple

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Sebrinakartikasary20 August 2023
5.0
good place and wonderfull vibes, will be back soon i we trip to this country

Johor Premium Outlets

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Desaru?

Don't miss these attractions in Desaru: Masjid Selat Melaka, Dutch Square (Red Square) Melaka, and Lebam River. If you like Cultural experiences, try Kidzooona theme park admission ticket in Johor. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Johor Bahru & Kulai Private Day Charter | Depart from JB or Singapore | Customizable Itinerary.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Johor Kota Tinggi Firefly Boat Tour [Chartered Car + Entrance Fees Included] - Departure from Johor Bahru, Johor Desaru Firefly Boat Tour , Fruit Farm, and Mini Zoo Day Tour | Tickets Included [Departing from Johor Bahru], and Johor Desaru Kota Tinggi Firefly Cruise [Chartered Car + Entrance Fees Included] - Departure from Johor Bahru. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 15 October 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Desaru is around TWD 805 – TWD 1,619. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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