YACHTING

With the perfect climate and calm seas, the waters around Langkawi are a sailing heaven. 
But if you find yourself needing shelter, the following make for excellent ports in a storm.

Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Kuah 

This has been operational since September 1996, located near the Sheraton Perdana, Kuah town centre and the main jetty for ferries to Penang and the mainland.
The building was designed to fit in with the landscape while offering dramatic views, with an additional berthing capacity of 201 berths after a recent expansion project.
Part of it included a permanent breakwater to protect the marina from ferry wakes, or south-westerly winds as well as a new shower block with modern facilities.
Fuel and basic maintenance services are also provided.
The clubhouse F&B outlets include fine dining at the Captain's Deck and waterfront bar at Charlie's Place.

Tel: 04-9664078,
Website: www.langkawiyachtclub.com

 Telaga Harbour, Pantai Kok

The newest development in Langkawi is the European-style Telaga Harbour.
The enclosed harbour is further protected by off-shore breakwaters. and has all facilities for visitng yacht people.
Nearby hotels are the Mutiara Burau Bay Hotel and Berjaya Resort, not far from the famous Seven Wells and Island Horses Equestrian Centre.
There are immigration and Cutoms facilities on site.
On the other side Perdana Quay has restaurants, shops and boutiques, a new bakery, and some night-life.
A hotel is currently under construction, and may be completed next year.
The masterplan includes future apartment blocks, which will be ideal for long term yacht owners to overlook the harbour.
When all this is completed then maybe the comparaison with The South of France will evolve.
Tel: 04-959 2202,
Website: www.telagaharbour.com

Wake-up this is a Sun Rise...only yachties would know!!

 Rebak Marina

Off the main island is Pulau Rebak, the site of Rebak Marina.
This one of the most beautiful enclosed natural harbours anywhere, was developed with chalets, F&B outlets and a basic range of conveniences.
The rest of the island's natural landscape has not been touched, though it does lie under the flight path to the airport.
A boat service runs from the island to the jetty behind Langasuka Resort, only a short hop away from the airport.

Tel: 604-966 5566,
Website: www.rebakmarina.com

 Awana Porto Malai

This lies at the south-west tip of Langkawi, though it is well-sheltered by groups of surrounding islands. 
Overlooking the marina is the Awana Resort, which has several F&B outlets.
The marina's biggest claim to fame is that Dato' Azhar Mansor started his record sail
around the world from this point. His yacht was named the Jalur Gemilang for national pride, and made its way back to the port in time to launch Langkawi's yachting profile.
It is at the end of the road from Pantai Tengah with its restaurants and cafes,  and Pantai Cenang beyond.

Telephone: 04-9555111,
Website: www.awana.com.my

It must be one of the ideal locations to bring a yacht to explore, and perhaps to stay a while.
Beautiful sea dotted with some say 99 islands, but yachtsmen may be the only ones able to see the total claimed of 104, dependant on tide..!!

Many of the visiting yachts have been on their way from far away, and intend to go on to the popular destinations of Thailand, The Anderman Islands and beyond for some. A few have stayed and stayed..

There are annually some great Regattas,  which brings in many additiional yachts from Malaysia and Singapore. All of this can be seen at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

There are plenty of facilities here for those who have come without a yacht, but want one to charter or just to trip on.

On a personal note it maybe that things will change but so far the small influx of yachting has had little effect or interest to the main inhabitants of the island, and none on the normal 'tourists'...Large expensive yachts with exuberant crews, arrive to great acclaim in one small part of the main town, party well amongst themselves,  and disappear to more convivial ports within a few days.

Some others who have arrived on yachts and stayed on for many a long year got the semi-affectionate/sarcastic nickname of 'yachties', but they are different.

Once in a then well known haunt of 'yachties' in Kuah, it was pointed out that I couldn't possible be one as, although tall, sunburnt and with white hair the very epitome of such, I did not have at least one slender very young lady speaking Tagalog attending my every wish.....
But one day the owner asked me to give a lift to nearby shop for a 'yachtie' couple, to which I willingly agreed.. They when introduced asked immediately 'What is the name of your yacht ??'  To which I replied gently that I was now "A Landlubber," an old Navy expression for non-yacht owner?? At which they turned around and refused to have anything further to do with me....I was going to have tattooed on my chest just in case..."Landlubber" di Malaysia !!
A very long time ago I passed my Navigation exam in the British Royal Navy, how I dont know, using sextants too in those days, not all computer like the modern 'yachties'......I have good friends who still take me with them round the islands here, but I now love living ashore in a nice kampong and just looking at the sea.
Sub-Lt RNR...now...'Landlubber'