Turtle Island (Selingan Island)
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Turtle Islands Park lies 40km North of Sandakan and is home to Selingan Island, a small island favoured year round by green turtles and hawksbill turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. The main laying season is from May to October and after incubating for approximately 2 months, tens of thousands of baby turtles will hatch and be released back into the surrounding Sulu sea.
In peak season over 20 turtles may come ashore every night to lay their clutches of glistening white eggs that resemble ping-pong balls, usually numbering between 60 to 100 eggs per nest. Even outside of peak months, it is extremely rare to not witness a turtle laying eggs during a visit, you may just have to wait a little longer for the rangers to locate one. |
Getting to Turtle Island
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Access to Turtle island is via a 1 hour speedboat ride from Sandakan Island and boat transfers are included in your package. The boat leaves Sandakan by 10am daily and leaves Turtle island at 7am. If you miss the boat beware, the only other way to reach the island is by private speedboat which is very expensive, we recommend flying in one day before your tour starts to avoid any issues.
Between November and January there is a higher risk of adverse weather conditions affecting your boat transfer and in the worst case the boat may not be able to leave Sandakan or you may have to stay an extra night on the island. This is fortunately very rare but please be aware that in the event that your boat to the island is cancelled, we will not be able to offer any refund but will provide alternative accommodation and tour arrangements for you. |
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Sabah Parks hatchery
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All turtle conservation work on Selingan Island and within the wider Turtle Islands Park is conducted by Sabah Parks staff and their rangers are based permanently on the island to discourage poachers as well as care for the nests. Every night their dedicated rangers patrol the beaches in search of nesting turtles, assist with relocating the nests to the hatchery and keep an eye out for which nests are ready to hatch and be released. Turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs are also recorded and tagged if it is their first visit to the island.
Visitors are not allowed to walk on the beaches after 5pm to avoid disturbing nesting turtles. |
Staying at Turtle Island
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As all the Turtle Hatchery activities occur after sunset, all trips to Selingan Island include an overnight stay. The choice of where to stay is simple as there is only one accommodation on the island and it offers simple twin-bedded rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Towels & soap are provided and all rooms have air-conditioning as well as a ceiling fan but there are no kettles, fridges or glasses provided in the rooms. Drinking water re-fills are available but be sure to bring your own bottle.
Meals are provided in your package and will be served buffet style in the island's dining room at the following times:
Turtle hatchery activities will start after dinner, the rest of the day you are free to swim, snorkel and roam around the island. |
Additional info
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Staying connected: Phone reception is very limited on the island, if you urgently need to make a call please ask the staff where the best spot to try this is. Starlink wifi is due to be available on the island by January 2024.
Electricity: Turtle Island has 24 hour generator electricity power outages may still occur but should be short-lived. Snorkeling equipment: Beach mats, masks, fins, snorkels can all be rented on the island at a small counter between the reception area and your room, please bring cash for rentals. |
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