Quick getaways are great for family bonding! (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
Whether it’s the school break, a public holiday or any other weekend where you feel like you need a short trip to escape from the daily grind, quick getaways are always great to help you relax and recharge.
But what if you’re not a fan of travelling by air? Or your heavily pregnant wife is advised not to fly towards her last trimester? Maybe you’re not keen on bringing your tiny baby onboard a flight just yet? Or you just can’t find a good deal on airfare but desperately need to go on a family vacation?
Don’t sweat, because we have found five fantastic destinations near Singapore which are accessible by land and sea – which is perfect for those who have a fear of flying!
LEGOLAND Malaysia is just 10 minutes’ drive away from Singapore! (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
You’ve heard about this exciting new theme park opening up just across the causeway from Singapore and you’ve longingly looked through your friends’ photos posted on social media about their fun-filled holiday at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort over the weekend – but have you actually been there yourself to experience all the exhilarating rides with your family?
A lot of the exciting rides and cool features are interactive and hands-on. (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
Interactive fun
With over 70 thrilling rides, exciting slides, entertaining shows and attractions, you can expect a fun-filled hands-on experience here and your kids will thank you for bringing them on this cool interactive adventure.
Be amazed by the seven themed areas of attractions which are suitable for all ages, including the impressive Miniland which is a recreation of well-known Asian landmarks (including our beloved Merlion) that are built out of more than 30 million LEGO bricks.
Cool off from the heat at the LEGOLAND Water Park, which is the largest in the world with more than 20 exciting rides and over 70 amazing LEGO models!
You can relax while floating down the Build-A-Raft River, frolic in the water with your tots at the DUPLO Splash Safari, or get your heart pumping as you swoosh down the numerous thrilling water slides.
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has something for everyone! (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
Exciting features for all ages
Little ones five years and below can join in the fun too at the spacious DUPLO Playtown; be your mini co-captain as you navigate your boat through the water at the Boating School; or try their hand at driving a pint-sized car at the Junior Driving School, amongst many other cool rides.
Older kids can show off their strength at the Kids Power Tower as they scale up to the top to catch a glimpse of the theme park from above; watch some fascinating 4D shows at the LEGO Studio with a good variety of titles to choose from; or brave the high-speed (and wet!) LEGO Technic rides.
Mum and dad can grab this opportunity to blow off some steam and have some great fun too by braving the wild and crazy Project X ride that is 18 metres high; ride to the peak of a volcano at Dino Island and scream your lungs out as the ride plunges down into the water below; or conquer your fear of flights as you twist and turn on the heart-racing roller coaster ride called The Dragon.
Your kids will have the times of their lives staying in the fabulous LEGOLAND Hotel! (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
Complete your experience
One day is definitely not enough to fully explore all the fun rides and features at the theme park and water park, so check yourself in to the super cool LEGOLAND Hotel which offers fantastic themed rooms such as Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure, that will be sure to delight your children and complete your family’s holiday experience.
As soon as you step through the awesome dragon-guarded entrance, you’ll be impressed by all interactive LEGO features, themed play areas, kid’s entertainment, friendly and professional staff and the beautifully decorated family restaurant which has a wide selection of delicious food so you can power up before heading out for more fun and adventure!
LEGOLAND Malaysia has something for everyone and is a great holiday destination for one of your quick getaways which will forever be etched in your family’s fond memories.
You will be sure to have a memorable time with your family at LEGOLAND Malaysia. (Image source: Facebook – LEGOLAND Malaysia)
How to get there: If you are driving there in your car, go by the Tuas Second Link and proceed to Iskandar Puteri EXIT 312, where the large LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort signage will lead you right to your amazing destination!
There is also an express bus service from Singapore straight to the resort from the Singapore Flyer or Big Box at Jurong East ($20 per person for two-way coach transfer and travel insurance).
Or you can also opt for the public bus from Jurong East and Boon Lay to bring you across the causeway.
Website: www.legoland.com.my
Where else can you go with your family for some quick getaways by land or sea? Go to to the next page to find out!
Unplug from the hectic outside world and retreat to nature at Telunas Private Island and Beach Resorts. (Image source: Facebook – Telunas Resorts)
Telunas Private Island and Beach Resort
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and go back to nature either at the private island for a romantic weekend, or the beach resort for a relaxing family vacation — Telunas Resorts is the ideal destination to add to your list of quick getaways!
From the incredible beaches, great personal service and breath-taking views, you’ll soon forget about replying work emails, and your kids will also learn to have fun without relying on electronic mobile devices.
Sun, sand and sea villas
Spend a night or two in a spacious overwater sea villa to soak in the magnificent balcony views of Sugi Island, and enjoy the various activities available such as getting a personalized massage treatment right on your own private veranda, have a dip in the breath-taking infinity pool, navigate your way through the nature path, go on an adventure while sea kayaking, and many more activities!
Don’t worry about ever going hungry here because a buffet style meal is served at regular times daily which includes delicious desserts or fresh tropical fruit — kid-friendly options are also available for your little ones to enjoy, or they can even become a mini chef for the day by creating their very own pizza right by the beach in a hand-made clay oven.
