On the northwestern shore of Peninsular Malaysia are the islands of Langkawi. On the main island, Kuah – in Bass Harbour facing south – is the main town.
Kuah is also the administrative stop for customs, immigration and harbour department clearances for cruising yachts crossing the Thai-Malaysian border, just north of the island. Pulau Tuba is the only other inhabited island.
Passenger ferries depart hourly from Kuah Pier for the mainland, Penang and the southernmost Thai port of Satun. The international airport has daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and regular flights to Had Yai and Singapore.
The Langkawi group, with its 104 islands and large sheltered Bass Harbour, offers plenty of protected anchorages in all wind and sea conditions. The holding is good in mud and sand and, in all but a few instances, is free of coral and rocks. Anchorages are usually close to the shore, so long dinghy rides are not necessary.
The anchorages in the Bass Harbour area have murky water, although the islands to the south have clearer water good for snorkelling.
Pulau Langkawi has been a duty-free port since 1987. Over the last few years, Langkawi has developed into a major yachting centre. Sunsail has a fleet of yachts and a charter base at Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.
There are many marinas and various other bases servicing cruising yacht needs.
Apart from the main island towns, the villages are Islamic and an appropriate dress code should be adopted.
The various official offices are conveniently located at the head of the ferry jetty.
Bass Harbour is Sunsail’s Langkawi base and home to The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, which incorporates about 200 berths from 10-60 metres length on the southeast side of the main jetty. Contact VHF channel 69. There is a very comfortable bar overlooking the marina called Charlie’s Place.
Anchorage space is also available anywhere in the bay. For visiting yachts not wishing to use the marina, the best dinghy access is found just south of the ferry jetty.
The Marina offers a clubhouse and restaurant, and all other amenities. There is a substantial township ashore, with alcohol, tobacco, electrical goods, chocolate and perfumes all on sale at duty-free prices within a 2 km taxi ride. There is also a street market (Pasa Malam) on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
Close to the Yacht Club is the Sumadra shopping centre, the largest on the island. Diesel fuel is available at two fuel barges moored in Kuah Harbour (one owned by Shell). The ferries use this so there is a good turnover of product and experience has proved the supply to be of good quality.
Anchor in 4-5 metres on the east side of the island. Alternatively anchor closer to Langkawi Island, but well out of the main ferry channels that are marked.
Moving north from Palau Bumbon Besar there are several small bays where anchorage is possible in 4-6 metres depending on wind conditions.
Most notable are Pulau Timun, Pulau Tuba fishing village and Pulau Lintang Galan, where local styled restaurants provide Malaysian fare. A great little stop is the channel between Pulau Langguan and Pulau Tanjong Dedang but proceed slowly to the circular anchorage surrounded by rainforest.
Between Pulau Langguan and Langkawi there is a scenic 8-10 metre deep channel from the north or south. Approaching from the south, stay well clear of the mud banks on the west by heavily favouring the deeper Pulau Langguan side. On departure, heading north the deeper water is found on the west side of the channel. The channel leads to the ‘Hole in the Wall’.
The most scenic and easily navigable passage north from Kuah begins just past the flashing green light at the southern entrance to the harbour.
Salet Pulau Balek, Selat Eanir and Salet Pangkor are the narrow channels leading to the northeast coast of the island.
Safe anchorage can be found virtually anywhere in the passage, which is well lit both port and starboard and has a minimum depth of 2 metres.
We recommend the Malaysian chart #5622 for more detail.
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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