[2025 Sandakan Attraction] Travel Guide for Turtle Islands Park - Malaysia (Updated May)

turtle park place is place that you can see the turtle feed them and touch them. a few different species of turtle they showed here. They also rehabilitate injured turtles that are found in the wild here. You will be able to see the turtle hatchlings here. These turtles will be kept here until they areold enough to be released into the sea during the night. at turtle park also have some others animals like snake, bird, iguana, and many more you can touch and take photo with this animals ❤️#bucketlistreboot #tripblazers #mytripvlog #awesomepic #couplestrip #animalcare #animalpark

#kotakinabalutrip Located in the **Sulu Sea** off **Sandakan, Sabah**, **Turtle Islands Park** (Taman Pulau Penyu) is a **protected marine park** consisting of **three main islands** (**Selingan, Bakkungan Kecil, and Gulisan**). It’s one of **Southeast Asia’s most important turtle nesting sites**, renowned for its **Green Turtles** and **Hawksbill Turtles**. --- ### **Why Visit?** ✔ **Turtle Nesting & Hatching** – Witness **mother turtles laying eggs** (year-round, peak: **July–October**) or **baby turtles released** into the sea. ✔ **Conservation Focus** – The park operates a **hatchery program** to protect eggs from predators. ✔ **Pristine Beaches** – White sands, turquoise waters, and **untouched natural beauty**. ✔ **Snorkeling & Diving** – Vibrant coral reefs with **marine biodiversity**. --- ### **Key Experiences:** 1. **Nighttime Turtle Watching** – Rangers guide visitors to observe nesting turtles (no flash photography allowed). 2. **Baby Turtle Release** – Assist in releasing hatchlings at dawn (seasonal). 3. **Eco-Education** – Learn about turtle conservation at the **visitor center**. --- ### **Visitor Info:** 📍 **Location**: **40km off Sandakan** (1.5-hour boat ride). ⏰ **Best Time to Visit**: **July–October** (peak nesting). 🎟️ **Fees & Permits**: - **Park Entry**: ~RM50 (foreigners), ~RM15 (Malaysians). - **Boat Transfer**: ~RM300–500/group (round trip). - **Overnight Stay**: Limited chalets (~RM250–400/night, book early!). ⚠️ **Strict Rules**: - **Only Selingan Island** is open to tourists. - **No touching turtles** – Rangers supervise all interactions. - **Limited electricity** (generator-powered at night). --- ### **How to Get There?** 🚤 **From Sandakan**: 1. **Boat from Sandakan Jetty** (1.5 hours, arranged via tour operators). 2. **Permits Required** – Book through **Sabah Parks** or licensed tour agencies. --- ### **Did You Know?** - The park sees **500–1,000 nests per year**! - Only **1 in 1,000 hatchlings** survives to adulthood due to natural predators.

We had a lovely short trip out to turtle island, off the coast of Sabah on Borneo, to learn all about turtles nesting and the hatching of the baby turtles. This small island had some beautiful white sand beaches, incredible sunsets and bustling coral reefs - and of course plenty of gracious turtle hosts.