Mersing is a small coastal village located in Peninsular Malaysia in the Northeast of the state of Johor. The town has a population of over 70,000 people. It is not a touristy town but is the main departure point for ferries to visit the islands of Tioman Island and Rawa Island. What are the things to do in Mersing Malaysia?
Mersing is a small coastal town but the beaches are as good as any other beaches in Malaysia with clear blue water and white sandy beaches. Mersing has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops where you can enjoy the local food. You can also visit the Mersing Marine Park, temples, go swimming, and more.
In this post, we will go through things to do in Mersing Malaysia. Let’s get started!
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Things To Do In Mersing Malaysia
Mersing is not as lively as other towns around Malaysia but it is an enjoyable place to visit for a couple of days if you want to get to visit the Mersing Marine Park, visit temples, and more. There are interesting things to do that will keep you busy for a few days while you are in Mersing.
Here’s our list of fun things to do in Mersing Malaysia.
Go Diving In Mersing
We must say that Mersing has a beautiful and colorful shoreline that is a good place for those who want to go scuba diving. Snorkeling is also a good option.
The local dive shops and local divemasters will tell you everything you need before and during your dive. They will ensure you have the right equipment and that all the safety procedures are followed. As for the diving spot, there is a narrow channel in the town which is a good place to go diving.
Visit Mersing Marine Park Centre
As we said before, Mersing is a small town. It is easy to take a stroll around the place. But, if you want to learn more about the area, just visit Mersing Marine Park Centre. This is an excellent spot where you can learn more about the town.
Of course, that is not the only job of the Mersing Marine Park Centre. As you can see by the name, it also serves as an exhibition hall which shows you marine wildlife.
Do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions related to marine life. The staff at the center will be happy to answer them all.
Explore Hock Soon Temple
If you are looking for something historical in Mersing, then visit Hock Soon Temple. It is one of the most beautiful Chinese temples in the town. This temple was constructed in the Taoist style.
This temple is dedicated to the god of prosperity known as Tua Pek Kong. You can find this temple along Jalan Jemaluang. It is near the roundabout when you come to Mersing.
Relax At Air Papan Beach
Mersing has several popular beaches you can visit. One of them is Air Papan Beach. This place is not far from the jetty. It only takes 15 minutes to get there. Once you get there, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. You will see a line of coconut trees and rice paddies along the coast of the beach.
While walking along the beach, you will feel a cool breeze blowing you. If you want to stay longer, you can find a lot of chalets on this beach. Also, there will be a festival known as Pesta Air Papan.
The locals usually celebrate it every May 1st. At the festival, you will be able to enjoy delicious food as well as interesting organized games.
Explore Sri Subramaniam Temple
Sri Subramaniam Temple is another temple you can visit in Mersing. This place is actually near Hock Soon Temple. You only need to take a short distance to the left side of the temple.
Hock Soon Temple is a Chinese temple in the Taoist style but Sri Subramaniam Temple is a temple for the Hindu community. The temple is dedicated to a certain Hindu deity named Subramaniar also known as Murugan. This Thaipusam-associated deity is a very famous god among South Indians.
Visit Mersing Harbour Centre
Ever since the Sultan of Johor launched Mersing Harbour Centre, the town began a new era. A long time ago, buying ferry tickets was a lot of work. Now the center changed it into a comfortable house for those who want to buy a ferry ticket.
In addition, this center also serves as a Tourist Information Centre. Hence, if you have something to ask either about the ferry or the town itself, you can go to this place.
Furthermore, we can buy some snacks for the ferry trip to this center. And, some souvenir shops are available whenever you want to buy something that could remind you of Mersing.
Eat At Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant
Enjoying the local food is a must thing to do whenever you travel to other countries. Mersing has several restaurants that can offer you delicious local dishes.
Loke Tien Yuen Restaurant is the best one. This restaurant has been in business for over a century. They are still able to deliver tasty Cantonese cuisine.
This restaurant is so popular around the town that it is often full. You may need to wait for a table or you can just make a reservation via phone call before you go to the restaurant.
Xiang Guo Bakery & Cake House
Looking for a dessert? Then go to Xiang Guo Bakery & Cake House. The bakery serves a variety of delicate cakes such as tiramisu or cheesecake.
You can eat them along with a tasty cup of coffee. Besides dessert, they also serve another menu like rice dishes, pizza, Malay-style noodles, etc. The price of their dishes is reasonably priced.
How To Get To Mersing Malaysia?
There is a good selection of ways to get to Mersing. There is no airport in Mersing. The most popular way to get to Mersing is by bus. The bus ticket can be bought online.
Bus Services
Buses are available to take people to Mersing from Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Singapore.
Melaka to Mersing: There are bus services from Melaka(Melaka Sentral)to Mersing. It takes about four to five hours, with departures in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Kuala Lumpur to Mersing: From Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 5 to 6 hours.
Private Taxi
Private taxis are another great way to get to Mersing. Taxi rides are easily available from Johor Bahru, Melaka, and other towns around Malaysia.
The cost can vary depending on where you are traveling from and of course the driver.
Where Is Mersing Malaysia?
Mersing is 136 km northeast of the state capital Johor Bahru and is located on the east coast of the peninsular Malaysian state of Johor.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Mersing is an enjoyable place to visit for a few days as you can enjoy the beach, visit Mersing’s marine park, see the local temples, enjoy the local food, and more. The town is a good place to visit for a few days if you are looking for a less touristy place with nice beaches but it is a quiet town.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Mersing Malaysia has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.