RAWA ISLAND

RAWA ISLAND

INTRODUCTION

Psst...  did you know there's paradise on earth? Yup! And it's called 'RAWA'. A dream of an island 16km off the coast of Mersing. Stretches of white sugary sand, secluded beaches, clear green water and swaying palm fronds offering cooling shades.

A special place that beckons you to be yourself. As the waves carry away your troubles, the breeze smoothens those perpetual frown lines and the sun just warms up every corner of your heart. Truly, an unspoilt oasis of peace and tranquility. No TV, no phone lines, no cars, no crowds and no reason to run after time.

The island was discovered by Tunku Mohammed Archibald as a perfect fishing haven. In 1971, he built Rawa Island Resort also known as Rawa Safaris. The resort houses 63 units of chalets and bungalows. Rents vary from RM110 for a beach hut during low season to around RM400 for a family suite during peak. There is a restaurant and a pub with decent food and prices and tends to get packed during long weekends as it can cater big groups.

But the best kept secret of Rawa resides in the cluster of chalets tucked quietly away in the other corner of the island. 'Le Club Rawa', as the resort is called, is a gem chanced upon by the lucky few . An enchanting place with just 6 rooms, a private beach and an all-purpose 'club house'.

This little haven basically celebrates the simplest pleasures in life - excellent food, great company and nature's beauty.

It snuggles against a protective hill of green foliage and faces a natural lagoon of corals teaming with colourful fishes and giant clams. You're actually spoilt with the convenience of snorkelling right in front of your doorstep!

For the more adventurous, you can check out the caves or take a 15 min trek up the hill that overlooks the other side of the island. A pretty interesting view which usually promises a beautiful sunrise(for you freaks who has nothing better to do at the crack of dawn!).

But honestly, 'Le Club Rawa' is one of the 'coolest' places to just 'hang loose' and 'chill out'. The island's innate qualities simply entice you to rest and relax. And if you dare, go one step further and let yourself be possessed by the island call - and you'll be whisked away on a personal journey of self-discovery. The perfect place to get re-acquainted with that balanced centre within yourself that will leave you reinvigorated and re-energised to face the daily rigours of city life.

ACCOMMODATION

WELCOME TO RAWA ISLAND RESORT!

Nestling in the crystal clear waters of South China Sea, this paradise island is a heaven from the stresses and strains of daily life.

As you step off the boat, feel the magic of Rawa begin to work its spell upon you. Catch the sound of the soft tropical breeze as it whispers through the palm trees and you gaze on the beautiful white sand beach, you know that here, for a while, you can truly relax.

Contact

RAWA ISLAND RESORT SDN BHD 

Tourist Centre, 86800 Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. 

Tel : (607) - 799 1204 / 1205

Fax : (607) - 799 3848

Working Hour : 8.00 am to 5.00 pm daily

E-mail : info@rawaislandresort.com

Guest Review

“A getaway for tranquility and peace.” [12/08/11]

“A beautiful paradise” [11/08/11]

“Easy, relaxing break.” [24/04/11]

“Holliday in paradise” [21/08/10]

RAWA SAFARIS RESORT

Rawa Islands that dreams are made of, secluded white beaches and palm fringed; images which can be found here in Malaysia, to add to the dream blazing sunlight and a cool green, clear lagoon, where fish dart and swim in never ending circles. Visitors on the beach wallowing in the sunlight. Ah! The simple pleasures of Rawa Island are 16 km off Mersing Johor, a gem of an island discovered by the lucky few. Pulau Rawa is truly a paradise island. There are many caves for exploration and offshore coral reefs rich with marine life.

Rawa Island is an unspoilt coral island, with its white sands and swaying palm trees. The coral garden is teeming with fish and marine life, from coral reef fish to pelagic fish, a surprise for many people. Giant clams abound, you may see it all but nothing is to be touched. Preservation, conservation, and a marine park to boot, not even dead shells can be taken, so beware look but don't take.

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTION

It's a joy to be swimming in clean waters, but it's a SPECIAL treat to be indulging in them by yourself with the beautiful sounds of birds as your backdrop and an amazingly embracing sky reflecting the blue of the sea - the waters around the east coast of peninsular Malaysia are just sooo good to be reflective, to snorkel admiring nature's wonders and to just relax and find oneself.

