The capital of the Mersing District in Johore, the quaint town of Mersing sits in the eastern part of the state, connected to the state of Pahang. From its scale, one might think there is not much to do around here, but you may be in for a pleasant surprise.
The town of Mersing has much to do, and there is something for everyone. This list, compiled by SGMYTRIPS, reveals the best of what Mersing has to offer, and you should definitely check out the next time you are in town.
What To Do When In Mersing
- A Green Adventure in the Endau-Rompin National Park
- Fun in the Sun with Island Hopping
- Culinary Delights in Mersing
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A Green Adventure in the Endau-Rompin National Park
Take a walk on the wild side while in Mersing and take a trip to the Endau-Rompin National Park, a protected area of rain forest situated in the north-eastern part of Johor. A 870 square-metre plot of untamed undergrowth filled with lush greenery and exotic wildlife awaits, and visitors get to indulge themselves in a variety of activities.
Please be aware that only certain areas of the park are accessible to visitors, as it is a gazetted national park after all.
For adrenaline junkies
For a start, the adventurous at heart may want to consider the options of rafting, water abseiling, and jungle survival training. Rafting, or more specifically white water tube rafting, is often looked at as the most famous of the extreme sports available here, as many a tourist has resorted to this adrenaline rush of an activity to get their hearts racing, where participants are equipped with their wits, strength, and a paddle to navigate the rushing waters of the raging river while riding a small tube raft.
The water abseiling activity is another test of physical strength and willpower. The rules are simple, as the activity is essentially the same as the regular version of abseiling, except done against the rushing current of a waterfall.
The jungle survival training is another activity entirely, and thrusts tourists into the untamed wild, where they get to learn about survival tips and tricks. Topics such as identifying sources of food and water to basic navigation will be covered on this 3-day 2-night camp.
For wildlife enthusiasts
For those of you who are more into the observing of wild flora and fauna in their natural habitat, activities such as the night safari, jungle trekking/camping, and hill climbing should suit you better. The night safari puts visitors on the back of a 4WD, trudging across the pitch black tropical rain forest, where one may get the chance to scout out illusive nocturnal animals such as the mouse deer, the tapir, and the occasional Malayan tiger.
As for the jungle trekking and camping activity, participants get to experience an authentic jungle borne adventure, filled with the fresh air, roaring waterfalls, and the sounds of nature, as well as the rare sightings of large wildlife such as tapirs and wild hogs.
The hill climbing activity is a little bit more on the sporty side, but nonetheless participants will get a grand view on the top of their destination, where the lush greenery and rolling hills as well as the clear sky all come together in one pristine picture of serenity and tranquillity. Not much stands up to the majesty of the untamed wild of Endau-Rompin.
For people of culture
And last but not least, to those who are looking more towards discovering culture and to see how man and nature come together, a visit to the Orang Asli villages and a fishing trip may suit you well. The orang asli population in the preserve is largely made up of people of the Jakun tribe.
Visitors can opt to stay with the Orang Asli in their villages, such as the infamous Kampung Peta, where they will get the chance to study the local culture, experience local food, and learn about the surrounding wildlife as well as how they live off of it. Your support also contributes towards conservation efforts of the Orang Asli, for the continued sustainability of the people as well as for basic necessities and education for their newer generations.
A fishing trip in the park sounds like the perfect chill weekend getaway with a couple of your best friends, and that it indeed is. The park hosts a number of fish species, living healthy in untainted waters. The fish here come in various sizes, and the experience is promised to be one like never before, being both a test of skill and technique. If you are up for it, you might score your next big catch, one which the story you would want to pass down for the generations to come.
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Fun in the Sun with Island Hopping
Mersing is a hub to the crystal clear waters of the ocean via its jetty, which can take you to the numerous islands located nearby. We listed a few of the best islands to visit while in Mersing to get your fix of salt water fun, the perfect complement to a east Malaysian getaway.
Pulau Tioman
Arguably the most famous island off the coast of Mersing, Tioman Island is a beautiful tropical paradise located very close to the Johor state, although it is technically part of the territory of Pahang. Stretching a 136 square kilometer patch of dry land surrounded by the South China Sea, the island is home to a diverse number of wildlife, from birds to primates, to frogs and fish.
The abundance of wildlife in this area makes it the perfect spot for nature lovers and animal lovers alike, a place where they get to bask in the mystical and wonderful magic of mother nature. The coral reefs surround the island have been lucky, as for the most part they still remain healthy and colorful.
Visitors can take snorkeling or diving trips here to experience the beauty of this underwater garden in front of their very eyes, as well as to get up close and personal with the fishes and turtles that call this place home. The island also hosts conservation efforts to save the turtles, and you may join these campaigns where activities such as beach clean ups and turtle egg protection programs are carried out to play your part in saving the local ecosystem, and along with it, the adorable sea turtles that come to nest in Tioman.
Read more: Best Resorts in Tioman Island
Pulau Tengah
Roughly translated as Central Island, Pulau Tengah, or better known as Pulau Babi Tengah, is a privately owned island approximately 30 minutes away from the Mersing jetty by boat. It is a privately owned island which houses an infamous resort, the Batu Batu, as well as a sea turtle conservation facility.
