Setiu Wetlands

The Setiu wetlands run for about twenty kilometres behind a sand barrier on the Terengganu coast - a system of lagoon, estuary, river, mangrove, peat swamp and beach that is unusual for holding all of those types adjoining each other, and the only such complete mosaic on the peninsula's east coast. It matters for two species in particular. The river terrapin, tuntung sungai, is critically endangered and Setiu holds one of the last viable Malaysian nesting populations, with a hatchery programme run partly by local villagers. And painted terrapins nest on the sand bars. Green turtles come to the beach outside. The villages here fish, farm mussels and make budu and keropok, and the wetland economy is the reason it survives - conservation work has been built around the local livelihoods rather than against them.

What you actually see

• Six habitat types adjoining - lagoon, estuary, river, mangrove, peat swamp and beach.
• River and painted terrapins - among the last Malaysian nesting populations.
• A village hatchery - the terrapin programme run with local families.
• A working wetland economy - fishing, mussel farming and keropok making.

When to go

February to October; nesting from April. A day.

Honest expectations

Terrapin and turtle nesting is seasonal and not on demand - do not expect to see it. Boats and guides are arranged in villages, not through an office. The monsoon from November closes the coast.

Nearby

Kuala Terengganu is south; Merang and the Redang boats are on the coast.