Mersing Island Hopping: Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah & Pulau Rawa
Three islands in Taman Laut Sultan Iskandar, from a family resort to a turtle conservation eco-resort, wrapped up with batik, a marine gallery and keropok on the mainland.
Many know Mersing only as a stopover town, when in fact its waters are home to Taman Laut Sultan Iskandar (Sultan Iskandar Marine Park), which covers 41 islands. All our trips started by boat from the jetty in Mersing town, and most islands can be reached in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Our first stop was Pulau Besar, also known as Pulau Babi Besar. We stayed at Bayu Lestari Island Resort, a family-run resort with traditional Malay-style villas. Visitors can cycle around the island, and while we were there, there were horse activities too. The dining area is right by the beach, and at night we were treated to a fire show.
Next was Pulau Tengah, home to Batu Batu, a 22-villa eco-resort that's among the most exclusive in the district. The resort works with Tengah Island Conservation, a non-profit that runs conservation programmes for turtles, coral reefs and seagrass beds. The waters between Pulau Tengah and Pulau Besar were where we snorkelled during our island hopping.
The most famous island, Pulau Rawa, was our third destination. Rawa Island Resort offers a range of accommodation, including the sea-facing Waterfront Bungalow and the Hillside Deluxe on the hill slope. The main draw is the giant slide that plunges straight into the sea, free for guests. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling are also available.
Back on the mainland, stop by the Galeri Taman Laut (Marine Park Gallery) at the Mersing Fisheries Department premises. Entry is free, and its interactive exhibits explain the surrounding islands, marine life and conservation efforts, including a dugong replica and whale bones.
For a hands-on experience, Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa lets visitors paint batik using a canting, with motifs inspired by Johor's pineapples and black pepper. Before heading home, stop by the small keropok businesses along the Mersing coast to buy keropok lekor, dried crackers and all kinds of seafood products as souvenirs. With 2026 named Visit Johor Year, this island and mainland combo deserves at least three days.
Tips
- Most island resorts arrange their own boats from Mersing; confirm your transfer time before arriving at the jetty.
- Sit at the front or in the covered section of the speedboat if you don't want to get splashed with seawater.
- Bring your own snorkelling gear or rent it on the island, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Set aside at least an hour at Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa to finish your own batik painting.
- Address
- Mersing, Johor