This is an updated version of the original report posted in October 2010

Posted 29th January 2011

Kuching Marina, 01°33’.551N, 110˚24.298E owned and managed by the Jabatan Laut, have recently introduced berthing charges. These are RM2.00 Ringgit per metre, per day, and payable on departure at their Port Office. Only then will they issue a Port Clearance Certificate. They do not differentiate between multi-hulls and mono-hulls and the charge is a flat rate. Although no charges are levied for electricity and water the berthing rate is rather excessive compared with other far less remote marinas along the Borneo Coast such as Miri and Labuan. During a recent stay, we did, however, manage to negotiate a 50% discount for a stopover of more than 1 month.

As an annexe to the recently built Borneo Convention Centre and situated 9 miles upstream on the fast flowing Sungai Sarawak (River), the marina offers little or no protection from logs, trees and general garbage flowing along the river at times up to 4 knots. The walk-on fingers get badly fouled with debris, requiring frequent clearing. Logs can often be heard bouncing along the sides of the ship. The inner walk-on area of the marina is also shallow and boats drawing more than 1 metre will rest in the mud at low spring tides which can range over 5 metres. Passing high-speed vessels also create large wakes which pass unhindered right through the marina. It is therefore advisable to add additional mooring lines to counter the surge. There are only 2 other boats permanently moored in the marina, one owned by the Jabatan Laut, and the other a 60-foot Motor Yacht. Approaches to the marina should only be attempted at slack tide.

The impressive marina building with hi-dome roof comprises mainly vacant offices, and also houses toilets and showers which are well serviced, and available for visiting yachties. The building is fenced off from the road and monitored 24/7 by permanent security staff at the entrance, but this does not seem to extend onto the walk-ons. Boats left unattended are strictly left at the owner’s risk. There are friendly and helpful Jabatan Laut staff based in the marina building during office hours (8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri) and it is generally not necessary to pre-arrange arrival. They are not available via VHF.

Access to and from Kuching Town is via bus every hour until 5 pm departing from the Borneo Conference Centre, 10 mins walk from the marina. The journey to town takes approx. 20 mins and costs RM2.00 each way. The service is however erratic and often hitchhiking is a better option. Depending on the length of stay a good alternative for getting around is to hire a motorbike (or car) on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. There are no shops or services within walking distance of the marina, the nearest store is 2 miles away. A shopping centre opposite the marina is promised(?) for the future!!

Kuching is well worth a visit. It is a beautiful town of many cultures, with scenic walks along the river banks, weekend markets, many free museums, arts and crafts, and loads of supermarkets and shops where everything can be found. There is a cultural village nearby which is also the venue for the annual Rain Forest Festival of World Music held in July. There are many National Parks within easy access via bus or car, where you can see orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, and if you are lucky the world largest flower, the Rafflesia.

Vessels entering or departing from Sarawak are obliged to clear in and out with Customs, Immigration and Port control but their offices are not within walking distance of the marina. Access is available via dinghy approx. 0.5 miles up-river, although a fair amount of walking is still required between the various departments, or alternatively a 2-mile journey via taxi. The process takes on average less than one hour and it is advisable to ask the taxi to wait. Visiting crews arriving from the Malaysian Peninsula have their Visa’s automatically extended for a further 90 days, (depending on the origin of passport, otherwise 30 days) even though they might not have previously cleared-out at their last port with an exit stamp from immigration.

An alternate anchorage is in the mouth of the Santubong River at 01°42’.951N, 110˚19’.553E. Access to shore is via a private jetty where drinking water is available. It is no problem and quite safe leaving your dinghy there while you venture ashore. Introduce yourselves first to the friendly staff but please DO NOT tie up your yacht on the jetty. Be aware that the river does flow rapidly particularly during spring tides so make sure you are well anchored!

There is also a very large crocodile that lurks in the area so swimming is not recommended!

The small and friendly village of Santubong is within easy walking distance and has a handful of small stores, and restaurants mostly at private houses. There are busses and hotel shuttle vans that pass by on the main road, providing access to Kuching Town about 30 minutes away. Hitchhiking is also a good option – the people are extremely hospitable!

John & Sheila Watson

Yacht PFM