Mersing is nowadays the gateway to several beautiful islands.
It used to be a sleepy fishing village. There are
still many fishing boats on the river, as well as a local wet market and
fishing-related industries.
It lies along the South China Sea at the mouth of the Mersing River. Its
predominantly Malaysian residents live in coastal and riverside fishing villages. There are some local tin-mining
settlements and rubber estates. An embarkation point for the islands
in the Seribuat Archipelago and a
regular port of call on the east coastal trade route, Mersing is linked by road
inland to Batu Pahat and south to Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Daily buses are arriving from Kuala Lumpur, Johor
Bahru, Singapore, Kuantan with tourists. The bus station is at the shopping center "R&R Plaza". That's near the ferry terminal. They hop off the bus, buy
their tickets and are leaving for the tropical islands in the South China Sea.
Near the bus station are also a lot of taxi's they will bring you to Kuantan,
Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or to the nearest train station in Kluang.
Mersing is a relatively small town with several streets and roundabouts linking
the roads, one can just about walk around Mersing town in 1hour. You don't
need a taxi for that.
Local buses are going from another station. They will bring you, for example,
to Tanjong Leman.
In the town you find travel agents, shops,
restaurants (also a KFC). Mersing has a mix of the whole countries main
dishes.
Guest Houses, Hotels offer day-tours that
include visit to rubber plantations, palm oil plantations, etc. Other popular
one-day tour is to visit and snorkel around 4 or 5 of the offshore islands.
In Mersing, there are some, but be alert...not the safest of areas actually
in the city at night.
In spite of what everyone is saying:
Mersing has an airport. It's not so big. It's just an air strip.
Mostly it's used for sky diving. No planes of Malaysia Airlines are landing
there. Even not Berjaya Airlines.
On the photo you can see the air strip very
close to the sea. The length of the runway is only 1200 feet. The name of
the airport is: Mersing Airport.
Mersing Airport
The beach in Mersing is not for swimming. It is dirty (plastic bottles, junk),
shallow and muddy. The nearest beach for swim
is 15km North in "Air Papan". This will cost you around RM15.- to get
there. In Air Papan it's very relaxing and isolated. The beaches are incredibly
beautiful here.
This village of Air Papan is flanked by hills and dotted with many species of
trees and palms. The beach is a popular picnic area where the "Pesta Air Papan" (Air
Papan Festival) is celebrated on the 1st of May each year. This event has always
managed to draw such a huge crowd that the available chalets are almost unable
to contain the demand! The festival is fun-filled with food and games! There are
also cultural performances.
Asides from the Pesta Air Papan, the beach is a
popular spot, drawing lots of visitors to it every weekend and public holidays.
Its clear blue waters is definitely a contributing factor to its popularity.
When the weather is beautiful, you can even see the outline of other
neighbouring islands.
The beach of Air Papan
The ferry's in Mersing are going to:
To Tioman:
passenger boat - slower ferry 11:30 duration 2h
From Tioman to Mersing dep 8:00 (have to stay on Tioman overnight if you
want to use this service) one way
RM25
speedboat
- 7:30,
13:00 duration 1.5hrs.
From Tioman 10:00,15:30 one way RM30
To Pulau Besar:
(not to confuse with the other Besar island offshore
Melakka), departure 12:00
(from P.Besar 10:00)
ow RM25, rt RM50
To Pulau Rawa:
Private island owned by the resort. Accommodation from
RM100 (sb,f,d)
dep12:00 (from P.Rawa 10:00) Book ahead boat fare might be included in the
accom. fare
In Mersing is a Seri Malaysia Hotel (best
Hotel in town), Timotel and a Embassy Hotel.
There are 3 backpacker style
hostels, some rent-a-room style hotels (only 2 rooms in a family's house)
and many Chinese style hotels.
Travel By Road
1. Driving from Johor Bahru or Singapore
to Mersing (138 KM)
Access the Tebrau Highway and
proceed to Kota Tinggi
Estimated travel time 4-5 hours
2. Driving from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing
(399KM)
Kuala Lumpur - (access the Karak
Highway) Temerloh - Kuantan - Pekan - Kuala Rompin - Tg. Gemuk -
Mersing
Kuala Lumpur - ( access the PLUS
Highway ) Seremban - Bahau - Muadzam Shah - Kuala Rompin - Tg.Gemuk -
Mersing
Estimated travel time 4-5 hours
3. Driving from Kuantan to Mersing
(199KM)
Exit from Pekan 'Royal' Town and
follow the signboards to Kuala Rompin town, where you will be
able to continue Tg. Gemuk and Mersing
Estimated travel time 2 ½ - 3
hours
4. Driving from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing
(399KM)
Kuala Lumpur - (access the PLUS
Highway) Sg. Besi TOL - Exit Air Hitam - Kluang - Kahang - Nitar -
Mersing.
Estimed travel time 4-5 hours.
Car Park services are available at
both Tg. Gemuk and Mersing jetty.
Parking charges are at around RM 7 Night inclusive of security.
Changes to fares and time schedules are at the
discretion of the bus/coach operators.
Fishing Bay Resort
Each of the 30 rooms at this fine 3-star hotel feature superior amenities. Included in all rooms are hair dryer, coffee/tea maker, television, refrigerator. Meeting facilities, coffee shop are some of the extra comforts you'll find at this Mersing hotel.
Unwind after your day with a choice of water sports (non-motorized) - just a few of the hotel's excellent sporting and leisure offerings. Guests seeking that perfect blend of attentive care and modern convenience will find it at this lovely hotel.