New Marina Planned For Johor Straits

Created by doina. Last modified on 2004-09-27 12:59:50
Contributors: Bob McKean Catamaran "Bobcat"
Countries: Malaysia, Singapore

I've discovered an exciting new location in a branch of water off Johor Straits, known as Danga Bay, which is only two miles west of the causeway to Singapore and an excellent alternative to Sebana Cove or expensive Singapore marinas.

Work starts October '04 on the first stage of a 50 berth floating pontoon marina, with an additional 50 berths at second stage. One of the marina consultants here on site is ex-manager of Rebak Marina for 10 years, Captain Amad Azamri. A "one stop shop" building for Immigration, Customs & Harbour Master is being constructed, together with showers, toilets and washing machines which will be ready at the same time as the marina completion early 2005.

Meanwhile, there is ample room for any number of yachts to anchor in 4.0 to 7.0 meters with excellent holding in mud/clay at Lat 01.28.47N and Long.103.43.37E. A floating pontoon dinghy dock is directly in front of the anchorage and has 24/7 security. Free water is also available at the dinghy dock for either jerry cans, or yachts can come alongside for water by prior arrangement with the Operations Manager of the marine division Kenny Koe, (012-2982131) . All staff are exceptionally friendly and keen to assist yachties and also meet at BBQ's they are planning to have, when they get a good turn-up of yachts.

The marina will be part of a huge development covering 1,350 acres known as Danga Bay... "Vision City of the South" which will have fully integrated amenities for living in waterfront homes, apartments and resort hotels, serviced by shopping malls, supermarket, office blocks, recreation and medical facilities and located five kilometers by road to the centre of Johor Baru and the causeway to Singapore. Buses stops right outside the complex with a bus every few minutes to and from JB , (as it's known locally). You need to have the exact bus fare of RM1. 10. Taxis also pass by regularly ....taxi fare to J.B around RM6. 00.

Now already completed, up and running for the past 9 months and very well patronised by locals and Singaporeans, is Phase 1 of the land development, which is a large complex of an open style food court featuring Malay, Japanese, Chinese, Thai outlets at very reasonable prices and a 24 hr convenience store like a 7-11, plus kiddy rides and other family attractions. The complex, which is directly beside the anchorage, is covered by a spectacular looking roof design of overlapping "Bay Leafs", (not unlike a scaled down version of the Sydney Opera house). This is all set in very attractive landscaped grounds and a vast boardwalk system fronting the anchorage and adjoining a clean white sandy beach.

Yachts going north or south via Malacca Straits, to/from Langkawi and Phuket might want to consider the following: Avoid the hassle in Singapore of having to find either of the two check points on the water, and waiting to clear in/out with the Immigration/Customs patrol boat and still then having to go into the city to check in/out with the Port Authority, and pay SGD$30.00 port dues and hefty marina fees....and running the gauntlet of shipping channels and newly reclaimed sand fill areas extending 4.5 miles out to sea, which are not of course on current charts or C-Map. OR...for yachts travelling to/from Bali, avoid adding another 80 miles return leg by diverting to Sebana Cove and then dealing with costly and time consuming return ferry rides to/from Singapore.

Alternatively it's now possible, if your height of mast is less than 25 meters from waterline, to sail 13 miles up the western arm of Jahor Straits, going past Raffles Marina and under the centre span of the Tuas Bridge, (a.k.a the "Second-Link" bridge), which has a minimum vertical clearance of 25 meters at HWS, which is shown clearly painted above the centre span and confirmed on C-Map. (Maximum range of Spring Tides at this location is 3.0 meters). Proceed upstream, staying away from the Singapore coast and keeping close to the Malaysian mainland all the way, to waypoint Lat 01.27.778 and Long. 103.43.354 , which is near several large fisherman houses on stilts on the right and just after a floating fish farm on your left as a turning marker to enter Danga Bay. From the entrance you can also see the roof line of the complex noted above and four 14 storey apartment blocks which are part of the Danga Bay development.

Enter the bay staying close to the eastern shore, which has several small fishing boat jetties and keep clear of some drying rocks and sand banks on the western side of the entrance and marked by a prominent red light beacon which is mid-stream as you enter the bay. There are no other navigational hazards in the bay. A member of the marine staff will come out in a dinghy to welcome you and give you a choice of the best places to anchor in 4.0 to 7.0 meters in excellent holding mud and clay.

Until the marina is completed check in can be done with Immigration at the causeway and with the Harbour Master (Jabatan Laut), which is 1km along the waterfront from the anchorage, towards the causeway. Customs, (also at the causeway), only required for check out and issue of Port Clearance after check out with Harbour Master. Immigration check out is not required if stopping at further Malaysian ports, or until final check out in Langkawi for Phuket or other destinations. As in all Malaysian ports there is no charge for check in or out. Passports receive a new entry stamp, which is good for three months stay in Malaysia, each time you return across the causeway from Singapore.

And a note for the future: When the current work on the new bridge to replace the Singapore causeway is completed around 2008 it will also have a 25 meter clearance for yachts and ships to pass under, enabling boats to travel the whole length of Johor Straits and by-pass Singapore waters completely. This will be particularly advantageous to yachts wishing to sail around to the east coast of Malaysia and Thailand, or travel further to/from Borneo and the Philippines.

Bob McKean, S/Y "Bobcat", e-mail: sybobcat@yahoo.com