I am of the opinion that finding our true core selves comes from being in environments which cultivate an honesty and peace of mind and heart that our busy city lives could hardly offer.

Just jump from the jetty or try the slide

Forget your age and try the water slide with the children or simply just jump from the jetty. Water is extremely clear from the jetty with fishes swimming around. But don't jump during the low tide or u may come back from your holidays on the wheelchair which i don't think they have at Rawa safari. Shoo the fishes away first before u jump or u may end up killing a few fishes coz they probably thought that its feeding time.

Climbing to the top of the hill

there's a flight of stairs follow by some rocky path to the top of the hill with a full view of the island. Takes about 20 mins for normal pace and 30 mins if u are walking slower as there are no hand bar or railing by the side of the cliff. Would recommend to go when the sky is still bright coz there aren’t any lights and the way up is pretty rocky but view is fantastic and very windy.

Snorkeling

Though most of the corals near the shores are dead, but u can snorkel further out like 20 feet away from shore, sea urchins, live corals, harmless reef sharks lots of colorful coral fish and of course the famous NEMO. Rawa safari is charging $5 ringgit per hour for snorkeling.

There are a couple of things that you can do there....the usual few: kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, diving or island hopping...but sad to say...me and my friends did none of the above!

We just swim out without goggles if you consider that as snorkeling.

explore the island and you will find it's beautiful side...in the morning before day break, climb up to the other side of the island using the stairs at the back of Rawa Safaris and in the evening when the sun is about to set...head to the other end of the island (if I’m not wrong, it's the right side if you are facing the beach), and enjoy the beautiful sunset and breeze.

most of the time all i did was to laze around and have fun at the beach....

you can also have some fun sitting at the jetty in the day time watching all the fishes as the water is very CLEAR! i even saw a baby swordfish! While some of my friends said that they saw dolphins from far...for this, i don't know how true it is. While at night, you can watch the locals do some squid catching!

Oh ya! Do remember to have fun playing the slide that is at the situated at the jetty....it slides down right to the sea (shallow waters, not to worry for those who can't swim)!

Beach/sea activities

Or be a beach bum. The choice is yours. Me, I'm diving into the warm waters of course!

Here's a list of what you can do :

Snorkeling - Mask & Snorkel RM 5.00 per hour
Snorkeling - Fin RM 5.00 per hour
Kayak (Single) RM 22.00 per hour
Kayak (Double) RM 28.00 per hour
Hobie Cat RM 66.00 per hour
Windsurfing RM 33.00 per hour
Island hopping ( maximum 7 pax ) RM 300.00 per trip
Fishing trip ( 3 to 4 person ) RM 300.00 per trip
Fishing trip ( 5 to 10 person ) RM 500.00 per trip
Pool table RM 3.00 per game
Life Jacket RM 6.00 per day
Diving equipment ( full set ) RM 85.00 per dive
Tank refill RM 20.00 per tank

Exploration

Explore around the island. There is a small hill behind the resorts. You can use the stairs behind Safaris Resort & get to the top of the hill. Good for sunrise & sunset pictures from the top. Also walk to the end of the island using the bridge built by Safaris Resort. Long long way to go .... so go to the toilet before you start your journey.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Food and beverages usually will included to you accommodation package. Some hotel or resort will take an extra charge for BBQ near to the beach at night.

HOW TO GET THERE

Pulau Rawa or more commonly to guests Rawa Island Resort, is situated 16 km from Mersing. It was built in 1971 by the late Tunku Mohammed Archibald. It is a beautiful island with white sand, coves, and superb clear waters for water activities. Comfortable chalet-style accommodations are available on the island, and equipment for recreational water activities.

Mersing is base in Johor Bahru Malaysia, Johor is the third largest (19,984 sq km) and one of the most developed states in Peninsular Malaysia. It is situated at the southern tip of the peninsula, just across the Straits of Johor from Singapore (with which it is connected by a road and rail causeway). Johor's population exceeds two million people, comprising an ethnic mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other groups. Its capital is Johor Bahru.

Rawa has its own ferry service to the island daily which can carry twelve people. Reservation for the island can be done at our reservation office at Mersing. The Boat journey takes 25 minutes and as you approach the island you begin to wonder where the resort is.

Singapore to Mersing -- 3 Hours

Kuala Lumpur to Mersing -- 5 Hours

Kuantan to Mersing -- 2.5 Hours