Kuching - Docking
Recent cruiser reports (May 2023) indicate there are no marina facilities here now as the pontoons have been destroyed.
However, the marina office is still in operation and the staff are friendly and eager to help.
The only authorized anchorage area is now just outside of the village of Sajingkat, 01°35’17″N, 110°26’59″E (clearly marked at the riverside). Use VHF channel 20 to contact the river authority (signal). The village will watch over the dinghy (although they expect to be paid). From here it is a short walk down the road to the bus stop for Kuching, where a taxi may also be flagged down.
The anchorage near to the causeway is currently being dredged and is reportedly unsecure. Several boats have been broken into and the Marine Police advise not leaving the boat unattended even during the day – one should check the latest situation on arrival.
Also, beware of the large logs being swept down the river.
An overnight stay can be made at Muara Tebas on the way in, but one should watch out for the strong current and the long scope on the local fishing boats. There are a couple of good seafood restaurants here, and it is worth walking to the top of the temple for a good view of the surrounding area.
The other anchorage to consider is around the corner from Kuching in Santubong. This is entered over a very shallow bay and up the river mouth and care must be taken upon entry. However once in the river, the depth is fine and there is good holding. There is a bus into Kuching from the main road and the dinghy can be left at the landing at Santubong, again security is a question. See Santubong
If you wish to visit the Sarawak Cultural Village from here it is a good long hot walk there and back as no buses run from here. E-mail scv@visitsarawak.com.
Last updated: May 2023
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Related to following destinations: Kuching, Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak)
Port Navigation
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We do not recommend Mr Ng as listed in the comment below. He will tell you it is 25RM for the taxi to get your gas bottles filled. Not until you are in the taxi will he explain that it is 4 rides x 25RM. Better to use Google Maps and get your own car or taxi (or use Ahmad as listed in our other comment). s/v Migration
Posted on behalf of SV Migration – LPG Gas Fills
We are only aware of one location in Kuching that can fill LPG bottles that have US-style valves. Be aware that you will have to leave your bottles and pick them up a couple of hours later. Cost is reasonable at 8 RM / kilo + 6% GST.
ICSCB
The Industrial & Scientific Co. Sdn. Bhd.
No.53, Lee Chong Lin Industrial Estate
2 1/2 Mile Jalan Pending
93450 Kuching
+60 82 333 926
+60 82 333 700
Mobile: +60 19 805 7288
Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/nkeo7
Of course, if you have the correct fittings, you can always decant from local gas bottles which are available practically everywhere.
Bruce Balan & Alene D. Rice
s/v Migration
Posted on behalf of SV Migration: KUCHING, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA
Transportation from the Santubong River Anchorage
For those anchoring in the Santubong River when visiting the Kuching area, here are a couple of good transportation options.
TAXI
The Santubong anchorage is quite far from Kuching. You can pick up the little minivan buses at the main road near the roundabout. However, it can be difficult to get a bus back in the afternoon, and it can take a long time because they stop in every small town on the way.
A taxi is about 50RM. However, Hasim is a taxi driver who lives in Santubong and comes back around 1700 each day. He charges only 30RM if you go back with him. You can also go into town with him but he leaves around 0700. His number is 0138008345.
Hasim also knows how to find Immigration, Customs, and the Harbour Master if you would like to use him for clearing in.
RENTAL CARS
Ahmad lives about halfway between Kuching and Santubong. He has several cars for rent – including a nice 7- or 8-person van and a very inexpensive small Perodua. The best part is that he will deliver the car you rent to Santubong. You have to take him back to his house.
but it is well worth it for the convenience. You can also pick him up on the day you are finished with the car and he will drop you off in Santubong. He’s a very nice guy. His number is 0135788131.
Ahmad also knows where you can fill LPG tanks with US-style valves. (For more information about LPG, see our comment above).
If you visit during the Rainforest World Music Festival (highly recommended – more info. at rwmf.net), we found that hitchhiking the 4km to the site was very easy. We were usually picked up within 5 or 10 minutes. We were 5 people and split into 2 groups to make it even easier.
Coming back from the festival was a bit more difficult. Sometimes we got a ride and sometimes we took a shuttle van (about 7-10RM/person). We sometimes offered those who picked us up 5 or 10 RM for petrol. So don’t worry about Festival transport – it works out.
We also found it was easy to hitchhike a couple of kilometres to the National Park trailhead. The hike up to the top of Mount Santubong is challenging but well worth it.
Bruce Balan & Alene D. Rice
s/v Migration
http://migrations.brucebalan.com
A handy taxi driver is Mr Ng he knows where to get gas filled for non-Malaysian bottles and where you can find someone with a heavy duty sewing machine ph 0138028119