There are so many things to do across the border – have brunch at a nature-themed cafe, go shopping at Johor Premium Outlets, or conquer one of the hiking trails in Johor. While most of these spots can get pretty packed with people over the weekends, there are still hidden gems in Malaysia with far fewer crowds waiting to be discovered.
We visited one such abandoned jetty in Sungai Rengit. What remains now are giant steel pillars that used to support a jetty to walk out to sea. Thanks to their rusty surfaces, these pillars look like ancient ruins, reminiscent of columns from a Greek archaeological site. Except, you don’t have to fly all the way to Athens to see this; just hop over to Malaysia.
First things first, let’s address where this coastal town in Johor is. Sungai Rengit is basically a 1-hour 15-minute drive west of the JB Causeway. But if you want to skip the checkpoints altogether, there are 2 alternate routes to get to Sungai Rengit.
Image adapted from: Google Maps
You can make your way there via Desaru by first taking a 90-minute ferry from Singapore. It’s then a 30-minute drive from the Desaru Coast Ferry terminal, which can easily be covered by booking a Grab.
Image adapted from: Google Maps
The other route involves taking a 45-minute ferry ride to Pengerang from Singapore, followed by a 20 minute-drive from Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal. The catch is that you must arrange for your own private transport from Pengerang, as local taxis and Grab are unavailable.
If you choose the last option, you’ll pass by Desaru Mini Zoo on the way, which is a kid-friendly petting zoo worth checking out.
Super Lobster Village is one of the highly-rated Malaysian seafood restaurants in the area.
Sungai Rengit itself is known among the locals as a seafood paradise. The town has plenty of restaurants offering fresh seafood at about one-third the rate compared to most seafood places in Singapore. Lobsters and crabs are its specialities, with most eateries featuring these crustaceans in their signature dishes.
Okay, back to the neglected jetty that is slowly becoming a popular photo spot. Although there is no official name for this jetty at the moment, it is labelled “Jomis Old Jetty” on Google Maps, leading us to believe that this was its name back in the day. If you search for either term on the map, you’ll be directed to the right spot.
Now, if you’re driving and don’t mind your car going down a narrow dirt road, then follow the map and drive all the way to the end, where there is an open car park.
Image adapted from: Google Maps
However, if like us you’ve hired a driver, then chances are you’ll be dropped off on the main road near the Sungai Rengit Fire and Rescue Station, and be told to walk in on your own. Don’t worry, it’s less than a 3-minute walk from the main road to the jetty.
From the main entrance of the Sungai Rengit Fire and Rescue Station, turn left where you see a pathway trodden on by many before you.
After about 10m, you’ll reach a clearing, then turn right towards the sea. Voila! The abandoned jetty lies just ahead.
You might spot some locals fishing at the beach.
To get down to the pillars, you’ll have to walk over about 15m of sharp rocks and boulders. Hence, proper shoes are a must. During high tide, the rocks can be a little slippery too, so take extra time to go down slowly and carefully.
We went around 10am on a Saturday morning, and the jetty was as good as empty. There were just a few tourists popping over occasionally to snap a few pics from the carpark itself; not many came all the way down to the rocks.
The sand area isn’t really wide enough to have a proper beach day or a full picnic. But if you’re okay with sitting on the rocks and getting splashed with a little water now and then, pack a snack to chill by the sea after posing for the ‘Gram. Just remember to take all your litter back with you.
Whether you’re looking for a unique spot not far from Singapore to take pre-wedding photos or simply want to populate your IG feed with chio holiday pics, Sungai Rengit could be it. The fact that not many people know about it means you won’t have to fight a crowd to get your perfect shot just yet.
Address: 90, 81600 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
Photography by Doreen Fan.
Cover image adapted from: @cly.1998 via Instagram
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