EB-SDK05
Selingan Turtle Island (1D/1N)

Turtle-watching, snorkeling, and limited bird watching. The sea turtles (Green and Hawksbill turtles) are the star attractions. Dolphins may be sighted outside the Sandakan Bay.

Location
About 12 km (7.5 miles) off the tip of the Sandakan Peninsula, and 36 km (22 miles) from Sandakan town (eastern Sabah). The park encompasses part of a cluster of small, low, sandy islands which are important nesting sites for Green and Hawksbill turtles. The islands are protected within marine parks on both sides of the Malaysian and Philippine borders. The Malaysian park includes three islands, Pulau Selingan, Pulau Gulisan and Pulau Bakungan Kecil.

When to go
Turtles nest year round, but are more common between July and October when the seas are calmer.

Access
By boat to Pulau Selingan from Sandakan town. No public boat services are available, and one really needs to go through the Parks office or arrange a visit through a tour company.

Permits
Compulsory. Permits and accommodation can booked through the Sabah Parks Office in Sandakan. Alternatively, trips can be arranged through tour operators who will arrange the permits, travel and accommodation.

Equipment
Sun and sea. But snorkeling and diving opportunities are limited. A torch is handy, but may not be used when watching turtles nesting.

Facilities
Overnight accommodation, visitor center and a restaurant only at Pulau Selingan. The fascilities have been privatised and accomodation limited. You really have no choice but to go with a tour company.

Nature
The sea turtles (Green and Hawksbill turtles) are the star attractions. Dolphins may be sighted outside the Sandakan Bay. Birdwatching.

Visitor Activities
Turtle-watching, snorkelling, and limited bird watching.

Day 1

• Meet on arrival at Sandakan Airport or at Hotel Lobby.Depart for for Sandakan Town, free at leisure.- Meet at designated point and transfer to jetty to board boat for transfer to Selingaan Turtle Island. Journey will be approximately 1 hr.
  
• Upon arrival, register at the reception and check in to the chalet. Free at leisure.
  
• Lunch at the cafeteria; Free at leisure.
  
• Meet at the cafeteria for dinner, whilst waiting for the park ranger to signal for turtle watching. Overnight at the Chalet.
  
• Observe the whole activity of the turtle laying eggs and covering the hole, tagging of the turtle by the park ranger and the transferring of the eggs to the hatchery. If there are young turtle hatchlings, an opportunity to observe the hatchlings being release to the sea.
  ( Lunch & Dinner )

Day 2

• After breakfast, depart for Sandakan town, on arrival transfer to airport or to hotel. End of tour.
  ( Breakfast )

Things You Should Know / Bring / Wear
Suitable walking shoes / change of clothes, toiletries, etc. / hat / raincoat / insect repellent / mosquito oil / binoculars / camera / water proof bag for camera / torchlight / personal items.