Exploring Rawa Island: A Travel Guide

Rawa Island is a small island located 16km off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. It is known for its clean blue waters, jungle vegetation, and soft white sands. The island is owned by the Johor Sultanate and has been developed with just two small resorts, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a secluded getaway. The only way to get to Rawa Island is by boat from Mersing, which takes about 30 minutes by speedboat or an hour by ferry. This guide will provide an overview of the different options for travelling to Rawa Island, including private car, bus, self-driving, and flight.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Singapore

There are several ways to get to Mersing Jetty from Singapore, including by private car, bus, coach, or self-driving.

Private Car

Hiring a private car service upfront is the most convenient mode of transport for the land portion of the journey to Rawa Island. You can choose your own departure time and location, and you don't need to exit the car at immigration. You can also relax in a comfortable car with ample legroom and storage space. Experienced drivers will also know the quickest way to Mersing Jetty.

Bus

There are four main bus operators that run the route between Singapore and Mersing Bus Terminal: Causeway Link, Transnasional, Starmart Express, and KKKL Express. The buses will typically drop off passengers at Mersing Bus Terminal, which is walking distance (10-15 minutes) from Mersing Jetty. A one-way trip is typically 3 hours and 30 minutes with no heavy traffic at the border between Johor and Singapore.

Coach

Another option to get from Singapore to Mersing Jetty is to take a coach. Coaches depart early in the morning once a day from Singapore to Mersing Jetty. Make sure you get to the departure point on time so you don't miss your coach! Coach tickets are cheaper than private car services, but coaches are not suitable for travel with family, kids, elderly people, or groups.

Self-Driving

If you have your own car and would like to keep your plans flexible, driving to Mersing Jetty is another option. This allows you to go at your own pace and do some sightseeing along the way. There are two main routes from Singapore to Mersing Jetty: Route 1 via Kota Tinggi and Route 2 via Ayer Hitam. Both routes take approximately 3-3.5 hours. Keep in mind that finding parking at Mersing Jetty can be challenging, especially during long weekends or public holidays.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Johor Bahru

There are several ways to get to Mersing Jetty from Johor Bahru, depending on your budget and travel preferences. Here are some options:

Private Car

Hiring a private car service is a convenient and comfortable option. It offers door-to-door service, and you won't need to exit the car at immigration. You can choose your own departure time and location, and you won't have to share the ride with strangers. The journey from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty usually takes around 2.5 hours.

Bus

Taking a bus from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty is another option. There are regular buses departing from JB Larkin Terminal daily, with a journey time of about 2.5 hours. Several bus operators offer this route, including Causeway Link Express and S&S International (M) Express. The bus tickets typically range from RM12.70 to RM17.60 for adults and RM9.50 to RM17.60 for children.

Self-Drive

If you prefer to drive yourself, it's about a 2-hour journey from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty. There are two main routes you can take:

• Johor Bahru (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Kota Tinggi – Jemaluang – Mersing Harbour Centre – Mersing Jetty
• Johor Bahru (via Jalan Jemaluang/Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18 for 14km) – Bandar Penawar (via Lebuhraya Senai-desaru/E22) – Kota Tinggi (via route 92 and 99) – Mawai (via Jalan Jemaluang/Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18 again) – Mersing

Keep in mind that finding parking at Mersing Jetty can be challenging, especially during peak seasons and public holidays. There is a guarded car park beside the jetty that charges RM15 to RM18 per day.

Coach

Taking a coach from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty is another option, although it may not be as frequent as the bus service. Coaches usually depart early in the morning once a day, and the journey time is around 2.5 hours.

Flight

While there is no direct flight to Rawa Island, you can fly into Senai Airport in Johor Bahru and then arrange for a private car or taxi to Mersing Jetty. This option can save you time and offer a more comfortable journey.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Kuala Lumpur

To get to Mersing Jetty from Kuala Lumpur, there are a few options.

