Need A Quick Getaway? One Of The World’s Largest Waterparks Is Only A 2-Hour Drive From S’pore

It’s the school holiday season so you know what that means!

Time to pack your bags and take your family on a road trip because one of the largest waterparks in the world is opening in Desaru and it’s only a 2 hour drive from Singapore!

https://www.facebook.com/DCAWP/videos/1095250830642267/

Get Your Splash On

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark opens 15 November 2018 and we are not exaggerating on how amazing this waterpark is turning out to be.

Set against the backdrop of a traditional Malay fishing village, Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark is home to 5 playing zones and over 20 wet and dry rides, slides and attractions. There’ll never be a dull moment in the sun!

desaru coast adventure waterpark

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect once the waterpark officially launches on 15 November:

1. One Of The World’s Largest Tidal Wave Pools

Holding more than four million gallon of water over nearly three acres, the tidal wave pool is a zone on its own! The Tidal Wave Beach is one of largest wave pools in the world with some of the world’s biggest man-made waves. Yes, waves that reach up to 3m in height!

[caption id="attachment_38120" align="aligncenter" width="1293"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_38121" align="aligncenter" width="868"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

For that reason, everyone is required to wear a life vest and are not allowed to cross beyond a marked line.

Guests can relax in luxury and enjoy the wave pool views from the Beachside Cabanas, or lounge along the 170-meter-long sandy shoreline of Tidal Wave Beach. But honestly, who cares about the beach when there’s an amazing wave pool to dip in.

2. Water Slides Designed For Kids

Remember when you weren’t allowed on most rides when you were younger due to the height requirements?

Well this waterpark designed their rides with kids in mind. In addition to the standard water play structure, complete with mini water slides and giant splash bucket, there are also water slides specially designed for younger kids. So they won’t miss out on all the fun!

[caption id="attachment_38118" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

The slides are scaled down to a small version so that kids can have a go at it.

[caption id="attachment_38123" align="aligncenter" width="960"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

Kids Ahoy is a dedicated children’s zone with three separate age-appropriate play areas filled with water play equipment and a combined total of 13 different water slides designed for our younger guests. This zone is a splashing favourite for the waterpark’s younger guests.

3. Rollercoaster Flume Ride

We’re most excited for this ride!

[caption id="attachment_38117" align="aligncenter" width="1080"]desaru coast adventure waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

The Kraken’s Revenge is a combination of a roller coaster and splashing flume ride that takes you up 30 metres above ground and spinning through a full 360º horizontal loop, followed by a diving 27-metre drop. Riders can reach speeds up to 70km/h as they plummet to a splashing finish.

4. 4 Signature Water Slides To Increase Your Adrenaline Levels

Head over to the left section of the waterpark to ride the 4 main crazy water slides that will sweep riders at the steepest angles and fastest speeds giving an unparalleled feeling of weightlessness.

[caption id="attachment_38126" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_38127" align="aligncenter" width="1673"]esaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Image Credit: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Facebook[/caption]

Ride with friends and see them scream their lungs off.

5. Learn How To Surf

For those who want to surf but too lazy to travel all the way to Bali, ride the waves at Surf Wall – a safe and high-energy surf simulator where surfing beginners or enthusiasts can catch and ride a radical artificial wave.

[caption id="attachment_38131" align="aligncenter" width="1222"] Image Credit: @amir_alkautsar[/caption]

Take Us Away!

Desaru is known for their pristine beaches and resorts. If you’ve never been, here are some suggested ways to get there!

By Car

Driving to Desaru takes around 2 hours from Singapore Checkpoints via Senai–Desaru Expressway. Do remember to prepare your Touch N Go card to pay toll when entering Malaysia.

Paid parking is available next to the waterpark. However, if you do intend on finding a hotel to stay for the night, the nearest option is Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast which is located just next to the waterpark. Other resorts near to the waterpark are Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort (Desaru Coast) and Sand & Sandals Resort & Spa which are located a 5-minute drive away.

By Coach

Coach from Singapore available at Singapore Flyer. Round trip tickets from S$36.33. Visit HERE for more info.

By Ferry

You can also book a 30 minute ferry ride from Changi Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal in Kota Tinggi for $26. The tickets can be easily booked online at DirectFerries.com.

Do note that Desaru is still a 30-45 minute ride away from the ferry terminal, so do check for alternative transportation that will bring you there!

Can this new waterpark rival our Wild Wild Wet or Adventure Cove?

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark
Address: 
Desaru Coast, No. 4 Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar,  Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours:
Thurs – Sun: 10am – 6pm, park closed from Monday to Wednesday
Admission Prices: 
Adult RM151 | Child (below 12 years old) & Senior (Age 60+) RM113 | Toddler (below 3 years old) FREE
Website

Also Read The Flower Dome Is Decked With Disney Tsum Tsums And Over 8,000 Poinsettias For Christmas

(Header Image Source: Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark)

We Tried Glamping For The First Time And It Was As Awesome As It Looks

If you own a Tumblr or a Pinterest account, you’ll probably have seen picture of glamping – large, spacious tents furnished with stylish bedding, cushions, and accessories.

For those of you who are coming across the term ‘glamping’ for the first time, it’s a combination of two words that typically don’t go together: ‘glamourous’ and ‘camping’. Like the term suggests, glamping is camping with a chic twist.

