Fuss-free launch — and fishing

The Star

03-06-2025

It's easy to prep a kayak for launch at PD Waterfront.
PORT Dickson is practically a household name when it comes to beach getaways for Malaysians.
Especially for those in the Klang Valley, it's within easy reach for a day trip – familiar, convenient and full of creature comforts.
There are hotels, eateries, shops – and yes, even a place to launch your kayak or boat without the usual hassle.
And here's the bonus: you won't spend the whole day wrangling those pesky catfish (ikan duri) that plague the west coast.
Welcome to PD Waterfront.
Hor holding a large four-finger threadfin (senangin).
You won't have trouble finding it – just type it into your navigation app.
The minute you arrive, you'll feel that reassuring buzz of civilisation: rows of seaside shops, hotels and food joints all within walking distance.
But keep driving until you spot the McDonald's by the sea.
Right there, under a patch of shady trees, is a boat ramp that leads straight into the water.
It's hard to imagine a more convenient launch spot.
You can load up a kayak or inflatable onto a normal sedan and drive straight to the edge.
No need for a rugged 4x4 or an off-road adventure just to reach the sea.
And yes – you can grab a burger and fries before pushing off.
But the real joy starts after you launch.
Using a 360-degree camera attached to his kayak, Hor gets photo angles like this by the wavebreaker near PD Waterfront.
To the northwest – about 400m away – a 165m-long breakwater creates surprisingly calm conditions.
If compass points aren't your thing, just look to your right once you're on the water.
For paddlers, this breakwater means you're gliding on water that's almost lake-like: smooth, quiet and beginner-friendly.
A little further – around 700m north-west-west – is Pulau Arang, a 3ha uninhabited island that further cushions this slice of sea from the usual chop and currents of the Straits of Malacca.
To the west of Pulau Arang is a 70m barrier reef, likely man-made, and visible at low tide.
This little pocket of geography makes the area perfect for anyone with a kayak, raft or small boat – safe, serene, and surprisingly overlooked.
Then there's the fishing.
According to Oscar Hor, 44, a regular kayak angler here, 'There really isn't any ikan duri out there to steal your bait.'
A 40gm jig Hor uses to land senangin off PD Waterfront.
He insists on it, even when questioned repeatedly.
Even with basic bottom setups using shrimp or fish cuts, Hor says you'll be spared the usual west coast bait thieves.
The water's clear enough that just a few hundred metres out, anglers can be seen using sabiki rigs – those five-hook lines with shimmering tinsel – to catch tamban, a kind of local sardine.
'Then they drift the tamban as live bait to catch snappers and four-finger threadfins (senangin),' Hor says.
He himself prefers to use 40gm jigs, which he lazily twitches to tempt senangin.
His catches – often impressively large – are proudly featured on his social media, complete with video proof.
With the help of his sonar fish finder, Hor also discovered a drop-off near Pulau Arang where the seabed suddenly plunges from 2m to 10m.
That's his favourite jigging spot.
So if you're looking for a fuss-free launch, calm waters or a chance to hook something tasty without venturing too far or fighting waves, just point your navigation app to PD Waterfront.
Want more tips? Hor is happy to share advice on tides and paddling routes beyond the ramp. You can text him at 012-231 6062.