If you are craving Seabreeze, sand, blue sea with a little surf, this idyllic bay is perfect for a little workout and some fun time with splendid views over the Straits of Malacca.
Tajung Tuan or Cape Rachado is situated at the borders between Negri Sembilan and Melacca. It is a popular site among bird-watching groups especially during migration months in March (mainly raptor birds).
This Cape is a conservatory reserve of a typical primary coastal hill dipterocarp forest in West Malaysia. You will find many local teak trees such as the shorea, meranti, arcacia, and some towering over 40m.
There are many trails here Dutch Well (where you will find Hang Tuah's footprint), Monkey Bay and #BukitBatuPutih or simply walking up to the oldest lighthouse in Malaysia.
Starting point: car park Hutan Rekreasi Tanjung Tuan, Open daily, 7am-6pm.
Hike Duration: depends on your destination, 15 to the base of lighthouse, another 10 minute to the base of the Limestone rock, or 10 minute to the beach. Allocate your time appropriately especially if you want to catch the sunset. (click the link to check the tides and sunrise and sunset timings)
End Hike: Backtrack
Hike Difficulty: 2/5 although some part is rather steep! Suitable for children and newbies!
Scenery Rewards: 4/5
What to bring
1. Good pair of hiking shoes
2. Gloves, as there are parts that you will need to use the help of the rope and while you are clambering over rocks!
3. Check the weather forecast
4. Swimming suit if you plan to take a dip in the pristine (by Port Dickson standard) waters
5. 1 litre of water
6. A GOOD ADVENTURE SPIRIT
Start hike
Register yourself at the booth and pay the RM1 per person, children under 12 are free, and make sure you keep your distance under the Movement Control Order Rule.
The first 10 minutes of the hike is on tarmac road, you are familiar with Bukit Kiara route, it is similar but feels more enveloping and close and the trees, bigger.
Before reaching the base of the lighthouse , there is a sign toward a rocky reef beach on the left. We took the other option to go all the way up toward the lighthouse, and at the base of the lighthouse, on the right side, there is a yellow signboard to Bukit Batu Putih.
After about 10 minutes you will reach the rock. Instead of clambering up, we took the right descent towards Monkey Beach.
The descend will take only 10 minutes and leads you to this pristine and secluded monkey bay beach. The trail is steep but there are ropes to help you!
Soon you will hear the crashing of waves to the shore, you know your destination is close!
We spent about 45 minutes here just exploring the marine life and swinging from tree to tree! I have to say it was BRILLIANT against the setting sun!
Flora & Fauna
The beach was full of blossoming flowers such as the sea hibiscus, sea jasmine. The aroma so intense! There is a reason why it is called Money Bay beach as you do see many different species of macaques, such as the lutong, long-tailed!
Bukit Batu Putih
We back-track up where we came from and up to Bukit Batu Putih just in time to watch the sunset. Click here for some information on the rock.
Tips: Be really careful clambering this rock as some parts are jagged and edgy and sharp! If you did not bring any headlamp, try to be out the forest trail by 7.30 pm! There are no street lamps on the tarmac road either.
Reflections
Tanjung Tuan forest reserve has been gazetted since 1921 and probably that is the reason few mighty strong trees still towers the forest. The beach may not be the best I have been, but at least it is the best within 1 hour +/- from Kuala Lumpur.
If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, Seremban is a recommended food stop as they do serve up some delicious LOU SHEE FUN! (Jalan Quek Qai Dong)
Date visited: 11th August 2020
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