Wahyu Nature Site Camp, Pulau Babi Besar — Island Camping Near Mersing Done Right

The Vibe

Pulau Babi Besar. Yes, that's the actual name. And no, don't let it put you off — this island off the coast of Mersing is one of those hidden gems that most people sleep on because they're too busy booking the famous spots. Wahyu Nature Site Camp sits right here on this island, and it's the kind of place where you actually slow down. Clean air, green surroundings, the sound of waves nearby. Nothing fancy, but genuinely peaceful.

The crowd here leans heavily family and friends group — the kind of trip where people bring too much food, play games until late, and wake up to watch the sunrise over the South China Sea. Not the place for hardcore jungle survival types. This is relaxed island camping with actual facilities. Couples come here too. Raya weekends and school holidays get busy, but even then the vibe stays chill.

They offer both tents and chalets on site, so you can go full camping mode or half-glamping depending on your group's comfort level. Either way, you're close to the beach, surrounded by greenery, and well looked after by the staff — especially the guy everyone keeps mentioning, Fatih (also spelled Fateh in some reviews). Dude seems to be everywhere at once.

Getting There

You're heading to Mersing first. If you're coming from KL, it's roughly 3.5 to 4 hours via the Karak Highway and then down south — take the E8 towards Mersing. From JB, it's about 2 hours up north along the coast road.

Once you hit Mersing town, look for the jetty — that's your departure point. Pulau Babi Besar is one of the islands in the Mersing Marine Park cluster, about 45 minutes to 1 hour by boat depending on which ferry or speedboat you get. Call the campsite directly at 011-1620 1612 before you go to sort out the boat arrangements — don't just show up at the jetty and hope for the best.

Since you're going to an island, you're not driving in. Pack smart — whatever you bring has to go on the boat. Overpacking here is a real mistake. Leave the massive roller luggage at home.

What to Expect

Flat, well-maintained grounds close to the beach. It's not a wild jungle campsite — the area is kept clean and the grass is proper. You're on a small island, so things are naturally quieter than mainland campsites. Sea views from the eating area, trees for shade, and a general sense that the place is actually managed by people who care.

This is a good fit for beginners and families. There's structure here — facilities are in place, staff are around, and you're not roughing it in any extreme way. If your kids have never camped before, this is a solid first island trip. Experienced campers looking for a chilled getaway will enjoy it too, but if you want remote jungle solitude, this isn't that.

One thing to factor in — island weather is its own thing. Monsoon season hits the east coast hard, roughly November to March. Mersing area gets affected too. Outside of that window, you're generally fine, but always check the forecast before committing. Boats don't run in rough seas.

If you're bringing the whole family and want to make sure sleeping is comfortable on this island ground, the TAHAN Panthera Inflatable Sleeping Pad is worth throwing in your pack — 10cm thick with a built-in foot pump and integrated pillow, so everyone wakes up without complaints the next morning.

Facilities

Tents & Chalets

Both options available on site. Tents and chalets are reported to be clean and comfortable. Good to know you don't have to bring your own tent if you don't want to.

Surau

There's a surau on site, which is a big deal for Muslim campers. Solat tak payah susah-susah cari tempat.

Kitchen & Dining Area

Outdoor kitchen and eating area with a sea view. Multiple reviewers highlight this as a standout feature. Cooking and makan time with that view sounds pretty good to me.

Staff

Not a facility per se, but worth mentioning — Fatih gets name-dropped in multiple reviews as genuinely helpful. That kind of hands-on management makes a difference on an island where you can't just run to a convenience store if something goes wrong.

What Campers Are Saying

The consistent theme across reviews is cleanliness and good management. One reviewer who came with family specifically called out how the area is "clean, green, and close to the beach" — which on an island campsite is actually not guaranteed. Some island sites get dirty fast with the salt air and foot traffic. This one seems well maintained.

The surau gets a special mention from at least one reviewer who appreciated it for Muslim guests. Small thing to some, but huge for families travelling with older folks or kids who need to pray on schedule.

Multiple campers single out Fatih (the camp manager) by name as someone who genuinely goes out of his way to help. When reviewers remember your name and write it in a review, that says something. The staff culture here is clearly part of what makes the place work.

One reviewer described the experience as "awesome and adventurous" — which tells me there's more going on than just sitting around. The island itself offers things to explore beyond the campsite. Another painted a more reflective picture, talking about "lost in the beauty of the world" and "remark memories in the most unexpected places" — the kind of thing people say when a trip genuinely surprised them.

And one camper who says she'll "definitely come again" and cited "complete facilities" close to the beach — that repeat visitor sentiment is usually the most honest review you'll get.

TAHAN Tip

Call ahead and sort out your boat timing before you travel. Mersing ferry schedules depend heavily on tides and weather, and on busy weekends, boats fill up. If you're going during school holidays or long weekends, book early and ask Wahyu's team directly — 011-1620 1612 — about the best boat time to catch. Missing your boat slot with a full camp kit is not fun. They've been running trips to this island long enough to know the drill better than any travel site will tell you.

Also, since no electricity is confirmed on site (island camp, managed tents), bring a light source you can rely on. The TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is what I'd bring here — it's rechargeable, doubles as a powerbank, and one unit lights up the whole tent area easily. No need to burn through AA batteries all night.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Pulau Rawa Campsite — another island camp off Mersing with crystal water and coral — worth comparing before you book.
• Endau Rompin National Park — if you're already coming down to Johor, this iconic jungle park is the natural next trip on your list.