Rawa (Malay: Pulau Rawa) is a small, beautiful island located 16 km (10 mi) off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Surrounded by clean blue waters with jungle vegetation struggling for a foothold on the craggy cliffs, the island would have been bypassed by the tourist trade altogether were it not for the soft white sands fringing its western shore. Owned by the Johor Sultanate, the island has been sensitively developed with just two small resorts. For people seeking a secluded, weekend getaway, you can't find a more idyllic location than this one.

Beach south of the jetty on Rawa island

Get in

The only way to get to Rawa Island is by boat, normally from Mersing. From Mersing, Rawa island is a 30 mins speed boat ride or a 1 hour ferry ride. During the peak season (April-October) there are lot of ferries and speed boats moving between Mersing and Rawa, but during the off season there will be just 1 or 2 rides per day. So better check the ferry time in advance and plan the trip accordingly. Ferries and overnight stays can be booked with the resort office on Jalan Abu Bakar in Mersing, or booked in advance.

It may also be possible to come here on the way back from another island, such as Tioman.

If you enter Mersing by motor cycle you may have some luggage and equipment that you do not want to leave in your bike. Rawa resort office, where you buy your boat tickets, is close to the jetty from where boats take you to Rawa. You can leave part of your luggage, helmets and jackets in the office.

When booking your stay you can also book the taxi drive from the major cities nearby (KL, Singapore). The taxi from Singapore should cost SGD 130.

Get around

Given its small size, there is no local transportation on this island. You can walk up and down the beach along the island's western side within 15 minutes. There is also a steep path leading to the peak of the island which takes a similar amount of time to walk. The other sides of the island consist of inaccessible rocky cliffs.

If the sea is calm you may want to rent a canoe and paddle around Rawa Island, for a different view of the island, including cliffs and caves on the eastern coast. The eastern coast should be avoided in bad weather as there is no safe harbour on this side of the island and waves and wind may push you towards open sea.

See

View from the peak of Rawa island to the east

Rawa boasts no monuments, no historical sites, no museums and no tacky tourist traps. The island itself, a small rocky peak surrounded by clear blue sea, is the attraction.

• The beach in front of the resorts has beautiful white soft white sand and azure water
• A little farther offshore sits the living coral reef and a fantastic array of marine life
• A climb up steep steps to the top of the island reveals the steep, craggy cliffs of the island's eastern shore. In the other direction, there are panoramic views towards the coast of Johor, and the other tiny islands of the Johor Marine Park.

Do

• Snorkeling just off the western beach. The resorts rent out snorkeling gear in case you don't carry your own (Le Club Rawa provides snorkeling equipment and life jacket for free, however in limited quantity). There is a coral reef belt stretching all the way north to south parallel to the beach at a distance of about 20-30 m (66-100 ft) from shore. Although there are some dead coral, there are large areas of healthy hard coral growth, and a variety of tropical reef fish. However, corals are deteriotating and diminishing. Beware of jellyfishes.
• Swimming in the clear sea water.
• Beach volleyball is available from both resorts, although it appears to be most popular at the Le Club resort.
• Windsurfing at the Le Club resort.
• Sailing a Hobie cat at the Rawa Safaris Resort.
• Fishing tours can be arranged by the resorts.
• Canoeing in steady and durable plastic boats that you can rent at the resort.
• Taking a nap or Reading under the trees/coconut trees while enjoying the sea breeze.

Buy

Besides a pricy souvenir shop at the Rawa Safaris Resort, there is no shopping on the island, which is actually nice.

Eat

The two resorts each have a restaurant, with hefty prices. At the Le Club, a simple fried rice/noodle costs RM 13+, white rice RM 3+, curry fish RM 28+, tomyam soup RM 25+ and other western food cost more than RM 20+. Rawa Safaris offers buffet style at a high price (although the full board option is available). Buffet dinner is RM 58++. There are no other restaurants on the island.

Normally the grill dinner buffet is served in the open, under the palm trees. Guests are called to dinner with bell chimes. In the dark nights the atmosphere is nice as there never are too many people due to low accommodation capacity. One easily becomes acquainted with visitors from mainland, Singapore or from far away countries.

Le Club Rawa offers breakfast with the choices of toast with eggs or pancake with syrup combined with free flows of coffee and tea (if order a pot).

Drink

The two resorts sell drinks, again at hefty prices. A 1.5 L bottle of mineral water costs RM 7 at the Le Club, several times what it costs on Tioman island or on the mainland. A can of beer at Le Club is RM 10. A can of Coke or 100 Plus cost RM 4+.

Rawa Safaris offers wider choice of drinks, from hard liquor, cocktails to mineral waters.

You are strongly recommended to bring your own drinking water, as both the resorts don't provide any drinking water.

On average, two bottles of 1.5 litres per person per day.

Sleep

There are just two options. Book well in advance, especially at high season

• Alang's Rawa (formerly known as Le Club Rawa) (to the right as you exit the jetty), ☏ +60 123435309, info@alangsrawa.com. Check-in: 2pm, check-out: noon. a small and very relaxed 9-room beach-side resort where everyone walks barefoot and rooms don't have keys. No AC or hot water, but rooms have fans. Water is saline water. Towels, toilet paper and soap are provided. Very good service by a very friendly staff. On weekends the resort turns into one big party, with crowds of good-looking young expats from Singapore cramming 6 or 8 to a room and dancing till the small hours. PRICES SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HIKED RIDICULOUSLY! The rate for a triple room (incl. breakfast) is RM 550 per night. Beach front room (which can accommodate up to 5 persons) is RM500 per night. Romantic A Frame Hut (only accommodate 2 persons) is RM650/night. Extra mattress is RM 50/night (incl breakfast). 

• Rawa Island Resort, ☏ +60 7-7991204 , +60 7-7991205, fax: +60 7-7993848. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A well-maintained resort for those with a budget or inclination to splurge. Full-board rates start at RM 260 per person for a hill-side room in the low season, and go all the way to over RM 600. (updated Nov 2022)

If you stay overnight at Rawa Safaris you may pay your bill in Mersing in the Safari resort office where you buy your boat ticket. It is handy not to carry any cash nor credit cards when staying on the island. Alang's Rawa take only cash, but you can pay via Paypal in advance if you prefer.

Go next

Take a boat to Mersing. The trip should be arranged in advance, best before coming to the island, otherwise through the resort or by yourself by phone.