July 11, 2008 - Tips for Mooring in Langkawi
by Beth & Al Liggett

Dear Al and Beth,

I just discovered your web site, and the fact that you have been cruising the Langkawi islands for more than seven years now. I have just bought a Wharram Tiki 38, based in Port Klang. Port Klang not being a very attractive cruising area, I was planning to sail Pumpkin over in December this year. The plan would be to keep Pumpkin in Langkawi. May I ask for your advice with regard to the safest marina to keep her: Rebak, Telaga or the Royal Lankawi? I will only have time to sail Pumpkin once or twice for a couple of weeks in a year and then keep her on a hard stand (preferably) for the rest of the year. Are any of the marinas in Langkawi suitable for this? Or would it be better to keep the boat in Penang or any other place in the area? Also, could you advise on the weather conditions - in other words what is the best season to sail a few weeks in the area? I hope you don't mind me asking all these questions. Hope to be able to tap into your knowledge.

Kind regards,
Patrick (Belgium)

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Hello Patrick,

The folks at Set Sail have forwarded your letter inquiring about the marinas in Langkawi. Sorry the reply has been too long in coming. We have been enmeshed in family obligations and also have just bought a new house.

I agree - Port Klang does not offer the best of cruising grounds. And Langkawi is a delightful place - scenic, interesting, offers good cruising, and is quite a comfortable place to keep a boat.

The best weather time for cruising would be the months of December, January, February, and sometimes November and sometimes March. This is the NE monsoon season, it is drier, the winds are more consistent.

You have listed the marinas - Rebak, Telaga or Royal Langkawi. Here is some information for you.

Rebak is the only one with a hardstand. Long term storage space fills up fast - you would need to book early with a deposit to secure a spot. The marina has been recently rebuilt and facilities improved. Quite a few yachts are left in berths there. It is close to the airport, but is awkward to get to town - you must rely on the marina ferry schedule and then either take a taxi or hire a car.

Telaga is usually well booked too as many prefer to leave their boats there. It has a beautiful scenic atmosphere. We often go there - but we anchor outside. It is the farthest from town - again hire a car or take a taxi.

The Royal Langkawi is right beside the ferry terminal - which gives some roll into the berths. It is also right beside the town of Kuah, so easy to walk or take a short "public van" ride. I think it is the most expensive of the three places, but you would have to check that out. I don't know how any of them calculate prices for multihulls.

When we leave the boat for a short time we usually moor at the Royal Langkawi. But when we are gone for six months to the States we leave Sunflower on moorings at the Hole in the Wall. It is perfectly secure and much more reasonable for us.

Penang is a great place to visit. But the marina has some problems, although silting is one of them and would probably not affect your boat.

We are currently in the States. I hope you will be cruising in the Langkawi area when we return, and that we can meet you and Pumpkin - is it orange?

Fair Winds,
Beth Liggett
Sunflower

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