Sailing in Malaysia:  January – February 2025 and May – November 2025

Changi Sailing Club to Puteri Harbour

We set off from Changi Sailing Club, Singapore in January 2025, heading to a reserved berth at Pinetree Marina in Puteri Harbour where we planned to stay for a week or two. Since we had already been in Singapore and were known to the authorities (in a good way) we were free to sail around the island in Singapore waters without any issues, meaning we didn’t have to stay close to the shipping lanes.

The current was excellent, carrying us swiftly towards Pinetree until we approached the final turn, where it changed direction and slowed us to 3 knots.  Passing under the bridge felt a bit tense as it was high tide, but thankfully, we had no problems. Our mast height is 20.2 metres from the waterline. The bridge clearance is 25 metres.

Quick Friday Clearance

We entered the marina and made a radio call. They assigned us a berth and came to assist us immediately. The staff also helped with clearing customs and immigration in Malaysia, noting it was nearly 4 pm on a Friday and urging us to be quick to clear in on the same day. We grabbed our paperwork and jumped into the waiting golf cart which took us to the ferry terminal. The marina had already completed much of the paperwork for us, so we just presented our documents and passports for stamping.

Interestingly, after stamping our passports, they insisted on putting our bags through a scanner. Maybe they didn’t realise we hadn’t just arrived from an Indonesian ferry, but the tip here is to go to see the officials without carrying any bags. The duty-free shop is also available here. We returned to the marina in the golf buggy.

The marina is modern, with toilets and showers, though these facilities are a short walk from the dock. The bathrooms and showers are regularly cleaned, albeit not to a high standard. Washing machines are provided, requiring cash exchanged for tokens from a machine. Security guards are on duty 24/7. Some shops are empty, and at times the marina feels very quiet. The area has several restaurants with somewhat elevated prices, but a couple of street vendors sell inexpensive burgers. More dining options are within a short walk from the marina.

Several supermarkets are within walking distance; the best stocked we found was in the same complex as the Pinetree Hotel. We walked there but took a taxi back because of wine and beer purchases.

The marina runs a free shuttle bus to Suntec City Mall, which hosts cafes, DIY shops, and a large supermarket with a more local selection.

Puteri Harbour to Langkawi

In Malaysia, you must clear in and out at each province. We cleared out here, thanks again to the marina for their assistance, before heading up the coast to Pangkor, situated in the province of Perak.

We decided against overnight sailing, as many do by hugging the main shipping channel. We were glad we didn’t sail overnight, having seen many large ships outside the channel without AIS and some inside the channel going in the wrong direction.

Our stops, where we anchored, included:

Banana Island (Pulau Pisang) – 35 miles

• Coordinates: 01°27.657’N 103°15.269’E
• Anchored in 6.5 metres mud bottom

Big Island (Pulau Besar) – 70 miles

• Coordinates: 02°06.405’N 102°19.411’E
• Anchored in 5 metres clay/mud bottom

Port Klang – 80 miles

• Coordinates: 02°55.114’N 101°15.724’E
• Anchored just outside Klang in a protected spot with 5.4 metres in mud

Near Pangkor – 60 miles

• Coordinates: 03°43.615’N 100°50.178’E
• Anchored in 4.1 metres

We motored quite close to shore for comfort amidst many fishing boats. We passed through them carefully, keeping lights on at night to ensure visibility. There were no issues or unwanted visitors.

Pangkor Marina – 37 miles

We had emailed them a few days in advance for berth info and docking instructions. Using VHF channel 69, we called on arrival and followed the ferry route in, mindful of our 2.05 metre draft. Four dockhands were ready to take our lines and showed us where to plug into electricity. Later, the marina provided a dual connector for sharing one socket with another boat.

We stayed on the “fuel pontoon” (which doesn’t actually have fuel)—long pontoon on the starboard side—it’s a bit of a walk to the office. The marina delivered diesel in barrels to fill our tank.

Washing machines are free to use and are in the same building as the toilets and showers, you will need to bring toilet paper unless you want to use the traditional Asian-style shower wash.  Upon arrival, we were added to the marina’s group chat for visitors, staff, and tradespeople.

Rimau Anchorage – 69 miles

• Coordinates: 05°14.671’N 100°16.375’E
• Anchored in 4.8 metres
• Windy on arrival, but calm and peaceful once sheltered by the island.

