Kota Tinggi Waterfall

Sadly, Kota Tinggi Waterfall has been closed to the public for a couple of years and there is no sign of it reopening. A recent Google Maps satellite image shows a mining company operating next to the waterfall and they have created a muddy mess, probably extracting sand for use in Singapore's land reclamations. This type of activity should not be allowed in pristine forest areas in my opinion. I leave my old review below so that readers can see what the area used to be like before it was ruined.

Kota Tinggi Waterfall is located 15km from Kota Tinggi town and around 60km from Johor Bahru.

Its proximity to JB means that it can get crowded at weekends and school holidays and it is popular with Singaporeans who don't have many decent waterfalls at home.

This popularity might explain the expensive admission charge compared to other waterfalls in Malaysia.

Entrance to Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort

I went there recently. The short drive from Kota Tinggi town took me through scenic countryside before I reached the entrance gate to Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort.

Here I had to pay RM 10 (per adult) for admission (RM 5 for kids) and RM 3 for the car (MyKad rate).

After parking the car I walked towards the main waterfall past a restaurant, a shop and a Tube rental kiosk.

It was a drizzly Monday morning (not in the school holidays) and there was hardly anyone there except for one coach load of Chinese tourists doing a quick photo stop.

Water slides and pools at Kota Tinggi Waterfall

The tubes (RM 5 rental) are for the two water slides and for playing in the 'natural' pools which have been created by damming the stream.

Steps lead up to a second waterfall at Kota Tinggi

After admiring the main cascade I ventured over to the cement steps alongside the falls leading to the upper level.

Here there were some shallow pools suitable for splashing around and relaxing.

The upper cascade at Kota Tinggi Waterfall

Nets had been slung across the stream at various points presumably as a safety measure to catch people who might be in danger of being washed over the edge of the falls during flash flood time.

At this level I could see a second waterfall, more impressive than the first but there were barriers and signs up preventing visitors from swimming in the fall's plunge pool which, I guess, is dangerous.

How to Get To Kota Tinggi Waterfall

The location is marked on the map on my Top Johor Attractions page.

Once you are near Kota Tinggi town there are plenty of signposts marked air terjun showing the way.

Address:

KM 16, Jalan Lombong

81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Opening Hours

The waterfalls are open daily during daylight hours.

Better to call to confirm the hours as these can change. Tel: (607) 882 9222

Accommodation

Chalets at the Kota Tinggi Waterfall Resort

There is a hotel at the falls called the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls Resort. Its chalets looked in good condition from the outside.

A great place for a nature escape but would I want to stay there? Maybe not - once you have seen the waterfalls and had a go on the slides there is little else to do but if you are in a large group you can take part in some of the hotel's adventure/teambuilding activities.

I noticed some significant earth moving going on just opposite the resort. I hope they are building something which is compatible with the surroundings.