"Cape Rachado Lighthouse or Rumah Api Tanjung Tuan is the country's oldest lighthouse, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century."
If you happen to be in Cape Rachado (also known as Tanjung Tuan), take a short trek uphill from the beach, and you will find a classic, whitewashed lighthouse built on top of a fort-like foundation structure.
Believed to have been built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the lighthouse still holds vigil today. But the lighthouse is no longer just a vantage point to view trade or enemy ships sailing close to the coast. It now houses a revolving MEASAT Radar used for transmissions and communications.
To get to the top of the lighthouse, you must ascend a beautiful but narrow, spiral staircase with 72 steps. A stone staircase behind the lighthouse also makes access to the lighthouse easier. Once on top, you can enjoy an unobstructed 360-degree view of the coastline as well as the woodlands of the mainland.
Less than 40km away across the Straits of Melaka lies Sumatera. So on a clear day, you will be able to see the outline of the Sumatran coast in the distance, from the top of the lighthouse. Cape Rachado is also a strategic place for birdwatching, especially during the annual migration season which takes place roughly around September through October and March through April. Permit to enter the lighthouse can be acquired from the Harbour Master's Office in Melaka.
In the past, Cape Rachado was renowned for its lighthouse on, but today, the site is a conservation area for migrating birds.
Cape Rachado is well known as a popular stopover point for migrating raptors especially honey buzzards. Other birds that stop here during their annual winter migration include swifts, hawks, and eagles, which can be spotted between September and March every year.
There is also a spot here where the legendary Malay warrior of the Malacca Sultanate, Hang Tuah, was supposed to have set foot.
Last viewed - May 17, 2008
Getting there
By Bus
Kuala Lumpur - Port Dickson
KL at Puduraya station using RESTU bus service: RM6.15 one way, 2-hour journey
Kuala Lumpur - Seremban - Port Dickson KL at Puduraya station: RM4.00 one way Seremban at Terminal 1 using Park May bus service: RM2.50 one way, 45-minutes journey
Once in Port Dickson, you can get any of the local buses that travels the coastline route right up to Cape Rachado.
By Taxi
From Port Dickson, a taxi ride takes 35-minute and costs around RM55.
By Rail
You can catch the KTM Komuter train from Kuala Lumpur all the way to Seremban for RM5.70 one way. From Seremban, you can either catch a bus or a taxi to Cape Rachado.
If you're driving, the turn-off to the lighthouse is near the Kilometre 16 marker. Head down the road for about 2km, and then proceed through the forest reserve for another kilometre to the lighthouse.
From Kuala Lumpur: 60km From state capital, Seremban: 30km From nearest town, Port Dickson: 15km
User recommendation
"need more improvement. but it's good to know the info. and i would like to go there..." by noralina
"I just visited the lighthouse last Friday. Unfortunately, though the signboard says no vehicles were allowed to travel up, some did so. We were law abiding and thus had to endure the half-hour steep walk up. Being all seniors, above age 55, luckily our hearts were able to take it. There was no guard on duty at the guard post. " by YL Tan
"tell you what. If you ever get to visit this place, go all the way up, make a complete circle of the light house and when you face the sea, just look out the stunning distances as far as your sight can stretch" by Ole
"Excellent view of Straits of Malacca.Simply marvellous. The walk up to the Lighthouse is interesting as well. A must see." by SIVA SHANKER
