Malaysia Sailing Holiday

	Malaysia may be a “new” cruising destination but it is developing rapidly. There are a growing number of charter yachts, marinas, and yacht clubs throughout Malaysia, as well as internationally recognised regattas (such as the Monsoon Cup, the Raja Muda Regatta, and the Royal Langkawi Regatta to name but a few) where it’s possible to tighten the mainsail, tug on a halyard, hoist a spinnaker and let the tropical breezes take you to new and exiting destinations.
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	Only 120 miles south of Phuket, the yacht charter scene in Langkawi is now thriving. In Sarawak there are river boats that will take you up mighty Rajang and “Into the Heart of Borneo”, and throughout Malaysia East and West, large luxury cruise liners call into port on a regular basis. Whether you wish to charter a luxury yacht, or join-in on a mixed cruise, or set sail on a large cruise ship such as the Star Cruises, Malaysia has an abundance of options. Cruising and Sailing in West Malaysia Only 120 nautical miles south of Phuket, on the northwest coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is a serene destination of 99 mostly uninhabited islands, with pristine beaches and lush rainforest-covered mountains, ideal for nature lovers. Hopping between islands one can visit lakes and caves, see long tailed macaques, the spectacular Langkawi sea eagles, hairy nosed sea otters, monitor lizards, kingfishers and the beautiful, but shy, spectacled languor. The main island of Langkawi, with an international airport and 3 marinas, is an established yachting haven, and popular holiday destination. Langkawi's duty free status makes it the ideal place for shopping and provisioning (especially on beers, wines and spirits!). Here in Langkawi, visiting yachts can anchor in tranquil bays and dine in gourmet restaurants attached to 5 star hotels perched high in the hillsides. From Langkawi one can sail north to the Butang islands. Part of the Koh Tarutao National Park, they are wild and largely uninhabited and offers some of the best diving in the region, as well as secluded beaches and coves that are great for exploring by kayak. On Koh Lipee there is a stunning anchorage with a crescent-shaped white sand beach, at night dotted with the candlelights of beach bars. From Langkawi one can also venture south to the island of Penang - a bustling & multicultural island that serves up a slice of Malaysia in one neat package. Penang island, which features 2 marinas, has a rich history full of colonial, Malay, Arab, Indian and Chinese influences. The capital, Georgetown, was established as the first British trading post in the Far East way back in 1776. The old town, now a UNESCO World Heritage listed site, presents a quaint picture from the past with British-era forts and a clocktower overlooking the port, narrow side streets, trishaws, temples, and traders plying their wares who seem to belong to a another time. Malacca is another historical port, where large cruise liners will often call in. The old buildings and traditional trades and crafts make Malacca one of Malaysia’s most visited cities. Many buildings reflect the Portugese, Dutch and British colonial periods. The old parts of the city are ideal for walking and exploring and there are several museums to visit. Contact us for a sample Langkawi Sailing Itinerary. Tioman, featuring a newly built marina, is a long established holiday island and popular scuba diving destination located just a few hours sail from Singapore. In fact Tioman's beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie, "South Pacific" and in the 1970s, TIME magazine had selected Tioman as one of the world's most beautiful islands. Tioman is the largest of the volcanic islands that form the Tioman Marine Park, and features jungle trekking, 4-wheel drive excursions, golfing on 18-hole links courses, and scuba diving on several top-class dive sites. Nearby Tioman, the Malaysian islands of Sibu, Rawa, Pemanggil, Aur, Tinggi, Besar, Tengah Mensirip and Hujung feature glassy blue and emerald green waters, lush vegetation and miles of empy beaches. At Aur island there is a stunning natural harbour fringed by beautiful white sandy beaches which is perfect for anchoring a yacht, and on Lang island the lighthouse affords panoramic views of the South China Sea. Just 150 nautical miles north of Tioman is the Malaysian state of Terengganu, which is blessed with some of the most beautiful islands, with some of the finest dive sites, on the east coast of Malaysia. Pulau Perhentian is the northernmost island followed by Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Redang, Pulau Bidong, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Tenggol. Contact us for a sample Tioman Sailing Itinerary. Cruising and Sailing in Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) Sabah, at the northern end of Borneo, became a major cruising destination in the late nineties thanks to the opening of the Sutera Harbour marina in Kota Kinabalu. This marina was then followed by 3 others in Labuan, Kudat and Miri (Sarawak). In Sabah you will find tropical islands, including coral atolls and oceanic islands, pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, giant rivers, dense tropical jungle, high mountains, and an abundance of nature & wildlife. Bounded by 3 seas: the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, and the Celebes Sea, and known as the "Land Below the Wind", Sabah lies outside of the typhoon belt making it free from any major climatic disturbances. As a cruising destination Sabah is relatively unknown. It has plenty of potential, however, and the local government has been working hard to enhance the attraction with new marina developments and a port for cruise liners under development. Here in Sabah you will find a multitude of tropical islands, including coral atolls and oceanic islands, as well as giant rivers, dense tropical jungle, high mountains, an abundance of wildlife, and an eclectic mix of indigenous groups, who continue to celebrate ancient customs and traditional lifestyles. As many have discovered, one of the highlights of Sabah are the indigenous people who possess genuine warmth and hospitality towards visitors. Undoubtedly this lush corner of Borneo will one day become a major yachting destination adding sailing to its list of numerous attractions for lovers of nature, culture, scuba diving and jungle exploration. Read more detailed information about Cruising in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo or Contact Discover Malaysia for a sample Tioman Sailing Itinerary.