Turtle Island — Selingan Island — lies about 45 minutes by boat off Sandakan. It is famous for clear water, white sand and, above all, the tens of thousands of baby turtles released each year from the hatchery run by Sabah Parks. Day trips are not allowed, so the only way to see the turtles is to stay the night. Here is what that night is really like.
How do you get there?
We pick you up from Sandakan or Sepilok hotels, or the airport, between about 8 and 9am and take you to Sandakan jetty. If you are flying in the same morning, your flight must land before 8.45am. The boat leaves mid-morning and takes around 45 minutes to an hour; crossings can be cancelled in bad weather. Space on board is limited, so pack an overnight bag and leave your main luggage in storage on the mainland — we arrange this.
What happens during the day?
You register at park headquarters, check into your chalet and have lunch around midday. The afternoon is free: wander the island, swim, snorkel or simply sit on the beach. It is a small, quiet island.
What is the accommodation like?
There is only one lodge. Rooms are basic but comfortable, twin-share, with air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Solo travellers get a private room with a single supplement. Rooms are strictly two adults and one child under 10; families with a child over 10 or with two children need two rooms. July and August are peak season and rooms are very limited, so book well ahead.
What happens at night?
After dinner, everyone waits. Park rangers patrol the beach and call the group when a turtle has come ashore to lay her eggs. You watch quietly as she digs and lays, and rangers then transfer the eggs to the Sabah Parks hatchery. If a clutch of hatchlings is ready, you also get to see them released and scrambling down the sand towards the sea. Timing is up to the turtles — it can be early evening or well after midnight.
Will I definitely see a turtle?
Peak nesting is June to October, when 20 or more turtles can come ashore in a night, even on a quiet night outside of peak season 5 or more turtles may come ashore. Because more than 6,000 nests are relocated to the hatchery over the year, hatchling releases happen year-round, so most nights offer something — but wildlife is never guaranteed.
What about the next morning?
You wake to the sound of the sea, have breakfast and take the boat back to Sandakan around 7am. Our 2D1N package then goes straight to Sepilok for the morning orangutan feeding and the sun bear centre before drop-off at the airport for flights from 3pm.
Can I combine it with the Kinabatangan?
Yes — the 4D3N Turtle Island and Kinabatangan River Safari adds two nights at either Hornbill Lodge or Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Both options include Sepilok.
See the 2D1N Turtle Island trip or check dates with us — for July and August, the earlier the better.
