Malaysia

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Revision as of 15:58, 26 August 2008

MALAYSIA CRUISING GUIDE

An online cruising guide for sailing around Malaysia.

Malaysia
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File:Malaysiaflag.gif Flag
Capital:	Kuala Lumpur
Language:	Malay
Currency:	Ringgit
Map courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps used with permission

Background

Malaysia is a country in South-East Asia, located partly on a peninsula of the Asian mainland and partly on the northern third of the island of Borneo. West (peninsular) Malaysia shares a border with Thailand, is connected by a causeway and a bridge (the 'second link') to the island state of Singapore, and has coastlines on the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca. East Malaysia (Borneo) shares borders with Brunei and Indonesia.

Also see History of Malaysia

[color=red]Never bring any recreational drugs into Malaysia, even if you are only there for transit. Possession and/or trafficking of even minute amounts can lead to a mandatory death sentence[/color].

Climate & Weather

Apart from the Highlands of the Malay Peninsula the climate of the the rest of Malaysia is tropical - where the Intertropical Convergence System and the N.E. & S.W. Monsoons controls the weather. It Rains heavily from June to November and sometimes in between.

The climate in Malaysia is tropical. The north-east monsoon (October to February) deluges Borneo and the east coast in rain and often causes flooding, while the west coast (particularly Langkawi and Penang) escape unscathed. The milder south-west monsoon (April to October) reverses the pattern. The southern parts of peninsular Malaysia, including perennially soggy Kuala Lumpur, are exposed to both but even during the rainy season, the showers tend to be intense but brief.

Sources for weather forecasts:

• Malaysian Meteorological Service - navigate to the Marine section to find forecasts for the next 7 days.
• SGNEA Forecasts - The Singapore Government's National Environment Agency provides routine weather forecasts and storm warnings for shipping in the region. As a member of the World Meteorological Organisation, MSD participates actively in its Marine Meteorology Programme to enhance safety at sea and fufill our regional responsibility with WMO and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS, 1989 and 1974) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). National Environment Agency's Meteorological Service Division, produces one of the very best websites for marine weather forecasts covering the majority of South East Asia.
  A favourite is the Hourly Wx Satellite Picture. • Animate MTSAT Asean Satellite Images • Full Globe • ASEAN. The ASEAN image is particularly good showing gradations of cloud cover - cruisers using this image can decide whether to do the laundry , close the hatches or go shopping.
  The Regional Weather Synoptic Chart is another that is very useful for determining the day's winds in terms of strength and direction.

Charts

British Admiralty Charts for:

Andaman Sea - and the Straits of Malacca

830 Andaman sea

841 Plans in the Nicobar islands

843 Approaches to Bass harbour

3485 Approaches to Pelabuhan Langkawi

3943 Ko Tarutao to Pulau Pinang

3947 Malacca Strait - Melaka to Singapore Strait

4043 Malaysia and Singapore, Kuala Johor and Sungai Johor

4038 Malaysia and Singapore, Johor Strait, western part

5502 Mariner's Routeing Guide- Malacca & Singapore Strait

In addition the following charts are specific to cruising Langkawi and its islands, also sailing North to Thailand :-

• Malaysian Chart 5622 and the
• Thai Chart 350

Navigational Issues

• The Lighthouses of West Malaysia

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Immigration

Submit details about immigration procedures here.

Customs

Deails

Health & Security

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

Cruising Destinations

• Mainland
  • Danga Bay
  • Penang - George Town
  • Port Klang (Pelabuhan)
  • Melaka
  • Lumut
  • Muar
  • Sebana Cove

• Offshore Islands
  • Pangkor Island
  • Langkawi Island
  • Tioman Island
  • Redang Island
  • Perhentian Islands
• Malaysia East
  • Sabah and Sarawak
    • Kuching
    • Miri
    • Begawan
    • Kota Kinabalu
    • Kudat

Popular Cruising Circuits from Malaysia

Malaysian Peninsula

Langkawi >>> Phuket - Thailand

Langkawi >>> Andaman Islands via Phuket - Thailand

Langkawi >>> Singapore via Danga Bay - Malaysia

Langkawi >>> Kota Kinabalu - Sabah - Malaysia

Langkawi >>> Bail - Indonesia

Langkawi >>> Cochin - India via Uligamu Maldives

Langkawi >>> Chagos - BIOT via Gan Maldives

Langkawi >>> Darwin - Australia via Bali - Indonesia

Sabah Malaysia (Northern Borneo)

Kota Kinabalu>>>Puerto Galera - Philippines via Palawan

Kota Kinabalu>>>Hong Kong - via Palawan - Philippines

Kota Kinabalu>>>Palau - via Palawan & Surigau Straits - Philippines

Kota Kinabalu>>>Darwin - Australia via Suluwesi >>> Bali - Indonesia

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.

Cruiser Log Forum Discussions

Links to discussions on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences

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