HER Voice

This trip was hosted by JETCO (Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office, Singapore) as part of their Media Tourism Exposure Familiarisation Programme 2026. All views, opinions, and honest mum reflections are entirely my own.

Sometimes, the best family holidays aren't the ones that take you halfway across the world. They're the ones that give your family the chance to slow down, reconnect, and simply be present with one another.

When JETCO invited us to experience Batu Batu Island in Johor, I expected beautiful beaches and a peaceful island escape. What I didn't expect was watching my four year old conquer his fear on his very first boat ride, rediscovering my own love for the sea, and coming home feeling like we'd experienced something far more meaningful than just another holiday.

If you're looking for a family getaway from Singapore that doesn't involve a long flight or a packed itinerary, Batu Batu Island might just be the reset your family needs.

HER Story

Getting There: Asher's First Boat Ride

Our journey to Batu Batu Island began with a boat ride from Mersing Jetty.

For Asher, this wasn't just another mode of transport. It was his very first time on a boat.

He clung tightly to me one moment, unsure of what to expect, then burst into laughter as the boat gathered speed and the mainland slowly disappeared behind us. Watching him swing between fear and excitement reminded me that this is exactly what a "first" feels like when you're four. Those emotions don't cancel each other out. They simply exist together.As parents, witnessing these little milestones often becomes just as memorable as the destination itself.

First Impressions: An Island That Welcomes You Home

The moment we arrived, the Batu Batu team welcomed us with genuine warmth. Within minutes, it felt less like checking into a resort and more like arriving somewhere that invited us to slow down and breathe. Then the island took over. The sea was the kind of crystal clear blue you usually only see in postcards or holiday photos. Standing there, I felt something shift inside me.

Before becoming a mum, the beach was one of my favourite places to be. Somewhere along the way, life became busier, motherhood became fuller, and I realised it had been a long time since I'd simply stood by the ocean without rushing to the next thing. For the first time in a while, my shoulders relaxed. My mind quietened. I hadn't realised how much I needed that.

Before heading to our villa, we spent some time at the guest lobby. There was complimentary WiFi, daily snacks for guests, and thoughtful little touches that immediately stood out.Towels, sand play toys, floats, and other essentials were all provided, which meant one less thing to squeeze into our luggage. Parents travelling with young children will understand just how valuable those small conveniences can be.

Family Activities: Simple, Intentional and Just Enough

Batu Batu Island isn't packed with endless attractions. And honestly, that's exactly what makes it special.

If your idea of a holiday is slowing down instead of rushing from one activity to another, you'll appreciate the simplicity here. Families can enjoy activities such as snorkelling, paddle boating and scuba diving, but the real luxury is having enough time to simply enjoy each other's company.

Snorkelling with Asher

I'll admit I was nervous about bringing Asher into the sea. As any mum would, every possible worry crossed my mind. Thankfully, my husband has completed multiple water safety courses through his work, so I trusted his experience completely. Throughout the activity, the resort's lifeguards also kept a close eye on us, giving me even greater peace of mind.

I do want to make one thing clear.

Bringing Asher snorkelling was our personal decision because we had an experienced adult supervising him every step of the way. Batu Batu Island does not encourage children to participate in water activities without proper supervision, and neither do we. If you're travelling with little ones, always prioritise safety over adventure.

This moment was the most magical and, the best part to me. It was watching Asher overcome his fear.

After those first hesitant moments in the water, he was the one asking to go back into the sea again and again. As his mum, seeing that confidence grow right before my eyes became one of my favourite memories from the trip.

Paddle Boating

We also spent some time paddle boating together as a family. By then, Asher was already exhausted from the day's adventures, yet somehow the excitement kept him going. Sometimes children don't remember every activity they do on holiday. They remember how much fun they had doing it with the people they love.

The Kids' Tree House

One unexpected highlight was the island's dedicated kids' tree house. Filled with books, toys, art materials and a television, it gave Asher his own little space to unwind after spending hours outdoors. As parents, we appreciated having somewhere he could enjoy quietly before winding down for the evening.

Rediscovering Nature Through a Child's Eyes

One of the biggest gifts this trip gave us wasn't luxury. It was perspective. Living in Singapore, Asher doesn't often get the opportunity to experience nature quite like this.

He became fascinated by giant ants marching across the ground, watched tiny crabs scurry across the rocks, and asked endless questions about everything he saw. To many adults, these might seem like ordinary moments. To a four year old, they were unforgettable discoveries. When we returned home, he proudly shared stories about the trip with everyone, including his teachers and classmates.

