FAQ ver 1.1 updated on 21 Nov 2009

[HOTBoys Kelong Fishing]

1. Is there any minimum number of pax?

Ans: No there isn't a minimum number, but you should always consider your transport options. In order to save costs, either you self drive, or you take our chartered minibus which comes in 10 or 12 seater configurations.

2. What is the weather like?

Ans: Highly unpredictable! Its very similar to tropical country weather, hot and sticky sometimes, rainy and windy other times. Typically monsoon season starts from Nov till Feb. Hot summer periods are Jun to Aug. But it will still rain as and when.

3. Where is the pickup point from?

Ans: We are in the midst of setting up a daily shuttle service. Stay tuned to this forum for more. If you take our chartered minibus, obviously you get to specify the pickup point.

4. What time is the pickup?

Ans: Our recommendations for a weekend is always between 6am to 7am to avoid jams at woodlands customs. For a public holiday / long weekend, you might want to set off earlier.

5. Are there any rooms?

Ans: Unfortunately, we're a basic, rustic establishment. There are no rooms, its an open dorm concept with double deck bunk beds. There are several rows of these bunk beds and we try to allocate your group to one single row where you will still have a bit of privacy. We also have 150 beds, so its really a very big space!

6. What are the toilet and bathing facilities like?

Ans: Again, we are a basic, rustic lifestyle. Toilet and Bathing is together in simple cubicles that go direct into the sea. Bathing is just a pail and scoop concept, and our water is fresh water shipped from mainland on a daily basis. We do not collect rainwater or use seawater. Thus, please save water and use the water with discretion.

7. Is there hot water available?

Ans: We do not have any water heaters, but we will be happy to boil water upon reasonable request for the very young and the elderly. Other than during really stormy weather, bathing during the day time is perfectly fine with the water in room temperature.

8. Is there electricity, or electric plugs available?

Ans: We have 2 generators serving during most hours of the day and all hours during the night. 3-pin plugs are available throughout the kelong for charging purposes. There will be times where we need to change oil, switch generators, top up diesel, do maintenance and we request your understanding if the power is not available for those few hours during the day.

9. What time is the ferry timing?

Ans: Our regular ferry trips from Tanjung Leman Jetty start at about 9am. This is malaysia, things tend to happen abit slower, and if you're on holiday anyway, be patient! Sometimes due to large crowds, there will be delays in boarding, or if you missed the ferry, the next boat may take some time to come back to fetch you. We try our best to coordinate everyone and the pickup times can range from 9am to 12am. If you come earlier or later, do feel free to call us to make separate arrangements. In special cases, extra charges may apply.

10. Are there day trips available?

Ans: From singapore, the travel time is about 2 hours. Factoring in time spent waiting in jams and customs checks, to and fro, the journey would be about 5 to 6 hours. It wouldn't really make sense to do a day trip, but we'll still be happy to assist upon request. In this case, it would also be better to self drive, otherwise the cost of transport will also not make this option viable.

11. What time do we depart?

Ans: Usually our guests depart after lunch the next day from 1 to 2pm. You should be back to Singapore easily before 6pm.

12. Can we stop for breakfast if we cater your transport?

Ans: Feel free to negotiate with your driver to stop you for a quick breakfast or toilet break. It is much easier for you to do so to avoid additional charges for extra stop points. Usually, you get away with this with a small RM10/20 tip for the driver.

13. What bait do you provide on the kelong?

Ans: We provide sotong bait FOC, and we currently sell live prawns during the weekends. There's always the option of jigging for live tamban yourself!

14. Are you still open during monsoon period?

Ans: Yes we are, in fact, the monsoon is the best time for fishing. There is a wide variety of catches and the results are always bountiful. We are fortunate to be sheltered by nearby sibu island and are not badly affected by monsoon.

15. Is the kelong safe?

Ans: As a testament to our safety, this kelong has been around for more than 16 years. We constantly spend time maintaining, replacing and upgrading our place as safety is our biggest concern for our customers.

16. Is the kelong suitable for young children?

Ans: In fact, we pride ourselves on being family oriented and we have many customers with their kids on board without ever having any major incidents. Parents should always exercise greater care if they bring their young children on board, and if common sense is in place, we truly believe the whole experience will always be a positive one!

17. Is there any discount available?

Ans: We believe that we provide the best value for money possible. We provide fresh seafood meals daily, there are no restrictions to water, ice, facilities. Daily trips are available to the beach where you can snorkel, swim, stretch your legs out on the beach. Our service and cleanliness is well known and we try our very best to accomodate to each and every special request. We have also priced ourselves such that each customer, be it a single person coming or a big corporate group, you can enjoy the best service at the same price.

