2025 Kota Tinggi Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#outdooradventures During our trip to Desaru, we decided to visit the Desaru Mini Zoo for a little outdoor adventure. It’s a small but charming zoo, perfect for a casual day out. The place is surrounded by greenery, giving it a relaxing vibe. As I walked around, I saw a variety of animals like horses, rabbits, deer, alpacas, fishes and even ostriches. You can get up close and personal with some of the animals, and there’s even an option to feed them, which kids especially enjoy. It’s not a big place, so it doesn’t take too long to explore, but it’s a fun and peaceful spot if you’re looking to enjoy nature and see some friendly animals up close. If you're feeling adventurous, you’ve got to try the ATV ride! It's a good way to add some thrill to your day. The ride could be bumpy but super fun, with muddy paths and small hills that made the experience exciting.

#weekendgetaways Tanjung Balau Beach is just a quick 15 minute drive from the renowned Desaru Beach, made for a perfect short stop before heading to the Hard Rock Hotel. This hidden gem stands out for several reasons: 1. A peaceful place for retreat, less crowded. 2. Stunning beach with unique black rocks and reefs. 3. Beautiful clear water, making it a refreshing spot for a quick dip. Just leisurely walk through the water, past the rocks to explore further from the shoreline and simply sit on one of the bigger rocks to take in the tranquil view. #100waysoftravel #myhiddengems #malaysiatrip

#waterfall #100waysoftravel Kota Tinggi Waterfall is a perfect destination for a fun and refreshing getaway. Located amidst lush greenery, the waterfall offers a beautiful cascade of water, creating a cool and inviting pool below. It’s a great spot for families and friends to enjoy a day out, whether you're looking to swim, have a picnic, or simply relax in nature. The surrounding park area is well-maintained, with facilities that make your visit comfortable and enjoyable. The sound of rushing water, combined with the serene natural setting, provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. If you’re in search of a rejuvenating escape, Kota Tinggi Waterfall is definitely worth a visit.

#familytrips2024 Desaru Mini Zoo is a delightful attraction in Johor, Malaysia, perfect for families with kids. Here’s what you can expect when you visit: Interactive Animal Experience: At Desaru Mini Zoo, you’ll get up close and personal with various animals. From birds and reptiles to furry four-legged creatures, there’s something for everyone. Feeding Fun: Before exploring the mini zoo, grab a basket of goodies from the entrance ticket counter. You can feed the animals treats like bread, long beans, baby corn, chicken feed, and fish food. It’s optional, but having treats makes it easier to interact with the animals. Adorable Alpacas: The fluffy alpacas steal the show! Kids and adults alike will enjoy petting these super-friendly and soft creatures. Remember to be gentle with the animals and follow any guidelines provided by the staff. Desaru Mini Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers! Details: Admission Price: 20 RM Operating Hours: 10 am to 7 pm You can pay via pay wave!

#familytrips2024 A cute café in Desaru Mini Zoo. It's like a cozy wooden hut with seats outside where you can chill. There aren't tons of food options, but they've got drinks, ice cream, and desserts. Plus, you can hang out with animals wandering around. And there's this awesome giant swing made of wood – super fun! Address: 103-A, Jalan Damai 10, Kampung Sungai Kapal, 81620 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia

#familytrips2024 The Giant Yellow Duckling Floaty Decor at Desaru Mini Zoo adds a splash of fun to our visit. Imagine strolling past ponds teeming with colorful Koi fish, their scales glinting in the sunlight. Remember to buy fish food at the entrance so you can feed them, watching as they eagerly nibble at the food. And don't miss the excitement of longkang fish catching, where you can try your hand at scooping up these lively fish from a water-filled ditch. It's an experience that's sure to delight both kids and adults.

