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Pulau Besar (Besar Island), or Pulau Babi Besar is located just off the East coast of Johor. The only way to the island is by boat from Mersing, a small town which serves as a gateway to various islands off the coast including the famous Tioman Island. Drawn to its serene beach and clear waters, I decided to make the most out of the Labour Day long weekend by booking a 3D2N Package with Aseania Beach Resort, one of three resorts established on Pulau Besar.

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Pulau Besar

Pulau Besar Map Map credits: www.thailandforum.se
Pulau Besar Map
Map credits: www.thailandforum.se

From Singapore, I booked an early bus with The One Travel (or previously known as Five Stars) which departed at 6:45am from Boon Lay Shopping centre. Buses from Singapore to Mersing are very early because they are scheduled to catch the boats/ferries which will depart from Mersing Jetty to the various islands in the afternoon at around 11pm to 1pm.

I booked with The One Travel because it offers direct bus from Singapore all the way to Mersing Jetty. If you are traveling from some other parts of Malaysia, just book a bus that will alight you at Mersing Jetty or Mersing Bus Terminal. From Mersing Bus Terminal, it is only a 5 minutes taxi ride to the jetty. There are also many budget hotels within 10 minutes walking distance from the jetty should you opt to spend one night over at Mersing.

At Mersing Jetty
At Mersing Jetty

Aseania Beach Resort Office
Aseania Beach Resort Office

The journey from Singapore to Mersing Jetty took me around 4 hours. There are lots of resort offices around the jetty and also a food court. There are also a couple of convenient stores there should you need to buy some snacks or beach wears. After checking in at Aseania Beach Resort Office (located within the food court), all you need to do is to wait for the office lady to lead you and the group to the jetty gate for departure.

Waiting for our boat at the jetty
Waiting for our boat at the jetty

Boats departing from the jetty. Each boat carries around 12 people.
Boats departing from the jetty. Each boat carries around 12 people.

Our Cap!
Our Cap!

Day 1

The boat ride from Mersing to Pulau Besar takes about 30 minutes. Once we disembarked at the island's main jetty, we were greeted by friendly staffs who helped us with our luggage. Basically, you can walk all the way to your room without carrying your luggage!

View of the beach from Pulau Besar jetty
View of the beach from Pulau Besar jetty
Really appreciate their luggage service. Literally delivers to your door step.
Really appreciate their luggage service. Literally delivers to your door step.
Cute little huts
Cute little huts
White carpet walk to the resort
On the way to the resort

I booked my stay in Pulau Besar with Aseania Beach Resort, one of the three resorts available in Pulau Besar. I took the 3D2N Fullboard Package which includes 2-way boat transfer from Mersing Jetty to Pulau Besar, buffet meals (2 x breakfast+lunch+dinner) and cozy resort room. Find out why I could not be more delighted to have stayed in Aseania Beach Resort here as I pen down my full review on the resort.

Refreshing Welcome Drinks!
Refreshing Welcome Drinks!

There is no wifi at the resort apart from the lounge area where meals are served. Internet speed was not the best but good enough to send and receive whatsapp messages. Phone reception was also not very good especially if you use roaming like I did. It was perfect for me as I wanted to have a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Resort lounge - the only area where there's internet access
Resort lounge - the only area where there's internet access
Had lunch before checking in to my room
Had lunch before checking in to my room

The resort also offers several add on activities such as island hopping snorkeling (minimum eight people), jungle trekking and Malay spa indulgence. I signed up for the afternoon island hopping snorkeling at the reception and was really fortunate that we got eight people on board! We were provided with snorkeling gears and life jackets and off we go!

Stall renting snorkeling gears (free of charge)
Stall renting snorkeling gears

We took a boat out to 3 snorkeling spots: Pulau Hujung, Pulau Tengah and the back of Pulau Besar. The boatman told us that there is only one resort on Pulau Tengah (Batu Batu Resort) and no resort on Pulau Hujung.

From the left:  Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah & Pulau Hujung
From the left:
Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah & Pulau Hujung

After anchoring the boat offshore and we just snorkeled around the boat. My favourite spot is at Pulau Tengah because the water was the clearest and coolest. As it was my first time snorkeling, I didn't bring my Gopro along to capture any photo or video. The island hopping snorkeling trip took about 3 hours and cost RM65. It was really fun and tiring and fortunately we had a dinner feast awaiting us at the resort. 

Dinner on every Saturday is barbecue buffet. There was endless stream of barbecue chicken, lamb, satay, prawn, grilled fish etc. 

