It wasn’t the most luxurious of ships. Well, to be honest, it was a bit piratey. But that exact quality gave it the character needed for this particular cruise. From its wooden deck, to the roughly-tied sail, the plank board extending towards the sea, and the old tarp covering parts of the ship—it all became our party place as we went round and round the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, waiting for Langkawi’s sky to darken and the stars to come out. And all this, with 80s party music on.

THE WATERS AROUND BARU BAY IN LANGKAWI

Tropical Charter’s Sunset Cruise was actually our second cruise in Langkawi. While our first Langkawi sunset cruise went around Kuah Bay, this one would be sail along Baru Bay—an area surrounded by Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Bunting. Its waters, besides being a deep emerald green, is very calm due to the presence of the numerous islands around it.

AND WE’RE OFF TO THE SUNSET!

The tour started at five in the afternoon, with us being fetched by Tropical Charters from Century Langkawi Beach Resort, which thankfully, is part of the package since it’s so hard to get around Langkawi via public transport (it has none, by the way). From the jetty in front of Resort’s World Langkawi, we merged with a group of about twenty people to set off into the sunset.

NOT THE MOST LUXURIOUS BOAT, BUT THIS ONE DEFINITELY HAS CHARACTER

From the jetty, we boarded a smaller craft before transferring to our main boat. We were told that the usual glitzy party boat was unavailable at the time, so we have to make do with the pirate ship. Well, some guest didn’t like that at all, but me, I never did mind. This pirate ship looked cool.

TO STAY INSIDE OR...

...SIT OUTSIDE?

There are covered seats set within the middle of the boat, but we chose to sit near the prow; it was not the most comfortable of places but the unimpeded panorama of the Andaman Sea was enough reason for us to stay. Soon, the savory aroma of barbecues roasting wafted into the air and cans of Skol Beer were passed around.

THE BARBECUE BOYS

MY KIND OF STASH

We were soon busy grooving to M.C. Hammer as he proclaims how we can’t touch whatever it is he doesn’t want being touched, enjoying the scenic view of the nearby isles as we bobbed our head to the music. 80s and early 90s tunes are much more fun with alcohol, it seemed. Lol.

CAPTAIN PATRICK’S FRENCH CONCOCTION

Patrick, the French capitaine of our cruise was also busy chatting people up, setting them up with his signature alcoholic drink—the content of which is a big secret, according to him—and basically trying to loosen everyone.

ONE OF OUR CAPTAIN’S STUNTS

And when he thought the moment was right, he called everyone’s attention to the ship’s prow, laid a rope net on the side of the boat and asked if anyone wants to walk the plank and jump into the water. Jump into the water of a moving boat?! Is he crazy?!

MEN OVERBOARD!

WE’RE A MIXED BUNCH, ALRIGHT

And it appears that the guy is indeed crazy. Snatching my partner-in-crime from me, she went willingly by the way, they set off from the plank and into the waters below to the hoots and cheers of the crowd. They re-emerged exactly right by the net. This prompted the other guests to also jump in to the azure water, some assisted by Patrick, the others on their own. The net, the so-called Saltwater Jacuzzi soon filled with people, some even with beers in hand!

THE VIEW AROUND BARU BAY

I was rarin’ to jump too, but with a sprained finger I got from a recent trip to Siquijor, I was worried about how I would grip the rope on the back way up. Add the fact that there’d be no one to watch over our camera equipment. So I consoled myself on soaking up the view instead, rhyming with Vanilla Ice as it went along. And it’s not a bad thing too.

DINNER’S READY!

As the karsts around the bay started to glow in gold, the barbecue was finally ready; prawns, chicken wings, beef, satay, veggies, and rice! We ate with our hands as the sun receded further into the horizon, bonding with fellow travelers, sharing stories into the twilight.

OUR LANGKAWI SUNSET CRUISE PARTY DOESN’T END WITH THE SUNSET

With the last embers of the sky dissolving into the early evening, the music pumped up and dancing ensued. There’s absolutely nothing like partying right in the middle of the sea! And on a pirate ship too, no less!

~ THIS CRUISE WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT TROPICAL CHARTERS

Tropical Charters Sunset Cruise
Address: Kedai No. 3, Kampung Tasik Anak, Jalan Telok Baru, Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia
Contact Number: (604) 955-3407
Email: info@tropicalcharters.com.my
Sunset Cruise Fee: MYR260.00/person (3 Hours)

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