A gigantic slide that goes into the sea… Who wouldn’t want to have a go on that!? After hearing about Rawa Island Resort from friends we couldn’t wait to visit the tiny island, just off the coast of Johor.
Booking with Rawa Island Resort was really straightforward and they were prompt when responding to my emails. The resort has its own car park at Mersing jetty – a four hour drive from KL – so no need to worry about your car while you’re away. After a quick antigen test, the staff loaded our bags in the speedboat. We set foot onto white sand about 30 minutes later and enjoyed our welcome drinks. The crossing itself was smooth when we went, although it could definitely get choppy if you are going during monsoon season.
Rooms at Rawa Island Resort
We opted to stay in a Hillside Deluxe room, which was clean and large. It had great views from the balcony, but there were so many mosquitoes that we didn’t really sit outside, so perhaps a room right on the beach would have been better for us. Either way, even with insect repellent we came home with quite a few insect bites so definitely pack some long sleeved tops to avoid this.
Another thing to note is that wifi is only available in the lounge, and there are no TVs in the rooms. This didn’t bother our family too much, as part of the reason for going was to unplug and relax, but it is worth knowing in advance! We had great fun playing charades and enjoying some quality family time without all our devices.
Things to do on Rawa
The island is so picturesque with its stunning beach, lush jungle and clear waters – it’s worth taking the time to hike up to the hilltop view to witness the amazing views over the South China Sea.
Since the island is tiny, you can get everywhere on foot and really two nights is more than enough time to explore it all. Our kids had great fun zipping down the big orange slide and the smaller blue one, splashing into the sea and playing on the beach.
Although we had brought our own snorkel gear (you aren’t able to rent them due to covid), we were a little put off this activity when my son got a slight sting from something in the water, so it is wise to cover up as much as possible. We rented the kayaks instead and were able to see the beautiful coral as we paddled along and even spotted some fish.
When the kids were tired of the beach we were pleased to find a trampoline near the seating area which definitely helped keep them occupied on more than one occasion. If you have smaller children, there are also scooters you can borrow. And don’t forget to spot the white peacocks which roam freely around the island!
How to book
If you want to unplug and just switch off from the world for a while, Rawa Island Resort is the perfect place to do so. More info on their FB page here. To book, please go to their website here or email them here.
Some people have commented that the resort is rather pricey for what is essentially 3 star accommodation and we found this to be true. However, the staff are excellent, friendly and happy to help, and the food, although fairly standard, was delicious with both Malaysian and Western dishes on offer at the buffet.
Would you like to explore more islands in the area? Have a look here at our review for Rimba Resort on the nearby Pulau Sibu or Batu Batu at Pulau Tengah here.