Seeing the island through his eyes reminded me that travel isn't always about seeing more places. Sometimes it's about seeing familiar things with fresh wonder.

The Beauty of Ordinary Life

One of my favourite memories wasn't inside the villa at all. It was sitting quietly by the beach, enjoying the sun and sounds of waves, also just let time pass by quietly with my family. And somehow, that was enough.

Maybe motherhood has changed not just the way I travel, but also the things I appreciate. These days, I don't feel the need to squeeze every attraction into one trip.Instead, I find myself looking for slower mornings, meaningful conversations and places that simply give our family room to breathe.

A Quick note on our Itineary

Our original schedule had an early hike planned for 7am on our last morning. However, between an island stay and travelling with a young child , we made the call to skip it and let ourselves (and Asher) sleep in a little instead. No regrets. If hiking is on your list when you visit, it's there for the taking, but I want to make it a point and intentional that I do not need to need to do everything on the itinerary to have a full trip.

Our last day in Johor

Lunch, Kampung-Style at Ucu Selera Kita

Before the river cruise, we stopped for lunch at Ucu Selera Kita. If you're after a taste of how locals actually eat in this part of Johor, this is it. It's a proper open-air kedai makan: a zinc-roofed hall, red plastic chairs, and a self-service "layan diri" system where you pick your dishes and pay straight at the counter. No frills, no fuss, and honestly, all the better for it.

The spread they laid out for us was the kind of family-style feast built for sharing. We have whole fried fish, crispy sotong goreng, a fragrant curry loaded with siput (snails), a rich fish head curry, ulam-raw greens with sambal belacan on the side, and a few kerabu-style salad dishes I hadn't tried before. It's not a menu you order from so much as one you dig into together, plate by plate, in the middle of the table. I had my first virgin experience of trying to 'suck' out the snail, I regret not taking any photos of it because I think I look so hilarious.

For me, this was the meal that summed up the whole trip best. I truely enjoy the cultural experience of the local. This area is clearly made for big, noisy family tables rather than solo diners. If you're travelling with kids, the casual kampung-eatery setup also makes it easy to relax; nobody's fussing over spilled rice here.

Back to Mersing: Handicrafts & Keropok

We checked out of the resort and took the boat back to Mersing Jetty, then made a couple of stops before lunch. First was D'Jetty and Souvenir House, a good introduction to local Mersing handicrafts and tourism merchandise if you're after something to bring home besides sand in your shoes.

From there, we visited Galeri Keropok (Keropok Haji Puteh), where we got a peek at the traditional keropok-making process up close. It's the kind of small, local industry that's easy to miss if you're only passing through Mersing on your way to the islands, but worth the short stop.

Local Flavours & a Heritage River Cruise: Our Last Day in Johor

After the calm of Batu Batu Island, our last day in Johor brought us back to the mainland for a final round of local flavours and one more boat ride before heading home, and this time, a much gentler one along the Kota Tinggi River.

Kota Tinggi River Cruise

The highlight of our last day, though, was the Kota Tinggi River Cruise, another boat ride! And by this time, it was clearly Asher's favourite part of any day's itinerary. This boy really took to boats on this trip, and I loved watching him light up every single time we boarded one, especially knowing it's not something he gets to experience much back home in Singapore.

Onboard, we were treated to a hi-tea spread of local Malay food and kuih, and I have to be honest, this glutton mummy could not get enough of it. I think this was the first time in a long while I let myself properly indulge, no guilt attached. Asher was right there with me, eating just as enthusiastically.

Beyond the food, cruising along the river gave us a proper heritage briefing on the area, which felt like a fitting way to close out a trip that started with heritage back in Johor Bahru. More than the food or the boat ride itself, what stayed with me was that this was genuinely local, genuinely cultural. It is the kind of experience that doesn't come around often, and one I'll always be glad Asher got to be part of, however young he still is to fully appreciate it.

From Kota Tinggi, it was the journey back to Johor Bahru and across to Singapore. We were tired, well-fed, and full of stories Asher would go on to tell anyone who'd listen, and I'm sure his teachers included. Travelling with young kids may not be easy for this visit but it's definantly worth it.

Three days, a heritage complex fresh off its reopening, a private island most people only see in photos, and a small boy collecting "firsts" the entire way through. This trip, made possible by JETCO, reminded me that a proper family reset doesn't have to mean a long-haul flight or an elaborate plan. Sometimes, it's just a short crossing away, in a state right next door.

If you missed the rest of the journey, catch Part 1 (our heritage morning in Johor Bahru) or if you're keen to plan your own trip through Johor, reach out to us for the itinerary. We'd love to help make it happen for you.

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