The Batu Batu resort is one to look out for, as its reputation often precedes that of the island itself, so much so that people refer to the island as Batu Batu over Pulau Tengah. Featuring traditional Malay style carpentry and design, the resort incorporates local culture and embeds it into the essence of the establishment, giving an authentic island experience true to the community behind it.
The grounds of the resort are decked out in tropical touches, complete with coconut palms, gazebos, hammocks, and swimming pools. The resort also offers the choice of a stay in their villas, which are designed with class and elegance, a true homage to the surrounding paradise.
There are also many activities to be had here, such as taking a break for a massage session and pamper yourself at The Spa, tantalizing your taste buds with fine local cuisine at The Restaurant, having evening drinks at The Bar and The Beach Bar, as well as discovering the hidden beautify in the shallows around Pulau Tengah with snorkeling and diving sessions, with proper certifications and trained staff of course.
Take a stroll down the white sand while indulging yourself in the spectacular view of the eastern sunset, feel the ocean breeze running through your hair, and just enjoy the moment while you stay in Pulau Tengah, in the Batu Batu Resort.
Pulau Rawa
One of the many other islands perfect for a quicker round of island hopping due to the geometry and vast majesty, Pulau Rawa is a small rocky outcrop surrounded by turquoise waters and pale sands.
Although considerably smaller than the previous two entries, this island does house a couple of attractions such as a water park of sorts; where visitors can play with slides and have fun splashing into the cool, clean waters of the South China Sea, restaurants serving a variety of local dishes, as well as accommodation in case you fall in love with the amazing beauty of the island and want to stay for a little while longer.
The island is named after white doves, which are found in droves around the island. The wildlife here is also varied and exotic, ranging from colorful reef fishes to colorful peacocks. Climb the steps up to the peak of the island’s cliff, and be prepared for the view of a lifetime.
You may also be interested: Scuba Diving Locations in Malaysia
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Culinary Delights in Mersing
While in Mersing, one must not forget to savour the delicious food they have on offer there. There are a number of restaurants there serving every type of local dish one can think of, but we have filtered the selections and sorted them into the appropriate time slots for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper.
Breakfast at the Sri Mersing Café
We’ll start things off plain and simple here, with the age-old selection of coffee and toast done right. The Sri Mersing Cafe has been serving patrons for allegedly more than 40 years! With that kind of repertoire, you bet your bottom ringgit the coffee and toast served here are authentic and delicious.
The place stays true to its roots, with no flashy new upgrades over the years, and instead opting for a more traditional coffee shop look. A cup of steaming hot coffee paired with perfectly browned toast and a side of half boiled eggs with soy sauce and pepper should perk your ears up, and would be a perfect start for any day.
Additional Information:
Address: 63 Jalan Sulaiman, Mersing Kechil, 86800 Mersing, Johor.
Contact:-
Operating Hour: Daily 8am – 6pm
Site: Sri Mersing Café
Lunch at the Mersing Seafood Restaurant
The first seafood choice of the list, the Mersing Seafood Restaurant serves delicious, local-style seafood dishes freshly sourced from the local fishermen. You can anything from silky, succulent squid to tender, juicy scallops and sweet, springy shrimp. They also serve pork and poultry, so if you’re into that sort of things, you can get your surf and turf on right here.
The wait once you put in your order may be just a tad bit too long, but rest assured good things come to ones who wait. The chefs here have an eye for the little things and a passion for flavor. The time invested here is paid tenfold in delicious, mouth-watering seafood dishes perfect for an afternoon meal.
Additional Information:
Address: No. 56, Jalan Ismail, Mersing Kechil, 86800 Mersing, Johor.
Contact: 07-799 2550
Operating Hour: Daily 12pm – 8 pm
Dinner at the Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
The second seafood choice of this list, the Loke Tien Yuen is an aged establishment with a history of cooking up fine seafood dishes in traditional Chinese, or more specifically Cantonese, flavors. Definitely not just a one trick pony, the restaurant also serves a variety of dishes other than seafood, most notably the sweet and sour pork.
Described by many as akin to grandmother’s cooking, the recipes stay true to their original inception and the Loke Tien Yuen has never seen a drastic change in flavors so rest assured that what you taste is the exact same the elders of the town savored when they were young.
The traditional nature of the establishment also adds to the atmosphere, giving off a sense of nostalgia as you feast on traditional dishes over large porcelain cups of Chinese tea.
Additional Information:
Address: 55, Jalan Abu Bakar, Mersing Kechil, 86800 Mersing, Johor.
Contact: 07-799 1639
Operating Hour: Daily 12.30pm – 3.00am
Site: Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
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Supper at the Restoran Syed Ali
And what better way to end the day than a classic, 24-hour mamak? Restauran Syed Ali serves all the basic mamak fare, such as roti canai and teh tarik, and shout-outs are honorably given to the naan, nasi goring, and maggi goring ayam, which are a must-try.
What makes this place stand out, however, is that it is very close to a local river, and at night they set up tables and chairs by the riverside so that patrons can enjoy the steadily flowing waters.
Additional Information:
Address: Jalan Dato Mohd Ali, Mersing Kechil, 86800 Mersing, Johor.
Contact:011-5603 4420
Operating Hour: Daily 24 Hours
Site: Restaurant Syed Ali Mersing
More about Mersing food: Tantalizing Seafood Restaurants In Mersing
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