Suitable for a half-day trip, Pulau Harimau, which literally means Tiger Island, is located off east coast of Mersing district, Johor.
The island is a hidden treasure in Malaysia where most of the residents wouldn’t have been here throughout their lifetime.
It has successfully retained its purity and pristine nature and hence, it offers maximum serenity and tranquillity to visitors.
What are you waiting for?
This interesting and charming island is now waiting for you to discover it from top to bottom.
Why Stay in Pulau Harimau?
Looking down from high up the sky, the landscape of this island looks like a tiger in the middle of the ocean. And that’s why Pulau Harimau got its name.
There is no sign of pollution on this island. The water is so clear that you can see fishes and reefs right from the water’s surface.
Pulau Harimau is not a famous tourist destination but amongst the most elegant islands you can ever find in Malaysia, there is no doubt that Pulau Harimau is one of them.
If you ask around those who has been there, no one will tell you how undeveloped and backward the island is. Nevertheless, they’ll tell you this amazing and stunning island is definitely worth the trip and you know where your next vacation destination is.
How to Get to Pulau Harimau
Only boat transfer from Mersing Jetty will take you to Pulau Harimau. You’ll need to arrange road transfer to Mersing Jetty by your own.
There are a few scheduled boat transfer daily but all of them depend on tidal condition. Tickets can be bought at the counter.
There are direct coach services available daily. You can book your tickets right after checking the Singapore-Mersing bus schedules online. Normally the bus leaves early in the morning. More info:Â https://causewaylink.com.my/express-bus#tab_jbms
It’s a whole new world right after you travel through the giant cavern of Pulau Harimau. You’ll be greeted by a natural private pool with turquoise water and here you can enjoy swimming and floating around aimlessly.
On the other side of the island is white sandy beach and the view of the clear blue sky and dazzling ocean is extremely stunning. Don’t forget to take pictures of this amazing view.
There is a staircase heading up to the lighthouse that is opened for visitors. At the lighthouse you can enjoy overlooking down and take in wonderful views of the island’s unique landscape.
Pulau Harimau is the paradise for divers as the turquoise water has high clarity. Go for scuba diving and snorkelling when you reach here. There are numerous cute fishes and coral reefs waiting for you to get close with them.
Where to Stay in Pulau Harimau
This uninhabited and deserted island has no resort at all. The nearest resorts are Alang’s Rawa Resort and Rawa Island Resort located on the nearby island, Rawa Island. These resorts provide island hopping to Pulau Harimau as well.
April to September would be the best months to visit Pulau Harimau as the weather is good and the coast is clear for snorkelling, scuba diving and many other interesting activities. If you’re fortunate, you even get the chances to see seasonal fishes swimming in the warm water.
Avoid visiting Pulau Harimau when monsoon wind blows, which probably falls between December to February. Rainy days and rough sea could totally ruin your holiday mood because it’s too dangerous to go for any activities. Even worse, there are very few ferries or boat to take you there too.
Located 16km off the east coast of Johor, Pulau Rawa is a private and secluded island possessed by Johor Sultanate.
Besides well-known for extremely white fine sands on the beach, the island is surrounded by mesmerising coral reefs that can be explored through snorkeling.
The interior of Pulau Rawa is covered completely with lush tropical rainforest, which is still the most mysterious and attracting part of it.
Sunbathe, snorkel, dive, swim and walk, Pulau Rawa is able to make your ideal vacation becomes real.
Why Stay in Pulau Rawa?
Looking for a short weekend getaways from Singapore? Pulau Rawa not only offering a peaceful and quiet environment all day long is but also perfect for the world of two but also family holidays, friends gatherings and even corporate retreats.
The island is unspoiled for its little development. Thus, it has all that a pristine island should have, whether it be clear water, clean environment or swaying palm trees.
There are hammocks around that visitors can relax and enjoy the beautiful sight of the island.
Take advantage in the relaxing and exciting beach activities around.
