Laze The Day Away At Idyllic Pulau Rawa, The Maldives Of Malaysia!

Thinking of spending the day at a beach, complete with excellent weather, blue sky, sea breeze, and some trees to give you shade? Which beach jumps into your mind immediately? Is it the faraway Bora-Bora, or the Bahamas? Perhaps the Seychelles archipelago? Or maybe the more well-known Maldives, or Surfers Paradise Beach? 😍

All those beaches are pretty great, but why not turn your attention towards our own home? We do have a collection of pretty cool beaches, which happen to be islands as well, such as Pulau Langkawi, Redang, Pangkor, Sipadan, Tioman, Perhentian, Layang-Layang, Mabul, and so many others! ❤

However, the island we will be bringing to your attention today is a small island in Johor, which has been gaining in popularity recently: Pulau Rawa! 🌴

Pulau Rawa, Johor

Photo Credit: Clarinta Travels

Photo Credit: Tziaaaa

Located 16 km off the east coast of Johor, Pulau Rawa, or Rawa Island, has been dubbed as Malaysia’s Maldives. Pristine and relatively unexplored and undeveloped as yet, Pulau Rawa boasts extremely fine white sand, an abundance of marine life, amazing coral reefs, as well as lush tropical rainforests! 😍

Perfect for any nature lover, this island in Johor is practically an invitation for you to relax and unwind there. “Rawa” is also a local term for white doves, which the island is named for. These birds happen to be quite abundant on the island, so any time you spot them flying across the sky, it only adds on to the moment of tranquility. Ah, what a way to spend the day! 😇

Check Your To-Do List On Pulau Rawa Activities

Wondering what you can do on Pulau Rawa? There’s plenty you can do (or not do) on the island, so do you have your checklist ready? Let’s get started!

1. Snorkelling 🏊

Photo Credit: SGMYTaxi.com

A rather simple activity to get the hang of, snorkelling is an absolute must-do when you’re in Malaysia’s Maldives, because it would be a waste to not enjoy the crystalline water! You might even get a chance to swim with the fishes, or even blacktip reef sharks! 🐠

2. Kayaking 🛶

Photo Credit: Johor Transport

Don’t want to get wet? No problem! Stay on the water instead of in the water by kayaking! Amaze yourself with the expansive view all around you as you bob around on the ocean, and even get in an impromptu workout! (We’ve heard that kayaking uses a lot of arm strength! #armday) 💪

3. Island Hopping 🛥

Photo Credit: My Foot Prints

Because no visit to an island is ever complete without hopping to other islands during your stay! There are at least two other nearby islands for you to explore, Pulau Harimau and Pulau Mensirip. Each island is beautiful in its own way, and would make a great lunch stop. 😀

4. Scuba Diving 🏊‍♀️

Photo Credit: 1 Step 1 Footprint

There’s only so much the eye can see on the surface, and there’s a completely different world for you to explore underwater! As a protected marine park, the underwater world at Pulau Rawa remains pristine, and you’ll be able to bask in all its natural glory. Just remember to look, but not touch anything! 🐟

5. Hiking 🧗‍♂️

Photo Credit: Lolita Finola

What, you can hike on an island? Yes, there are hiking trails on Pulau Rawa! Get your shoes on, hike up, and you’ll be able to enjoy the gorgeous view from the top of the island once you get there! Perfect for those who decide they want to experience the whole of Rawa Island instead of just the water. 😎

6. Water Sliding 🏊

Photo Credit: Kaki Review

Like the water but not adventurous enough to try out any of the activities above? We’ve got you covered as well! Simply take the water slides and slide right into the sea! You’ll have a whale of a time. There are two slides; one which is straight, short and sweet, and the other with more twists and turns! 🤩

7. Nothing 🌴🌞

Photo Credit: SG2JB

Why do you have to do something anyway? You can always choose to do nothing amidst the gorgeous view! Plenty of hammocks are set up on the island, so you can literally spend the whole day catching some z’s as the breeze lulls you into sweet dreams. 😇

But Where Do I Stay? Alang’s Rawa Resort Or Rawa Island Resort?

Currently, there are only two Pulau Rawa resorts to choose from: Alang’s Rawa Resort, and Rawa Island Resort.

Alang’s Rawa Resort 💙

Photo Credit: Alang's Rawa

Photo Credit: Alang's Rawa

Alang’s Rawa is a privately-owned and family-run resort, with a total of 14 rooms only. During the week, it is an oasis of tranquility. But during the weekends, it transforms into a spectacular nightlife hub! According the their website, guests are dancing on tabletops by the end of the night! There are six different accommodation options, which are Beach House, Jungle Side, Coconut Tree, Little A-Frames, Beachfront, and Coconut Tree Group. ❤

To contact Alang’s Rawa Resort, email info@alangsrawa.com, or visit AlangsRawa.com.

Rawa Island Resort 💙

Photo Credit: Rawa Island Resort

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

A beachfront resort, Rawa Island Resort features 77 rooms. All rooms are furnished modernly, and WiFi, cable television, and tea/coffee making facilities are available at the restaurant and bar. Whether you’re travelling in a group, with a friend, or alone, Rawa Island Resort has four different accommodation options to suit your needs: Beachfront Chalet, Hillside Deluxe, Waterfront Bungalow, and Frangipani Villa. ❤

To contact Rawa Island Resort, call (+6)07 799 1204 / (+6)07 799 1205, email rawaisland@live.com, or visit RawaIslandResort.com.

How To Go To Pulau Rawa?

Photo Credit: Aruri

You see, Pulau Rawa does not have an airport, so it’s impossible to fly in. Neither is there a bridge that connects the island to the mainland, so your only option is to take a boat to the island, from Mersing Jetty. Wherever you may come from, always get to Mersing Jetty in order to get to Pulau Rawa. 😁

If you’re from other faraway places such as East Malaysia or Penang, you can always fly in to Senai International Airport first. From Senai International Airport, Mersing Jetty is a good two hours or so away, so make sure you plan your time properly! There are bus services available directly from KL to Mersing Jetty, as well as from Senai International Airport to Mersing Jetty; all you have to do is visit BusOnlineTicket.com for all your bus needs! ☺

I’m sure that before you reach Mersing Jetty, you’ll already have booked your accommodation. Whichever resort you choose, they will arrange the boat transfer for you to Pulau Rawa, and the boat transfer fees are usually included in the accommodation fees. If you’re unsure, just double check with them! There may be a waiting time at the jetty itself as well, so don’t panic if there’s no boat! 😄

Other Tips & Tricks Before Visiting Pulau Rawa

Photo Credit: Youtube

The island is closed during monsoon season, which is from October to February. The best time to visit Pulau Rawa is between April to September, especially from June to July, when the weather’s great! 👍 Also, don’t think that just because you’re at a beach, there’s no need to bring warmer clothing. You never know what’s going to happen, and it’s always good to be prepared with a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a light sweater. Torchlights and raincoats are also a good idea, in case you do get stuck in the dark outdoors. The rest are pretty standard: your swimsuit, slippers, toiletries, underwear… The usual. ☺

Do take note that Pulau Rawa is a protected marine sanctuary, and there are certain rules to be followed during your stay there, such as no littering, no fish feeding, no removing any aquatic animal or plant, dead or alive, and other rules. 👌

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

With amazing views, an array of activities for you to explore, as well as convenient accommodation options, what else do you need? Check out the resorts now, and round up your friends for a trip to Pulau Rawa ASAP! 😍