Kota Kinabalu : Profile

Clearance

There is only one marina (Sutera Harbour) and various anchorages where one can moor the boat before proceeding into the commercial harbour to visit the various offices.

Immigration must be visited first. Their office is on the waterfront, north, in town, on Jalan Pantai. It is located in a small building behind the main building.

Followed by Customs whose office is now at the Cargo Terminal at Jalan Tanjung Lipat. It is a small security/gate building where the guard has been replaced by the officer dealing with clearance. It is on the right of the main Custom Office when facing the sea.

Lastly visit the Marine Department, which unfortunately is located in a zone called KKIP about 20km out of town.

There are no charges at any of these Departments although 2-3 RM for the price of the form may be requested.

Checking out (if you are leaving the state of Sabah) is the same but in reverse order. Sailing within the state of Sabah only requires a simple port clearance from the Marine Department. Nothing from Customs or Immigration.

You receive a 90-day visa (according to nationality) and at the end of that period you can leave the country and re-enter and get another 90 days without taking the boat out. It appears that in some cases Sabah, Sarawak and the Malay Peninsular are treated as separate countries i.e. if you left Labuan or Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) for Kuching you would get 90 days when entering Kuching and the same when you entered the Malay Peninsular. In all instances however it is easy to cross the border to Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia etc. to extend your visa.

Last updated May 2010.

Docking

It is possible to anchor in the harbour and Harbour Control will tell you of any restricted areas. It is also possible to anchor in front of the city (05°58.738'N, 116°04.128'E), but be very careful with your dinghy and don't leave any valuables on deck. Other options are to anchor/moor off the Kota Kinabalu Yacht Club, at Tanjung Aru or at Sutera Harbour Marina, 3 km from Kota Kinabalu.

There have been reports of thefts of dinghies and outboard motors from yachts at the Shangra-La anchorage/mooring area in the past. The present facilities will be demolished at the end of July 2011 and new facilities are planned, including a small marina with pontoons, by Shangri La.

Thefts have also been reported at the Sutera Harbor Marina from yachts on the (overflow) Southern pontoon.

Noonsite has been advised that yachts are no longer welcomed by the management of the Gaya Island Resort.

Last updated July 2011.

Gaya Island Resort
Yachts no longer welcomed by Management
Two poorly maintained moorings were available here for a fee. Facilities ashore: toilets, water and cold shower. Charge of RM20 roundtrip per/person for the ferry ride to Kota Kinabalu. Good anchorage in the SE monsoon, located at one of the state parks with wildlife near the city.

Sutera Harbour Marina
1 Sutera Harbour Blvd, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 88100
Tel:(6-088)-308127/308128, Fax:(6-008)-252211, VHF Channel 16, 71
marina@suterah.po.my
Position 05°58.15'N, 116°03.35'E.
Popular 100+ berth marina attached to a "country club" type resort. Yachts must have holding tanks. The marina is well-protected. Water, electricity, showers, toilets, fuel jetty and pump out facility, 24 hour security (at main entrance, however pontoons are not locked). There is a shuttle service to the city centre and travel information as well as information on clearing in procedures can be obtained from the harbourmaster's tower.
Advice to intending visiting yachts. Sutera Harbour Resort Marina is a member focussed marina and accordingly there is a shortage of available spaces for visitors. You should book well in advance of estimated arrival dates and advise of any revisions to ensure a berth is available.
As of January 2011, the visiting yachts berth rate is to increase to an estimated 51RM/ft/mth + electricity.