Information
Landmark: Turtle Islands ParkCity: Sandakan
Country: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Turtle Islands Park, Sandakan, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Turtle Islands Park sits in the clear waters of the Sulu Sea, just off Sabah’s coast in Malaysia, and is protected as a marine sanctuary, after that the park is made up of a cluster of small islands, the main ones being Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kechil, and Pulau Gulisan, where white sand meets clear, shallow water.About 40 kilometers from Sandakan in Sabah, it’s a well-known sanctuary devoted to protecting endangered sea turtles, especially green and hawksbill turtles gliding through the clear, warm water, besides turtle Islands Park draws visitors who love marine life, care about conservation, and crave unspoiled beauty, from its soft white sand to the slow glide of sea turtles offshore.Turtle Islands Park is best known for its sea turtle nesting beaches, where at night you can hear the soft scrape of flippers on the sand, while the park serves as a vital nesting site for green turtles and hawksbills, both endangered; on quiet nights, you can spot their tracks etched in the sand.These turtles rely on the islands to reproduce, coming ashore at night to bury their eggs in the warm sand, moreover to help them survive, conservation teams track nesting sites, collect eggs, and move them to hatcheries where more hatchlings make it to the sea.The park houses a turtle hatchery, where eggs rest buried in warm sand until they crack open and tiny hatchlings scuttle toward the sea; Pulau Selingan, the most renowned of the islands, is their main nesting ground, as a result each night, park rangers walk the moonlit beaches, scanning the sand for the slow, quiet shapes of nesting turtles, generally As a turtle hauls herself onto the sand to lay her eggs, guides keep a close watch to protect both her and the nest, likewise visitors can join night tours from May to October, when the moonlight glints on the waves and female turtles make their slow climb ashore.At the park, you can join the hatchling release program, watching tiny turtles shuffle toward the waves under a pink dawn sky, then meanwhile, the egg hatchery keeps each fragile shell safe from predators and harsh weather until it’s ready to crack.Once the eggs hatch, park rangers set the tiny turtles loose on the sand, where they scramble toward the surf, therefore turtle Islands Park brims with life-coral reefs blaze with color, sea grasses sway in the current, and countless fish dart between them.Warm, clear waters wrap around the islands, perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, or just playing on the beach, in turn the park invites visitors to slip beneath the surface and drift past bright coral reefs, darting tropical fish, slow-moving sea turtles, and, if you’re lucky, a shadowy manta ray or sleek shark, generally The marine ecosystem bursts with life, drawing divers and nature lovers who come to glimpse everything from bright clownfish to drifting sea turtles, likewise in Sabah, Turtle Islands Park stands out as a key ecotourism gem.Guided tours take visitors through the story of turtle conservation, revealing threats like poaching, rising seas, and vanishing nesting beaches, what’s more between lessons, you can slip into clear water for snorkeling, dive among coral, stroll the sand, or watch seabirds wheel overhead.Pulau Selingan has a small visitor center where travelers can learn about the park’s conservation work and why protecting marine life matters, from sea turtles to coral reefs, along with for those who want to watch turtles nest under the moonlight, the island offers a handful of simple overnight rooms, under certain circumstances The island offers simple comforts-bungalows and beachside cabins where you can fall asleep to the sound of waves-giving visitors the rare chance to watch turtle conservation up close, not only that rooms are few, so they’re often booked well ahead, and the entire Turtle Islands Park is safeguarded under Malaysian law.This designation protects the islands’ ecosystems-from turtle nesting beaches where tracks pattern the sand to coral reefs alive with darting fish-and ensures they’re cared for in ways that keep them thriving for years to come, furthermore rangers keep a close watch on the park to stop overdevelopment and curb illegal acts like turtle poaching and tearing up nesting grounds.It’s managed through a partnership between Sabah Parks, local authorities, and environmental groups devoted to protecting sea turtles and their home, simultaneously for the best chance to spot them nest, plan your visit between May and October, when the sand is warm and the nights are alive with quiet movement.This is the perfect time to watch turtles crawl ashore to nest and to help guide tiny hatchlings toward the glimmering surf, consequently from March to October, the dry season brings the clearest waters for snorkeling and diving, with reef fish flashing beneath the surface.The park stays open all year, but during nesting season, you might watch sea turtles shuffle through the sand under a moonlit sky, in conjunction with turtle Islands Park sits about 40 kilometers off Sandakan, Sabah.From Sandakan, visitors can hop on a boat and reach the islands in about 30 to 45 minutes-the spray’s cool on your face as the shore fades, furthermore boats run daily, but you’ll need to book through an authorized tour operator or the Sabah Parks office in town.Funny enough, Book your trip early-rooms on the islands fill fast, especially during nesting season, subsequently turtle Islands Park is a stunning sanctuary, protecting sea turtles and a rich array of marine life.The park’s white-sand beaches, glowing coral gardens, and teeming wildlife make it a must-visit for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about protecting the sea, besides watching sea turtles nest under a moonlit sky, then helping tiny hatchlings scurry toward the surf, turns a visit to the park into something rare and unforgettable.A trip to Turtle Islands Park lets visitors help protect endangered sea turtles and, at the same time, soak in the quiet beauty of one of Borneo’s most vital marine sanctuaries, where soft waves lap against pale sand.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-09-12
