Desaru is an accessible holiday destination with extended family since it is a mere two hour* drive away. Deep inside, as parents and children, we all long to build good memories together and reconnect with our loved ones.
But reality often tells a different story—logistical hurdles, financial concerns, and even relational dynamics can make traveling as an extended family feel like an overwhelming task.
Balancing everyone’s needs while ensuring that the trip remains enjoyable for all can be a challenge.
That’s why we feel incredibly blessed to have managed to pull off multigenerational trips with our parents and in-laws.
GIVEAWAY: Stand to Win Family Tickets to ZOOOM by Patch Theatre Worth $200
3 Recycling Adventures: Fun Ideas For Kids & Families
1:1 & Small Group English Lessons: How to Get Personalised, English Help
What started as a simple 3D2N getaway to Penang more than a decade ago has since grown into bigger adventures—including last year’s epic 16-day journey across Northern Europe, this time with our twin preschoolers in tow!
We often joke that these trips are “incentive trips” for our parents and in-laws for “behaving well,” but beyond the laughs, it’s deeply satisfying to see how three families can come together, build stronger relationships, and support one another through travel.
*dependent on traffic conditions
A Laid-Back Escape to Desaru with Kids and Family: Our Recent “Incentive” Trip
This year we opted for something more relaxed—a short vacation to Desaru. With a total of eight people, we hired a private driver and a Hyundai Starex to take us from Singapore to Desaru for around $380 round-trip.
The three-hour journey was comfortable, and traveling together in one vehicle allowed us to look after everyone’s needs. Booking private transport also gave us the flexibility to add stopovers if necessary.
View this post on Instagram
Where We Stayed: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru
Desaru offers a range of accommodations to suit every budget and travel style. For our multigenerational trip, we settled on Hard Rock Hotel—and we’re glad we did.
The rooms were spacious, with king and double bed options that worked well for our family, especially for our aging parents who have different sleeping habits. The connecting rooms were a huge plus too, allowing the kids to run freely between spaces while still giving everyone a bit of privacy.
View this post on Instagram
One of the biggest draws of Hard Rock Hotel is its direct access to the Adventure Water Park. With only a few days in Desaru, this convenience saved us a lot of time. Being able to return to our rooms anytime for a quick rest or change made the experience even smoother.
As hotel guests, we also enjoyed multiple re-entries to the park in a day—great for pacing the day with kids and seniors in tow.
Breakfast at the hotel was another highlight. The spread was generous and varied, with local delights like Teh Tarik and Roti Canai earning special mentions from us.
If there’s one downside, it would be the limited dining options within the hotel itself. There were three F&B outlets—one offering Mexican cuisine, another serving café-style food, and the main restaurant which only had a buffet during our stay (possibly due to Ramadan). The in-room dining menu offered more variety, but it wasn’t ideal for communal meals as a big family.
Thankfully, Desaru has plenty of delicious seafood nearby. We took a short 5-minute Grab ride to Nelayan Seafood, where the lobster and local dishes did not disappoint.
Another night, we dined at Desaru Seafood Corner, which even provides free transport to and from the hotel—making it a fuss-free experience for larger groups like ours.
Activities for All Ages in Desaru
Aside from indulging in seafood, we made sure our itinerary catered to all generations:
Day 2
Adventure Waterpark Desaru
One of the major highlights of our trip and staying at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru made the experience extra convenient. When you book directly via the hotel’s official website, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the water park—a great perk, especially if it’s one of your main activities like it was for us.
Alternatively, if you’re not staying at Hard Rock or want more flexibility, you can check out this site for better ticket deals compared to walk-in prices.
What we appreciated most about the park is how inclusive it is—most of the slides and attractions are accessible to anyone above 110cm, which meant our twin boys could enjoy nearly everything!
In fact, it was a milestone moment for them as they bravely conquered The Kraken—a giant water roller coaster ride that loops, twists, and splashes with thrills at every turn.
For the even more adventurous, there are two massive water slides that are only open to those above 122cm. This is definitely suitable for the older kids and adults too!
Oh, and a little pro tip: the park sells waterproof handphone pouches, perfect for capturing all those moments sliding down with your kids or making a splash in the pool—without worrying about your phone getting soaked.
Whether you’re here for adrenaline or just a cool splash on a hot day, Adventure Waterpark makes for a memorable time with your little ones and your older folks nearby (chilling in the Tidal Tents, of course 😎).
Desaru Beach
One of the most calming and family-friendly parts of our trip was our time at Desaru Beach.
In the late afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll along the coast, soaking in the cool sea breeze and watching the waves roll gently in. The beach may not be packed with commercial attractions, but that’s exactly what made it so refreshing—a quiet, natural space for everyone to enjoy at their own pace.
