There are a lot of things to say about Rawa Island or Pulau Rawa, and “boring” is definitely not one!
Along the Straits of Johor, about 16 km away from Mersing town, lies a big and beautiful island called Pulau Rawa. Known as the Maldives of Johor (or Pearl of an island), Pulau Rawa, otherwise known as Rawa Island, is a popular tourist spot.
Well, that is not without good reason: lovely white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, great views of the sun, sea and hills – there’s so much to love about this gem of an island.
You may have heard people mentioning about Rawa Island Johor, but you may not have much idea about what is there to do on the island, or you know, whether the island is even an interesting place to visit despite reading Pulau Rawa review online. Not to worry – let us convince you with a list of 10 awesome things to do in Pulau Rawa Johor just for you, so you can judge the place for yourself!
1. Stay and pamper yourself at the Pulau Rawa resorts
Pulau Rawa has only two main resorts on the island, namely Rawa Island Resort and Alang’s Rawa. Rawa Island Resort is a more luxurious accommodation where you will be in for a relaxing treat with their spa and pretty, comfortable rooms, whereas Alang’s Rawa is the choice for you if you are holidaying on a budget.
Regardless, both accommodation offer about the same kind of warm hospitality and equally delicious variety of food. Buffet meals are usually included in their Pulau Rawa package deals. All you need to do is just stay and pamper yourself at any of the Rawa Island hotels – you deserve it anyway!
2. Swim, swim, swim!
Pulau Rawa is famous for its clean, clear waters, and swimming should be one of the must-do things on the island! Take advantage of the cool and refreshing waters the island has to offer – it does not cost you any fee, and all you need is just your swimming costumes and good coverage of sunblock.
Why, just surrender to the waters already!
3. Snorkel and Scuba Dive like you never before
Snorkelling and scuba diving are without a doubt among the most popular things to do in Pulau Rawa.
Treat yourself to an amazing snorkelling experience surrounded by a wonderful variety of fish and marine species. You can choose to have guided snorkelling and diving sessions if you are not familiar with the activity. You can even take the PADI courses here from Orca Scuba, rated to be a five-star PADI scuba diving centre.
Make the most out of the beautiful waters at Rawa Island with plenty of snorkelling and scuba diving like you never before!
4. Kayak solo or with friends
If you are a fan of exercising your arm strengths while enjoying the lovely sea view, this is an activity for you! You don’t get the chance to kayak much unless you are on an island holiday or visit the beach often, so why not do it here?
Rent a canoe and take your time rowing along the sea. To spice up the activity by a notch, consider having a kayak competition if you are travelling in a group – that’s also a great thing to do if you are organising a team-building event!
5. Stroll along Rawa Island Walk Trail
Source: 1step1footprint.com
Vacations are the time for you to wind down and relax, and Island Walk Trail on Pulau Rawa serves as a great calming thing to do. Take a stroll along the trail and treat yourself to lovely views of the sea and hill flora. You will also get a clear view of the three other islands close to Rawa Island, which are Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Hujung.
Island Walk Trail connects you the Jungle Trekking path at the end of the walk, and if you want more walking and exercising, we encourage you to take on the jungle trekking route!
6. Jungle trek at Hill Top View
Pulau Rawa is quite a small island and you can easily jungle trek to the top of the hill. The reward that awaits you at the end of your hike is the splendid view of the South China Sea – something you shouldn’t miss while holidaying at Rawa Island.
The trek takes less than half an hour and you will be well guided with the signboards placed to lead you on the right track. The top of the hill also serves as a good Instagrammable spot for social media junkies. And if you happen to be there in the evening around 6 plus to 7 PM, you get to watch the sunset!
7.Go for BBQ nights!
Well, who could resist good food? Not even us for sure! And surprised to say, Pulau Rawa is an awesome place to enjoy having BBQ nights, especially since you get to munch on a great variety of dishes and sweet treats while revelling in a tranquil setting by the sea. Feel free to eat to your heart’s content on the island! The BBQ party which is held on Saturdays is a large one seeing most travellers will tuck in their meals there. You can also chill at any of the two bars on the island if you need some booze.
In the midst of food galore, who knows, maybe you could even meet someone with the same makan interest like you as your new makan buddy!
8. Camp along the beach
Feeling a bit more adventurous? You could consider staying cooped up in tents and camp for the night (or nights) along the Pulau Rawa beach rather than the conventional resort hotel stays.
Imagine having the cool sea breeze sweep over you and waking up to the gorgeous view of the sea and white sandy shore – it’s truly an amazing experience that you can only get when going on an island vacation. Not only that, camping allows you to feel closer to nature, which is good for finding your zen and reflecting on life and dreams.
9. Play the Rawa Slide
The Rawa Slide is one of the best attractions on the island and that is not unusual, considering it is a fun giant slide that provides you with a just-enough adrenaline rush before you land straight into the clear blue waters.
There are no other better chances to unleash your inner child within than going on the Rawa Slide. It may look scary for first-timers (don’t worry, it’s actually safe) but once you try it, you would probably want more though!
10. Explore the flora and fauna of the Rawa Island
Pulau Rawa has its own charming flora and fauna which you could explore in your visit. The Cactus Garden is among the notable attractions there, whereby you get the chance to appreciate the many different species of cacti – any hardcore fans of cactus here?
Apart from the cacti family all huddled in the garden, you will also notice a lot of peacocks roaming freely around the island. The elegant creatures are a sight to behold but beware, they can be bold enough to steal your food if you are caught unaware!
You can also spot corals on the beach – these pretty, diversely-shaped animals (yes, corals are marine invertebrates, not plants) are scattered along the sandy shores, adding to the overall beautiful landscape of the island.
When is the best time to visit Rawa Island?
Rawa Island is still a little known marine-conserved island to many. It is also due to this reason that the natural beauty of this precious place is still well preserved and remains unpolluted, offering travellers and visitors the ideal spot for an island getaway.
The weather in Rawa Island may be quite ideal all year round – not too hot but just warm and sunny with a little bit of rain throughout. However, do take note of the monsoon seasons which will affect the island activities there such as snorkelling and diving.
Avoid travelling during the months of November and December as hotels tend to close their doors during the rainy climate. Rough tides are usually present in the months of May and June, so do cross that period out of your travel calendar too. Travel somewhere in January to April or July to October for the best Pulau Rawa experience!
About Lang Tengah Island and Summerbay Resort
What’s after Pulau Rawa you ask? If you wish to explore more islands for an unforgettable holiday, you could try Lang Tengah Island next!
Lang Tengah Island is yet another hidden gem when it comes to island vacations – its sandy beaches and sea waters are as beautiful and inviting as the other popular islands in Malaysia. And in the midst of the island lies Summerbay Resort, a warm and homey abode to rest and bunk in after a whole day of exciting activities on the island.
Visit our website to check the rooms, packages and services we offer!
This article is brought to you by Summer Bay Resort.
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