🚤 Pengerang Day Trip: Your Guide to Seafood, Scenery & a Seaside Escape (From SG & JB)

Looking for a simple, rewarding day trip beyond the usual JB hotspots? A Pengerang day trip in Johor offers a perfect coastal escape. It’s easy to reach from Singapore and Johor Bahru and known for its incredible seafood and quiet, seaside charm. Welcome to my second post on day trips in Johor, I’m hoping that you have gone on a day trip to Kulai already.

After spending a ton of time in JB, I was looking for something slightly different, a place with a slower pace, a genuine local feel, and a connection to the sea. Pengerang was the answer. It’s a trip that rewards you with fresh air, fantastic food, and a sense of calm that’s hard to find so close to the city.

I’m excited to share how you can plan a fantastic and seamless day trip to this coastal gem. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from transport logistics to the best things to see, do, and, most importantly (as you probably would have realized after reading my blog) eat.

📍 Why Choose Pengerang for a Day Out?

If you’re tired of the crowded malls in JB, Pengerang offers a refreshing alternative. Here’s why it should be at the top of your day trip list:

• Amazing Seafood: This is the main event. Pengerang is famous across the region for its incredibly fresh and surprisingly affordable seafood. It’s a true foodie highlight you won’t want to miss.
• Easy to Reach: A direct ferry from Singapore makes this one of the most hassle-free cross-border day trips you can take on a weekend. No long queues at the causeway, just a relaxing boat ride. Even driving doesn’t take too long from JB itself.
• Coastal Charm: Swap city noise for the sound of waves. Here you can experience a relaxed town with beautiful beaches, cool cafes, and a genuine local atmosphere that feels a world away.
• Unique Sights: Beyond the coastline, Pengerang is home to a serene bamboo forest, a cluster of colourful temples, and even a fun mini zoo, offering a variety of interesting things to see and do.

🚗 Getting to Pengerang: Smooth Travels from Singapore & Johor Bahru

Reaching Pengerang is straightforward, but a little planning goes a long way. Here’s a breakdown of your options.

By Ferry

This is the most direct and scenic route from Singapore, allowing you to bypass causeway traffic entirely.

• Operator: Batam Fast Ferry
• Route: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore) → Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal (Pengerang, Johor)
• Schedule: This service runs on Saturdays, and Sundays only, which is perfect for a weekend getaway.
  • Departure from Singapore: 8:30 am
  • Departure from Pengerang: 4:00 pm
• Cost & Journey: A round-trip ticket costs approximately S$73. The journey itself estimated to be 45 minutes.
• Pro-Tip: Tickets sell out quickly, especially on long weekends. Book your ferry tickets online in advance to secure your spot.
• My opinion: The main concern is price, and costs will build up if you are going in a large group. The other issue is transport after getting there (see below). Nevertheless, it’s the fastest way by far to get to Pengerang, and avoids the Causeway queue. It’s not something I’ve tried myself, but will likely do so someday.

By Car

• Route: The most direct route is via the Senai-Desaru Expressway (E22). Just follow the signs for Pengerang.
• Travel Time: The drive from Johor Bahru city center takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your starting point and traffic. The roads are generally smooth and well-maintained.

A highlight: Sungai Johor Bridge along is a pleasure to drive across, a 1.7km bridge (the longest single plane cable-stayed bridge in Malaysia), with gorgeous views along the way.

Getting Around Pengerang

This is the most critical piece of logistical advice for your trip.

A car or a pre-booked private driver is essential.

Pengerang’s attractions are spread out, and public transport is not readily available for tourists. Ride-hailing services like Grab are extremely limited and unreliable here. To avoid getting stranded at the ferry terminal or being unable to explore, you must arrange your own transport for the day. You can often find local drivers for hire online or by asking for contacts at the ferry terminal upon arrival. (Can’t help with this, sorry!)

🌞 Your Pengerang Itinerary: Craft Your Perfect Day!

