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Sabah's Cruising Guide

Sabah's cruising grounds offer some of the most spectacular and beautiful waters, islands and mainland attractions in South East Asia. It is one of the most diverse cruising playground's in the world.

Visitors can combine the delights of crystal clear waters, tropical islands and mainland coastal bays, with extraordinarily diverse mainland beauty - the highest mountain in South East Asia, virgin rainforest conservation areas, waterfalls, canyons, exotic wildlife, flora and fauna, and a myriad of adventure and eco-tourism activities - all accessible as a day or overnight excursion from your yacht!

CRUISING GUIDE

Labuan 5°16'.12 N 115°14'.32 E - VHF Channel 14

Data: The south-western tip of Sabah's beautiful cruising playground. A duty free island! The original marina is no longer active, however a full service marina to cater for yachts up to super yacht is planned to be developed very soon. In the meantime, anchor off the town. You can also anchor off the old marina wall. Depths are 10 m although this anchorage can be bumpy due to wash created by passing ferries and fishing boats. Until this marina is built, be alert with regard personal effects-dinghies etc, and do not leave unattended.

Facilities: Fuel is available at the barge anchored opposite the town. Repairs and maintenance and a dive shop are situated on the west side of the bay. Although the marina has been closed it is still possible to use the facilities at the Waterfront Hotel. Labuan is a duty free port and offshore financial centre. There are good markets, supermarkets, communications, banks, ferries to Brunei and the airport. There is a decompression unit at the Labuan Navy Centre, and good wreck scuba diving opportunities.

Pulau Tiga 5°42'.9 N 115°38'.9 E

Data: This is the island where the first Survivor TV programme was filmed. Pulau Tiga is a national park with some easy diving and good snorkeling, trails and wildlife. It also has an interesting mud volcano which visitors can go ashore and bath in! The resort welcomes yacht visitors and at the time of the Almanac going to press there are plans to upgrade its jetty to offer access for yachts with larger draft, shore power, water and ice supplies, and a beach bar/grill meeting place for sailors and marine tourists.

A good anchorage during the north-east monsoon is on the south-west side of the island where there are two small resorts. There is one main resort in the main bay which is on the SW side of the island. The second resort is smaller and is situated around the corner on the south side of the island. Anchorage is 3-5 metres with sand bottom 100 ft from the jetty. During the south-west monsoon, which tends to be less aggressive, vessels can still anchor happily in the main bay nest to the resort - however, during rough sea states, shelter on the north side of the island close to a particularly beautiful sand spit that is dry at all tidal levels.

On arrival, be careful of the reefs on both sides of both jetties (One Jetty Sabah Park, One Jetty Resort).

Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu 5°58'.05 N 116°03'.4 E VHF Channel 71 or 16 (0800-1900)

Navigation: Come in on a heading of 90° T, keeping Tanjung Wakong 1/2 mile to port. When abeam Tanjong Wakong, turn towards Sutera Harbour course 128° T. The area off the channel is very deep and the area chart is accurate. There are no navigational hazards leading into the channel.

Entrance Light: There are no entrance marine lights and there are port and starboard markers (red & green poles ONLY). Approach is not recommended at night for yachts unfamiliar with the area.

Berths: 106 wet berths and 60 dry berths for boats on trailers

Data:
Max LOA: 180ft.
Depths: Marina Basin 5m at low tide, outside the breakwater 7 m. The long breakwater wall gives good protection from swells and it is very calm inside the basin.

Facilities: Fuelling (petrol and diesel), minor repairs and maintenance are available on site. There is also an in-house contractor for major repairs, a dive shop, boat charters and washing and cleaning services as well as 24-hour security, shower room and private lockers, facility for waste oil removal, full club facilities, a golf course and 16 F&B outlets can be found on Sutera Harbour.

Luxury accommodation is available at the actual resort. The nearest medical facilities are at the Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital about 5 minutes drive away. There is also a clinic in-house. Sabah Dental Surgery is 5 minutes drive away and the police station (Tanjung Aru Police Station) about 8 minutes drive. The nearest decompression chamber is at the Labuan Navy centre, 30 minutes by helicopter, 2 1/2 hours by ferry.

Pulau Gaya 6°01' N 116°03' E

Data: Pulau Gaya is one of the five islands that comprise the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The marine park (TAR) is very popular for activities such as sun bathing, diving, fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing and recently parasailing.

