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Johor is now officially home to the country’s latest waterpark, featuring over 20 wet and dry rides, slides, and attractions – and just in time for some year-end family fun, too!
With five fun-filled zones, Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark (DCAWP) is prepared to host more than 12,000 visitors (at full capacity), and is now open every day.
The park also serves as the main attraction for Johor’s newest 1,578.3-hectare (3,900 acres) integrated destination resort – Desaru Coast.
Developed by Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels, Desaru Coast includes a mix of hotels, resorts, conference centre, a 27- and an 18-hole golf course, a retail village, and of course, the adventure water park.
According to DCAWP general manager Jeff Jouett, DCAWP was built with one vision in mind, and that is, “to be the perfect place for everyone to create fun and fond memories”.
The park’s five zones – Penawar Falls, Penawar River, Shipwreck Reef, Tidal Wave Beach, and Kids Ahoy – offer an adventure-filled experience, surrounded by tranquil coastal villages.
The first dry ride that greets you as you step across the DCAWP main entry gate into the Penawar Falls zone is a replica of a pirate ship called the Swinging Ship that can swing up to 180° and is set against towering waterfalls.
The zone also has a high-energy Surf Wall, which is able to fit up to five boogie boarders or two standing surfers. It is also perfect for beginners and enthusiasts to pick up the water sport.
You can also opt to ease into water activities by floating past lush greenery along the gentle waters of the 350-metre-long Penawar River in zone two.
Or else, make a big splash on the Wild Whirl, Super Twister, Riptide, and finally, The Tempest, where up to four people can slide down a 50-foot tube that shoots out a tornado-shaped funnel!
In Shipwreck Reef, the excitement is palpable as you escape the sea monster in Kraken’s Revenge, a ride that will take you up 30 metres followed by a 360° horizontal loop, and ending with a spectacular splash after a 27-metre dive.
Meanwhile, the waterpark’s younger guests can play in the dedicated children’s zone themed Kids Ahoy.
The zone has three separate water playgrounds and 13 different water slides designed with the young in mind.
DCAWP’s signature water attraction is its Tidal Wave Beach. Families can lounge in one of its beachside cabanas along the 170-metre stretch of golden sand, where the Hard Rock Desaru Coast is conveniently located footsteps away.
The Tidal Wave Beach mimics ocean waves of up to four metres when set on maximum, but typically reserves the higher settings for surfing demonstrations.
Jouett says that the park is looking to incorporate surfing demonstrations, morning surfing shows, and surf lessons in its list of attractions.
He adds that there are also plans to hold surfing competitions in the future.
On top of typical theme park favourites like popcorn, cotton candy, and pizza, the park also serves “gourmet-level food”, says Jouett, and boasts five food and beverage outlets.
From a variety of “premo, nice big Australian beef burgers” in River Grill to “Malaysian dishes with a bit of flair” like nasi lemak with soft shell crab in Kelong Eatery, growling tummies are spoilt for satisfying choices.
The Kelong Eatery, River Grill, Octo-Bites, Surf’s Up Juice Bar, and The Galley Snack Bar, each feature specially-curated menus by chef and vice president of food & beverage Zaidinar Mohamed.
Zaidinar says: “Our intention is to get our guests to experience [better food] even though they are in a theme park.”
DCAWP opens daily from 10am to 6pm, with tickets priced from RM90 (children), and RM121 (adult) for a one-day single-entry pass. Johor residents get the added perk of purchasing an exclusive Johor Splash Pass, which entitles holders to 12 months of unlimited entry to DCAWP.
For more, visit dcawp.com.