Also, try your best to immerse yourself in this whole new world so that you can escape from daily busy life. After regenerating strength for a few days, you’ll be vigor returning to normal life.
At their legendary night (Saturday night), BBQ dinner with a wide array of delicious seafood and exquisite taste will be served to satisfy your appetite.
It’s also a party night that serves cocktails and you can see people dancing and chit-chatting all night long.
How to Get to Pulau Rawa
Pulau Rawa is easily accessible from Singapore. It requires road transfer from Singapore to Mersing jetty and another boat transfer from the jetty to the island.
Step 1: Land Transfer
The land transfer can be divided into two ways:
1.1 Singapore To Mersing Jetty By Bus
This is the cheapest ride but a bit hassle and slower as you need to clear the customs if you’re from Singapore. Several buses offer direct transfer to Mersing daily.
The fare costs ranging from SGD$30 to SGD$36.50 per way and the most common pick-up point would be Golden Mile Complex.
Step 2: Boat Transfer
You don’t need to buy a ticket for boat transfer, normally the rates are included in both Rawa Island resorts package, the resort you plan to stay will arrange it for you.
Be prepared that the boat might be delayed due to unfavourable tidal conditions. You may shop around while waiting for the arrival of the boat.
What to Do in Pulau Rawa
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Fill your vacation moments fun with thrilling water sports and beach activities. You’ll need a longer stay if you plan to experience all the activities offered in Pulau Rawa.
1. Snorkeling at Pulau Rawa
Get ready for a fantastic adventure that can be enjoyed for the whole family. In this watery wonderland, you’ll be surrounded by magnificent marine life and you are able to explore them closely.
2. Hiking at Pulau Rawa
There are trails built for visitors to explore the island. The trail that leads to the hilltop offers panoramic views of island and its surrounding ocean. This 40 minutes adventure will definitely bring you closer to nature.
3. Island Hopping near Pulau Rawa
All the islands nearby such as Pulau Harimau and Pulau Mensirip have a unique history and beautiful parts that worth exploring.
You can also have a picnic any of the islands you fancy and enjoy the beauty of nature.
4. Kayaking at Pulau Rawa
A kayak trip makes you stay connected with nature in a unique way. Seeing the island from a different angle can be your most memorable adventure on Rawa Island.
Crystal clear water off Rawa Island offers the divers a wonderful diving experience. With the establishment of the dive centre, scuba divers can join their PADI courses that cater to different diving levels.
6. Beach Volleyball at Rawa Island
Beach volleyball is a fun game that can play for hours and not even realizing it.
Besides bringing health benefits, it keeps everyone involved in the game and you can even make new friends!
7. Relax on The Rawa Island’s Beach
The white sandy beach beckons sandcastle-builders and sunbathers to relax and have some fun.
Strolling along the beach and take in the stunning sunset can melt all your stress immediately. Hammocks are available around for relaxation too.
8. Water Slides at Rawa Island
There are 2 slides around and both will get you to end up splashing into the sea. The blue straight slide is suitable for those who fear height.
And for the orange slices, it’s higher and you will enjoy twists and turns while gliding down the slides.
Where to Stay in Pulau Rawa
In this peaceful island boasts only 2 beautiful resorts and both of them are renowned for providing outstanding customer services.
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1. Alang’s Rawa Resort
By providing warm hospitality, the resort is proud of receiving many return guests each year. It’s often rated a sweet and caring resort rather than luxury and big.
Offering great deals packages that include accommodation, all meals, and even boat transfers, Alang’s Rawa Resort aims at convenient their guests and make billing as simple as they can.
All the rooms are elegant and comfortable and each of them boasts excellent views of the blue sea.
At the adjoining restaurant, Rawa Special Fish is their highlight dishes. They also create a comprehensive menu that could fulfill the wide range of needs of their guests.
