Cape Rachado, Port Dickson, Port Dickson Overview

Cape Rachado is a popular forest reserve in Port Dickson and has attracted bird watchers from all over the country. It is visited by more than 300,000 migratory birds and is well known for its iconic Cape Rachado Lighthouse. It’s a great place for visitors who want to experience the evergreen forest and the beautiful ocean in the same place.

Cape Rachado is a Portuguese name for Tanjung Tuan and is the only coastal forest in Malaysia. Cape Rachado was declared a permanent forest reserve by the Forest Department of Melaka in 1921. It was also gazetted as an International Bird Area and a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Exploring Tanjung Tuan

Cape Rachado Forest Reserve: The unique location and environment in Cape Rachado make it a prominent place for bird watching and hiking. The forest accounts for more than 177 species of flora and several diverse species of fauna. Since the forest acts as a pit stop for raptors, the Malaysian Nature Society organizes the awareness campaign called Raptors Watch to educate visitors about raptors.

Cape Rachado Lighthouse: The lighthouse was built by Portuguese rulers in 1511 and was used to guide ships along the Straits of Melaka. It was rebuilt in 1863 and offers a spectacular view of the sea and the Straits of Melaka. With a height of 24 meters, the masonry tower is accessible only by foot and is located in an enclosed woodland, which makes it a perfect spot for bird watching.

Best Time to Visit

March would be the ideal time to visit Cape Rachado as the Raptors Watch takes place during this time of the year. The morning hours of the day are usually the ideal time to visit the place as its cooler.

How to Reach Cape Rachado

Cape Rachado is located 20km from Port Dickson. The entrance to Cape Rachado is located next to Ilham Beach Resort. Visitors can take a taxi to Cape Rachado, however, certain areas are off-limits to the cars and are accessible only by foot.

Tips for Visiting

A trip to Cape Rachado can be more demanding on children and people with health issues as the elevated pathways and long walks can take a toll on them. It is recommended to carry enough water.
Carry an insect repellant as the trials in the forest reserve will be buzzing with insects.
Do not to feed monkeys as they can get a bit violent when hungry, especially when they are in a group.