 Malaysia : Profile
The Federation of Malaysia consists of thirteen states, eleven stretched out on the long peninsula between Thailand and Singapore plus the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north-west coast of Kalimantan. The west coast attracts most cruising yachts and there is plenty to see, from the attractive old city of Malacca and the fishing port of Lumut to the islands of Penang and Langkawi. The Langkawi islands lie close to the border with Thailand and possess the finest scenery anywhere in Malaysian waters. The east coast is less visited as it is not on a cruising route and its harbours are better protected during the SW monsoon, when few cruising yachts linger in SE Asia. The best weather is during the NE monsoon when the west coast provides an excellent lee and most yachts cruise up the coast from Singapore to Thailand. Sabah and Sarawak along the northern coast of Kalimantan are visited by yachts en route to or from the Philippines and Hong Kong. Port Klang is also a good base for trips to the capital Kuala Lumpur, or to leave the boat for visits into the interior. There are several small boatyards, often with their own slips, on both coasts of the peninsula but as they are used to working on local craft, standards are not high. Facilities in Langkawi have steadily improved in recent years and the Malaysian authorities are making a determined effort to turn this area into the premier yachting centre in SE Asia.
On the coast the temperatures do not rise too high in this tropical climate, averaging 70-90°F (21-32°C). November to February is the rainy season when sudden downpours are frequent, especially on the west coast. The NE monsoon is from November to March, but on the west Malaysian coast local land breezes have a major effect on sailing conditions.
Brunei Bay Radio operates a regular voice broadcast sked of METAREA and local
coastal forecasts for SE Asia waters, the NW Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean.
For details of Brunei Bay Radio broadcast skeds and frequencies, see
http://www.bruneibay.net/bbradio/bbrschfvoice.htm and
http://www.bruneibay.net/bbradio/bbrscweathMSIbcasts.html
Malaysian Meteorological Service (MMS)
http://www.kjc.gov.my/english/weather/forecast/ship.html
5-day forecasts of weather, wind and wave. Five-day tide forecasts, from the Malaysian Department of Survey and Mapping, can be found via a link on the above website. MMS also provides weather forecasts by SMS, with dedicated numbers for two telecom providers: 2000 for Digi subscribers; and 200 500 for TM Touch subscribers.
Danga Bay
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, Johor Bahru
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, Kemaman/Tanjong Berhala
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, Kerteh
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, Kuala Kedah
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, Kuala Perlis
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, Kuala Terengganu
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, Kuantan
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, Lumut
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, Melaka/Malacca
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, Mersing
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, Muar
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, Pasir Gudang/Johore Port
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, Penang
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, Port Dickson
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, Port Klang
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, Pulau Langkawi
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, Pulau Tioman
, Sebana Cove
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, Telek Intan
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, Teluk Ewa
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, Tumpat
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Sabah: Kota Kinabalu
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, Kudat
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, Labuan
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, Lahad Datu
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, Sandakan
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, Tawau
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Sarawak: Bintulu
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, Kuching
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, Miri
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, Sibu (Sarawak)
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*Indicates a port of entry.
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