Year 2- 10th November 2025 – Rebak Marina Langkawi

We woke to a pleasant morning and the stunning scenery around us. It was still and quiet and we enjoyed our breakfast. We got the dinghy down and planned to go ashore to the lake. As we got in the dinghy I noticed a small hole in the fuel pipe so we cut a bit off the end and rejoined it – problem solved.

We went ashore and on the beach beside a large pier and at the end of the pier were some cafes and an office where we had to pay to enter the Geoforest Park – which is a vision to conserve the biological and geological heritage in an integrated way. Many endemic plants grow on vertical limestone cliffs. The lake we are about to visit is Malaysia’s largest doline lake.    

We paid our dues and walked along and up concrete steps which after about 7 minutes leads you down to the lake which is surrounded by the limestone cliffs covered in trees and foliage. It is about 800 meters long and has an average depth of about 14 metres. There was a sign warning of bacteria in the lake and swimming was at your own risk. This rather put us off the idea of swimming.

We walked on and down to the lake which had some pontoons which we could walk around. The swimming area was not large and fenced off and it said you had to wear a life jacket when swimming which of course they could rent to you. The lake did not looking inviting from a swimming point of view so we admired the view of the tall limestone cliffs around us covered in trees and bush. There was a concrete walkway round the lake or to the Western point of it which was the closest point to the sea. We walked along the walkway which adjoined the shore of the lake and we came across a large monitor lizard or it was almost like an iguana.

We walked along and then came to a pontoon where you joined some steps which took you up to a platform from where you could view the lake in one side and then also look over to the sea where Stormbird was anchored. The distance is barely 30 metres and it is only 10m in height yet the lake is freshwater and the sea obviously salt water. We took some pictures and walked back along the edge of the lake. I saw another lizard which swam for a period and then clambered up the rocks.

We walked back along the lake and then back over the steps and to the cafes by the jetty. They were selling fruit smoothies so we all had a smoothie before getting back in the dinghy to return to Stormbird. As we were having our smoothies’ boats arrived in droves and there was a lot of people coming ashore. Luckily we had had the lake to ourselves.

Once we returned to Stormbird we put the dinghy on the davits and then upped the anchor and headed round the islands in a different route going North. We passed the sunken boat and headed toward Rebak Island which is where the Rebak Marina was and it is on its own island. This meant we were into the swell and wind which of course was on the nose.

We motored on and the marina is accessed by a narrow channel which was not easy to spot until you get closer. We eventually saw the channel which had some markers and once inside the swell dropped and we were in flat water. I had radioed ahead and we came into the lagoon where the pontoons were and it was surrounded by cliffs making it secure and protected. The marina staff were waiting for us and we reversed into our berth and made ourselves secure.

I went off to the office to check in and the others decided to go and explore. When I came back the guys had gone up to the resort.

The marina is adjacent to a nice resort which is really a hotel with a pool and beach, restaurant and beach bar. Andy and Ruth had a swim and Steve, Keith and Mark had some lunch in the restaurant and I joined them after for a glass of wine. I had shut all the hatches in case of rain. Whilst I was enjoying the wine the heavens opened and I thought thank god I closed the hatches.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the facilities and then I went back to have a shower. Brice and Nuria on Sabre 11 arrived and I went to help them moor which they were grateful for.

For some reason the navigation window was open when I got back and the whole of the navigation area including all my papers, logbook etc was soaked. I spent 30 minutes or so clearing up and putting things our to dry. I was so annoyed.

Eventually I had a shower and changed and went for supper in the restaurant at the resort which we all enjoyed.

We discussed whether to stay another day or not. Brice and Nuria suggested a tour tomorrow which Keith and I liked the idea of. The others all wanted to stay here in the resort by the pool and beach. It was certainly more up market than the RLYC which we had been in but not a major difference.

The picture of the day is a picture of the lake and its cliffs.

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.  I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com