SAIL MALAYSIA RALLY: CRUISING NOTES FOR YACHTS A Guide to Sailing in Malaysia from Langkawi to Tawau (via Singapore, the Anambas/Natuna Islands and Brunei Darussalam) Last Updated: March 19th 2018 CONTENTS Acknowledgements 4 Introduction 5 The Purpose and Limits of this Guide 5 Monsoon Sailing 5 Radar and Radio 6 Security in the Melaka (Malacca) Straits 7 Sailing in Sabah 7 Section 1: Official Formalities for Visiting Yachts in Malaysia 9 Section 2: Peninsular Malaysia, West Coast 12 2.1 Tides and Currents in the Melaka (Malacca) Straits 12 2.2 Pulau Langkawi 13 2.3 Passages between Langkawi and Penang 16 2.4 Pulau Penang (Pinang) 17 2.5 Lumut and Pulau Pangkor 20 2.6 Anchorages between Lumut and Port Klang 22 2.7 Royal Selangor Yacht Club 22 2.8 Selat Che Mat Zin 23 2.9 Selat Lumut 23 2.10 Passages in the Southern Malacca Straits 23 2.11 Anchorages near Port Dickson 24 2.12 Admiral Marina, Port Dickson 24 2.13 Melaka (Malacca) Marina 24 2.14 Anchorages in the South Melaka (Malacca) Straits 25 2.15 Puteri Harbour Marina 27 2.16 Danga Bay Marina 27 1 2.17 Country Garden Marina 28 Section 3: Singapore 30 3.1 Passages through the Singapore Straits 30 3.2 Changi Naval Base: Prohibited Area 30 3.3 Vessel Traffic Information System 30 3.4 Automatic Identification Systems 30 3.5 Formalities in Singapore 31 3.6 Marinas and Yacht Clubs in Singapore 31 3.7 Visiting Singapore by Public Transport 32 Section 4: Peninsular Malaysia, East Coast 33 4.1 Reclamation Schemes 33 4.2 Anchorages near Penglih 33 4.3 Pengelih Marina 33 4.4 Sebana Cove Marina 33 4.5 East of the Johor Bahru/Singapore Causeway 34 4.6 Restricted Area off the ‘Rapid’ Refinery 35 4.7 East Johor Anchorages 35 4.8 Pulau Tioman 39 4.9 Pulau Tulai 39 4.10 Endau 38 4.11 Sungai Pahang 40 4.12 Kuantan 40 4.13 Sungai Kemaman and Bandar Cukai 40 4.14 Tanjung Penunjok/Tanjung Senajang 41 4.15 Restricted Area off Kertih Oil Refinery 41 4.16 Sungai Paka 42 4.17 Pulau Tenggol 42 4.18 Pulau Kapas 42 4.19 Kuala Terengganu 43 4.20 Pulau Bidung 45 4.21 Pulau Redang 46 4.22 Pulau Perhentian 47 4.23 Kuala Besut 49 Section 5: Crossing the South China Sea 50 Section 6: Anambas and Natuna Islands (Indonesia) 51 Section 7: Sarawak 61 7.1 Anchorages Northwest of Santubong 61 7.2 Santubong 61 7.3 Kuching 64 7.4 Pulau Lakei 65 7.5 Sungai Rajang 65 7.6 Sungai Mukah 67 7.7 Bintulu 67 2 7.8 Miri 68 7.9 Sarawak/Brunei Oilfields 68 Section 8: Brunei Darussalam 70 8.1 Kuala Belait 70 8.2 Jerudong Harbour 70 8.3 Muara 71 8.4 Checking Into Brunei at Maura 71 8.5 Royal Brunei Yacht Club 72 8.6 The Brunei River Bar 73 8.7 Fuel and Equipment Supplies 73 8.8 Bandar Seri Begawan 74 Section 9 Labuan 75 Section 10: Sabah 77 10.1 Sungai Klias 77 10.2 Kuala Penyu 77 10.3 Pulau Tiga 78 10.4 Kota Kinabalu 79 10.5 Anchorages between Kota Kinabalu and Kudat 80 10.6 Kudat 82 10.7 Sailing Between Kudat and Sandakan 82 10.8 Anchorages between Kudat and Sandakan 83 10.9 Sandakan 86 10.10 Sungai Kinabatangan 87 10.11 Anchorages between Dewhurst Bay and Tawau 90 10.12 Tawau 95 Section 11 Tarakan (Indonesia) 96 Appendix I: Latitudes and Longitudes 97 Appendix II: An (Abridged) Glossary of Sailing Terms 98 Appendix III: A Suggested Reading List for Books on Malaysia and Neighbouring Countries. 107 Appendix IV: Leaving an Unnattended Yacht in Malaysia 109 Appendix V Boatyards in Malaysia 112 Appendix VI: Malay Language (Bahasa Malaysia) words used in the Cruising Guide 113 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sail Malaysia would like to thank the following for their contributions to this Cruising Guide. Comments, updates and corrections are always welcome at [email protected] Phil & Cheryl, Adagio Raymond Lesmana, Sail To Indonesia Matt & Yai, Aeventyr Stephen & Elizabeth, Liberté Jap & Marijke, Alishan Willi & Gloria, Linger Longer Mark & Heather, Ajax Frans & Leny, Lunamare Neville & Glenys, Alba Martin & Sue, Mandolin Wind Othman Aliakbar, Kinabalu Yacht Club Bruce, Migration Jef & Marin, Amaryllis II David & Heather, Milliways Chris & Nancy, Amulet John & Carol, Nerissa Jack & Jan, Anthem Jon & Sue, Ocelot Steve & Jules, Aqua Dreams Mazrizal Othman, Rebak Marina Geoff & Karen, Arnak Bill & Gene, Out of the Bag Walter & Gisela, Atlantis Chris & Lynette, Out of the Blue II Dr Aji Sularso, ASWINDO Allan Riches, Outward Bound. David & Janice, Baraka Ray & Shaunnaugh, Parlay John & Jane, Barnacle C Peter, Meillia, Sam, Erin & Isla, Per Ardua Giles & Jo, Brother Wind Peter & Margaret, Peregrina Tony, Nannette & Brett, Boundless Tu Rod & Heather, Psycho Puss Dieter & Marlene, Callala Graeme & Sue, Quiet Achiever Roger & Lucie, Catamini Alec & Cherry, Rainbow Gypsy John & Catherine Catchcry Prakash (Kash) Reddy Allan & Elaine, Chatelaine Gene & Sheri Reflections Klaus & Ulla, Chez Nous David & Juliet, Reflections of Hayling Ian & Christine, China Grove Mark & Catherine, Relapse