Belitung is a Port of Entry. From Tanjung Kelayang you can arrange a driver from the jetty to get you around the CIQP offices.
Fuel/diesel is available here via a barge. Again, ask at the jetty. A very good service, the best fueling experience we’ve had and that is including fuel docks!
Tanjung Kelayang anchorages
S2.33.232 E107.40.483
3.5m, sand
This anchorage is closest to the pier. Room for many boats.
S2.23.603 E107.38.974
4m, sand
Good anchorage, room for several boats.
At the base of the pier is a cafe. Here you will most likely met Efran. Efran can arrange many things a passing yachtie may need. Diesel/Solar via boat, delivered. This is an excellent service. Clean fuel, efficient and clean! Scooter hire: 78K. Car hire with driver for CIQP 800K. Day boats/skippers can be hired here to visit the many local islands and snorkelling attractions.
Belitung was our last stop of our 2018 cruise through Indonesia. The surrounding shallow waters and round granite boulders are such a contrast to the deep water and volcanic skyline of eastern Indonesia.
For the visiting yachtie, the go to place is Efran’s cafe at the pier. Efran can sort out scooter hire, car hire and day trips, fuel, laundry, water and CIQP… He runs an excellent service and the army of boat captains fill the cafe with smiles and laughter.
The cafe is like a yacht club. Mornings are manic when the hoards of tourists arrive for the day trips around the surrounding islands. Ten years ago there were only 7 boats focussed on tourism. Now the number exceeds 200 as there is more profit in tourism than fishing. This is also helping the fish population to improve. Win win.
If you hang around the cafe long enough you’ll get a chance to chat with some of the locals and learn about the history of Belitung and life on the island. There are plenty of swashbuckling tales to be told.
Refueling with solar/diesel in Belitung is an absolute delight. Being a motor boat we need to source solar frequently and generally it arrives in leaking jerry cans, takes a day to fuel and clean up. Not here, fuel is delivered to your boat and pumped out via 200 litre containers. Not a drop was spilt, a very clean and professional service with many smiles.
Things to do ashore
You will need to have cash on you before you get to Belitung. The nearest ATM is a 20 minute scooter ride away from Tanjung Kelayang. If anchored at Tanjung Pandan, there are plenty of banks about.
- Day trips arranged with Efran/Evan (spelling?)
- Hire a scooter and explore on your own.
- Museum
- Snorkel tours of outer islands, ask for Zach
- Tarzier Monkey Sanctuary
- Lighthouse
- Danua Kaolin
- Tanjung Pandan: there’s a bustling market area near the harbour.
Eat and Drink
Around Tanjung Kelayang there are numerous eating venues.
At the top of the pier is Ervan’s cafe which serves cold beer and simple local fare. The pier cafe is a hive of activity.
To the north of the pier are numerous warungs, none were spotted to serve beer.
To the south are some large eating establishments. Garuda rates highly.
We ate at Rumah Makan Lili twice and enjoyed it both times. Take a table right by the beach. Not much english is spoken here but that is half the fun.
There is a beach bar at the northern end of Tanjung Kelayang – Crabby’s or something like that. Be warned, the beer is 50% more expensive than the neighbouring venues then they add 21% tax on top!
