SELINGAN TURTLE ISLAND (NO 6)

At a 40km distance from Sandakan you can visit the Turtle Island. The Turtle Islands National Park comprises of 3 islands, Selingan, Gulisan and Bakungan Kechil (actually 10 in total, where 3 belong to Malaysia and the other 7 to the Philippines). The island got this name because of the many turtles that swim in the waters around the island. It is also the place where female Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles lay their eggs on the island beach. Throughout the year, they come ashore at night to lay their eggs; usually in batches of 50 to 80.

During the day, unwind on the white sandy beach of Pulau Selingan or snorkel on its immaculate reef to watch the serene turtles as they forage for food and rest amongst the corals before coming up for their next breath of air.

Only on the island of Selingan is it possible to stay overnight; a must for those who wish to see the Green and Hawksbill turtles laying their eggs. Turtles come ashore nightly to the Turtle Islands, and during the peak season of October up to 50 turtles can be seen visiting the shores to demonstrate their egg laying ritual.

Park regulations of the Turtle Islands Marine Park are strictly adhered to and visitors are not allowed on the beach from sunset to sunrise. A warden will call visitors to watch only one turtle laying eggs per night, the eggs are then collected and transplanted to a chamber in the hatchery, (not all nests are emptied by the park rangers, but some remain undisturbed and develop naturally).  The guests will then be given baby turtles from the rangers of Selingan to release into the sea; this is also done in the cover of night to ensure their chance of survival

HATCHING RELEASE PROGRAMME

The main attraction of the Turtle Islands Park is the turtle, watching turtle egg laying and hatchling release programme is the highlight of the visit; this, however, only occurs during the night. Thus, only overnight visitors to the islands have opportunity to experience the occasion. At the same time, visitors could learn and understood how the conservation process executed by parks employees.

SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELING

Among the main recreation activities in Turtle Islands Park is scuba diving and snorkeling. Areas which this activities were allowed were divided into zones. 

MUD VOLCANO

Other touristic attraction is the bubbling mud volcanoes, which is only found in Pulau Bakkungan Kechil. The mud volcanoes found here is the only few found in Sabah (the other being on Pulau Tiga). A mud volcano is simply a mild surface bubbling of liquid mud and natural gas coming from underneath the surface of the earth.