(Tim & Barb on Rubicon Star give you the lowdown on shopping in Labuan, west coast Borneo Malaysia – June 2012)

Anchorage

We find it easier to anchor off the township rather than near the marina. We usually anchor at 05.16.628/115.14.278. It does start to shallow off here so be aware of the depths. Also, the seabed is strewn with much litter so dig the anchor in well.

Step-by-step Shopping

We would like to share with you our one-stop shopping stop in Labuan. It is not in the town but is on the opposite side of the anchorage, on the edge of the water village (Patai Patai).

Across the river from the township, looking slightly north of west you will see a very small white beach right next to a stockpile of gravel. There is often a lot of barge activity near the gravel yard.

Dinghy to the small beach at high tide and you will be at the end of a short street that leads to the main road.

Note – There is no ATM on this side of the river so be cashed up. The supermarket takes credit card but the beer warehouse and frozen goods warehouse takes cash.

Frozen Goods

Halfway up this short street on the right-hand side is an outlet named “GL Bintang Enterprises” – this is a frozen goods supplier. (Shop #3 from the main road corner). They can supply you with Australian beef, NZ lamb and Indian beef. 5kg blocks of Anchor cheese and various sausages and hamburgers. They may also have yoghurt and fruit juice depending on stock. Mach is the Manager and he and his staff are very obliging.

Mach’s Mobile: 0146505168

Email: maclim86@yahoo.com.sg

Beer

Next door to this shop is the beer warehouse. (Shop # 2 from the corner). Mainly dealing in Carlsburg, if you are in luck they will have stocks of other brands including Skoll and their price is about RM4 per carton cheaper than town and a lot easier to transport to your boat too.

Supermarket

Across the road from these two shops, on the corner, is a yellow building. This is Emporium Labuan and this is definitely the best supermarket on the island. They also sell beer, spirits, cola, tonic etc. We sourced cheap Chinese beer from here. They have a comprehensive stock of grocery items and fresh fruit and veg. Not always the cheapest on some items but the variety and ease of access makes it worth it. The staff are very friendly and will often help you load your dinghy. They also have an interesting stock of small hardware items, kitchenware, clothes, toys, stationery etc.

Hardware

Across the main road from the supermarket is Parker’s store for all those hose fittings you always need.

Turning right from the supermarket, about 500m down on the left-hand side is a shopping complex “Bestari” which has a hardware store there that sells 304 stainless steel and lots of beauty stuff that you won’t find at the hardware shops in town. We forget the name – something like Tamphuan. Lots of other light industrial shops in this complex too. Further down the main road from Bestari and still on the left-hand side you will find the Motorship Company which sells Jotun. It is easy to dinghy to these outlets … keep reading to learn how.

To go to the Hardware store we dinghy north from the anchorage toward the bridge and anchor at the end of the water village jetty near a yellow archway. High tide only. Slightly to your left and offset from the main road you will see the Bestari complex – a group of white shopfronts.

To go to Jotun we dinghy north from the anchorage toward the bridge, a side branch of the river to your right will take you to another bridge. Tie up to the tree on the grassy knoll near the bridge and you will find Motorship directly across the road. High tide is best. Good light industrial shops in this complex too.

Jotun is a good source for hard to source propeller shaft anodes. They also have some skin fittings, propeller shaft anodes etc.

Exploring

There is a lot of history to explore in Labuan and the best place to hire a car is at the ferry terminal. Half a day is plenty of time to go right around the island and you will be given a very informative map.

To go ashore to the town you can hail a water taxi or for short visits you can tie your dinghy up at the ramp of the water taxi jetty. There are two water taxi stops and the guys who operate from near the ferry terminal are the cheapest. Take the phone number of a driver you are happy with and ring him when you want to go ashore – they are most accommodating.

Hope all this is of some help to someone.