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Cruising Report For Malacca Straits, Malaysia, Borneo and Philippines
Created by
doina.
Last modified on 2006-03-07 13:12:14
Malacca Straits We went up and down during Sumatera season but never struck one. We always tried to shelter for the W - SW wind, but then we talked to people who have sat through one and they say it came more from W-NW so it's a dice game. If you travel more in the NE monsoon then can just pull over anywhere. Kukuk 01.19.000N - 103.26.67E fishing village island about 15 miles sth of Pisang - we found hard to find a good spot to anchor and did have a nasty squall from W here fortunately in the morning. Also shallow entrance for keeler of 2mtr- don't think at low water could get in esp in springs. P.Pisang Can stay on nth or sth side depending on wind or even east of little island - We stayed 01 28 10N 103 16 08E there is a deeper channel on western side of little island where we anchored. Water island sth side of big island, 02 06 40N; 102 20 44E - good holding and lots of swing room. Also stayed at Dodol on SE corner but difficult to get anchor up in morning (rock /coral?). Port Dickson marina Expensive ! about 50 rgts plus power; marina OK and pool etc. Coming from south need to have Marina entrance, which is on nth side, abeam before turn in as there is an unmarked reef outside marina wall. Port Klang We went up the main channel - very interesting and a quick trip with the currents and then onto; P Angsa about 10nm nth of Klang 03 11 08N; 101 13 13E. On way back down we came between the outer islands and stayed by fish farms. East side of Tengal Is 02 59 82N;101 15 53E. The island continues much further sth than on C-map chart. Plenty of water - just watch nets and traps at either entrance. Purchased fresh fish from fish farm. Bernam river 03 50 81N; 100 49 90E - we came in at 1 hr before lW neaps and not l less than 2.5 beneath keel - is exposed to W but SW OK once in river - long way up to get round a corner - didn't explore. Pankor A few options depending on wind in the sthern bay b/n Pankor Laut and main island. 04 12 68N;100 49 90E, also on SE side of Pankor Laut - 03 50 81N; 100 49 90E. Also over by main bay. In NE also nice in bays further up west coast. Rimau Is on sth side of Pinang 05 14 18N; 100 16 65E Penang Police Anchorage - up under bridge to yellow bouys near ferry terminal and back down inside 05 22 20N; 100 19 08E. Very quiet. Leave tender at jetty walk over overpass and up track then road to mainroad - bus to town about 70 sen. The marina on sth side of jetty very small need to have people there to rope you in I believe - strong current. We didn't go there. Then onto Langkawi - can stay among the islands on south if getting late or continue to Rebak or Telaga or Kuah or wherever!!! East coast peninsular Malaysia MP anchorages A lot of times it seemed like a choice between the swell or being exposed to SW squalls . We sat through some squalls on west coast anchorages but seldom more than 25 knts and didn't last long but need to be prepared to move! Jason bay - good stop to/from Sing 01. 51.45N, 104 08 73E B/N Hunjong and Tengah Is - lunch stop pretty - 02 10 90N, 104 06 40E P Tinggi - nth side - 02 18 96N; 104 05 96E sw side by village - 02 16 71N; 104 07 03E turtle hatchery - 02 17 28N; 104 06 11E P Sibu - east side - 02 13 65N; 104 04 16E P Babi besar - west side 02 25 49N;103 59 01E - they were filming european Survival show while we were there! Mersing - just anchor off if need to restock - good market and diesel available at dock if want; no room inside to take boat in. Tioman - west side Monkey bay 02 51 79N;104 09 00E - we anchored and stern tied to bouy in bay to stay bow into swell. Tekek - Main bay - just sth of main ferry jetty (the one with blue roof) - and all little boats moored just to the south for check in. Didn't O/N here stayed further sth on mooring by liitle island - also room to anchor and a nice snorkel round the island. 02 48 69N; 104 08 30E Selang -02 52 72N; 104 09 01E - moorings -new 2004 - on east coast any big orange moorings are put down by parks people - we have never been approached for a fee. Also supposed to be good diving around the island - we only snorkel - wasn't that interesting East side Juara bay - very pretty not so built up - has been no rd till very recent - still only motorbikes but the beginning of the end!! sth end of beach - sister ship to Ballyseaux owned by John who owns the little resort on shore at sth end. Can be rolly stern anchor helps. Tuck in as far to cliffs as poss aprox 02 46 99N; 104.12 58E. P Tulai - NNE bay a mooring at head of bay almost on the rocks!!!! after the day ferries have gone and before the fisherman grab it - but check it is the substantial one and not one of the lightweight ones - not an orange one 02 54 97; 104 06 499 (this may be further out in bay where we stopped initially but one in close was out of roll). West bay - 02 54 88; 104 05 92 we came in after dark and anchored outside the fishing boats already moored - can get further in in good light. Long haul to Kuantan - river - we were too late for the tide across the bar and too rolly to roadstead