Anchor in Malohom Bay where you can pick up a mooring and visit the resort and restaurant here. The mooring buoys cost around RM400 per month and facilities include toilets, water and cold showers.

Police Bay on Pulau Gaya is an excellent and very beautiful natural protected anchorage during the south west monsoon. Head for way point 6°02'.466 N 116°01'.512 E follow the course of 206 degrees to anchorage point at 6°01'.821 N 116°01'.199 E in about 5 meters (low tide). There are MANY MORE ANCHORAGES around the National park available.

Usukan Bay 6°22' N 116°20'.3 E (or 6°23' N 116°19'.5 E)

Data: Pulau Usukan has very easy access from the north and good protection from the south west. One can shelter here, anchor at the head of the bay. This anchorage is possibly the best stop along this piece of coast. Depths are 10 m in coral/sand. Other good anchorages are near the old copper mine jetty, 6°22'.0N 116°20'.259E and a quiet bay a little more south 6°18'.55 N 116°18'.163 E.
Note beware of Betcher Shoal on arrival.

Mantanani Islands 6°42'.6 N 116°19'.5 E

Data: Prior to September 2005, there was a small dive resort on the largest of the islands however, there is no jetty and with the shallow waters and abundance of coral, it is very difficult for any vessel with inboard engines to reach the beach itself. Boats should anchor in the expanse of water 4-10 m deep with a sand bottom. This is an excellent spot for diving and snorkelling. Suggested anchorages are at 6°42'.596N 116°18'.244E in daylight with calm seas and light winds and, 6°42'.979 N 116°19'.510 E at night.

Kulambu Island 6°59'.5 N 116°43'.2 E

Data: This Island is joined to the mainland, apart from during very high spring tides. There is shelter either side for the north-east or south westerlies. There is a sandy bottom but be sure to stay 100 m out at low tide, or if you are unsure, as it gets very shallow. The next bay south of Kulambu is a perfect natural harbour offering excellent shelter, although only for shallow draft vessels at low tide.

The Tip of Borneo 7°01'.8 N 116°44'.9 E

Data: This anchorage is amongst a spectacular rocky outcrop which is literally the northernmost tip of Borneo. It is somewhat exposed so care should be taken in poor conditions. The sandy bay next to the tip is extensive and anchors hold very well at high and low water.

Kudat 6°53'.8 N 116°50'.8 E

Data: The Kudat area has some very interesting wreck diving although it is very seasonal. There are some pontoons with water and power connections. LOA 30 m and depths are generally 3-6 m; 1.5 m at the shallowest point. The man-made enclosure provides good shelter unless there is a strong north-east wind; one half is completely and the rest is partially, sheltered. Anchor in good solid sand bottom.

Navigation: Approach down Marudu Bay. Major hazards are marked.

Facilities: A hotel provides good accommodation, and there is a reputable boat yard with travel lift and maintenance facility. In town there are all facilities, shops and markets.

Caution: Witti Rocks, about half a mile north of Sandilands are unmarked. There is an unmarked rock in the middle of the bay that forms Kudat Harbour. Be careful of this if you anchor off rather than in the marina.

Anchorages around Kudat

Pulau Balambangan at Teluk Lung 7°16'.532 N 117°07'.312 E is a good and peaceful anchorage; however daylight arrival is required due to reefs.

Bangi, north of Pulau Balak at 7°08'.797 N 117°05'.217 E, again daylight arrival is required due to reefs, also near Karaki on Bangi 7°06'.498 N 117°05'.217 E

Sandakan Yacht Club 5°45'.0 N 118°4'.0 E

Data: Depths of 5-10 m with mud bottom. There is a lot of debris on the bottom which may clog your hook so use plenty of scope. Charge is RM 10 per yacht per day.

Navigation: The navigational marks are not always reliable although the entrance to the harbour between Pulau Berhala and Tanjung Aru is wide and deep.

Facilities: Full clubhouse facilities are available with nearest accommodation and medical/police services a 5-minute walk in Sandakan Town. Customs offices are in the town and at the port. Immigration is 11km out of town (take bus or taxi). There is also an Indonesian consulate if you are heading south and need visas.

Caution: The coast both north and south of Sandakan has unsurveyed areas. Avoid sailing in poor light and keep a lookout for reefs.

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