Rawa Island Resort

Rawa Island Resort is the larger of the two resorts on Pulau Rawa, with 80 rooms along the island’s main beach, from Hillside Deluxe rooms to water villas and waterfront units over the sea at the north end.

The case for it is the water. The house reef is shallow, you snorkel straight from the beach, and the PADI Five Star dive centre, set up with Orca Scuba, says it specialises in teaching families and children. There is a kids’ room, a spa and a giant slide on the jetty. It sells 2-night full-board packages with the return boat, from RM2,820 per room for two adults (Hillside Deluxe, 2026 rate sheet), and says it stays open all year.

The catch is the cost for what you get. Rooms run on generator power, so there is no TV, fridge or kettle, Wi-Fi works only in the restaurant and bar, and there is no pool. Payment is prepaid and non-refundable, outside food and drink is banned, and sea sports and drinks are extra. Recent guest reviews praise the staff and the snorkelling but often mention room cleanliness.