Penang – The Junk Anchorage (near Chew Jetty) – 12 miles

• Coordinates: 05°24.507’N 100°20.467’E
• Anchored in 4 metres.

No need to call anyone before going under the bridges; just watch your height. Bridge clearances are 28 and 30 metres. We were the only boat at anchor. Calling for a water taxi was challenging due to language barriers, so we launched our dinghy and headed to the jetty. As we approached, a man shouted “No docking!” but agreed to pick us up. This was Mr Chew, telephone : 0164337624 who charged 10 MYR each way, providing prompt and convenient transport.

Langkawi Chewi Bay – 58 miles

• Coordinates: 06°10.284’N 099°48.418’E
• Anchored in 5.5 metres
• A quiet, pleasant anchorage near Langkawi’s entrance.

Langkawi – Kuah – 13 miles

• Coordinates: 06°18.807’N 099°00.860’E
• Anchored in 4.3 metres

A very large anchorage with space for many boats. Be cautious of moorings.

Langkawi Clearance

We anchored here to clear in, taking the dinghy to the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. A 24-hour dinghy fee (cash only) applies, granting access to the swimming pool—so bring swimwear and towels. Immigration and customs are inside the ferry terminal; the Harbour Master’s office has a separate entrance nearby.

The main supermarket, Billion, is within walking distance. We walked there but took a Grab taxi back. Alcohol is duty-free but it is not supposed to leave Langkawi. When clearing out, they ask if you have anything to declare.

When we returned from Thailand, we cleared back in here (international clearance ) and cleared out (domestic clearance) simultaneously, saving an extra trip. Follow this order to visit officials: Immigration, Harbourmaster, Customs, then back to Immigration to present customs paperwork.

FADs or Fish Aggregation Devices are prevalent in the waters around Malaysia. Image (c) SV Jamala.

Return to Pangkor from Langkawi

Teluk Nangha Besar – 13 miles

• Coordinates: 06°10.176’N 099°48.733’E
• Anchored in 8 metres
• Only space for about two boats or more as it gets shallow in places.  A beautiful, calm night with just a few local fishing boats passing.

Pulau Kendi – 62 miles

• Coordinates: 05°13.814’N 100°10.848’E
• Anchored in 7.6 metres on sand

Pulau Talang – 55 miles

• Coordinates: 04°25.222’N 100°34.692’E
• Anchored in 9 metres on sand; watch tides carefully.

Pangkor Marina and Boat Yard

Since I had broken my wrist in Phuket, we asked for assistance. The yard manager, Fifi, came out in the dinghy to meet us and he climbed onboard. He took control, telling me to sit down while they handled everything. Four men helped tie up Jamala without hassle—service beyond expectations!

You can rent apartments and hire cars through the marina. We rented a one-bedroom apartment and a car from Danny of Superclean in Lumut (WhatsApp +60 17 643 1882). The apartment was 800 RM/month and the car also 800 RM per month. Danny advised that an international driving license is needed for driving outside the region. We arranged ours in the UK when we returned to visit family. The car was reliable throughout our six-month rental.

Laundry services are available via the marina office, taking 1-3 days depending on what time you drop your laundry off.

The marina holds a monthly BBQ where cruisers are asked to take a side dish and the marina provides free meat, bread, beer and soft drinks.

James, the marina owner, is fantastically helpful with everything. We can’t recommend him enough.

Local Amenities near to the Marina

Restaurants:

• High Time serves western and Malaysian food, with alcohol. Cruisers can buy beer by buying a package at discounted rates (to be consumed within two weeks and tracked by a card provided to you.
• Baku Baku – no alcohol served unless you bring your own in a concealed cup.
• Rockbund Cafe offers Asian dishes; drinkers must sit outside. Beware of ants coming for your meal.

There are also small snack places in the ferry terminal offering coffee and soft drinks.

Stores:

• 7-11 sells alcohol and has a small cafe
• Marina office sells frozen bread, pies, garlic bread, croissants.
• Marina Chandlery:  Adam manages the chandlery, sourcing marine parts like antifoul, paints, engine parts, water and fuel filters.

You can also order from Lazada and orders can arrive the following day.  Amazon USA also deliver and orders can arrive within a week or so.  SVB Europe deliveries took about 10 days.  The marina can also collect parcels from customs for a small fee.