The kids had an absolute blast just playing by the shoreline, digging in the sand, and catching tiny fish in the shallow waters. Meanwhile, our elderly family members found peace sitting by the shore, taking in the view and enjoying the rhythmic sounds of the waves—a simple pleasure that reminded us how nature often offers the best kind of rest.
While we were there in the day, we heard from locals and other families that hermit crabs come out in the evening, scuttling across the beach under the moonlight! It’s said to be a real treat for the little ones—torch in hand, flashlight beams darting around the sand as they try to spot and catch these tiny creatures.
We didn’t get to try it this time (maybe everyone was too tired from the waterpark adventures), but it’s definitely on our list for next round. Just a heads-up if you’re planning to go: bring a torchlight—the beach gets pitch black at night, and you’ll want to keep things safe and fun.
Such moments may seem small, but they’re often the most magical for children—chasing hermit crabs under the stars and feeling like little explorers. We can’t wait to go back and try it for ourselves!
Day 3
Desaru Fruit Farm
Desaru may be known for its beaches and resorts, but what really surprised us was the range of activities scattered across the coast—from nature and farms to adventure and local culture.
After exploring various à la carte options, we found that the Desaru Fruit Farm offered the most comprehensive and hassle-free tour package.
View this post on Instagram
The all-inclusive tour came with transport to and from our hotel, which made things so much easier for our group of eight. It also included lunch and dinner, and both meals were surprisingly enjoyable.
Lunch was served at the farm itself, where we got to try a number of unique fruit-infused dishes—sweet, savoury, and quite refreshing. Dinner was back at Nelayan Restaurant (yes, again!), and this time it was an eight-course feast with local lobsters—definitely no complaints from anyone at the table.
The farm’s mini petting zoo was a real treat, especially because of the exotic animals they house.
We got to see meerkats, raccoons, porcupines, and even camels—up close! The kids were especially thrilled at the chance to carry a meerkat or pat a raccoon, and honestly, we adults were just as excited.
The ATV ride was something I personally looked forward to, and it didn’t disappoint. What made it even better was the double rider option, which meant our boys could comfortably sit with us and zoom around the orchard trails.
The route took us through different terrains—bumpy paths, grassy slopes, and fruit-lined tracks—which made the ride even more thrilling. It’s definitely one of those unforgettable childhood experiences our boys will talk about for a long time.
We ended the day with a firefly-watching boat ride along the Bujang Mangrove River. It was calm, quiet, and magical in its own way—a lovely contrast to the day’s more energetic activities. The twinkling lights of the fireflies against the dark mangroves created a sense of wonder for both young and old.
One thoughtful aspect of the tour package was that it included a 3-hour break after the morning segment, before dinner and the firefly tour.
We thought that fit our schedule perfectly—it gave everyone, both young and old, a much-needed window to nap, freshen up, or simply relax in the comfort of our hotel rooms. With a full day of activities suited for the different energy levels, this built-in rest time helped keep the day balanced and enjoyable for all.
Pro tip: With Desaru being so near to Singapore, it also sets up the perfect opportunity to connect with other family members who may be travelling in Johor on different itineraries.
For example, my brother’s family was at Legoland the day before, and they simply drove up to meet us for dinner and joined us for the morning segment at the fruit farm.
It turned out to be a meaningful way to gather, reconnect, and share part of the journey together—all while still allowing each family to travel at their own pace, with their own space and style of holiday.
Day 4 Final Stop: Mid Valley Southkey Mall
On our last day, we made a detour to Mid Valley Southkey, the newest and most modern mall in the area. This gave our moms some time to shop for groceries and even squeeze in a quick massage before heading home.
A Personal Reflection
Would our own ideal holiday look like this? Probably not. If it were just the two of us, we’d be hopping from café to café, taking in scenic beauty, or indulging in daily massages. But when we travel with our parents and children, we adjust. The joy of reconnecting, seeing our parents relax, and creating memories as a family makes the little sacrifices worth it.
We know that every family has its own considerations, but if you’ve ever thought about traveling with your parents and children together—start small. Maybe a weekend in Desaru is the perfect first step!
Contacts Provided by @boaysontheloose
Transport to/from Desaru
We booked a private MPV with:
https://www.sgmytaxi.com/
(Rates vary depending on hours and number of stopovers)
All-Inclusive Tour (Fruit Farm + ATV + Petting Zoo + Firefly Cruise)
Includes lunch, dinner & all transport:
https://dff.world/product-category/day-tour-packages/
More information and Desaru reels can be found on @boaysontheloose. Happy planning!
If you enjoyed this story, we think that you will also enjoy this story on things to do in Shenzhen.
