Sebana Cove

Taking a journey to Touted as the 'first integrated resort in Malaysia', Sebana Golf and Marina Resort boasts an international gateway for yachts and boats from all over the world while providing the best golfing experience with its green surrounded 18-hole golf course. Its marina remains one of the world's most well known stopping point and the 6,450 metres golf course was rated top five in the Southern region by Asian Golfer Review for three consecutive years from 1997.

According to Sazlin Ahmad, the Group Event Coordinator Executive of the resort popularly known as Sebana Cove, the marina can facilitate around 100 boats at one time and most of the boaters will stay in Malaysia for quiet some time. "Some of them even stayed for one or two years," she said. The marina has 107 berths for boats and five berths for Mega Yachts, equipped with the essential facilities for boats and yachts including electricity, fuel, fresh water and a range of communication services. The natural cove provided a well sheltered protection from rough seas or storms, for a fee of around RM1,500 a month.

To cater the guests from Singapore, Sebana Cove provides a ferry terminal with a three trip per-day ferry service to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore. The terminal at Sebana Cove has a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facility for inbound visitors using the ferry as well as for sailors who berth at the marina.

The isolated location of Sebana Cove has provided perfect serenity for a perfect escapade from the hectic life of the concrete jungle. With a lot of activities offered such as a boat trip along the Sebana and Santi River, there are also fun activities for kids. Sebana Cove's Clubhouse has a total of 60 hotel rooms and 30 two-bedroom apartments. Its Neptune conference room can accommodate events up to 190 participants. Due to high occupancy of all the hotels and apartments, the resort is planning for expansion in the near future. Walking around Sebana Cove,you could see how it is built into a very impressive place for sea travellers to unwind and rest but still be a great home for holiday makers to stay while embracing the nature, not to forget the magnificent sunset with yachts and boats on the foreground.

With such a breathtaking marine real estate, it's no wonder seafarers make their way into our country, hopping off to see the beautiful countryside while taking shelter and refuelling. It's a great leap forward from the days of junk and jonkers plying the sea routes. A different time and a different era, held together by traces of the past in the present stories told by villagers and historians alike.

Some tourists may occasionally be greeted by a wandering porcupine or wild boar as they stroll about the country while others may hear the barks of a hornbill or two during breakfast. Whichever wildlife you encounter, the five days we spent wandering in the historical trails of Greater Desaru, Johor Lama and its vicinity has allowed us to savour the supremacy of the ancient rule in that time, bringing with it, the influence of trade and leaving behind, a legacy to be told to the next generation. We may have left the sites but the record of sounds and sights begotten, will never leave us.