Mix and match these options to create your ideal Pengerang day. After arriving around 9:15 am, you’ll have a full day ahead to explore at a comfortable pace.

Morning Kick-Start (Choose 1-2 options, ~9:30 AM – 12:30 PM)

Option 1: Cultural & Natural Wonders

This is a fantastic way to ease into your day, combining two of Pengerang’s most unique and peaceful spots.

Temple Village Taman Bayu Damai

• Start your day with a short drive to the Temple Village in Sungai Rengit. It’s a fascinating and visually impressive cluster of 8 different Chinese temples, each with its own colourful architecture and intricate statues. There are many interesting sculptures for photos if you are keen! It’s a quiet place, perfect for a respectful walk and some great photos. There was a large shelter which sold some local snacks as well as food. I got the freshly fried prawn cake at the recommendation of some Google reviews and it did not disappoint with the chili.
• Link to Google Maps
• Make sure you find out about the etiquette and learn how to better appreciate the art at Buddhist temples before your visit!

Bamboo Walk @ Sebana Woods

• Just a few minutes away is this hidden gem. As you step in, you’re greeted by a serene, natural corridor of towering bamboo that forms a beautiful green tunnel. It’s an incredibly calming experience and a perfect antidote to city life. When I went with my family, we were the only people around (felt slightly eerie despite it being in the morning). A nice place to stroll around and enjoy the peace (and more photographs!)
• Link to Google Maps

Why you’ll love it: It’s a combination of culture and nature that sets a wonderfully calm tone for the rest of your day.

Option 2: Fun with Animals

If you’re travelling with family or are simply an animal lover, this is a can’t-miss.

Desaru Mini Zoo

• While technically in Desaru, it’s just a short and easy drive from the Pengerang area. The entrance fee is 20RM, and you can get up close with friendly animals like alpacas, goats, rabbits, and various birds. I will not spoil too much for you all here – it was a pleasure just exploring and chancing upon more animals.
• For another 5RM you can purchase a collection of feeds, ranging from corn to bread to fish food (they label what type of feeds you can give the animals). A must purchase for a more interactive experience!
• I went with my young cousins and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, forgetting about their phones and tablets for a short while. My grandma enjoyed it too, while she recounted stories of her youth where they had a lot more interactions with animals compared to us.
• There’s an ATV park available at the zoo as well but that wasn’t my cup of tea for that day.
• On Google as of time of writing, the zoo has 4.9 stars with more than 11k reviews!
• Link to Google Maps

Why you’ll love it: It’s a lighthearted, wholesome, and interactive experience that brings a smile to everyone’s face. Expect to spend about 60-90 minutes here.

Other options that I saved but did not have the chance to go: Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm, Desaru Alpaca Farm

Midday Munchies (The Main Event, ~12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)

The Pengerang Seafood Feast

This is what Pengerang is truly famous for, and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

• Head back towards the main town of Sungai Rengit for an unforgettable seafood lunch. The experience at many of these restaurants involves choosing your live seafood, lobsters, crabs, fish, and prawns, directly from the tanks. It doesn’t get any fresher than this.
• Where to go: You’re spoiled for choice here, but two highly recommended spots are Super Lobster Village and Jade Garden Seafood Corner. Both are known for their quality and classic local cooking styles. I went to Super Lobster Village! Had an early lunch so we were the ones here at the start but then it gradually started to fill up. The restaurant was open concept and spacious.
• What to order: The lobster is the undeniable star of the show. Whether you have it steamed, grilled, or cooked with salted egg, it’s sweet, succulent, and worth the trip alone. The chili crab and simple, perfectly cooked butter prawns are also must-try dishes. Honestly I can’t recall much given that I went there last year but I remember the food was good.
• Link to Google Maps

Not a big seafood fan?