18. How do I make a booking?

Ans: Please email us your details to hotboys@kelongfishing.com
Name:
Hp Contact:
Dates:
No of pax: Adults and Children
Transport:
Pickup Points:

19. By when do I need to confirm?

Ans: It really depends on yourself, if you are booking for a public holiday/long weekend, it would be prudent to book at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. If you require transport, at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance. We will require a deposit via bank transfer to confirm.

20. Is your company registered?

Ans: Yes, our registration is under HOT-Boys Fishing Pte Ltd. UEN: 200903535E in Singapore.

21. What are the islands for island hopping?

Ans: We only go to nearby sibu island for our daily island hopping trip. Having said that, there are many different resorts on the island itself for exploration and different beaches. However, due to the different needs from different customers, we limit our island hopping from 3 to 6pm daily to only one location. If you stay the next day, you may request for island hop to another beach location. We are always happy to oblige depending on weather and tide conditions.

22. Can I bring alcohol?

Ans: Feel free to bring your own liquor! We do sell carlsberg though per can.

23. How many people can your kelong accomodate?

Ans: We have 150 beds. Its a big place!

24. How do we get there? Is there a direct boat there from Singapore?

Ans: Usually, the best recommendation is to self drive. That would be the most flexible option. Its along the east coast of malaysia and about 2 hrs drive from the woodlands causeway. We also charter minibuses for up to 10, 12 or coaches up to 30, 40 pax. Pickup from Singapore, up to 2 locations that you specify. There is no boat/ferry from Singapore, but in anycase, people who do own boats say that it takes about 4 to 5 hrs to boat it to my kelong.

25. Is there any surcharge during Holidays?

Ans: No, the price is the same.

26. Is there possibility for sharing of transport?

Ans: Yes certainly, but there are no guarantees that there will be the right combination of customers for you to share transport with. We will certainly try our best to arrange, but if you would like to confirm your trip, then you might have to pay for the entire transport yourself.

27. Is your food Halal?

Ans: Yes it certainly is! Please do not bring any pork on board the kelong! we are certified by the malaysian authority.

28. Is there mobile network on the kelong?

Ans: Yes, so long as you have roaming activated, you should be able to access any of the malaysian networks, DIGI, Celcom, Maxis.

29. Is there any internet on the kelong?

Ans: Unfortunately no, but once again, if you don't mind paying for data roaming, then certainly you can use your mobile to access.

30. Can i come up anytime i want?

Ans: We welcome you to let us know what is the most convenient time for you. However, we seek your understanding that if you don't take our standard ferry timing (9am to 11am) in the morning, then additional costs may apply. ie, if you don't take my bumboat and i need to incur extra trips for you, then you will need to pay for it. Especially if your group is small. Typical charges for speedboat range between RM150 to RM200 per one way trip. This cost will be borne by you. Once again, we are not in the business of making money through transportation, but yet, we can't also take up additional costs. This is back to back cost and will be transparent between yourself and the boat operator. Feel free to negotiate! (with the boat operator ofcourse)

31. What is the currency of settlement on the kelong?

Ans: we accept Singapore Dollars only for the bookings made in Singapore. Any incidentals such as soft drinks, beer, fishing equipment are charged in Ringgit as per our quotation.

32. What if i don't have enough people for the transport?

Ans: Where the opportunity arises, we will always try to share out the additional space. however, there are no guarantees for that. As mentioned before, the bus service is chartered for you and even if you don't have enough pax, you have to pay for the full bus and share it out amongst yourselves.

33. What are the dishes served during meal time?

Ans: We serve seafood meals and lunch and dinner are sit down affairs. there will be one dish of fresh fish, one seafood (can be prawns, crabs, sotong, crayfish etc), one veg, one meat and one soup. During breakfast and supper, we serve buffet style, kuay teow, fried rice, porridge, desserts etc. We also serve our own very special fish head steamboat on most weekends!! thats a special for our guests only and guaranteed to please!

34. what goes into the additional charges for BBQ?

Ans: for safety reasons, we do not allow our guests to bring their own bbq pits. we will operate and serve the bbq to our guests, usually during supper time, and this is inclusive of food such as chicken wings, sausages, tiger prawns, sotong etc, depending on what is the freshest available. as such, we charge additional RM25 per head.

35. what can i expect at the kelong?

Ans: well, for starters.. don't expect anything! its a kelong! so be ready for the unexpected if there's such a thing! its also rustic, backward, and laid back. especially so if you come on a holiday weekend, be prepared to wait, experience jams at the causeway, at the jetty, when using the loo, its all part of the experience. dont get frustrated and dont bring the singaporean mentality of fast fast fast, now now now! relax, chill out, enjoy the sun, the sea, the company, and feel free to imbibe copious amounts of alcohol!! no one's going to bother you!