How to get there: Book an international ferry from Harbour Front Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Sekupang, Batam (Indonesia) and upon your arrival a friendly Telunas Resorts team member will meet you after the immigration check point.
From there, he will bring you on a fun boat ride in a traditional wooden longboat (which is a modified and comfortable Malay fishing boat) past all the mangrove forested islands, all the way to the beautiful Telunas Resorts.
Website: www.telunasresorts.com
Pretend to be a mermaid for the day as you go snorkelling or scuba diving under the sea
Rimba Resort, Sibu Island
If you’re looking for another gorgeous destination to add to your list of quick getaways, Rimba Resort on Sibu Island is the perfect place for family bonding where you can have fun learning how to dive in the crystal clear water when you sign up for a crash course in scuba-diving, or just swim your worries away while you go snorkelling and spot all the lovely marine life around you.
Other amazing activities you can try out include fishing for your own supper, kayaking by yourself or together with your partner, floating on rubber rings along the shore, jungle trekking like a wild adventurer, an energetic game of beach volleyball, or reading a good book by the beach which you borrowed from their own personal library!
Ideal for lovebirds
If celebrating your union as husband and wife at a hotel or void deck in Singapore is not really your cup of tea, you can choose to hold your wedding there on the gorgeous beach, or whisk your significant other away for a romantic anniversary treat as you are pampered by the personal service there.
Touted as the “best kept secret”, you will forget that you are still in Southeast Asia when you step inside the Kenyan style village with 21 charming seafront chalets, with the option of upgrading to the larger Family Chalet for those who decided to bring the tykes along too, or the more private and lavish Honeymoon Suite which offers a few extra frills for your comfort.
How to get there: You can arrange for a private van to pick you up right from your doorstep in Singapore to bring you over to Malaysia.
You will then be transferred to a quick boat ride across the clear blue waters straight to this paradise in the middle of the sea.
Website: www.resortmalaysia.com
Keep reading to see where else you can travel to for fun quick getaways without having to fly!
Penang ESCAPE Eco Park is perfect for thrill-seekers and those young at heart. (Image source: Facebook – ESCAPE.MY)
Penang Escape Eco Park
The Founder of ESCAPE, Mr Sim Choo Keng, grew up in a kampung (village) and understood the value and fun of playing outdoors in the natural environment, so he set up this Eco park which is like no other — there are no roller coasters or other conventional theme park rides, but instead allows families to get back to nature and have fun without any modern distractions.
If you are game, you can even camp out in the jungle in tents beneath the twinkling stars at BASE CAMP, where you can experience the night outdoors, cook up a scrumptious BBQ, and just have back-to-basics fun with your family and friends.
Fun in the great outdoors
Try out your balancing skills on the challenging rope course, glide through the air as you zipline above the ground, zoom downhill on a tubby tube, pretend to be Tarzan and Jane as you swing from tree to tree, or get your heart racing on the thrilling 3 Sixty swing!
Kids won’t miss out on all the excitement as they can try the fun Go Bananas rope course, do somersaults or cartwheels through the air at Jumpin Jack, let their inner monkeys shine by joining the Coco Climb challenge, have a race on a human-powered Zoom Bug, or pan for hidden treasure at Discovery Dig which is reminiscent of Malaysia’s mining industry back in the day.
How to get there: Hop on a luxury bus from Singapore to Penang and once you reach there, you can catch a free Rapid Bus to the Eco Park, which is a joint Green Initiative by ESCAPE & RAPID Penang.
Website: www.escape.my
Step into paradise when you go to the beautiful Batu Batu Resort for one of your quick getaways. (Image source: Batu Batu Resort)
Batu Batu Private Island Boutique Resort
Nestled on a rustic private island paradise, there is a hidden treasure amidst tall coconut groves, fine powder white sands and cool tropical breezes — this magical place is known as Batu Batu, and is the only development on this completely uninhabited island.
Nature-lovers and those who care about the environment will be pleased to know that Batu Batu has recently started focusing on exciting new conservation projects, one of which is the Turtle Conservation and Hatchery programme, Turtle Watch Camp, with the ultimate goal to increase sea turtle populations around Malaysia.
Child-friendly features
Worried about your little one not having the comforts of home during your quick getaways? Put your mind at ease because this resort is child-friendly and offers great services and extra options including:
- Baby cots
- Children’s annexe in the one-bedroom villas (with bunk beds)
- Baby bathtubs
- Potties
- Baby food purees available (by request only)
- Kiddy meals
- Bottle steriliser (available at the restaurant)
- Diaper changing mats
- Child-friendly DVDs (available from the Front Desk)
- Children’s Play House equipped with a modest selection of toys
- Babysitting services (only available with prior request and subject to availability)
How to get there: The island is only accessible by Batu Batu’s 20 minutes speedboat ride from Mersing (Johor) in Malaysia and they can also recommend you taxi companies who will provide transfer services from Singapore.
Website: https://batubatu.com.my
Wherever you decide to go for your short vacation, we hope that these top destinations will be added to your bucket list of quick getaways for that perfect romantic time with your partner, precious bonding memories with your family, or fun relaxing holiday with your friends!
Have you been to these fun places before? Do you have any more great suggestions for quick getaways without having to fly there? Tell us by leaving your comments below!
