The Tg. Piai Ramsar Site located at the southern end of the Straits of Malacca is a mangrove ecosystem that harbours ‘true' mangrove species and supports globally protected species. This site is and will be pressured by the threats of climate change change. This paper aims to assess the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the ecosystem services of the Ramsar Site to climate change, especially to sea level rise. This assessment is carried out through the use of a semi-quantitative and flexible design approach, mainly using the DPSIR framework. Firstly, the ecosystems within the site and their services are determined and listed. Secondly, the ‘Drivers' and their ‘Pressures' are interpreted based on the climate change threats. Thirdly, the ‘State' of the determined the ecosystem services are described to determine their spatial and temporal changes. Fourthly, the possible ‘Impacts' are described and quantified using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix. The vulnerability to these impacts is then assessed qualitatively using a vulnerability assessment matrix. Next, the human ‘Responses' are reviewed in terms of Malaysia's adaptive capacity of the existing governance structure. This part assesses the existing environmental related governance framework in Malaysia that addresses the condition of vulnerability of the Tg. Piai Ramsar Site. Finally, this paper presents key preliminary governance options in order to establish an adaptation framework for the Ramsar Site to climate change.