#wheretogo Yard&Co a seaside cafe in Sungai Renggit, Pengerang Johor . the charming and stylish interior definitely draw you in. there are plenty of card park location and it’s free of charge. Is convenient for you to drive in to pengerang but not public transport . is hard to get a public transport or taxi in this area. the price for the menu is a cafe pricing is on high side . but is worth to pay for the view, and the food was great too. is a Muslim friendly restaurant , no pork no lard. you may need to come early as the restaurant often fully book on weekend. opening 7 days a week from 12pm to 7pm. you can come during sunset time too, for sure you can take nice picture . #tripmoments #awesomepic #holiday #restaurant #desaru #deliciousfood

Manage to find this hidden gem beach @ Batu Layar near Desaru when driving around . it’s took 30 mins drive from Desaru to Batu Layar. the beach is beautiful and not many people know about the place. that’s why not many people know about this Hidden Spot. went there for sun tanning , listening to the wave & chilling by the beach. beautiful #weekendgetaways just short drive from JB. #freehotelstay #hiddengems

Honey is beneficial to health and it definitely has got good medicinal properties too. When we chanced upon honeybee cafe in Malaysia, we know we had to try their honey desserts. We heard so much fantastic reviews on their honeycomb ice cream and I m glad we gave it a try. A honeycomb rack can be seen at the entrance of the cafe and a piece of honeycomb is freshly cut for each order of their dessert. Although there were quite a few variations for their dessert, we had their original golden honeybee ice cream. It consists of crunchy cornflakes, vanilla ice cream, honey pearls, honey drizzle and a piece of honeycomb. It's certainly delicious and satisfied our sweet cravings! Drinks like frappe are also available but trust me, their desserts are way better!

Kota Tinggi Firefly Park is a magical destination that offers a mesmerizing experience with nature's tiny wonders. Located in the Johor state of Malaysia, this park is renowned for its enchanting firefly colonies that light up the night sky along the riverbanks. To visit Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, you can easily reach it by car or public transportation from Kota Tinggi town. Once you arrive, you will be taken on a boat ride along the river, where you can witness the breathtaking spectacle of thousands of fireflies illuminating the mangrove trees. Tips: the best time to viewing fireflies is after 7:30 pm.

#summerfest #desaru Yard & Co Cafe, the perfect place to eat and enjoy the seaside scenery. Best time to go is for breakfast or lunch as the place is bright for phototaking and easier to get Grab. There is an al fresco dining where you get the view of the peaceful sea and the blue skies. The interior of the cafe is also giving out a beach vibe to match the seaside scenery so that customers would feel as if they are actually on the beach. We ordered the lobster roll, halo salmon, creme brulee, lychee oolong, iced chocolate mint and all were so good! Worth a trip down to sip, eat And enjoy the seaside View!

#malaysia #johor This is Yard & Co cafe located in Johor, Malaysia. 30-minute drive from Desaru. Here, you can order massive breakfast plates and desserts like milk mochi, while enjoying the view of the beautiful sea ~ Once you find the cafe, you’ll be greeted by a charming, low-lying building next to a wooden deck with tables and chairs where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the calming open waters and clear skies. This place is very instagrammable and the food is nice!

Did you plan your retreat yet? Fall in love all over at Jojo Rakit House. Spend some quality time with fishing activity. Take a romantic holiday or stay for the night for an unforgettable experiences with your loved. Let's celebrate your love and create memorable moments. Best holiday for your partner and family! #valentinescape #mytripvlog #couplestrip #awesomepic

#newyearadventure #tripblazers #awesomepic A good place to spend our weekend. Away from busyness of the city. Near food place with varity of choices. Got medan selera nearby & food stalls. Clean public toilet (have charged) available. Clean & windy. Parking a bit hard though. And For those who loves fishing, this is the place to go to. Can fishing at the jetty for free! Enjoy the scenery too! Location: Jetty Telok Sengat, Kota Tinggi Johor

recommended place to organize family day or gathering. quite and peaceful environment. you can rent kitchen for meals prep. bbq pit also available, open space in front seaside suitable for lite game and sport. price very affordable, rooms are clean, amenities limited, but hot shower perfect. you can rent overnight or day use. nearby restaurant located at tanjung sedili, a wide range of hawker stall, fresh seafood ... buy and bring back to resort...enjoy the grill...

