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Hallooooo it’s been a long long looooong while and I’m back. Now that the nasty virus seems to be in the rear view mirror and with most countries lifting travel restrictions we can all look forward to travelling again and the world, as the saying goes, is our oyster.
I’m planning nothing too ambitious, just a two night, one day trip to Poseidon Oysterbay.
And right off the bat, here’s my first tip:
#1: How to book?
Poseidon Oysterbay is rather hard to book, especially during peak periods. I had to contact them about 6 weeks in advanced. In addition, they do not have a website, just a very outdated Facebook page, email and a WhatsApp number. They are very responsive on WhatsApp though so that was our main mode of communication.
- Poseidon Oysterbay Resort Facebook page: https://facebook.com/Poseidon-Oysterbay-Resort-567691460079391/
- Email: poseidonmy@gmail.com
- WhatsApp: +60 19-269 9566
#2: Is it great for couples or family?
The resort has two, three and four bed rooms, all with air conditioning and attached showers.
However, the amenities are very basic. Bring your own toothbrush and towels because they aren’t provided. The rooms are clean but it is definitely not 4 or 5 stars accommodation so… no, it is not ideal for a romantic getaway. I mean, yeah there are oysters but unless a fishy kelong is your idea of romance, I wouldn’t recommend it. But if you do, I won’t judge, whatever floats your boat.
I would recommend this kelong for groups (they can accommodate up to 50 people) and it was much better and more fun.
#3: Costs and how do I pay them?
When I booked in October 2022, the costs are:
- Weekdays (Mon-Thur excluding public holidays): RM250
- Friday and Sunday: RM280
- Saturday and public holidays: RM330
- Christmas, New Year: RM380
- Top Grade Package: RM530
- Child below 4: Free, 4-6 Years: RM60, 7-12 years old: 50% of adult price
- Minimum booking of 6 adults so your booking may be rejected if they can’t find enough people especially if you are booking a very off-peak period.
Thankfully, they have a Singapore UOB account and would gladly convert into SGD for you using the best prevailing exchange rate (even better than money changers). You have to pay a 50% deposit and the balance when you checkout.
Activities include fishing (you can rent their rods for a fee and they can sell you some prawn meat as bait), canoeing (also for a fee), and there’s a mahjong table (free) and dart machine. I brought my own rod as well as board and card games to play with my friends and family.
“Check-in” time is 2pm, as in, they will pick you up in a boat from the ferry at that time. Check-out is 11am the next day. If you were slightly earlier like I was, send them a message and they were happy to send a boat out at 1pm for us.
A lot of food is provided so you don’t have to worry about going hungry. Tea is usually fried baby oysters and noodles and is provided at about 3pm. A very full dinner consisting of hotpot, some BBQ items and raw oysters is at 7pm, and supper is at 10pm. Breakfast the next day starts at 7:30am.
#4: What to bring?
It is only 2 days and 1 night and you don’t really need that much clothing. Besides, you will be taking a small boat to get to the resort, so you don’t want to struggle with a luggage while getting on and off.
That said, you need to bring your own toothpaste, toothbrush for your pearly whites and towel.
#5: What time should I set off?
I say this of EVERY trip into Malaysia on the weekends and public holidays, set off early. You would be very sorry to assume you are the only person hoping to bust out their dusty luggages and expired travel-sized toiletries and get back to travel. And for those who forgot that you need a passport to travel… yeah well, make sure that it has a 6-months validity. Finally, if you are driving in like we always do, set off and try to reach the checkpoint before 6:30am. Yes, yes, it IS an early start but come on, surely you already can’t wait?!
I recommend stopping by somewhere on the way like Gelang Patah for breakfast and to kill some time.
If you find that you are still too early for the ferry to the resort (2pm), you can drop by Desaru Fruit Farm or the Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm.
We went to the crocodile farm, it was crowded and there wasn’t much food other than snacks. Next time I would visit the fruit farm instead, but honestly I would rather be looking at crocodiles than being stuck at the causeway jam looking at other cars.
#6: Parking where?
Well, I’m glad you asked! I went with a party of close to 30 people so we travelled in a bus this time. However, if you are driving, you can park at the Teochew Association building carpark for a small fee, it is RM10 a night.
#7: What is there to do at Teluk Sengat?
In a very small nut seashell, not much. Other than the crocodile farm, there is also a museum of the local Malays called the Lama Museum which is pretty close to the pier. There are several hometown restaurants which serve fresh fish but don’t expect shopping malls and Michelin-star restaurants.
We went to this restaurant called Teluk Sengat Seafood Restaurant and it was quite good. The fish and seafood were really fresh. It is also very close to the jetty and you can have lunch before you go and have lunch again after you return.
Teluk Sengat Seafood Restaurant: 58 Jalan Belanak, Teluk Sengat, 81900 Ayer Tawar Johor Malaysia
#8: Will I get seasick?
Good question! Generally no. Sometimes you get waves from a passing boat and it rocks a little but the kelong is located at an estuary and it floats rather calmly most of the time.
That said, if you get sick, the sea is not too far away!
To summarize…
Plan early, go with people that you would mind being stranded on a remote island with (it is a kelong so it is pretty similar), bring basic necessities and take time to enjoy the sunset and sunrises.
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