Kukup

Kukup (also spelled Kukup Laut) is a small fishing village at the southwestern tip of Johor, approximately 50 km southwest of Johor Bahru near the mouth of the Pulai River. It is famous throughout Malaysia for its stilt houses, seafood restaurants built out over the water, and its unique Pulau Kukup — an uninhabited mangrove island designated as a Johor national park.

The entire village is built on stilts over the muddy river estuary, connected by boardwalks. Kukup's economy revolves almost entirely around fishing, prawn farming, and seafood tourism. On weekends the village fills with Johor Bahru and Singapore visitors coming for the fresh crab, prawns, and fish. The atmosphere is rustic and photogenic — a classic Malay fishing village experience.

By Plane

Senai International Airport (JHB IATA) is about 40 km northeast (45 minutes by taxi, RM70–90).

By Train

No train station. The nearest is JB Sentral (50 km northeast).

By Car / Road

From Johor Bahru, take the Second Link Expressway south-west to the Pendas/Kukup exit, then follow local roads for 15 minutes. About 1 hour total. From Singapore, cross the Second Link (Tuas) and follow the signs (30 minutes from the checkpoint). No direct public bus — take a bus to Pontian or Gelang Patah and then a taxi.

Kukup is entirely walkable via boardwalks connecting the stilt houses, restaurants, and the jetty to Pulau Kukup. No cars in the village itself — park at the mainland car park.

• Pulau Kukup (Johor National Park) — A 647-hectare uninhabited mangrove island, a Ramsar wetland site. Accessible by 15-minute boat ride from Kukup jetty. Walk the boardwalk through the mangroves, climb the observation tower, and spot mudskippers, crabs, and migratory birds. Entry RM5 (park permit).

• Kukup Stilt Village — The boardwalk village itself is a sight — colourful wooden houses, fishing boats, cats, and chattering locals.

• Fish farms — Floating fish and prawn farms in the estuary; some welcome visitors.

• Sunset over the straits — The view from the western boardwalk across the Straits of Malacca towards Sumatra is lovely at sunset.

• Seafood feast — The main event: choose your live seafood from tanks and have it prepared to order.

• Mangrove boat tour — A ride through the Pulai River mangrove channels to spot monitor lizards, eagles, and proboscis monkeys.

• Visit Pulau Kukup — Explore the national park boardwalk, observation tower, and pristine mangrove ecosystem.

• Fishing — Rent a rod and fish from the village boardwalk.

• Kayaking — Paddle through the mangroves at high tide.

• Kukup Restoran (several along the boardwalk) — All serve essentially the same menu: chilli crab, butter prawns, steamed fish, squid in salted egg, and fried rice. Pick one with the best view. Prices are moderate — a full seafood spread for 2 runs RM60–100 per person.
• Restoran Kukup Seafood — Widely recommended; try their signature crab in egg white sauce.
• Hawker stalls — Fried bananas, otak-otak, and satay at the land-side entrance.
• Fresh coconut — Sold on the boardwalk.

Fresh young coconut or sugar-cane juice are the best options. Chinese tea is standard with seafood meals. Soft drinks and beer are available at restaurants.

• Budget: Kukup Homestay (basic stilt-house rooms, from RM80/night).
• Mid-range: Kukup Holiday Chalet (from RM120/night).
• Upscale: No upscale hotels in Kukup — stay in Pontian or Johor Bahru.

Dried and fresh seafood — dried cuttlefish, ikan bilis, shrimp paste (belacan), and keropok lekor. Local prawn crackers and sambal sauces are also good souvenirs.

• Pontian — 15 km west. Larger fishing town with seafood restaurants.
• Johor Bahru — 50 km northeast. City shopping and Singapore border.
• Iskandar Puteri — 40 km northeast. Legoland and Puteri Harbour.
• Desaru — 120 km east. Beach resorts.
• Tanjung Piai — 20 km south. The southernmost point of mainland Asia (national park with boardwalk).