Desaru Coast is a coastal resort area in Southeastern Johor, Peninsular Malaysia. The small town of Bandar Penawar serves as the area’s transport hub. Whether you are traveling alone, with your friends or family, there are more than enough activities to keep your stay fun and awesome and alternatively, if you want to keep it low-key and relaxed, the place can still give you the quiet and peace as it is still laid-back and not too crowded. For those bringing their kids in tow, there’s the Desaru Coast Adventure Water Park and the Ostrich Farms. If you love nature activities, a trip to the fishing villages in Tanjung Balau and the Desaru Fruit Farm are top options. And then there’s the food. At 40-50 RM or around 10 USD, you can already feast on affordable seafood as the town is coastal in nature. Keep it local and definitely there will be plenty of affordable but decent food options. The race started with a rolling start process in front of The Westin Desaru Coast Resort beachfront. The course is an inverted triangle swim, and in a clockwise direction. The swim was relatively smooth except for some little waves near the shore. Feedback from finishers were the presence of tiny shrimp-like creatures, or planktons. That’s open water swim for you and you will get through that. The last 700m swim back was a hurdle for some, as they were fighting to keep it rightmost on waves that were coming from right to left. From the swim out is a good 200-300 meter jog to the transition area. Another 200m jog from the transition area greets the athletes from where the bike mount area is. The long transition is worth it as this is one of the best bike courses in the triathlon racing circuit in Asia. What made the bike course pop out in this review is two things: First, the roads are silky smooth (as Zohan would say it), almost perfect and immaculate road conditions. Second, the canopy of trees and vegetation is a welcome sight, especially in the Jalan Ladang Siang section. With the sun barely out, the canopy provided shade to the athletes. It is truly a refreshing view. Despite the terrain being rolling and undulating, there is nothing too hard for most trained triathletes, except for a few steep sections. A cassette with 27 or 30 at the back is more than enough. Despite that, the course is not technical and plenty of straight sections can give triathletes time to keep their head down and steady. I thought the course would feature some coastal views, but the roadside view of plants, trees and vegetation does not disappoint. Course was well marked and plenty of marshals and police/security on hand to control the minimal traffic on the course. On my coverage, there was very minimal vehicle-cyclist interaction, and could say that the bike course was almost exclusive to the participants. Another long jog to the transition area greets the triathletes after the dismount area. As with any Siutheast Asian race, it should be hot on the

Desaru fruit farm is indeed a good place to explore. They sell a package while you can try a 20min ATV route, 45-60min fruit tour with guide, and a 6 dishes 1 soup meal made of fruit. Reasonable price and good experience. Good for family or friends.

Here in Kota Tinggi Johor..Although the restaurant seems quite a bit further in a palm oil fields and village..but once u arrived u will be amazed by the floating restaurant and 2 boats where one of the boat provides a firefly adventure..u can see its a big and comfortable boat for u to take and see the firefly at the swamp area nearby..we came in a group of 12 person..the choices of food offered also is variety and very delicious too..I personally loved the tomyam..the fish also marvellous..we had the foods cleared in just seconds..with the price offered worth and affordable..we came early so got the chance to take the table on the boat..and manage to see the other boat take off for their adventure..we had fun and belly fulled..we would come again some day again next time..#tripblazers #urbanexplorer #awesomepic #spooktaculartrip #couplestrip #deliciousfood #foodie #staycation #passionpassport #passionpassport #mytripvlog #bucketlistreboot #featured #featuredtag

📍Desaru Long Jetty Unexpected place while visiting Desaru 🫣 Apparently found a catchy jetty after look around tanjung balau 💖💖 #awesomepic #couplestrip