outside so thought we may end up O/N passage nth but found spot. P.ULAR approach from nth 04 03 53; 103 24 35. If doing overnighters - lots of fish traps and those big bamboo structures I mentioned - we saw them in 30 metres of water so good look out! Kemamen river - Chukai - nice to get out of swell - easy bar at 1 1/2 hrs before a 2 mtr tide and above leads - pretty accurate - only one set across the bar then its a hard turn to starboard and follow the river (we left 2 hrs after LW and had 3 mtr at entrance not sure what the range was that day and have passed the cruising notes on where I put the detail) We anchored east of the town and had the wildlife on the river banks in the mornings and a bit deeper water. Just pull off to the side as lots big fishing boats 04 14 24; 103 25 72. Leave dinghy at steps in front of town = we stern anchored it out - great market - good Roti and kebabs in mornings behind market. Two fairly well stocked supermarkets. Diesel if can still jug it. All flat and close to dinghy access. P. Tengoll - 04.48.47; 103.40.56 - marginal anchorage - very small shelf - lots of fishing boats - moorings but 5 fishing boats hang off them and drag them around bay so may be unreliable - we had a guy come out from resort and give you lowdown on where and if mooring OK otherwise deep P Kapas 05 13 74 ; 103 15 78 : lovely spot on nth side between the big and little islands protected from swell. Worth a snorkel across reef. Can also anchor inside breakwater across at village/river on mainland, a keel yacht was in there - drew 2 m. centre of gap then turn to port as soon as inside - not a lot of room. we went across in tenders to market small but ok. Terengganau - couple of options - quite different to chart with reclamation. Need tide to go in and I don't have instructions for entry - once inside can anchor off to starboard or go up passed wharves to off customs. We didn't like it there for whatever reason and didn't stay but others have. P Bidong 05 36 79;103 03 46 - this is ex refugee camp - worth a stop - I think we picked up a mooring = Ri Fi anchored - also good snorkeling nth passed the next bay where the resort is. We used well onshore for washing clothes. Redang - 3 main options depending on wind and swell: Turtle hatchery 05 44 90;103 00 14 orange mooring bouys; east coast 05 45 48;103 01 56; NE bay 05 47 21;103 01 16. Next bay to NW from NE bay looks to have good snork. WE arrived mid affo and they close beach for turtle laying so we had to move on. Perhentions Nth side Perhentian Besar 05 54 43; 102 45 00; long beach - perhentian kecil or can anchor in between the 2 islands or swell etc permitting in the sthern bay of the big island. Then all the same selection on way down again! The couple of commercial ports are not yachty friendly. If no swell can pull in any where along coast - but while we were moving always too much to do that. BORNEO Banggi Is - 07 17 28; 117 03 62 - some young boys came out and offered M some coconuts. Wally has stayed there and Rasa stayed at Tiga Is -a couple of miles nth for a few days. Make sure you clean underpants on if you come across Balabac strait to come up east side as the Philippine navy will want to know ! that and everything else - but its all done over VHF so no inspections required! We are in Calandorang Bay and a bit of a roll - it is ESE and it is less on sthern side of bay - just went and check nth side out as well so is probably coming into all these east coast bays. Others have stayed in Coboan Bay to nth of this one and said good - beware reef separates bay in 2 - I think does not show on C- map like it is on chart Iglesia point 08 29 58; 117 25 63. Good at moment swellwise - off fishing village with
big outrigger boats. Other boats have stayed just inside point - we looked on Cmap chart and I thought it looked easier to get in to where we stayed but they said it was
fine going inside point - saves the extra couple of miles. Just remember
Philippines is IALA James Brooke point - we are behind the breakwater and very comfortable- very obvious as you come in round the sth western end we are in about 4 metre of water - just leave enough room for boats to get to wharf. We are 08 46 25, 117 49 57. Were heading to crawford bay -09 02 82 ;118 05 25 in Island Bay - Rasa (the yacht) had stayed there and said ok in NE is about 25 miles from James Brooke so thought could do that before wind too established but by 0830 still very calm so changed direction for Rasa Is and here we are - 09 13 56; 118 25 66 - totally out of swell. Malanao 09 26 67 118 36 46 is sheltered spot - maybe not quite as good as Rasa but no swell. Beware that Cmap is not accurate once move onto new screen at 09 19 89 nth - all island etc further sth sw than chart - by a mile or so. Would not recommend a night approach to Malanao as also an extensive bamboo fish trap to sw of sw tip - plenty of water to pass between trap and reef. Reef extends west quite a way from island as well Puerto Princesa Here are the waypoints off our snail trail into PPYC all in deep water - wouldn't go any further sth between 1 & 2 as the reef extends quite a way from the sth head
