Andaman Sea Pilot - the definitive cruising guide for the Andaman Sea...and more

The definitive guide to 380 anchorages in more than one million square miles of ocean

MALAYSIA

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MALAYSIA

Click links below for Malaysia anchorages
West Malaysia, West Coast
  Malacca to Penang
  Langkawi

West Malaysia, East Coast
  The Tioman Group
  Tengol to Perhantian Besar

East Malaysia (Borneo)
  Kuching to Sutera Harbour
  Tunka Abdul Rahman Marine Park
  (Kota Kinabalu)

Peninsula Malaysia (or West Malaysia) runs from Singapore to the Thai border with approximately 400 miles of coastline forming the eastern boundary of the famous Malacca Straits. On the Gulf of Thailand coast, the distance to the border is slightly less. East Malaysia comprises the two states of Sarawak and Sabah, which lie on the northwestern side of the island of Borneo.

Navigation through the straits is not difficult with only a few shallow areas, which are well buoyed and lit. The Japanese Government were kind enough to give financial aid to Malaysia for the purposes of renewing and expanding all navigational aids around the Peninsula. Commercial shipping traffic is very heavy and a good watch is essential day and night.

Piracy in the Malacca Straits is a much-discussed issue. There have been isolated problems in recent years with commercial shipping, but very few reports of harassment of pleasure yachts over the last 15 years. Patrol boats from both countries police the area and may be encountered in their respective waters. (For more on piracy, click here)

There are good road and rail links between all the coastal towns and to Kuala Lumpur, where there is a major international airport. Ferry services also operate between Singapore and Malaysian ports, Penang and Langkawi and between Langkawi and Thailand.

The country is multicultural with 60 percent Malay, 30percent Chinese and 10 percent Indian population.

Formerly a British colony, it is now a developing independent nation with conservative tolerant Islam as the predominant faith.

There are two seasons corresponding to the northeast and southwest monsoon, with May to October being the wetter season. Winds in the Malacca straits are often fickle and strongly affected by the local landmasses of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Of short duration, but sometimes quite strong, squalls called “Sumatras” are frequent. Thunderstorms are common and insurance companies often have to deal with lightning strike claims.

In recent years thick smoke haze from forest fires in Sumatra has limited visibility in the Straits.

Entry procedures and visas
Ships’ documents and valid passports for all crew members must be carried to gain entry into Malaysia.

Most international visitors will be granted a tourist visa on entry. This is valid for 60 days and extendable by up to three months.

Yachts entering Malaysian waters in the Malacca Straights should proceed to the nearest port of entry.

From Singapore north these are Malacca, Port Dickson, Port Klang, Lumut, Penang and Kuah in Langkawi on the Thai border.

Heading into the Gulf of Thailand is dealt with in the second section of this chapter, East Coast Malaysia.

Yachts making passage past these ports are unlikely to be challenged as long as they are heading for Thailand or a local port of entry.

Visiting yachts should report to Marine Harbourmaster, Immigration, and Customs in that order.

On leaving the port, this process needs to be repeated and a port clearance for the vessel and crew obtained even if you are heading for another destination in Malaysia.

Yachts can be left in Malaysia and the formalities involved are relatively simple.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic charts of the respective countries.

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