Vacation MODE 🔛 DO NOT DISTURB 😜 26&27 SEPTEMBER 2020 #familytrip #familytime #triplocal

Flying to Johor Bahru, the airport is overwhelming where I am going to play, Desaru Coast. Desharu's Fruit Garden, the largest tropical fruit garden in Malaysia, you can get a close look at the cold knowledge of various Southeast Asian fruits, as well as rabbits playing ~ being recognized by fans and courtesy, then from Australia And the sports planning expert in Singapore, made the J step guest of the fourth episode of "J Steps in the World" ~ [Desaru Fruit Farm, Malaysia Johor Bahru] #JVlog#

Visited Desaru Fruit Farm in Desaru Fruit Garden, I have seen passion fruit, avocado, jackfruit, breadfruit, carambola, lotus, mangosteen, ginseng fruit, lime, nine-story tower, and have not seen Many uncommon fruits and plants such as Luoshenhuamao, Qianzhijiao, leprosy, cocoa, sorrel, galangal, curry leaves, stevia, and ghost pepper. In addition to full of happiness, you can also eat fruit feast, full of food.

#springitinerary Turns out there's a gorgeous beach just minutes from Desaru that not many people know about! It's called Pantai Tanjung Balau — located at: 1 F Bandar Penawar, Johor Only about a 10-minute drive from the main Desaru public beach! 🚗🌴 At the far end of the beach, there’s a newly built bridge and a cute little pavilion, where all you can hear is the sound of waves and the sea breeze. So peaceful and soothing! 🌊🌬️ You can also explore some amazing geological formations that have been evolving for millions of years! (See pics 2–9) 🪨⏳ The beach is wide and open, and just gazing out at the view is incredibly healing. The sea is crystal clear and that perfect shade of blue 💙✨ There are also stone steps and seating areas nearby where you can chill and enjoy the breeze. 🪑⛱️ Perfect for families, couples, or friends to come take a walk and enjoy some quality time together! #HiddenGem #TanjungBalau #DesaruVibes #NatureLovers #WeekendGetaway 🌊☀️🌴💙

One of the most talked-about cafes in the Desaru area — and for good reason. Yard & Co is popular with both locals and weekenders from across the causeway, thanks to its stunning seaside location, breezy alfresco deck, and clean minimalist architecture that feels straight out of a K-drama scene. We came for a midday treat and were greeted with chill vibes and Insta-worthy desserts. The tiramisu was light and creamy, the chewy milk mochi paired perfectly with roasted peanut and black sesame, and the iced tea was super refreshing in the heat. They also serve hot food and mains if you’re here for a full meal. Do take note though: prices are more on the premium side — think Singapore cafe pricing. A pretty setting does come with a price tag! But for the view and ambiance, we’d say it’s worth the occasional splurge. Tip: come early to avoid the crowd and get an outdoor seat facing the sea. It gets packed on weekends! #DesaruEats #YardAndCo #SeasideCafe #CafeByTheSea #MalaysiaCafeHopping #HiddenGemsMalaysia #CafeWithAView #WeekendGetawayVibes #FoodieFindsAsia

#springitinerary #malaysiatrulyasia #seaside #johor Before the sun fully wakes, Pantai Tanjung Balau hums like an ancient poem whispered by the sea. Located on Johor’s eastern coast, this quiet beach isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling. I arrived before the crowds, when the tide was low and the sky brushed soft pinks against the horizon. The old wooden jetty stretched into the sea like a hand reaching toward memory. Waves curled gently against the sand, and the salty breeze carried the scent of salt and time. There’s something meditative here. Local fishermen cast their nets in near silence. Families strolled barefoot, collecting shells as if gathering moments. The nearby Fishermen Museum, just steps from the shore, reminds you this place is rooted in heritage—real lives shaped by the sea. Pantai Tanjung Balau isn’t flashy or loud. It’s the kind of place where you pause without meaning to, just to listen. To the wind. To the waves. To yourself. And that, I think, is what makes it unforgettable—not just the view, but the stillness it leaves behind.

