Turtle Islands stay
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.
Welcome
Inside a 1,740-hectare marine park 40 kilometres from Sandakan, this island accommodates a maximum of 50 guests. A private concession operates the 25 chalets while Sabah Parks rangers manage the turtle conservation programme and hatchery. Because day trips are prohibited to minimise disturbance, an overnight booking is the only way to join the night observation.
A private concession operates the 25 chalets while Sabah Parks rangers manage the turtle conservation programme and hatchery.
Because day trips are prohibited to minimise disturbance, an overnight booking is the only way to join the night observation.
Why stay here
Selingan sits in the Sulu Sea, 40 kilometres north of Sandakan.
The island features 25 twin-share chalets with 24-hour air conditioning.
Green and hawksbill turtles land on the island beaches year-round.
Sabah Parks rangers lead the nocturnal turtle night observation programme.
The island requires a 1-night stay with a morning speedboat crossing.
Rooms and accommodation
Selingan has 25 twin chalet rooms in clusters of 4, each with 2 single beds and an en-suite bathroom.
Sleeps 2 · en-suite bathroom
Every room is a twin layout with 2 single beds and 24-hour power that runs the air conditioning and a ceiling fan to keep the room cool.
Clusters of 4 chalets
The chalets share a common veranda looking out into the forest canopy. The paths are unpaved sand and dirt.
Families with a child
Rooms accommodate 2 adults, with an extra bed for a child aged 10 or under. Older families book 2 rooms.
Ambient-temperature shower
The bathrooms are fitted with a toilet, a basin and an ambient-temperature wall shower. You have 24-hour power.
24-hour electricity
The island runs on a hybrid system of solar panels and heavy-duty diesel generators to provide continuous electricity for the rooms.
Dining
Your stay includes lunch on arrival, dinner and breakfast the next morning. The cafeteria serves Malaysian home-cooked buffets, with fresh grilled fish a highlight for most guests. Leave the beaches before sunset, then wait in the cafeteria for the rangers' call. The wait can stretch until midnight as turtles follow natural tidal cycles.
Other island animals
Green and hawksbill turtles land year-round. You can see large monitor lizards roaming the island during the day. The trees hold hornbills and kingfishers.
Where it is
Rates on enquiry: no prices are published.
The 1-night island stay includes the ranger-led turtle observation programme, a hatchery visit and dinner.
EnquireQuestions
No. Sabah Parks bans day trips to protect the environment and because the turtles come ashore at night. You must book the overnight package to visit the island.
Green turtles land year-round, with the highest numbers usually between July and October. Hawksbill turtles nest here, peaking between February and April.
There is a designated lifeguarded beach for daytime swimming and snorkelling. The operator has halted snorkel gear rentals to protect the reef, so bring your own mask or buy one at the Sandakan jetty before boarding.
You can bring your bags but large suitcases are hard to manage. Most people leave their main luggage at their Sandakan hotel and bring an overnight bag.
Getting there
Register by 10am at Crystal Quest Jetty on Jalan Buli Sim Sim in Sandakan. The operator's daily speedboat leaves at 10:45am, taking 45 to 60 minutes depending on sea conditions. The return boat leaves Selingan at 7am the next morning and reaches Sandakan by 8am.
Extend the journey
Consider Lankayan Island for hot showers, a pool and beach walks at night. After returning to Sandakan, continue to the Kinabatangan River or nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Our view
Tell the team your dates to check the availability at Selingan Island for the nocturnal turtle nesting programme. Send your group size and the team will handle the concession booking and the Sandakan transfers.
