Tanjung Tuan

Tanjung Tuan, historically known as Cape Rachado, is a coastal headland and gazetted wildlife and forest reserve at Kuala Linggi in Alor Gajah, Malacca. An exclave of Malacca surrounded by Negeri Sembilan, it juts into the Strait of Malacca. It is notable for the historic Cape Rachado Lighthouse, its protected coastal dipterocarp forest, secluded beach, and as a renowned site for watching migratory raptors.

Visitors can expect a forested coastal headland with marked jungle trails leading uphill to the historic Cape Rachado Lighthouse. The area offers dense coastal forest, viewpoints over the Strait of Malacca, a small secluded sandy beach at the base of the cape, and birdwatching platforms. The lighthouse compound provides panoramic sea views. Facilities are basic and the visit involves hiking on uneven and steep paths through natural forest surroundings.

Tanjung Tuan is the site of the Cape Rachado Lighthouse, originally built by the Portuguese in 1528-1529 to guide ships through the Strait of Malacca and later rebuilt. The waters off the cape were the site of the Battle of Cape Rachado in 1606 between Portuguese and Dutch fleets. The lighthouse remains one of the oldest in Malaysia and has served as an important navigational aid for centuries.

The cape and lighthouse are recognized as a historic maritime landmark of the Strait of Malacca and a symbol of the region's colonial maritime heritage. The forest reserve is valued for nature education and seasonal raptor watching, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.