You can go to any water sports while staying here. The resort offers free snorkels, snorkel masks, and kayaks. All you need to do deposit RM50 per equipment and enjoy your day!
2. Rawa Island Resort
Rawa Island Resort is a warm and big resort enveloped in the natural beauty of Rawa Island. They have well-trained staff to make your stay comfortable and fill with enjoyment.
Photo credits: rawaislandresort.com
For accommodation, the resort caters to different traveling groups such as families, couples, group of friends and even single travelers. Modern facilities and amenities are well-equipped to ensure a pleasant stay.
Offering a wide range of water sports and beach activities, the resort lets you choose your ideal ways to enjoy Rawa Island to the fullest. You can also indulge in their spa that offers Thai massages for complete relaxation.
Please take note visitors are prohibited from littering and taking any marine life home, even if it’s dead because the island is a preserved area.
Front Office Address: Rawa Island Resort, Tourist Centre, Jalan Abu Bakar, 86800 Mersing, Johor, Malaysia.
Phone: +607 – 799 1204 / +607 – 799 1205
Pulau Rawa Map
When is The Best Time to Visit Pulau Rawa
The island is closed during monsoon season (October to February). This is due to strong winds blow and rough sea may cause harm and danger to the visitors. Hence, travel within this period may lead to disappointment.
To get the best sunny days with bright sunshine, plan your visit between April to September especially during June and July. The weather, water, and everything is great for water sports!
Travel Tips to Rawa Island
Bring only cash as you cannot use the debit card and the credit card here.
Forget to draw some cash? No worry as ATM is available at the Mersing jetty.
Bring medicines along as no hospital and clinic is built here.
Do not travel during monsoon season. It will ruin your vacation.
Boat transfers are always included in travel packages.
Image credit: ShutterstockMalaysia is one of the most famous spots for travellers who love the sand and the sea. While it’s best known for the pearl-white sand beaches of Langkawi and the majestic peak of Mount Kinabalu, the nation is also home to another exciting landscape feature that draws adventure seekers and nature lovers alike — its caves. From the world-renowned Batu Caves to the Sarawak Chamber of Gunung Mulu National Park (the largest cave chamber in the world), get in touch with your inner spelunker while exploring the magnificent caves in Malaysia.
These massive networks of interconnected systems enthral tourists with stunning arrangements of limestone stalagmites and stalactites sculpted over millennia. Caves in Malaysia are also home to the most unique flora and fauna, and some are even archaeological sites. Remnants of the prehistoric era have been discovered in Malaysian caves, like the ‘Perak Man’ (Southeast Asia’s oldest, most complete human skeleton) in Gua Gunung Runtuh of Lenggong Valley, and they have managed to preserve centuries of ancient history, local culture and native wildlife within their walls. They are truly fascinating sights as the caves manage to entwine the beauty of natural marvels and the cultural heritage of their surroundings.
Here are some of the best caves to explore in Malaysia:
Batu Caves
Image credit: ShutterstockThese world-famous caves are located in Gombak, in the State of Selangor. One of the most iconic tourist attractions in Malaysia, Batu Caves showcases mogote topography, which is a limestone outcrop and includes a series of caves and cave temples.
With over 20 caves forming part of the Batu Caves, the biggest cave, the Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave, is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is a famous pilgrimage site for Tamil Hindus. You need to be dressed appropriately to visit this cave temple.
Besides it, the Dark Cave, Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa are significant sites, with tourists flocking here to see the beautiful paintings of the Ramayana Cave and Cave Villa, as well as the unique flora and fauna of the Dark Cave. The Dark Cave has two areas — one that houses rare plant species (around 269 types) and the other part of the cave that is engulfed in pitch darkness.
However, the most iconic aspect of the Batu Caves is a steep flight of 272 steps that leads to the entrance of Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, from where you get a breathtaking view of the grand, golden statue of Lord Murugan, towering at 140 feet (around 42.6 metres), and the surrounding areas. Learn more with our detailed guide to Batu Caves.
