Ferry services to and from the Malaysian beach destination will be doubled over the holiday weekends.

Based in Singapore? Chances are you’ve heard of Desaru Coast, a cluster of resorts and attractions along a 17-kilometer stretch of golden sand just across the border in southeast Johor. Now, the more than 1,600-hectare leisure destination will be extending its year-end ferry services to meet demand over the coming school holidays. Daily return Batam Fast Ferry services from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal are set to run from Thursday, December 15, 2022 to Monday, January 2, 2023.

Ferries will depart Tanah Merah at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Desaru Coast at 10 a.m.; the return journey is scheduled from 5:30–7 p.m. Over the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday weekends (December 24, 26, 31, and January 2), an additional service will leave Tanah Merah at 1:30 p.m. and dock at Desaru Coast at 3 p.m. Travelers bound for Singapore can choose to board the ferry for a midday departure at 11:30 a.m. to reach Tanah Merah at 1 p.m. Ticket prices for a return trip are S$118 per person, while a one-way ticket is priced at S$70.

Return ferry tickets are included in five new “daycation” packages for holidaymakers seeking a quick getaway from Singapore. The Golfer’s Day Out (RM688 nett) experience delivers one round of 18-hole golf at The Els Club Desaru Coast’s Ocean or Valley Course, while the Out-in-Nature Mangrove Tour (RM598 nett) promises a three-hour guided small-boat cruise through the mangroves with Langkawi-born adventure operator JungleWalla. Both packages also include a three-course lunch at Big Easy Bar & Grill in The Els Club. Families will get to splash out on a full day of fun at the Adventure Waterpark (priced at RM398 nett per person).

Desaru Coast’s year-end “daycation” deals can be booked until December 15 via desarucoast.com, and must be redeemed on or before January 2, 2023.