#springitinerary Hong Gim Coffee, located in Kampung Sungai Renggit, Kota Tinggi, Johor, is a local coffee shop that has gained popularity among both locals and visitors. It is known for its unique atmosphere that combines traditional Malaysian coffee culture with a cozy setting. The café typically serves a variety of coffee beverages, including the popular local kopi (coffee), along with a selection of local snacks and pastries. The charm of Hong Gim Coffee lies in its laid-back ambiance, making it an ideal spot for casual gatherings, breakfast, or afternoon breaks. The establishment may also offer a glimpse into the local lifestyle, with customers often engaging in friendly conversations while enjoying their drinks. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a place to relax and enjoy some local delicacies, Hong Gim Coffee is a delightful spot to visit in Kota Tinggi, contributing to the vibrant food scene of the area. #travel #desaru

#springitinerary A dragon sculpture at the 8 Chinese Temple Village in Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia. The sculpture is vibrantly colored and intricately designed, representing a Chinese dragon. It is located within the 8 Chinese Temple Village, an area known for its various Chinese temples and cultural attractions. The temple village is considered a hidden gem and a popular spot for tourists and those interested in cultural and religious sites. The site offers a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, attracting visitors seeking tranquility and reflection. The 8 Chinese Temple Village is also referred to as Temple Village at Pengerang. #travel #familytravel #kotatinggi #desaru

#### **First Impressions** Just 40 minutes from Johor’s Kota Tinggi town, this **hidden firefly sanctuary** along the **Sungai Johor** is like rowing through a starry sky. Unlike the more commercial Kuala Selangor spot, here it’s just your boatman, the whispering mangroves, and **thousands of synchronized fireflies** turning riverside trees into living Christmas lights. #### **The Good 🌟** ✔ **More Intimate** – Smaller boats (2-4 pax) mean no tourist crowds—just you and nature’s light show. ✔ **Brighter Fireflies** – Locals claim Kota Tinggi’s *kelip-kelip* glow **more intensely** than elsewhere. ✔ **Romantic… Even Solo** – The peacefulness is perfect for solo stargazers or photographers. ✔ **Combo Potential** – Pair with a dip at **Kota Tinggi Waterfall** earlier in the day. #### **The Not-So-Good 🌙** ✖ **Hard to Find** – Poor signage; best booked through homestays/guides (try *Kota Tinggi Firefly Park*). ✖ **No Guarantees** – Rain or pesticides = fewer fireflies (check weather/local reports). ✖ **Basic Setup** – No toilets or proper jetty; you’ll board from a wooden dock. #### **Solo Travel Tips** 📸 **Photography:** - Use **long exposure** (tripod helps, but boats are shaky). - **No flash**—it scares fireflies! 🕗 **Best Time:** **8-10PM** (darker = better visibility). 👚 **Wear:** Dark clothing (minimizes reflections) + **mosquito repellent**. #### **Nearby Detours** 1. **Kota Tinggi Waterfall** – Cool off in tiered jungle pools by day. 2. **Desaru Fruit Farm** – Daytime tropical fruit tastings (30-min drive). #### **Verdict** ⭐ **4.6/5** – A **more authentic** firefly experience than Kuala Selangor, if you’re willing to hunt for it. Ideal for: - **Solo adventurers** who love off-grid nature. - **Photographers** chasing that perfect shot. - Anyone who’d trade convenience for **magical solitude**. **Pro Tip:** Ask your boatman to **cut the engine** mid-river—the silence + firefly symphony is surreal. --- **Final Thought:** Floating through that blackness, with only fireflies and the Milky Way overhead, I forgot I was alone—just me and the universe winking back. *P.S. Visit **new moon nights** for the darkest skies and brightest bugs!*