Bukit Bubus

Bukit Bubus on Malaysia's east coast is a newly developed coastal site — a small hill 100 ft ASL facing NE, receiving constant sea wind all day long except during the monsoon (November–February). The launch is spacious and easy, with dynamic lift making long airtime straightforward, and once you have enough height you can hop to the adjacent hill for longer ridge soaring. It's very well suited to tandem flights thanks to the roomy launch, easy soaring and spacious beach LZ. Because the lift is dynamic only (no known thermal activity), it's hard to get above 1,000 ft.

Launch & conditions

Small hill at 100 ft ASL facing NE, receiving constant sea wind all day. Spacious, easy launch. Easy to stay airborne on dynamic lift. Once you have enough height, hop to the adjacent hill for longer ridge soaring. Very suitable for tandem flights.

Getting there & local rules

From Kuala Terengganu airport, head to Bukit Keluang in Kuala Besut. Near the destination, take the exit to Tembila and look for the access road to the beach — at the end of the road you can't miss the hill. From KL by car, about a 5-hour drive on the new highway. By flight, Kota Bharu airport is closer (about 40 km away). Landing: the wide beach area right next to the hill — plenty of space even for the most conservative pilots.

Local rules & hazards

Site sits adjacent to a military air force area — expect the occasional jet during their training. Altitude difference isn't an issue: it's very hard to get above 1,000 ft here on dynamic lift, and no known thermal flights. Rain, especially during the monsoon season November–February. New site — grass at the launch area is still growing in.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Bukit Bubus, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Bukit Bubus with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.