Nesting green turtles
Turtle Islands Park
A 1-hour speedboat ride from Sandakan, Selingan hosts up to 50 overnight guests for a ranger-led programme offering a chance to observe green turtle nesting and learn about hatchery conservation.
Where it is
Three protected islands
The Turtle Islands Park covers 1,740 hectares of coral reefs and 3 islands that serve as a critical refuge for the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. On Selingan, rangers protect the sea turtles from a resilient black market driven by the demand for turtle eggs.
The strict group viewing protocol puts the nesting turtles first. It ensures that 50 people do not trample the beach and disturb the broader nesting population. You spend the evening waiting in the cafeteria for a ranger to call you to join the group around 1 nesting female.
Evening protocol
The night turtle programme
- Year-round green turtle nesting on Selingan, the park's only island open to visitors.
- A ranger-led programme focused on turtle nesting and hatchery conservation.
- Air-conditioned chalets on Selingan for 50 overnight guests.
- A 1-hour morning speedboat ride from the Sabah Parks jetty in Sandakan.
- Families and first-time visitors wanting an educational structured wildlife encounter.
The turtle nesting months
Green turtles nest on Selingan year-round, peaking between July and October when seas are generally calmer. December and January bring the highest chance of crossing cancellations due to rough water.
Getting there
Selingan transfers and booking
Selingan's 1-hour speedboat transfer leaves Sandakan's Sabah Parks jetty around 8am. Book the 50 nightly slots through the team at least 3 to 6 months ahead. Packages include return transfers, chalets, meals and the night programme. For diving, explore Sipadan for wall diving with resident turtles.
Who it suits
A night on Selingan suits families and first-time Borneo travellers who want to see conservation work through a ranger-led group programme. The terrain is flat and easily navigated. If you want a quieter high-end alternative to Selingan with its own hatchery, you might consider Lankayan Islandinstead.
Alternatives
Other Sabah destinations
Lankayan Island
Lankayan is a tiny coral island in the Sulu Sea north of Sandakan with a single resort, an active sea turtle hatchery and 32 dive sites.
Sipadan Island
An oceanic island rising from deep water in the Celebes Sea, Sipadan is Sabah's flagship dive site. It is protected by a strict permit system with no accommodation on the island itself and offers exceptional encounters with schooling barracuda, reef sharks and turtles.
Sepilok
25 kilometres west of Sandakan, the Sepilok complex holds Sabah's principal orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation centres, set on the edge of a protected dipterocarp forest reserve.
Selingan Island
A 45-minute speedboat ride from Sandakan, Selingan is the only island in the marine park where visitors stay overnight to witness the turtle landings.
Where it is
Plan your Selingan stay
Tell the team your dates and party size to check Selingan availability, plus your certification level if combining the stay with diving.