Damaran island - 10 30 11; 119 45 45. We sat out the typhoon - we got winds of maybe 15 kts with our tandem anchors and boat stripped down!!! in behind Nth verde 10 06 76; 119 13 71. The entrance around the top of nth Verde is very narrow between 2 reefs but very easy to spot - you just have to hug the coast and pass the fish farm on the port only a couple of boat lengths away. Our track in/out: 10 07 78, 119 14 49; 10 07 68, 119 14 24; 10 07 49, 119 13 94; 10 07 41, 119 13 85; 10 07 91, 119 13 71. Our anchorage but there is heaps of room inside. The narrowest bit is between the first 2 waypoints. I wouldn't bother going in there if not a Typhoon as anchorage behind Renaird fine in NE - 10 08 77 119 14 71 cmaps are pretty accurate again by there. Going back from there Senta spent a few nights in Honda bay - we didn't but their anchorages were at Meara is - 09 53 22; 118 46 41 then at Fernan ??? Is on west side but they got a 25 kt westerly in middle of day so they moved to between 2 Cays 09 57 55 ; 118 55 195. After Verde we came up to Flat island in Green island Bay - 10 16 53; 119 13 71. Apulit Is 10 57 10; 119 36 59 best avoided We had a great sail from Dumaran Island hardly any tacking. - bit stressful through the pearl farms from Dumaran anchorage nth. Do not attempt at night. It is best to follow the channel around to port against Palawan rather than head nth through the island as we on MP did - right into a maze of pearl strings. Eventually the guards with their AK 47s came and escorted us to the edge of farm. Big friendly smiles to go with it. The next one nth of Paly island is easier to negotiate - keep farm to port and there are bamboo floats marking the edge of the farm. WE made good tme and reached Icandam ... Is by 1130 and had been told the NW bay was good but deep (18m) so we came onto Apulit - flash resort ashore and deeper again 25 - 30 metres! - We went to look at one end of beach and were told by AK47s to anchor at other end. Now just on dusk they have come out to ask for 500P anchorage fee. We explained that that was not fair etc they should have told us at 1300hrs when we arrived so we had option of moving. So none of us paid - we will leave first thing in am. Moving on 12 miles - 11 08 12, 119 39 13 Batacan Is. Coming up the passage to here we encountered more pearl farms but again these were clearly marked with the bamboo rafts with flags and ha a good wide channel to pass through. This island is lovely - still quite deep but resort is low key and lovely - a mooring close to shore that is OK to use - The snorkeling was OK - the vis wonderful - first snork we have done since Tiga. There is a path around the island. Next day - was quite a rolly anchorage with NE up early this morning. Watch the bombies. Both Senta and MP had a bit of difficulty in getting anchors up. PP had picked up mooring - quite close to shore but deep - just dont know what was on the bottom of it! The meal was lovely - I am glad I went ashore in morning to ask as she quoted me 300 and when bill came it was 500 a head which they reverted to 300 when we told them the quoted price. We left this am - came across to Linapacan- Calaylayam bay 11 26 77 ;119 43 95 we are in 22 metres seems good holding easy to see fringing reef - a bit of a wind funnel and once inside we are getting willywhirls but maybe gusts of 15 occasionally 18-20. But there is NO ROLL. Popototan Is - 11 59 62 ; 119 51 43. Anchored off the fringing reef - easy to see. Clear passage b/n Popototan and Is to east. South Conception bay - sth arm !6 mtres 12 01 03; 119 58 86 Coron Harbour -SE side 11 59 44; 120 12 49 Coron Harbour N side1159 75; 120 11 84 Recommend having good light to go from SE side to nth side for the first time so can see the reef easily. Can also go into the nth side anchorage off the market by going up west then nth coast of Uson Is. Lots of possible anchorages around that area Coron cove 11 57 76 120 13 72 - room for 1 boat to swing about 20 mtr on anch. - 4 mt at entrance. From Coron we day hopped to Bolinao. Borac harbour 12.07 47;120 19 07 entrance between pearl farms but clear inside harbour and good anc in 9 mt. Tara Is 12 17 23; 120 21 36 22 mtr - is possible to go further in between islet and island if staying longer - very pretty spot Apo reef- 12 41 09 120 26 97 between the 2 reef lagoons Apo Island on mooring 12 39 48 ; 120 25 12 - best snorkeling and diving here. Ranger will visit and collect a small one off fee. Golo Islan 13 38 28 ;120 22 90 overnight stop. Hamilo bay 14 10 91; 120 36 31 protected anchorage about 10 metres . Subic 14 50 62 ;120 15 95 - we didn't go into marina - got a bus into town - good market Port Silanguin just out side Subic bay to the nth - at head of the bay Matalvi Bay 15 28 80; 119 55 78 good anchorage once get past the fish farms 14 m in mud. Hermana island - 15 47 84 ;119 48 39 tucked in behind the sand bar on NE side of island, 6-9 m in sand Bolinao - LOTS of fish farms. We anch off the jetty on Santiago Is make sure you're inside the line of the sothern tip of the island and the main channel up between the fish farms to get out of way of the heavy boat traffic. Phil Gibbins of SY Vellamo |
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