By Bus

Taking the bus is the most economical option. The bus fare is from RM 32.80 to RM 41.50. The departure point in Kuala Lumpur is Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), and the arrival point in Mersing is the Mersing Bus Terminal, which is about a 10-minute walk from Mersing Jetty. The bus ride takes about 4 to 5.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

There are a few bus operators to choose from:

• S&S International (M) Express
• Sanwa Tours (M) Sdn Bhd
• Sepakat Liner (Mersing)
• Transnasional

By Car

Driving to Mersing Jetty from Kuala Lumpur will take at least 4 hours, depending on traffic. Here are some routes you can take:

• Kuala Lumpur (via Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan/E2) – Ayer Hitam (Take exit 244-Ayer Hitam) – Kluang & Kayang (via Route 50) – Mersing
• Kuala Lumpur – Cheras – Kajang – Kuala Pihah – Bahau (via Jalan Bahau) – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing
• Kuala Lumpur – Hulu Langat – Muadzam Shah – Kuala Rompin (via Laluan Persekutuan 3/AH18) – Endau – Mersing

By Plane and Car

While there are no direct flights to Mersing, you can fly to Senai Airport in Johor Bahru and then arrange for a private car to take you to Mersing Jetty. The drive from the airport to the jetty takes about 2.5 hours.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Malacca

There are three ways to get to Mersing Jetty from Malacca: by bus, by taxi, or by car.

By Bus

The bus from Malacca to Mersing Jetty is the cheapest option, costing around $8 for a one-way trip. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Buses depart twice daily from Melaka Sentral station and arrive at Mersing station.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from Malacca to Mersing Jetty is the fastest option, taking around 3 hours. The trip will cost between $85 and $110.

By Car

The driving distance between Malacca and Mersing Jetty is 150 miles, and the journey will take approximately 3 hours. There are four car parks close to Mersing Jetty where you can leave your car overnight for around RM15-18 per day.

Getting to Rawa Island from Mersing Jetty

Rawa Island is accessible from the private jetty next to the main ferry terminal at Mersing Jetty. The boat ride from Mersing Jetty to Rawa Island takes around 30 minutes.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Singapore

There are several options for getting to Mersing Jetty from Singapore:

• Private car service: This is the most convenient option, as you can be picked up from your doorstep in Singapore and taken directly to Mersing Jetty. The journey typically takes around 3 hours, depending on traffic at the Singapore-Johor border.
• Self-driving: If you have your own car, you can drive to Mersing Jetty. The journey takes around 3 hours, but this can be much faster than taking public transport.
• Bus: There are several bus operators that run between Singapore and Mersing Jetty. The journey takes between 3 and 5 hours, depending on traffic.
• Coach: There is also the option of taking a coach from Singapore to Mersing Jetty. This is a more affordable option than a private car service, but it may not be as comfortable, especially if you are travelling with family or large luggage.

Getting to Mersing Jetty from Johor Bahru

If you are travelling from Johor Bahru, it will take approximately 2.5 hours to get to Mersing Jetty. Here are some options for making the journey:

• Private car service: This is a comfortable and hassle-free way to get to Mersing Jetty from Johor Bahru.
• Bus: There are regular buses that depart from JB Larkin Terminal to Mersing Jetty.
• Self-driving: You can also drive from Johor Bahru to Mersing Jetty. There are two main routes you can take, one going through Kota Tinggi and the other bypassing Kota Tinggi via Bandar Penawar.

Important Information

• It is important to book your accommodation on Rawa Island in advance, as there are only two resorts on the island.
• Before boarding the boat from Mersing Jetty, you will need to pay the Marine Park Fee and Johor National Park Fee at the Mersing Harbour Centre.
• Boat schedules are subject to change due to tidal conditions and weather. There are more boat trips during the peak months of March to September, and boats do not run during the monsoon season (November to February).
• Speedboats from Mersing Jetty to Rawa Island typically cost RM35-45 for a one-way trip.

Frequently asked questions