Tickets: Entry to the Cave Temple is free, but other caves, like the Ramayana Cave (RM 4.4/USD 0.95) and the Dark Cave (RM 35/USD 7), have an entrance fee.
How to reachBy air: Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport is 25 km away.
Byroad: The caves are 6 km from Gombok and 17 km from Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Image credit: ShutterstockOne of the four UNESCO Heritage Sites of Malaysia, Gunung Mulu National Park is home to some of the most stunning caves in the country. Located in Borneo Island’s Sarawak, the national park stands out for a 2,376 metre-tall sandstone structure called Gunung Mulu and other karst features sprawling across the Malaysian state. For the uninitiated, karst is a special type of landform that is created when bedrock dissolves. It is associated with soluble rock types, including limestone, gypsum and marble.
Tickets: The park has curated tour packages that take people on a guided journey. These packages require you to stay for at least a night or even longer. The price of the tour packages starts from RM 500 (USD 107).
How to reach: The only way to reach Gunung Mulu National Park is by flying directly to Mulu Airport, situated within the park. Miri Airport, Kuching International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport have daily direct flights to Mulu Airport.
The Sarawak Chamber
Named the largest single cave chamber in the world by the Guinness World Records, the Sarawak Chamber is part of 295 km of explored caves in Gunung Mulu National Park. This cave stretches 600 metres in length, 415 metres in width and 80 metres in height. The only way to visit the Sarawak Chamber is through one-night camps organised by the park. However, this is an extreme adventure activity open only to people who are certified cave explorers and experienced swimmers. The cave has a volume of 12 million cubic metres and an unsupported roof of 300 metres.
Clearwater Cave
The park’s official website states that Gunung Mulu National Park is also home to the longest cave in Asia. Also known as Gua Air Jernih, the 107-km-long cave stands as a testament to Malaysia’s natural beauty. After navigating 200 steps through dense forest, trekkers reach the entrance of the cave, encompassing an underground river, plank walks, pathways and floating bridges.
The Wind Cave is also part of the Clearwater Cave System and has beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, flow rocks, helictites and rock corals. Travellers can explore these caves through guided tours.
Deer Cave
Past plank walks, peat swamps, alluvial flats, an ancient burial site and limestone formations lie the Deer Cave. One of the largest cave chambers in the world, it serves as a place for deer to shelter in. This is how it got its name — the local Penan and Berawan people call it Gua Payau or Gua Rasu (which translates into Deer Cave). Several bat species can be found inside the cave, with over a million of these animals residing here.
The main chamber is 174 metres wide and 122 metres high. A formation at its entrance shares a distinct similarity to the silhouette of the late US President Abraham Lincoln’s face, which can be easily spotted on guided tours. Another interesting feature of the cave is the Garden of Eden, a hole in the roof of the cave where green vegetation thrives.
Image credit: ShutterstockAnother cave to visit in Malaysia is found on Borneo Island, but this one is in Sabah’’s Kunak region. The Madai Cave is situated in the Madai-Baturong Forest Reserve. This limestone cave has archaeological and cultural significance and is home to swiftlets whose nests are considered an expensive delicacy. The local Ida’an community are the guardians of the cave and live right outside it, often going back and forth to the cave to harvest the nests. Traces of human inhabitation and ancient coffins can be found inside the cave, making it necessary for visitors to be accompanied by a guide. Travellers can find a guide through either the locals or a travel agent before planning a visit.
How to reachBy air: Tawau Airport is 65 km away.
By road: Kunak is 16 km away.
Gua Gunung Runtuh
Image credit: ShutterstockOne of the important archaeological sites of Malaysia, Gua Gunung Runtuh makes the Lenggong Valley in Perak a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While this cave is not as big as the others on this list, it holds great historical significance. It is the excavation site of the ‘Perak Man’, the oldest and most complete human skeleton found in Southeast Asia. However, visiting the Gua Gunung Runtuh caves is not easy, as it is not a proper tourist destination. Visitors need to get a permit and a guide from the Lenggong Archeological Museum.
