Ra (island)

{{Short description|Island in Vanuatu}}

{{Infobox islands

| name = Rah/Ra

| image_name = Mota Lava.jpg

| image_caption = The islet of Rah is located at the southwest point of the bigger island Mota Lava.

| map_image = Womtelo Map-Banks-Vanuatu 1000.png

| map_caption =

| native_name = Aya

| native_name_link =

| location = Pacific Ocean

| coordinates = {{coord|13|42|58|S|167|37|48|E|region:VU-TOB_type:isle|display=inline,title}}

| archipelago = Vanuatu, Banks Islands

| area_km2 = 0.5{{cite web |title=Vanuatu |url=https://haosblongvolkeno.com/en/geographic-location/ |publisher=Haos Blong Volkeno |access-date=8 August 2018}}

| highest_mount =

| elevation_m =

| country = Vanuatu

| country_admin_divisions_title = Province

| country_admin_divisions = Torba Province

| population = 189

| population_as_of = 2009

| density_km2 =

| ethnic_groups =

}}

Rah or Ra is a small coral islet of {{convert|0.5|km²|sqmi|abbr=on}}, located in the Banks group of northern Vanuatu.{{cite web |title=Mota Lava and Ra, escape to the Banks Islands |url=http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/TORBA/mota_lava.htm |publisher=Positive Earth |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923115631/http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/TORBA/mota_lava.htm |url-status=dead }} The same name also refers to the single village which is situated within this islet.

There is a massive rock tower on the island, which is a popular hiking spot for locals as well as tourists.{{cite web |title=Rah Island kastom tour|url=https://www.vanuatu.travel/en/rah-island-kastom-tour |publisher=Vanuatu Travel |access-date=20 Nov 2023}} It is named Tavalya in Mwotlap (meaning "the other side of Ra"), and sometimes labelled 'the Rock of Rah' in English.

The islet of Rah is situated off the larger island of Mota Lava. Access to Rah is done in two ways: at low tide, by wading across the narrow strait from the mainland;and at high tide, by outrigger canoe.