• Big Tree Food Corner is a good alternative. This is an old school food court I found randomly on the way to visiting some of the other attractions. Food here is affordable with many options, with great coastal views and you can enjoy the sea breeze while eating.
• Link to Google Maps

Afternoon Adventures & Sweet Treats (Choose 1-2 options, ~2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)

After a satisfying lunch, it’s time to wind down before heading back to the ferry terminal.

Option 1: Beach Relaxation

Pantai Batu Layar

• Make a stop at Pantai Batu Layar. This lovely, clean beach offers a long stretch of sand perfect for a gentle walk. Take off your shoes, feel the sand between your toes, and listen to the sound of the waves – and immerse in the moment. It’s a simple pleasure that feels wonderfully restorative. Unfortunately I ran out of time so didn’t manage to visit this place.
• Why you’ll love it: It’s the perfect place to digest your big lunch and soak in the coastal scenery.
• Link to Google Maps

Option 2: Café & Chill

Yard & Co

• Unwind at Yard & Co, a stylish and minimalist seaside café that has become a destination in its own right, deemed a must-visit by many if you visit Pengerang. With its clean aesthetic and stunning view of the sea, it’s the ideal spot to relax with an iced coffee and a delicious slice of cake. The views were fantastic but the food was so-so to me.
• Tip: Make sure you check out the online waitlist right before you arrive to save some waiting time! The place is usually PACKED.
• Why you’ll love it: The calm, cool vibe is a perfect contrast to the lunchtime bustle and gives you a moment to reflect on your day before the journey home.
• Link to Google Maps

Additional Stops Before Home

Kedai Kek Lim Choo Seng 聚成中西饼店

• Easily the most famous traditional bakery in Pengerang. Stepping in is like stepping back in time. It is a century-old traditional bakery shop currently run by the 3rd generation. I bought some Tau Sar Piahs on the way back to bring home.
• Link to Google Maps

Jomis Old Jetty

• An abandoned jetty in Sungai Rengit and a great spot for photography enthusiasts. I skipped this stop as I had difficulty entering the area with my car – the ‘carpark’ was very very muddy due to the rain earlier. I would suggest to park your car somewhere else and walk towards the jetty (more instructions can be found on the reviews in Google Maps)
• Link to Google Maps

🍽️ Must-Try Pengerang Food: A Checklist

To make sure you don’t miss out, here’s a quick list of essential eats:

• Seafood!
  • Fresh Lobster (Grilled, Steamed, or with Salted Egg)
  • Chili Crab/Black Pepper Crab
  • Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce
  • Butter Prawns
• Iced Coffee and Cake at a Seaside Café
• Prawn Fritters
• Traditional Chinese biscuits, pastries, and snacks

✨ Pro-Tips for Your Pengerang Day Trip

A little preparation ensures a smooth, stress-free day. Keep these tips in mind:

• Book Your Ferry: I can’t say this enough, tickets can sell out! To avoid disappointment, reserve your spot online a week or two in advance, especially for weekends.
• Arrange Your Transport: This is the most important planning step. Book a private car or driver for the day before you arrive.
• Wear Comfortable Clothes: Pack for a hot and sunny day. Light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses are essential.
• Pack the Essentials: Don’t forget sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a portable power bank to keep your phone charged for photos and navigation.

🗺️ Sample Pengerang Day Trip Itineraries

Here are a few ways to structure your day, depending on your interests:

• The Classic Pengerang Day: Bamboo Walk → Seafood Lunch → Yard & Co Café → Ferry Home.
• The Family Fun Trail: Desaru Mini Zoo → Seafood Lunch → Pantai Batu Layar Beach.
• The Culture & Coast Explorer: Temple Village → Big Tree Food Corner → Pantai Batu Layar Beach → Yard & Co Café.

👋 Pengerang is Calling!

Pengerang offers a fantastic and easy day trip with incredible food and relaxing sights. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes the best escapes are the simplest ones. Hope this guide helps you plan your visit and enjoy this wonderful coastal gem!

Have you visited Pengerang? Share your favorite spots or seafood tips in the comments below!
Looking for other places to visit in Malaysia?