Batu Batu

Johor, Malaysia

Batu Batu

Marine Eco Lodges

Since june 2020

Batu Batu is a locally owned, all-villa island retreat on the off-grid island of Pulau Tengah in Johor Marine Park, Malaysia. The resort has an ecological ethos and the conviction that tourism can support the preservation and regeneration of biodiversity and local communities through conservation, sustainable management, and operational practices.

Constructed by local carpenters in the Malay vernacular style, Batu Batu opened in 2012. Since then, the team has strived to build an increasingly environmentally sustainable tourism operation, creating positive impacts on nature and communities. Batu Batu founded, houses, and funds Tengah Island Conservation (TIC), a non-profit biodiversity conservation NGO focused on the Johor Marine Park. TIC employs local Malaysian marine biologists and conservationists dedicated to research, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the natural environment. Each guest stay supports TIC’s efforts, linking tourism to nature preservation and regeneration.

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CONSERVATION

Founded and partially funds Tengah Island Conservation (TIC), a non-profit conservation organisation working within the Johor Marine Park, which has released over 27,000 endangered sea turtles, patrols 85 km2, mapped, surveyed, and cleaned 8.1 km2 of coral reef and seagrass, and engaged with over 1500 local schoolchildren.

Committed to preserving nature through sustainable operations, architecture, and management practices.

COMMUNITY

Supports 95 employees by providing a safe, fair working environment, upskilling, training, and capacity building to widen opportunities and increase individual empowerment.

Provides local communities with economic opportunities through hiring and procuring supplies and services locally to reduce economic leakage.

CULTURE

Showcasing Malaysia’s diverse cultures by serving local dishes, using local ingredients, and celebrating Malaysia’s diverse multi-ethnic populations.

Local batik is used for soft furnishings, and local bamboo for fences and screens. Local organic farmers help plant local vegetables in the organic garden. Batu Batu partners with local authorities and academics for projects such as Think City Johor’s biocultural mapping of Mersing town.

COMMERCE

Over 10% of the profit is directly contributed to TIC for ongoing conservation work. An additional per-villa visitor contribution has a 70% opt-in rate among guests.

Co-founder of the Malaysia Sustainable Tourism Network, a sector-led initiative to consolidate and strengthen Malaysia's dynamic sustainable tourism sector.

Batu Batu’s Highlights

Tengah Island Conservation -The Tengah Island Conservation team of scientists and volunteers is based at the Tunku Abdul Jalil Conservation Centre at Long Beach on Pulau Tengah from which they carry out the essential work of coral reef conservation, marine debris management and community outreach and engagement.
Organic Garden - Batu Batu’s organic garden on the island is tended to by our team, and vegetables are harvested regularly for both guests and team members.
The Restaurant - The Restaurant at Batu Batu is the hub and heart of the resort, where guests can have quiet morning coffees while watching the sun rise, or indulge in an evening cocktail or two while taking in the sunset.
Meaning “rocks” in the Malay language, Batu Batu is locally-owned and the 22-villa island retreat on the off-grid island of Pulau Tengah, was constructed by local carpenters in the Malay vernacular style, designed to blend in with the island’s beautiful natural surroundings.