Cool down at the first Splash Fest

Finally, I’m at Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, one of the world’s biggest waterparks now open in Desaru that boasts of a three-acre wide wave pool – one of the biggest in the world – and the first-ever water coaster in the region.

Launch of the inaugural Splash Festival at
Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark

Last year when I received the invitation to its opening in November 2018, I had to decline because I was busy preparing for the launch of my book, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People.

In fact, earlier on while I was at Desaru Fruit Farm to chat with the owners, whose inspirational story is featured under Portraits in my Book 2, I learnt about the park’s pre-opening deals from a family of regional tourists who were having lunch at the next table.

This visiting family from Hong Kong told me about their best-deal package which included the fruit farm tour and the Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark in the next sector of their tour.

Entrance to Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark

After hearing much about the waterpark and missing out on previous invites, I cannot miss this opportunity to join the first Splash Festival, a nine-day fest inspired by the annual Songkran Festival, designed with in and out-of-water fun activities.

I agree that the pleasure of being surrounded by water-themed activities is very welcome especially while we are experiencing such blistering heat in recent days…

As I approach the park entrance, I’m welcomed into the event area to meet with Integrated Theme Parks & Attractions, Chief Executive Officer, Phil Whittaker, the Chief Executive Officer of Desaru Coast, Roslina Arbak, and Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, General Manager, Yusmady Md Yatin.

The ticket counter at Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark

On this bright and sunny morning, with upbeat music blaring and water cannons poised to spray water jets, the excitement goes up a few notches when the family of park mascots join us to kick-start the park’s first Splash Fest, from now till April 21.

Armed with super-soaker water-guns, the festival is launched by Whittaker, Roslina and Yusmady who are shooting water sprays as vertical jets of coloured smoke plumes are fired simultaneously into the sky!

The happy Splash team and guests entering the waterpark

I have come prepared to get wet. While I manage to dodge the worse, I don’t mind the refreshing showers from water-guns and water balloons in the tradition of Songkran, as visitors are welcomed into the park.

My first impression of the park must be the abundance of lush greenery that borders the path on our route to the event area set up at Kraken’s Revenge.

I like how the trees are both tall and leafy to provide shade and natural coolness.

And when I commend Yusmady about the landscaped gardens in the park, he proudly tells me about the kampung concept in the park’s design which is inspired by a local Malay fishing village, using trees and a range of herbal plants that are native to Tanjung Penawar.

The Penawar Falls is the backdrop for the
Swinging Ship ride

He assures me that these trees and bushes will be labelled to share interesting and educational info with visitors who may be unfamiliar with the local flora and fauna.

“Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark has received a positive response since we first opened in November last year and we want to continue the momentum by ensuring the best experience for our visitors,” said Whittaker.

While he did not disclose figures, Whittaker said that park visitors are mainly local from Johor and other states in the country with regional visitors from Singapore and Asian countries including Hong Kong, China, India and Australia.

Meet mascots, Kapten Kassim [Left] and
his First Mate, Komeng [Right]

He said the Splash Fest that features exciting group activities and fun games for the family will be followed by new event attractions in the park at every quarter of the year.

Daily Splash Fest activities planned at various sections of the park include Building a Sandcastle (1pm), Playing Beach Soccer and Volleyball (2pm) at the Tidal Wave Beach and enjoying a Water Balloon Battle and Aqua Zumba (3pm) in the Tidal Wave Pool.

Another group activity is Kapten Kassim’s Treasure Hunt where visitors get to explore the waterpark while they track down the next clues to find their treasure.

At the Penawar Market, visitors can engage in a boisterous Water Balloon Battle or test their skills in Step and Splash, a game to avoid stepping on water ‘traps’ while blindfolded, or accompany young children in the Kids Shooting Can and Kids Fishing games.

As I listen to the exciting activities planned for the Splash Fest, I’m eager to explore for a first-hand experience of the attractions laid out in the five splash-tacular zones in the waterpark.

A helpful park map to help visitors find their way in the park

Escorted by Whittaker and Yusmady, we start our tour from the Main Entrance where three cascading waterfalls on the Penawar Falls, plunge from 13-meter high cliffs as a backdrop to the Swinging Ship, a ride on a replica of a pirate’s ship that arches up to 180-degrees’ pendulum swing in both directions.

We can hear excited squeals from its riders with every swing of the ship and I agree with Whittaker that such happy shrieks are the soundtracks of every successful themepark.

In the Kids Ahoy zone, there are 13 water slides and fun water-play equipment designed in Lil’ Warriors’ Hideout, Scallywags and Starfish Splash, for children to enjoy.

A big splash from the giant bucket above
at the Lil' Warriors' Hideout

I pause to watch the water feature where a giant bucket fitted high up, fills up every two minutes and tips over to splash everyone below.

I like how a bell will chime twice each time the bucket is filled up, to warn – especially those with young children – and have a moment to be ready before being showered by the splash.

I also like how families can relax together as they float along on the lazy Penawar River, a 350-meter long waterway that winds around the landscaped park.

But most of all, I like how the waterpark has safety as a priority.

Park GM, Yusmady, showing us the emergency equipment

Throughout the park, I spot equipped lifeguards situated at strategic stations to keep their eagle eyes focused and alert to respond to any emergencies.

Yusmady tells me that all their lifeguards are trained and certified and the park is equipped with First Aid Rooms and even an on-site paramedic team.

We pause along the route as Yusmady directs our attention a large rectangular box.

He opens its lid to show us a range of emergency equipment that are easily accessible for nearby emergencies.

A family is cruising down the lazy Penawar River
under the watchful eyes of a lifeguard [Right]

With this in mind, I begin to notice similar boxes sited around the park where staff can access the equipment conveniently, should any need arise.

It’s reassuring to know that the park is poised to deal with any unfortunate incident that may occur when visitors are too preoccupied with having fun.

The adrenaline-pumping fun continues at the Tidal Wave Pool where simulated waves mimic how real waves may break on the 170-meter long sandy beach – at 15-minute intervals – but are smaller and safe for everyone.

Since March 2019, the waterpark has been welcoming surfing enthusiasts to join their Ride the Wave surfing sessions in the Tidal Wave Pool.

A view of the Tidal Wave Pool with the
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, in the background

There are private sessions for groups of eight and per-person lessons arranged in schedules that happen before the park opens to the public and after it closes for the day.

From the sound of happy shrieks, I can hear how the excitement continues throughout the park at attractions dubbed Wild Whirl, Super Twister, Riptide and The Tempest.

By this time, I’m ready to take on Kraken’s Revenge, the park’s signature ride and the first-of-its-kind in the Malaysia and the region.

                                        

Swirling (and squealing!) through the flume!

Named after a mythical sea-monster that resembles a giant octopus, Kraken’s Revenge is designed as a roller-coaster and splashing flume ride which can reach speeds of up to 70 km/hour. Wow!

And all this splashing fun is happening right here in Desaru Coast – less than two hours’ drive away from Johor Baru.

So come on over to experience the Splash Festival at the waterpark!

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark is located at Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor. Tel: +607 – 878 3800 or email: info@dcawp.com.

Meet the Kraken at Kraken's Revenge!

Operating Hours from 10am to 6pm daily including weekends and public holidays.

Special Splash Festival tickets are available from the waterpark’s ticketing counters from now till April 21 at reduced rates of RM78 (kids/seniors) and RM105 (adults) only.

Admission for infants and toddlers below three years old, is Free-of-Charge.

For more information on Ticket Prices (one-day or two-day deals), MyKad holder deals and the Johor Splash Pass, exclusively for Johoreans and Johor residents only, visit website: www.dcawp.com