Tradespeople we used:

• Islam (+60 11-1146 1527): antifoul and painted our stern. Quick to respond and corrected initial issues immediately.
• Jimmy (+60 19 574 1398): hull scratch touch-ups; work is excellent but requires chasing and is somewhat unreliable on timing.
• Aboy (+60 16-520 6640): Chinese-speaking, stainless steel straightening; marina owner James Khoo helped with translation.
• Chain re galvanising (through the Marina) : collected and returned within 6 days.
• Razali Upholstery (+60 17 417 0148): dependable and punctual for cockpit covers and cushion foam upgrades.
• Marcus Loke (+60 10 370 3888): hull and topsides cleaning and polishing. Excellent service.
• AYN Marine (+60 11 6200 1307): We didn’t use this company but they provided a high quote for a stainless bar frame; was overpriced compared to another job they did on a similar boat which was 3 times as much work but the same cost.

Other Shops and Services Used

• Mr DIY (multiple locations)
• Sim Lee Sawmill (tel: 012 500 6680) for wood
• Koay Brothers for screws and boat hardware
• Southward Hose near machine shop: Julia speaks English, but Franko (who does the fabrication) not so much. They helped with fixing many parts and with fabricating parts for us.
• Ganesan (+60 12 266 0425): disposed of expired flares at 70 RM for five.

Super Markets – via Taxi or “Grab”

• Aeon – Shopping mall
  Billion – Supermarket but sells many other things
  Lotus – Supermarket and shopping mall

Medical Facilities

• Pantai Hospital: Accident and Emergency. Walk-in GPs available. Pantai Rehab: requires Pantai Hospital referral, I used them for post-wrist injury rehabilitation
• Walk-in Clinic available at KUMPULAN POLIKLINIK MANJUNG SDN BHD open 24 hours . Doctors speak excellent English and it’s inexpensive compared to Pantai Hospital.
• Dentist: Your Dental Care +60 17-488 2525 (WhatsApp for an appointment). Wendy Wong is recommended and affordable. I also had a sore tongue and 3 doctors failed to diagnose it correctly. Wendy knew what was wrong immediately.

Flying from Kuala Lumpur

We booked the bus online to go to Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 5/6 hours and stops a couple of times for toilet breaks. We took a sandwich with us the second time to eat on the way.

On our return journey we had a lot of luggage so Ruz from the marina arranged a taxi to pick us up and drive us directly to the marina. The taxi cost 3500 RM approx £60 in September 2025.

On another occasion we took the bus and stayed at the Ibis Styles hotel the night before our flight, they have a free shuttle bus that runs to and from the airport.

We spent six months in Pangkor due to my broken wrist, other illnesses, an unfortunate accident, and a few trips away. We enjoyed our stay, finding it friendly, convenient and well-equipped for boat maintenance and provisioning before our onward journey to the Indian Ocean.

Maria and Allen Wadsworth
SV Jamala

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About the Authors

When we set off from England, we genuinely thought we would be back home after five years with our feet up and the telly on – adventure done and some salty yarns in our repertoire to share with anyone with open ears. So sure were we of our timings, that we drew up our expected dates in each country on a world map for everyone to see at a party at our home six months before we left. According to that map, we should now be on our sofa glaring at a widescreen tv.

Six years on we made it halfway around the world. We have been idling along at less than half speed. If we carry on at this rate, we won’t be back until 2029. But who knows? We certainly don’t. There could be another pandemic; it might be challenging to transit some areas because of political instability, or the weather could become even more unpredictable. Or it might be that we like somewhere so much that we want to stay longer, as with French Polynesia. Or we might get a move on.

We have met people who have taken 20 years to complete their circumnavigation and some who have whizzed around in three. We stand a fair chance of being somewhere between the two. But as long as we enjoy it and can do it, we will continue blundering our way around the world.

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Follow their voyage at:

• www.untilthebuttermelts.com

Other Noonsite Reports from SV Jamala:

• Singapore:  Efficient and Easy Arrival and Departure
• Indonesia:  The Positive and Negatives of Joining a Rally
• Kei Islands to Riau Islands and Stops Along the Way
• Australia, Torres Strait:  Entering Australia at Thursday Island
• Fiji:  Anchorages Update from SV Jamala
• Fiji, Savusavu:  A Relaxed and Friendly Bula Welcome
• Tonga, Vava’u:  Local Customs, Laws and Cruising Options
• Niue:  Visiting the Biggest little Yacht Club in the World
• Pacific Crossing: Farewell to French Polynesia and Bora Bora
• French Polynesia:  Tuamotus, Tahiti and Gambier Islands