Penang is a large island just off the mainland; the channel between is navigable and well marked. A suspension bridge, with an air draft of 28 metres, spans the channel and connects to the mainland. Georgetown, north of the bridge, is a bustling town reminiscent of the Singapore of 30 years ago.
The Chinese architecture is over a century old, with small narrow streets teeming with shop-houses and noodle shops. The north and west coasts of Penang island have pleasant sandy beaches and tourist development. Ferries run to and from Langkawi many times daily.
This marina, just north of the old town ferry jetty and customs house, has 102 berths from 11-50 metres and a fine clubhouse. Based around the century-old Church Street Pier, it is handy to the centre of George Town and has a floating breakwater that partly shields boats from ferry wake and waves. Tidal streams can be significant at spring tides. Contact VHF channel 68.
Alternately, The Junk Anchorage, in 15-20 metres on a muddy bottom, just south of the Marina, lies off the clan jetties (the New, Yeoh, Lee, Tan, Chew and Lim jetties). Diesel fuel is usually available from a fuel barge nearby. The Junk Anchorage is exposed to weather from the north and east and holding is not the best. Plenty of scope required.
Marina Batu Uban is an unpretentious public facility and has 35 berths for vessels up to 12 metres. The marina has no breakwater, so wind wave and wake from passing motor vessels can make the docks uncomfortable.
Anchoring is possible in 5-6 metres off the Mutiara Hotel in a large sandy bay. All the normal tourist facilities are found ashore. Not suitable in the northeast monsoon.
In the northeast monsoon, shelter on the southwest side of Monkey Beach. Anchor in 5 metres on a sandy bottom. Ideal to overnight if you don’t want to check into Penang on the way north.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic Charts of the respective countries.
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