What you need to know about Singapore’s ideal weekend getaway

For Singaporeans, a road trip to Johor, a southern state in Malaysia is a popular weekend getaway. Both countries share a rich history, culture, cuisine, and family ties, as well as a coastal border connected by two bridges. Desaru, a 15+ km strip of beach on Johor's east coast, was once a sleepy and undeveloped location known for its strong waves and good beach, attracting visitors from both Johor and Singapore for picnics, barbecues, and swimming. During the 1980s, basic resorts and upscale golf courses opened up, making Desaru a top destination. However, in recent times, the lack of development and maintenance has led to Desaru being considered outdated and dull.

Recently, Desaru's beautiful coastline has gained renewed attention from international brands and travelers. Popular hospitality companies offer great dining experiences, and the Senai-Desaru Expressway has reduced travel time to over an hour from the Johor immigration area, making the road trip to Desaru even more appealing.

In addition to the stunning coastline, a water theme park and several premium golf courses provide plenty of activities for weekend travelers. The Adventure Waterpark offers thrilling water rides, including a wave lagoon, surfing simulator, and a 360-loop roller coaster, while hammocks strung on the beach provide peaceful spots for daydreaming. Golfers can hone their skills at the Els Club Desaru Coast.

The Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, which opened in late 2019, is the epitome of luxury in Desaru. With over 100 premium rooms, deluxe sea view rooms, villas, and residences, two pools including a beach infinity pool, and specialty dining, it's easy to see why you may want to extend your stay. The one and two-bedroom lagoon pool villas, with their private plunge pool and gazebo, are a personal favorite. After a day at the beach, the private pool and deck offer a relaxing retreat. The Infinity bar, with its tapas, shisha, and ocean views, is the perfect place to unwind in the afternoon, while the Observatory Bar, with 360-degree views of the sea, is a stunning spot to enjoy the evenings.

Anantara Desaru offers a more luxurious experience than a staycation in Singapore. However, if you want to visit Singapore but try a different experience, we’ve got some news for you!

The 10th edition of the Singapore Yacht Show is set to take place from 27-30 April 2023, marking the event's return after a hiatus since 2019. As a prominent port in Asia, the show attracts sailors and luxury enthusiasts with its impressive lineup of yachts and activities, including superyacht cruises, yacht charters, watersports, and more. Get ready for an exciting experience on land and sea. In fact, South East Asia is considered a top destination for yachting, offering sailors breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences. With 27,000 islands to explore, yacht manufacturers, retailers, and brokers have seen a growing interest in large yachts, especially from Asian buyers.

The diverse landscape of South East Asia, featuring black sand beaches, lush rainforests, bustling cities, and secluded coves, is why the region is poised to become the premier cruising destination in the next decade. From Thailand and Vietnam to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, South East Asia offers yacht cruisers a wealth of experiences that cater to every desire. 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for yachting events in the region with the planned international Yacht Shows in Thailand and Hong Kong, and the region's first professional sailing event, SailGP, being hosted in Singapore. These shows will be a showcase of the most extravagant yachts and yachting services across Asia-Pacific.