Lure of Mersing beaches

The district in Johor is home to some of the country’s best beaches, writes

The sandy beach of Pantai Pasir Lanun.

A view of Kelong Acheh.

WMersing. HEN I told a friend that I would be spending five days in Mersing, his first reaction was: “What’s there?” But five days are not enough to explore SERENE BEACHES

Johor is the only state in the country that has the best of the east and west coast areas — the South China Sea and Malacca Straits. Mersing, a district on Johor’s west, has some of the country’s best beaches.

With the many serene beaches along the Mersing coastline, it is impossible to choose just one.

Other than the famous Air Papan, Pantai Rekreasi near Tanjung Resang is one of the better choices for a picnic. With fine white sands and natural shade under the casuarina trees just 50 metres from the water, Pantai Rekreasi is worth stopping at.

Pasir Lanun fits best those with a love for story and adventure. It is home to many legends and myths. It is believed that pirates used to keep gold in one of the two caves.

ISLAND-HOPPING

Pulau Tinggi Marine Park consists of Pulau Tinggi and 13 other islands surrounding it.

For those who don’t fancy snorkelling and diving, hire a boat and go island-hopping. There are more than 60 islands in the Seribuat Archipelago, off the east coast of Johor, to be explored but they are spread out.

If you island hop from Penyabong jetty, there are many islands to explore. Some islands are privately owned, so do check with the boatmen on the islands you may want to beach at.

You can also hunt for oysters. Many women opt out of deep-water fishing with their husbands and look for oysters — their version of girls’ day out.

Pulau Mawar is famous for its rock formation in the middle of the island. As the island is also accessible from land (during low tide), many go on a nature trail to see the rock. But it is dangerous to walk the trail without a guide.

ROD, TACKLE AND BAIT

I followed my father fishing when I was younger, sitting at a jetty, starring into the water for a sight of a bite but I have never tried it. But today, I decide to try it ... and call it beginner’s luck, I reel in a fish, nothing big but it gives me confidence.

Penyabong Jetty is well-known among tacklers who love fishing. I try fishing from the jetty but the little fishkeep nibbling on my bait and leave my hook empty. So, I try my luck again at the nearby Batu Ayam.

The story has it that a pirate named Tok Jabbar, or also known as Si Kanchung, went to Batu Ayam, an island connected to the mainland by a sandbar, to take part in cock