Peninsula Malaysia (or West Malaysia) runs from Singapore to the Thai border with approximately 400 miles of coastline forming the eastern boundary of the famous Malacca Straits. On the Gulf of Thailand coast, the distance to the border is slightly less. East Malaysia comprises the two states of Sarawak and Sabah, which lie on the northwestern side of the island of Borneo.
Navigation through the straits is not difficult with only a few shallow areas, which are well buoyed and lit. The Japanese Government were kind enough to give financial aid to Malaysia for the purposes of renewing and expanding all navigational aids around the Peninsula. Commercial shipping traffic is very heavy and a good watch is essential day and night.
Piracy in the Malacca Straits is a much-discussed issue. There have been isolated problems in recent years with commercial shipping, but very few reports of harassment of pleasure yachts over the last 15 years. Patrol boats from both Malaysia and Sumatra police the area and may be encountered in their respective waters.
There are good road and rail links between all the coastal towns and to Kuala Lumpur, where there is a major international airport. Ferry services also operate between Singapore and Malaysian ports, Penang and Langkawi and between Langkawi and Satun, Thailand.
The country is multicultural with 60 percent Malay, 30percent Chinese and 10 percent Indian population. Formerly a British colony, it is now a developed independent nation with conservative tolerant Islam as the predominant faith.
There are two seasons corresponding to the northeast and southwest monsoon, with May to October being the wetter season. Winds in the Malacca straits are often fickle and strongly affected by the local landmasses of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
Of short duration, but sometimes quite strong, squalls called ‘Sumatras’ are frequent. Thunderstorms are common and insurance companies often have to deal with lightning strike claims.
In recent years thick smoke haze from forest fires in Sumatra has limited visibility in the Straits.
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West Malaysia, West CoastDue to its strategic location on the strait that bears its name, Malacca was a rich trading port long before ...
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West Malaysia, East CoastYachts heading to the east coast of West Malaysia and on to the Gulf of Thailand may enter Malaysia at ...
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East Malaysia (Borneo)Lying to the east of Peninsular Malaysia is the island of Borneo. On the northwest side of this huge island are ...
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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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