I really miss the food there especially their barbecue dinner!
I really miss the food there especially their barbecue dinner!
Live band singing oldies. Reminds me of Air Supply
Listening to live band bringing back the oldies to cap off Day 1. Their singing reminds me of Air Supply

Day 2

Day 2 began with breakfast by the beach and some jungle trekking. There is a route behind the resort which will lead you up and across the jungle mountain to the back side of Pulau Besar which the Quiet Beach awaits. However, I had to turn back midway through the trekking as I thought it was too dangerous to venture further. There were lots of boulders and the trekking path was not very well maintained and was kinda misleading. If you would like to try, I'd highly recommend to get a guide from the reception and trek it with a group of friends.

Jungle trekking entrance at the back of the resort
Jungle trekking entrance at the back of the resort

Alright it's time to check out the beach! Was fortunate that the weather was really fine and sunny which makes the beach look really good under the sun. The sand was perfectly fine and white and waters was crystal clear. 

Beach volleyball anyone?
Beach volleyball anyone?

Met these girls from my high school STK. Such a coincidence!
Met these girls from my high school STK. Such a coincidence!

Happy faces on the swings
Happy faces on the swings

Along the beach there is also a convenient stall selling beach wears (around RM35 if I'm not mistaken), mineral water and snacks. I also took some time to explore other parts of the island near the beach and found that Pulau Besar has this kampung feel. I was told that there are actually indigenous people living here for generations.

This must be my favourite swing on the island
This has to be my favourite swing on the island

Our luggage carriage
Our luggage carriage

Loving the kampung feel
Loving the kampung feel

Aseania Beach Resort retains the kampung spirit of the island and have their rooms all built in traditional Malay architecture. Here's a sneak peak around the resort.

Nice traditional styled Malay resort
Nice traditional Malay styled resort

My room is the second one from the left
My room is the second one from the left

Now it's time to take a dip into the waters again! If you are snorkeling, I'd recommend to do it near the jetty because there are lots of fish and the corals are richer there. I only found out about this on the day I left so didn't manage to see those cute little fishes.

I should have snorkeled near that jetty!
I should have snorkeled near that jetty!

Beautiful sunset
Let's call it a day with a beautiful sunset

Day 3

My last day on the island was cut short due to expected low tide. We were actually informed in advanced through email by Aseania Beach Resort about this so I was all prepared. Usually boats depart from the island at around 10:30am but due to low tide we were given the options to depart either at 8:00am (boat actually departed at 8:30am) or at 1:30pm. As I need to catch a boat from Mersing to Pulau Rawa later on that day, I chose the earlier slot. 

Put on a smile to cover my heavy heart as we leave the island
Put on a smile to cover my heavy heart as we leave the island
One last glance at Pulau Besar

Goodbye Pulau Besar and Aseania Resort. Will be back soon! 안녕!

Goodbye Pulau Besar and Aseania Resort. Will be back soon! 안녕!

Off to Pulau Rawa!


Fancying a trip to Pulau Besar yourself?

Check out the latest Pulau Besar Package offered by Aseania Beach Resort by clicking the link below!

Pulau Besar Package Here


Getting there:

Location: Pulau Besar, Mersing, Johor

From Mersing Jetty: 2-way boat transfer to Pulau Besar provided by Aseania Beach Resort 3D2N Fullboard Package

Accommodation: Aseania Beach Resort

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Hi, im a singaporean and its my first time planning for an island gateaway! Was looking into going for pulau besar but also interested in just going to pulau rawa to just look around .. isit possible since i was planning to stay for atleast 3d2n on my last day after i checkout in pulau besar i hop over a boat to puau rawa for a day to explore and be back at mersing jetty by the evening time? what do you think? also i am int in going for island hopping and also snorkeling over there but i dont know if i shld stay there for more than a night or i can go for a day trip and then maybe getback to mersing and spend my money on going to the city, KL instead. Atleast i did a day of island hopping but just didnt stayed over at the island. which do you recommend. Also wanted to asked taht the packages stated above doesnt include your daily activities of snorkeling right … and does it goes by room ? or goes by pax. Do reply me bc im keen in planning and need someone hat have been there to answer for me

    • Hi Nurul~ The package rates above is 2018 rates (now the island is closed due to Monsoon Season and will reopen in March 2019). The 2019 rates are not out yet at the moment. Rates are per pax basis and does not include snorkeling activities. I have written to you in email for a more detailed reply with regards to your query above =) Hope it helps!

    • Hi Han Keat! Value for money wise I’d recommend Pulau Besar because it is cheaper and also offers you that white sandy beach. Plus, Aseania Beach Resort at Pulau Besar offers cozy air-conditioned rooms and luxurious buffet food! However, if budget is not your concern, feel free to give Pulau Rawa a try! I think Pulau Rawa is an island that one should visit at least once in his/her lifetime =) It’s simply too beautiful!

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