Sailing out of Singapore

[Twisticles]

And while I am asking questions...

Wondering about cruising times to the little islands east of Malaysia, Sibu/Tinggi/Babi/Aur/Tioman? If you've been there, how long at what speed? Any special locations you would recommend?

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

That little beach next to the link between islands?

that, or go alongside the jetty and tie up ... it's on the other side just beyond the palm trees from the main lazarus beach ...

Originally Posted by Twisticles

Also, what about Kusu?

no allowed to tie up there ... regular ferry brings people to the chinese temple there ... and there's a swift current in the channel there ...

Originally Posted by Twisticles

And assuming there is no live firing, any decent beach spots around Sudong/Pawai/Senang?

hantu is nice ... again 2 islands with small bays ... drop anchor on the north side - much quieter ... the only downside is that u can get smells from the adjacent refinery ...

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

And while I am asking questions...

Wondering about cruising times to the little islands east of Malaysia, Sibu/Tinggi/Babi/Aur/Tioman? If you've been there, how long at what speed? Any special locations you would recommend?

i've done tioman, rawa, aur, sibu etc. a few times ... comments as below -

- tioman is approx. 120 nm from here ... no. of places on the western side for diving / snorkelling. has a marina if u need fuel.
- there's a small island NNW of tioman. on it's western side there are a couple of beautiful deserted pristine beaches.
- didn't much care for aur. a marine park with some rocks sticking out of the water ...
- rawa - has a resort. we got shitbagged at anchor and were forced to go ashore and get rooms. got ripped off big time. they knew we had nowhere to go.
- sibu - on the north end, there's a very nice deserted beach. great place to spend time snorkelling.

hope this helps.

[Capn Morgan]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

i've done tioman, rawa, aur, sibu etc. a few times ... comments as below -

- tioman is approx. 120 nm from here ... no. of places on the western side for diving / snorkelling. has a marina if u need fuel.
- there's a small island NNW of tioman. on it's western side there are a couple of beautiful deserted pristine beaches.
- didn't much care for aur. a marine park with some rocks sticking out of the water ...
- rawa - has a resort. we got shitbagged at anchor and were forced to go ashore and get rooms. got ripped off big time. they knew we had nowhere to go.
- sibu - on the north end, there's a very nice deserted beach. great place to spend time snorkelling.

hope this helps.

Shhhhhh! Don't tell anyone about Sibu!

The North end of Sibu there is a nice beach. Anchor in 8 to 10 m on a sandy bottom. Beware of the rock awash just east of the island. On shore, Rimba Resort have a nice bar and restaurant, a massage parlour and a dive shop.

About 5 miles NE, between Pulau Tinggi and the outlaying small rocks and coral barrier that lie south of it, there is a well protected anchorage. Stay away from the small islands because of the coral reefs. Holding is good all along close to Tinggi on a sandy bottom too. Great diving and snorkelling. There is a new contraption being built, stay away from it, belongs to royalty. On the west side of Tinggi, to the north, there is a nice beach with a derelict jetty. Great spot for swimming and stopping for the night on the way to Tioman.

Pulau Tulai, NW of Tioman has a beautiful anchorage you can enter on the west side. The beaches are, unfortunately, quite dirty. Snorkelling is good if visibility helps. Often there is a slight swell from the wsw which can make for uncomfortably rolly nights, but otherwise protected on three sides. Anchor in about 20 m to avoid rocks.

M

[Twisticles]

Haha Sibu looked like a good place on the charts if nothing else for an overnight away.

About how far?

[daddle]

Pulau Tioman is a good destination. Took me two days of sailing from SIN. Several cruiser characters always there. Sleepy. Tourists. Girls. Beer. Good airline and ferry connections. The islands and other anchorages, as others have mentioned, are quiet, pleasant, and rarely visited. I spent several months there. Left the boat in the marina for a trip to the US.

[Capn Morgan]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

Haha Sibu looked like a good place on the charts if nothing else for an overnight away.

About how far?

About 90 miles from Western Quarantine and Immigration.

I tend to check into Tg Pengelih first to make sure I have a stamp on my passport. I often don't go as far as Tioman which is the next port of entry. In theory if you stop in any of these islands you have to check in first. You can get away with not doing it as there is little control but if for some reason you need to go back into Malaysia it is handy to know you are legally in the country. The Customs and Immigration people in Pengelih Marina clear you within minutes if you come in during business hours. I just anchor outside the entrance in about 5 m and go in with the kayak and papers. Always friendly and quick. However, if you are going to go to Tioman, make sure you have your port clearance from Pengelih to Tioman. You just won't need to do immigration there.

Changing the subject, really nice breeze out there today, even if the smoke impaired the visibility. Managed to get some nice sailing. The water was clean and warm so the swimming was great too.

[ato]

SIN-P. Aur 20 hours non-stop from Raffles Marina. Then 5 hours P. Aur to Tioman. All under 5-6 knots of motoring and motor-sailing (not much wind last week). 22 hours from Tioman to Raffles. If you are based in Changi, then it may take you around 6-7 hours less each way.

Immigration and customs are at the big building at the jetty at Tekek village, harbour master is at the marina building next door. Use the big white moorings next to the jetty when clearing in/out. You need to call immigration (013 9961449) and customs by phone, it will take them 15 minutes to go to their office.

The marina is mostly full, and power does not work everywhere. It's nicer to anchor anyway.

Anchor in 12-15 meters (sand) off Berjaya Resort (pulau Rengis or something like that). Let out enough scope, we had 24 knots in the middle of the night last week. Nice corals and some baby blacktips at Rengis, you must go snorkelling there.

Bring mozzie repellant, there are some hungry sand flies at the beach.

[Capn Morgan]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

Haha Sibu looked like a good place on the charts if nothing else for an overnight away.

About how far?

Did you have any luck contacting the engineer? He is now back in Sing, though he may be a bit busy.

M

[Twisticles]

Originally Posted by Capn Morgan

Did you have any luck contacting the engineer? He is now back in Sing, though he may be a bit busy.

M

Hi Capn, yes we spoke and emailed and I'm waiting on a quote now. Frustrating as I need my exhaust pipe fixed to move anywhere and I was off work all of this week! Anyway, would prefer to get it done right...

[Capn Morgan]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

Hi Capn, yes we spoke and emailed and I'm waiting on a quote now. Frustrating as I need my exhaust pipe fixed to move anywhere and I was off work all of this week! Anyway, would prefer to get it done right...

He'll do it right.

[Twisticles]

Originally Posted by Capn Morgan

He'll do it right.

A week later still no quote...guess he is not hungry for work...any suggestions for an alternative?

[Capn Morgan]

Originally Posted by Twisticles

A week later still no quote...guess he is not hungry for work...any suggestions for an alternative?

Damn, sorry about that. It is more likely that it is his boss being too busy than him. Give him a ring. I'll try and think of someone and pm or phone you.