Selingan Turtle Island - Family Getaway!
Written by: Itisha Ismail
(Formerly Bike and Tours, now HAK’s Travel & Hospitality Group)
Friday, 7 February 2020
Selingan Turtle Island at the Turtle Islands Park (Malaysia) was our very first Borneo family getaway for 2020. In 2019, like most working individuals, Simon and I had been working non-stop from mid-January through to mid-October, except for a few weekends. Absolutely no holidays until mid-October. Needless to say, by then, we were both pretty much worn out.
So, at the beginning of 2020, Simon and I made it our aim to have more short breaks for our family in between work (ahem, this idea was made way before Corona took charge of the traveling world in mid-March 2020). So, let’s imagine this aim sans corona—we had to readjust that aim to present-day circumstances.
Selingan Turtle Island is located about 40 km north of Sandakan District and was the first turtle hatchery in Malaysia. It is a protected area with the sole purpose of serving the Turtle Conservation Program. It is also the oldest in the world with the most detailed statistics and research. Established on 1 August 1966, the park’s permanent team monitors the turtles, protects hatcheries, and tags turtles for research purposes.
Family Excitement and Journey
Olivia and Emelyn were super excited when we told them that we were going to see the mummy turtles make their way to lay eggs and release the baby turtles to the sea. Selingan Turtle Island is known for the green sea turtle and hawksbill turtle species that lay their eggs on this island. Believe it or not, the turtles come to lay eggs at Selingan Turtle Island every single day!
We made our way in the late afternoon on a Friday from Lahad Datu to Sandakan and spent a night at the Four Points by Sheraton. Our stay in Sandakan is never complete without dining at the Balin Restaurant in Nak Hotel.
Delicious late-night dinner, a good night’s sleep, and pandan nasi lemak breakfast later, saw us make our way to the Crystal Quest Jetty Office. We were greeted by friendly Fatimah and her team, who prepared us for the visit. Though we at HAK’s have organized tours for many of our guests to Turtle Island, it was actually our very first time going to the island ourselves.
The Journey to Selingan
The boat to Selingan Island (Pulau Selingan in Malay) departed at 10:30 AM from Crystal Quest Jetty, and we were ready for some beach fun and educational turtle conservation exposure. As February was still the off-peak season (in terms of the crowd, not the number of turtles that lay eggs), there were only eight of us onboard. Even during peak season, only 50 visitors are allowed at a time.
The captain steadily navigated the boat with the ever-present roar coming from the engine as we moved along. The constant breeze brought salt to the lips and skin, blew untied hair in crazy directions, and somehow brought peace and calmness—the amazing sight of birds specking the wide blue sky, wooden floating villages, and fishermen waving from their manmade sampan boats.
As the boat left ripples of white froth on the emerald green Sulu Sea, I realized that my two girls were so relaxed that both fell asleep to the boat’s chaotic dance at sea. The 60-minute boat ride seemed short as we sighted settlement on a small island. As the bow touched the golden caramel-coloured sand, we safely arrived at Selingan Turtle Island.
Arrival and First Impressions
We got off the boat and were already excited as our feet touched the saltwater. Traveling light came in handy as we only had one waterproof carry-on bag. Note that Selingan Turtle Island is a place where you seize the opportunity to learn about turtle conservation—there are no porters here to carry your bags. Avoid taking hard-sided trolley luggage, as we saw one guest quite annoyed by the lack of porter assistance.
We were briefed at the main dining area, paid the conservation fees, and walked past the turtle hatcheries on the way to our room. Green netted cylinders were visible on the ground to protect the hatcheries from predators such as monitor lizards and snakes. As we were explaining this to our girls, a huge monitor lizard crossed our path—almost like announcing its presence!
Our room was clean and spacious with an attached bathroom and air-conditioning, situated near the seaside. With the whole afternoon to ourselves, the beach was where we spent our time.
Rustic Beach Paradise
Indeed, the beach was rustic pa-ra-pa-ra-paradise! Like cartoon characters (imagine the hyper Jerry from Tom and Jerry or Woody Woodpecker), our daughters were literally running like headless chooks! There was a military base present to ensure guest safety. The limited number of 50 guests at a time not only protects conservation efforts but also ensures privacy. The clear turquoise saltwater invited us to cool down from the tropical heat.
We spent the whole afternoon—from the peak sun to its gentle descent. By sunset, the beach was filled with sandcastles created by Olivia and Emelyn. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky turned fiery tangerine, reflecting on the calm sea. It was breathtaking.
As we admired the scene, a park ranger reminded us to slowly head back. One of the park’s rules is to stay off the beach from sunset to sunrise to avoid disturbing the turtles.
The Evening: Learning and Discovery
After a hearty buffet dinner, we visited the mini gallery to learn more about turtles’ lives at sea, followed by a video presentation about Green and Hawksbill Turtle conservation efforts—from nesting to hatching and release.
One fact that stuck in my mind was the impact of plastic waste on turtles and marine life. Some turtles mistake floating plastic for jellyfish—their natural food—which often leads to fatal consequences. A good reminder to reduce single-use plastic wherever possible.
The Big Moment: Turtle Nesting
The wait at the terrace was full of suspense—it’s unpredictable when the mother turtle will appear. Although several may come ashore, visitors are allowed to observe only one nesting to minimize disturbance. As reptiles, turtles cannot regulate body temperature and are sensitive to heat and light, which is why they nest at night.
Soon two park rangers arrived to inform us to be quiet, put on shoes, and head to the beach—the big mama had arrived! We raced toward her. There she was, calmly digging her nest with hind flippers. We stood behind her as she plopped out 102 ping-pong-sized eggs. One ranger provided information, another counted eggs, and a third measured the turtle. She was a newcomer, so the ranger tagged her before returning her to the sea.
Hatchery and Baby Turtle Release
The freshly laid eggs were collected and transplanted to protected manmade nests at the hatchery. A baby turtle takes about 50 to 60 days to hatch, usually emerging at dusk to be released immediately.
And then came the finale of the night—about 50 baby turtles wriggled in a blue basket, ready for release. As the ranger tilted the basket, the tiny creatures scrambled over the sand and into the sea. We watched as they began their life’s journey—hopeful and determined. All the very best, little ones.
Leaving Selingan
The next morning, we left Selingan Turtle Island with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for sea turtle conservation efforts.
Note:
On 8 February 2020, ten Green Turtles and one Hawksbill Turtle landed on Selingan Turtle Island to lay eggs. A total of 788 eggs were laid by the Green Turtles and 124 by the Hawksbill Turtle.
You can support the Turtle Conservation Program by adopting a turtle nest for RM100 (bring cash, as there are no credit card facilities on the island). You’ll receive a certificate and, after about 72 days, photos and updates about your adopted turtles.
Return to Selingan Turtle Island with HAK’s Travel — plan your visit to this protected marine sanctuary and witness the magic of turtle nesting on Sabah’s beautiful island shores.
Story by: Itisha Ismail (Bike and Tours / HAK’s World)
Photography by: Simon Werren (Bike and Tours / HAK’s World)
About the Author
Itisha Ismail is the co-founder of HAK’s World Travel & Hospitality Group in Lahad Datu, Sabah. A passionate storyteller and culinary host at Hawa’s Artisan Kitchen, she connects guests with Borneo through meaningful travel, local food, and community-based experiences. Photography throughout this story by Simon Werren, co-founder of HAK’s World and creative lead behind its visual storytelling.