Tanjung Piai is a National Park in the South-Western corner of Johor. It is not too far away from Singapore, less then an hour from the second link.

 

The park is a mangrove swamp, one of the largest in Malaysia. The habitat stretches along the coast and heads northwards. However, only a small part of the park is accessible. As with any swamp, you cannot expect to traverse it outside the boardwalk area. If you compare the area you can walk around, you would find that the size of the park is perhaps similar to Sungai Buloh, or even smaller by a little.

Most of the park is what you expect to see in a mangrove swamp. Plants suspended by their roots, lots of mud, mud skippers and crabs. Perhaps what is interesting is to notice the changes in the terrain as you walk from the visitor center towards the sea. You will notice less mud, more water and a change in the type of plants.

Tanjung Piai is also home to a large troop of long tailed macaques. These monkeys seems to use the boardwalk as their highway around and always seem to have the look of mischief in their eyes. They also appear to not be afraid of humans. Be wary when passing them as they are aggressive and daring, so do not walk eating as this may trigger a snatch thief or a bite.

An interesting part of the park is the jetty right at the end. There is a sign proudly proclaiming that you have reached the Southern most part of mainland Asia. There are also signs letting you know how far major cities are, perhaps in case you feel like walking or swimming to them.

The park has a small entry fee, double if you are not Malaysian. There is also camping facilities in the park. You will not actually have to camp on the swamp. Instead, there are nice wooden platforms built on the swamp floor. This should provide an interesting and unique camping experience. The park also has an obstacle course which requires some interaction with the environment. Perhaps it is good for students and the like, but not really for leisure, unless you want a mud bath. Other activities around the area includes a paint ball station and some farms. Both are not really walking distance and require a vehicle to get to them.

Overall I think the park is fairly interesting and perhaps should merit a visit, if you can combine it with some other activity in the vicinity or in JB. 

Getting there:

The straight line distance from Singapore is actually not that far from Tuas. However, to drive there, you will need to head fairly far North to skirt around the large river separating the South-West coast from the Second Link.

The best way to get there is to drive across the Second Link. You will get onto the E2 and go past Gelang Patah. Exit at Skudai and head West on Trunk Road 5. You will go through Pekan Nanas (there is a Pineapple Museum here, not really worth your time unless you are a big fan of the fruit and keen to know more about a purplish pineapple species, etc). You will take a right when you reach Pontian (follow sign that says towards Kukup) and head South. You will pass Kukup and right at the end you can enter Tanjung Piai. The last stretch into the park is off the main road, so keep an eye out for the right turn. You can expect a 45 minutes to an hour drive from the Second Link.

Alternative ways to get to the park from the Causeway includes skirt around JB by heading towards Danga Bay and take a left onto Trunk Road 5 at Taman Jaya. This is somewhat confusing so perhaps it is just best to take the Second Link. You could also get one the North-South highway, take a left to the E2 (towards Second Link/Tuas) and get off at Skudai.

Bring the Iguania 4-men Dome Tent when you visit Tanjung Piai