Watch hawksbill turtles nest on the strait's last stronghold
Hatchling releases, March to September
A sea-turtle hatchery on the coast at Pantai Padang Kemunting, Masjid Tanah, about 28 km north-west of the city, taking relocated hawksbill eggs from the offshore rookery and releasing the hatchlings.
Why it's unique
Melaka's coast holds the largest hawksbill nesting population in Peninsular Malaysia, and Pulau Upeh off the city is the single most important island site. Eggs are relocated to the Padang Kemunting Turtle Management Centre, a mainland hatchery running since 1990, where the hatchlings are released.
This is the peninsula's principal hawksbill rookery and the species is critically endangered, which makes the hatchery the only version of this experience the region has. Evening hatchling releases are the thing to see, and whether there is anything to see at all on a given night depends on what came ashore.
Before you go
Nesting runs roughly March to September, peaking May to July, and the hatchery is the reliable way to see anything. Pulau Upeh itself is private and periodically closed, so do not build a trip around landing on it.
Hatchling releases happen in the evening. Call ahead, because whether there is anything to see on a given night depends entirely on what came ashore. It is 35 to 40 minutes' drive, outside the usual radius for the city, and there is a small entry fee.