In Johor, along Malaysia's East Coast, are a number of locations favored
by vacationers seeking a more relaxed, nature-oriented holiday environment.
The seas around Johor contain a colorful and fascinating variety of
underwater life and offer visitors a wide choice of activities. Johor's
offshore territory offers respite as well. It consists of a string of
several clusters of small, idyllic islands dotting the South China Sea to
the east of the Malay Peninsula.
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Hotels Johor Bahru |
 Mutiara
Hotel Johor Bahru 
Mutiara Hotel is strategically located in Johor Bahru, adjacent to the prime
commercial and entertainment complexes. The hotel is within easy reach of
the top class golf courses and yet comfortably away from the hustle and
bustle of the city centre. The spacious and tastefully furnished guestrooms
and suites are equipped with the numerous amenities. Wining and dining can
be a wonderful experience at the hotel, where you can indulge in a wide
selection of local and international cuisine. |
Desaru
Desaru, or the "Village of Casuarinas," is a twenty-five kilometer
stretch of sandy beach fringed by caesarian trees. It lies on the south-east
corner of Johor, next to lush tropical forests, and is quite popular with
wealthy Singaporeans and Malaysians. A host of facilities for sea sports are
available in Desaru, including swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing,
windsurfing, water-skiing, and catamaran-sailing.
Fishermen's Museum
Located at the tiny fishing village of Tanjung Balau, this intimate and
fascinating museum displays various artifacts of the region's long history
as a center of the fishing trade, including traps, tackles, and floats. It
also offers presentations of local fishing lore.
Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tengah, & Pulau Besar
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three islands lie in a small group just a short ferry ride from Mersing. The
availability of boats for hire makes island hopping one of the most
enjoyable activities here. The most popular of the three islands is Pulau
Rawa, located sixteen kilometers off the coast. It is a beautiful island
with white sand, coves, and superb clear waters for water activities.
Comfortable chalet-style accommodations are available on the island, and
equipment for recreational water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and
fishing can be hired.
Pulau Besar, just south of Pulau Rawa, is an outstanding dive
destination. A full range of accommodation is available on the island.
Between the two lies Pulau Tengah, an uninhabited island nine miles from the
Malay coast. During the 1970s, the island gained attention as a Vietnamese
refugee transit camp, which was closed in the 1980s. In 1985, Pulau Tengah
was one of the few islands designated by the Malaysian government as a
Marine Park. The island possesses a remarkable abundance of marine life,
including rare species of fish and coral. In July, giant leatherback turtles
emerge from the sea to lay their eggs here.
Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Sibu are the next islands in the string, lying
further south along the Peninsula. Like Pulau Tioman, its world-famous
cousin, Pulau Tinggi has for centuries served as a shelter and stopover for
traders plying the East-West spice route. This mountainous and largely
uninhabited island is naturally endowed with fresh water, a sheltered
harbor, fruits, rattan, and timber, as well as a some very fine beaches.
Tinggi's long coastline of untouched white-sand, dotted with intimate coves,
may seem reason enough to visit. However, the island also owes much of its
fame to the vividly hued coral reefs, teeming with marine life, that sit
offshore. Butterfly fish, angel fish, and black grouper, to name but a few,
make this island an underwater photographer's heaven.
Pulau Sibu is a refreshing hideaway. The island abounds with lush
tropical vegetation and endless stretches of golden beaches, and offers
facilities for snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, and angling. Pulau
Sibu is reached by ferry from Tanjung Sedili.
Pulau Sibu Tengah, located further south along the coast, has been
developed as a rustic resort destination, offering a host of watersports
activities, tennis, and even a discotheque. There is ferry service to the
island from Tanjung Leman.
Two other Johor islands, lying further from the coast, are Pulau
Pemanggil and Pulau Aur. Pulau Pemanggil is a rather large and deservedly
popular resort destination, noted for its abundant marine life and clear
waters. Pulau Aur, a much smaller island to the southeast of Pemanggil, is
famous for its unusual scenic beauty. Secluded lagoons and offshore pools
make Pulau Aur an unparalleled destination for idyllic bathing.
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