Now, this Instagram-worthy trend is available on our very own Singaporean shores!

With Glamping Society, you won’t have to move a muscle – all the heavy lifting is done for you. Everything is set up nicely for you, so all you have to do is bring your own clothes, toiletries, and entertainment.

Here’s what went down during our 2 day 1 night glamping experience at East Coast Park.

Our 2D1N Experience At East Coast Park

[caption id="attachment_27728" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Three tents with a gorgeous sea-facing view[/caption]

Because a total of 20 of us were glamping, Glamping Society gladly accommodated our request to have 3 tents. While each of the bell tents can accommodate up to 6 people, we felt that the main tent (the most spacious tent) was big enough to fit 2 or 3 more people comfortably – you just need to bring your own extra sleeping bags.

When we saw the tents fully set up, we were impressed by how pretty it was.

[caption id="attachment_27729" align="aligncenter" width="635"] The main tent[/caption]

The plush cushions, fairy lights, buntings, and overall bohemian look provided the perfect setting for hipster Instagram photos that’ll make your friends green with envy. There was even a big flamingo float in the main tent! While it was pretty random, we have to say it made for some pretty cool photos.

[caption id="attachment_27730" align="aligncenter" width="634"] One of the smaller tents[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27731" align="aligncenter" width="634"] Another one of the smaller tents[/caption]

While the two smaller tents didn’t match up to the main tent in terms of decorations, it was still comfy and welcoming with amenities like airbeds, cushions, a fan, a mini bar, and a cute picnic basket.

We were pleasantly surprised by the snacks and chilled drinks provided. Unlike the mini bar of a hotel, you won’t have to pay extra for consuming the goodies they’ve provided. Another treat we didn’t expect was the working fan – a clever touch that ensures it doesn’t get stuffy in the tent!

Thankfully, it wasn’t as hot as we thought it would be. The only thing some of us were really bummed out about was that no towels were provided, so we couldn’t bathe. (Glamping Society has stopped providing towels due to the constant damage.)

[caption id="attachment_27733" align="aligncenter" width="476"] We brought our own card games like Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, etc.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27735" align="aligncenter" width="635"] We also had a BBQ at the nearby BBQ pit, which we booked here[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27734" align="aligncenter" width="635"] We also brought a guitar and sang songs![/caption]

In all, we had a lot of fun barbequing, playing card games, and lounging on the airbeds as we stayed up all night talking.

The location of our tents offered pretty views of the sea and this was the beautiful view we woke up to:

[caption id="attachment_27737" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Are we still in Singapore?[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27736" align="aligncenter" width="635"] The morning skies[/caption]

Verdict

Taking into consideration factors like comfort, aesthetics, space, amenities, and cleanliness, here’s what we loved, what we didn’t love as much, and a couple of tips for you to keep in mind for your own glamping adventure!

Things We Loved

[caption id="attachment_27738" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Romantic lights when night fell[/caption]

What we loved most about our experience had to be the pretty decorations. They made for pretty photos and gave the tents a romantic, cosy atmosphere at night – great for heart to heart sessions with friends and even better for cuddling with your partner!

We also loved that the main tent was spacious enough to fit all 20 of us. A refreshing alternative to a hotel staycation, it was definitely a unique experience for all of us. We also liked that snacks were provided – these came in very handy when we were hungry in the middle of the night!

Things We Didn’t Love As Much

While our experience was great for the most part, we wish the two smaller tents were jazzed up a bit more. A flashlight would have been a handy addition to the amenities, especially since it was quite dark out at night. Another issue we had was that the air beds deflated with time, but at least they provided us with air pumps that made it easy to re-inflate them.

Tips To Make The Best Of Your Glamping Experience

1. Check out the map before deciding where to set up camp

We stayed at Area G, which is very far away from the main hub of East Coast Park.

While this might mean peace and quiet away from crowds, you won’t be able to find any food near you. If you pick this location, make sure you bring plenty of snacks and drinks to avoid going hungry or thirsty!

Also, consider where the public toilets are when picking your tent location. You don’t want to have to walk a distance when you need to take a leak in the middle of the night. So, make sure you check out the map before deciding on where to set up camp to ensure you get the most ideal glamping spot!

2. If you intend to have a BBQ, book pits in areas D and G

If you intend to have a BBQ party while glamping, you can request for your tent(s) to be pitched near certain BBQ pits. Just note that the official camping sites are areas D and G, so be sure to book the BBQ pits in those areas.

[caption id="attachment_27739" align="aligncenter" width="635"] BBQing with a view[/caption]

3. Zip up your tents before settling in for the night

If you’re not a fan of bugs, zip up your tents fully before settling in for the night. You don’t want to have to deal with a cockroach entering the tent at 3am in the morning like we did.

4. Bring your own entertainment

While Glamping Society provides plenty of luxurious amenities, you’re in charge of creating your own fun. Bring card games, portable speakers to blast your favourite songs (Glamping Society also no longer provides speakers due to constant damage), a guitar, and good company for a truly fun time!

[caption id="attachment_27726" align="aligncenter" width="635"] We had fun![/caption]

In all, we had a blast glamping. The tents were pretty, clean, spacious and sleeping arrangements were comfortable – at least for most of us. A totally unique experience, this is definitely something you should try at least once in your life!

To book a tent for yourself, check out their website here.

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