How to reachBy air: Penang International Airport is 140 km from the Lenggong Valley.
By road: Ipoh is 75 km away.
Image credit: ShutterstockPart of UNESCO World Heritage Sites’ tentative list, the Niah Caves are an important archaeological site in the country. Located in Miri, Sarawak, these caves have been credited for preserving vital historical relics, such as wall paintings, boat-shaped wooden coffins and a 40,000-year-old Palaeolithic human skull. Besides these discoveries, the cave complex is also known for its intricate cave networks, limestone hills and lowland dipterocarp forests. Visitors won’t need a guide for these caves; the authorities have created routes they can follow.
Tickets: Starting from RM 10 (USD 2) for adults and RM 3 (USD 0.64) for children.
How to reachBy air: Miri Airport is 87 km away.
By road: Miri is 95 km away.
Perak Tong Cave Temple
Image credit: ShutterstockA popular pilgrimage site and tourist attraction around the city of Ipoh, Perak Tong Cave Temple has a grand 40-ft-tall Buddha statue sitting at its centre. The limestone cave has a high dome that branches off into hidden recesses and grottoes. The temple cave’s wall is adorned with beautiful murals depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and Buddhist scriptures. This cave is easy to visit, and people of all ages can come here. However, one must be dressed appropriately as it is a religious site.
Ticket: Entry to the temple is free.
How to reachBy air: Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is 13 km away.
By road: The cave is 6 km from Ipoh city centre.
Image credit: ShutterstockThe Gua Tempurung in Perak is one of the longest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia. Tucked away in the Kinta Valley Geopark, the cave has five grand domes that resemble coconut shells and showcase a diverse collection of stalagmites and stalactites as well as a 1.6-km-long river. This cave is great for beginners as they have guided tours that allow for easy exploration of this cave.
How to reachBy air: Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is 26 km away.
By road: Ipoh is 38 km away.
Image credit: ShutterstockA tin mine under British rule, this limestone cave in Perlis has transformed into a popular tourist site near Kaki Bukit. It is fairly easy to explore as walkways have been built within the cave, giving easy access to everyone. Visitors can spot the Sungai Perlis River flowing under the walkway. Gua Kelam has surreal rock formations throughout the cave, and the end opens into the Wang Tangga Valley.
Tickets: RM 1 (USD 0.21) is the entrance fee for adults and RM 0.50 (USD 0.11) for children.
How to reachBy air: Sultan Abdul Halim Airport is 80 km away.
By road: The cave is 700 m from the city centre of Kaki Bukit.
Hero and feature image credit: Shutterstock
Related: 12 Stunning Island Resorts In Malaysia To Add To Your Bucket ListFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)– How many caves are there in Malaysia?
Malaysia has more than 100 caves, with Gunung Mulu National Park being home to some of the most beautiful and iconic ones. Thus, it is one of Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
– Are the caves in Malaysia open to the public?
Several caves are open to the public. They are usually part of protected areas such as Kinta Valley Geopark, Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park, or pilgrimage sites, like Batu Caves and Perak Tong Cave Temple.
– What are the most popular caves to visit in Malaysia?
The Sarawak Chamber, Clearwater Cave, Niah Caves and Batu Caves are among the most popular ones to visit.
– Are there any special cave activities in Malaysia?
You can explore the caves, swim in them and even camp overnight in some.
– What should I bring when visiting caves in Malaysia?
Although each cave has different requirements, it is best to have sturdy shoes that enable you to comfortably hike and explore.
– Are the caves suitable for children and elderly visitors?
Not all caves are suitable for children and the elderly.
– Can I take photographs inside the caves?
Yes, you can take photographs inside the caves. However, some of them are dark and have low light, which may hinder the taking of clear photographs.
