Selingan Island (Turtle Islands Park)
Pulau Selingan
Turtle Islands Park in the Sulu Sea, where visitors watch green turtles come ashore to lay eggs after dark and help release newly hatched baby turtles.
Selingan Island is part of Turtle Islands Park, about 40 km from Sandakan and roughly one hour by speedboat. The island admits a limited number of overnight guests each evening, and this is the only way to watch turtles nest. During the day, guests can snorkel and swim. At night they wait at the visitor centre. When a ranger spots a turtle coming ashore, they lead the group to watch it lay its eggs, collect the eggs and move them to the hatchery, and release that night's hatchlings onto the beach. Visits must be booked through a licensed travel agency as a one-night package, including boat transfer, accommodation, meals and park entry. Spaces are limited, and during peak season you need to book several months in advance.
Opening hours
Overnight trip (arrive on the island in the afternoon, return the next morning)
Nearby sights
- Sandakan Memorial Park
- Rainforest Discovery Centre
- Buli Sim Sim Water Village
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
- Agnes Keith House
- St. Michael's and All Angels Church
- Sam Sing Kung Temple