For full details on clearance into and out of Malaysia see Formalities.
All yachts requiring clearance here must ensure they fly the Q flag, otherwise, they may be fined.
Yachts coming from Sebana and other ports in Malaysia also have to do harbour clearance here.
Be sure to do all clearance at Pengelih at the ferry dock. Officials are reported to be friendly and all are located in the same building. Don't leave until you have seen Jabatan Laut and Customs and Immigration (if you need to).
If clearing in/out of Pengileh you will need to anchor off the facility in the river and go by dinghy directly to the ferry landing pier (just to the north of the "marina" where there is a floating dock for dinghies. The so-called marina here is not a pubic marina - it is used by the Coast Guard and you cannot land your dinghy there.
You then proceed around the east/northeast side of Singapore to Senibong or the anchorage east of the causeway. You will see Singaporean police boats monitoring the border pretty consistently along this 20NM stretch.
Both Puteri Harbour Marina and Senibong Cove Marina can assist with clearance if you don't want to do it yourself, however, if you clear in at JB you will have to clear out at JB as well.
Take a taxi into Johor Bahru to the Harbour Master (Jabatan Laut) on the waterfront to the West of the causeway near Danga Bay. They close for lunch until 2 pm, but processing is quick. Immigration is on the second floor of The Zon ferry terminal on the East side of the causeway.
Customs are also located at The Zon ferry terminal, but they only want to see vessels for outward clearance and issue of Port Clearance after clearing out with the Harbour Master.
Immigration outward clearance is not required if stopping at further Malaysian ports on the Peninsula. Clearance is required if heading to Sarawak or Sabah on Borneo.
Many nationalities will receive a new entry stamp, which is good for a three months stay in Malaysia, each time they return across the causeway from Singapore or on arrival. However, it's best to do up-to-date research on your own situation first, as the list of permitted nationalities is ever-changing.
See this useful report about clearing in at Pengileh and these Cruising Notes on Malaysia and Indonesia.
Cruisers have reported successfully applying for an Indian Visa at the Johor Bahru Indian Visa Centre.
Cruisers have reported that if you want to enter Singapore by land from JB, you are supposed to fill out an Online Arrival Card before passing immigration.
Checking in/out of both Malaysia and Singapore can be very slow with long queues.
See these Cruising Notes on Malaysia and Indonesia from Luc Callebaut for some useful information.
Last updated: December 2024
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