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Moorings and anchorages
Langkawi
The island group offers many spectacular anchorages, but for long-term
stays the best year-round choices are in Bass Harbour, close to Kuah,
or at the Langkasuka Boat Club.
Bass Harbour
The harbour has two main areas to anchor: just west of the Royal Langkawi
Yacht Club (RLYC) or in front of the Tiara Hotel. Both offer good
holding in mud. Marine growth on boat bottom, anchor chain and dinghy
is a problem, but the main disadvantages of both is difficult dinghy
landing — at high tide when the beach disappears and worse at
low tide when the obstacle is mud.
Given the official push to promote Langkawi as a yachting
centre, it's surprising that an decent all-tide public dock has not
been built. However, there is a reclamation project under way along
the Kuah waterfront and vague talk of a possible solution when the
project is complete.
The anchorage west of RLYC
is popular due to its proximity to the yacht club, clearance facilities
at the ferry terminal and easy access to the Samudra supermarket and
shopping centre. The anchorage suffers from rolling caused by ferry
traffic. During adverse tides, dinghies can be tied up at the RLYC
marina, but there is a charge of RM8 a day.
The advantage of the Tiara Hotel
anchorage, is the availability of moorings and its proximity
to Kuah. Solid Gold Moorings are RM15
daily, RM80 weekly and RM250 monthly (if paid in advance). Call Roger
Prescott on mobile 012 481 4466 or email solidgoldmoorings@hotmail.com.
Or look out for the yacht Solid Gold. Roger also offers repair
and maintenance services.
Unfortunately, the small pier in front of the Tiara
Hotel (which looks like a castle) is now closed to dinghies due to
a dispute with the bankrupt hotel's receiver. Options now include
a ride up the all-tide Kuah River, the landing area in front of the
Pier Restaurant, or perhaps a long dinghy trip to RLYC if none of
the several beaches between the two anchorages are accessible.
Langkasuka Boat Club
Moorings behind an impressive breakwater built to protect some west
coast beach resorts. Dinghy dock has all-tide access. Drinking water
available at dock. Outdoor shower. Bar. Laundry facilities. Motorbike
and bicycle rental. Freezer and refrigerator for use of yacht crew.
Use of swimming pools at two nearby hotels, as well as discounts on
food and lodging. Cost is RM18 daily, RM75 weekly and RM250 monthly
(if paid in advance).
Deep-keel yachts will experience bumping in the soft,
silty mud at low tide, while vessels drawing two metres or more can
expect to settle on the bottom. Holding under anchor is poor.
The breakwater entrance is at 06º20.7'N 99º41.9'E,
but call on VHF69 before entering, which is safest at high tide. The
moorings are maintained by a friendly South African couple, John and
Anita Gohl. Email gitana1823@hotmail.com or call 955 9631.
The boat club office is beside the Rebak Marina ferry
pier, five minutes from the airport, 10 minutes from the town of Matsirat,
or about 30 minutes from Kuah.
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