Brian, Delos Errol & Claire, Restless M John & Cecilie, Delphian Ron & Simone, Romone Marieke Derks, Sevenstar Yacht Transport Tim & Barb, Rubicon Star Peter & Elisabeth, Desert Rose II Phil & Les, Sagata Brian & Gill, Destiny III. Ralph & Nathalie, Saltotu Kevin & Christine, Dream Maker Kevin & Roslyn, Santana Jack & Norma, Egress II Paraic & Myra, Saol Eile Shane & Heather, Enzwell Richard & Susan, Sea Bunny John & Kerry, Esoterica Charlie & Betty, Seventh Heaven Christoph & Margit, Eva Sham & Syaza Barry & Katrina, Evolution NT Ron, Shalimar II Ken & Audrey, Fast Forward Terry & Ana, Si Hai John Ferguson, Straits Quay Marina Mike & Jules, Sirius 1 Marie-Christine, Flanneur Derek & Ginette, Small Cat Fun Scott Pinkston, Fortuna of Tamar Andy & Susan, Spruce Terrence Gregory, Danga Bay Marina Dave & Patty, This Way Up Tim & Leanne, Gemini Lady Jen, Tiger Lily & AHOY Chris & Lorraine, Gryphon II Kai, Katharina, Lina & Yara, Ui David & Jacquie, Jackster Bill & Lyda, Viajero Bill & Jill, Jill Diane Terry & Rose, Valhalla Bob, Jolie Brise Robert & Sandra Wai-O-Tira Stephan & Wendy Juliana II Kevein & Mei, Whisper HR Chris & Mae, Kaluwasan. Roger & Jane, Wings & Strings Mike & Shelia, Kantala Yacht Supply, Rebak Marina James Khoo, Pangkor Marina Greg Yap, Senibong Cove Marina Frank & Karen, Kokomo V Nick & Jan, Yawarra II Ian & Mona, Kumang Jason & Karen, YOLO Patrick & Elizabeth, Labarque Alan & Pauline, Zebedee Kari & Aslaug, Lady Ann Michael & Janice, Zoa Eric & Jan, Lady U Jack & Sandi, Zorana Les & Colleen La Passarola 4 INTRODUCTION The Purpose and Limits of this Guide This Guide started as an informal collation of information by rally participants. The data presented is very far from comprehensive and is intended merely to complement other sources. These include digital and paper charts, published yacht cruising guides/pilots and tourist guidebooks. The Guide includes waypoints to be used with the Global Positioning System (GPS). For those unfamiliar with latitudes and longitudes, there is a brief introduction in Appendix I. There are few published sailing guides for yachts in South East Asian waters. The Cruising Guide to South East Asia, Volumes I & II by Davies & Morgan, published by Imray, Laurie Norie & Wilson, have insufficient detail for many destinations in Malaysia. It’s believed that new editions will be published soon. The South East Asia Pilot, Dowden & O’Leary, Image Asia, (2013) was originally published as the Andaman Sea Pilot and dealt principally with the waters off Western Thailand. It has now been much expanded and has good coverage of the Malacca Straits and for much of the east coast of the Peninsula. Future editions will doubtless have better information on Malaysian Borneo. Some published sailing guides expend far too many words describing what should be clearly evident from paper or electronic charts. In this Guide the intention is not to duplicate charted information. Where the published nautical charts have been found in error, or where new developments remain uncharted, this data will be incorporated in to the Guide as it becomes available. Listed GPS waypoints should be treated with grave suspicion in this and every Pilot and Yacht Cruising Guide. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information offered is accurate, errors are inevitable and there are certainly significant omissions. In some areas of Malaysia, things are changing so fast that they have likely outpaced all attempts to report them. These Notes are a work in progress. A string of asterixes ******** means that it’s believed that significant information is missing. Additional information, corrections and comments are always very welcome. Please send your contributions to Sail Malaysia at [email protected] All contributors will be acknowledged in future editions of this Guide. Monsoon Sailing The weather in Malaysian waters is dominated by the monsoons. The south-west monsoon begins in May/June and continues to October/November. The north-east monsoon begins in November/December and continues to April/May. There are transitional periods between the monsoons which the Singapore meteorological office refers to as “No persistent significant condition”. The monsoons may be strong, moderate, or, most commonly, weak. The Passage to Langkawi Yacht Rally sails from near Johor Bahru (just north of Singapore) in November. After arriving in Langkawi the rally fleet has the sheltered western coasts of peninsula Malaysia and Thailand to explore during the dry north-east monsoon season. Many stay on for the south-west season, which has more rainfall but there are plenty of safe anchorages and marina berths. The Passage to the East sails from Langkawi in April and heads north to the eastern shore of peninsula Malaysia in early May – crossing to Borneo in June and finishing at Tawau in August.