National park · Malaysia

Turtle Islands ParkTaman Negara Pulau Penyu

Join an approved Sandakan tour (≈RM150 per adult) departing 09:30, stay overnight on Selingan for RM120; travel Nov–Apr for calm seas and turtle nesting.Join an approved Sandakan tour (≈RM150 per adult) departing 9:30 AM, stay overnight on Selingan for RM120; travel Nov–Apr for calm seas and turtle nesting.

Not field-verified

Source checked: A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked: Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated: Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)

approximate

Established

1999

Best months

Nov–Apr

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…

Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Sabah ↗Sabah runs its own immigration controls, separate from Peninsular Malaysia; requirements differ by nationality and route — check current rules before you fly.
Sabah ↗Several governments have issued travel advisories covering parts of eastern Sabah and its outlying islands; check your own government's current advisory before booking.

At a glance

Country: Malaysia
Area: 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²); The park comprises three islands with a combined land area of about 0.8 km² (check).
Established: 1999
Best months: Nov–Apr
Permits: For some areas
Base: Sandakan

Turtle Islands Park protects critical nesting beaches for hawksbill and green turtles on three small islands off Sabah’s east coast; visits are only possible via approved guided tours that include a night‑time turtle‑watch on Pulau Selingan.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.

Size and age

1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1999

The park comprises three islands with a combined land area of about 0.8 km² (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sandakan.

Why go

Watch hawksbill and green turtles lay eggs on the beach at night.
Stay overnight on Pulau Selingan to see hatchlings released into the sea.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanBest
FebBest
MarBest
AprBest
MayCaution
JunCaution
JulAvoid
AugAvoid
SepAvoid
OctCaution
NovBest
DecBest

JanCalm seas, turtle nesting active.
FebDry, good visibility for snorkeling.
MarLow rain, turtles still nesting.
AprEnd of nesting season, pleasant weather.
MayIncreasing rain, seas can get rough.
JunMonsoon starts, boat trips may be cancelled.
JulHeavy rains, high seas.
AugPeak monsoon, unsafe boat travel.
SepStormy conditions common.
OctTransition to dry season, occasional storms.
NovDry, calm seas return.
DecCool, dry weather.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Turtle Islands Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Hawksbill and green turtles (nesting)Nov–Apr · Nesting peaks Jan–Apr.	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes
Marine fish, coralNov–Apr	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Sandakan

Mini‑van to jetty (2 km (1.2 mi)), then boat at 09:30 to Selingan (≈1 h).Mini‑van to jetty (2 km (1.2 mi)), then boat at 9:30 AM to Selingan (≈1 h).Mini‑van to jetty (1.2 mi (2 km)), then boat at 09:30 to Selingan (≈1 h).Mini‑van to jetty (1.2 mi (2 km)), then boat at 9:30 AM to Selingan (≈1 h).

2–3 h total

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Turtle Islands Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Pulau Selingan	Largest island, overnight lodge, turtle nesting beach.	Only via approved tour.
Bakkungan Kecil	Small island, day‑visit only, no facilities.	Tour‑included if weather permits.
Pulau Gulisan	Uninhabited, no visitor access.	Restricted.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Coordinates from Sabah Tourism site; approximate centre of each island.

1Sandakan jetty · Town≈6.163, 118.083Departure point for boat.Map ↗
2Pulau Selingan lodge · Headquarters≈6.174, 118.061Main visitor hub.Map ↗
3Sandakan town centre · Town≈6.148, 118.056Nearby accommodation and services, ~2 km (1.2 mi) from the jetty.Nearby accommodation and services, ~1.2 mi (2 km) from the jetty.Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Coordinates from Sabah Tourism site; approximate centre of each island.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

WildlifeEasy2–3 hNight turtle nesting watchGuides bring you to the beach after dark; watch turtles lay eggs and hatchlings released.

SnorkellingEasy1–2 hSnorkelling at SelinganCoral frags and small fish; gear hire on island.

CultureEasyovernightOvernight stay on SelinganBasic lodge rooms, meals, star‑filled sky.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

MYR ranges · check

Fees for Turtle Islands Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Approved tour (day visit, boat, guide)	MYR 150–180 (≈ US$40–45)	person	Includes boat transfer and guide fee (check).
Overnight stay on Pulau Selingan (lodge)	MYR 120–150 (≈ US$30–40)	person	Basic air‑conditioned room, meals included (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Tour permit permit or guide

Book through a Sabah Tourism‑approved operator; guide holds the permit.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

Nights or days

Approved tour (day visit, boat, guide)per personRM150–180≈ US$40–45
Overnight stay on Pulau Selingan (lodge)per personRM120–150≈ US$30–40

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Sabah Tourism – Turtle Islands National Park before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Guides: All visits require an approved guide; no independent boat trips.
Night access: Visitors must stay in the lodge after dark; roaming the island is prohibited.
Camping: Not allowed; only lodge accommodation.
Fire: Open fires prohibited; use provided facilities.

Where to stay

In the park

Pulau Selingan lodge

Basic air‑conditioned rooms, meals included.

Near the park

Sandakan town

Hotels and guesthouses, 2 km (1.2 mi) from the jetty.Hotels and guesthouses, 1.2 mi (2 km) from the jetty.

Safety

Rough seas medium

Travel in the dry season; check weather before departure.

Heat and sun low

Bring sunscreen, hat, and plenty of water.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

Jetty reachable by car; short walk to boat launch.
Island trails are sandy and uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.

Visiting lightly

Stay on approved tours only; they follow turtle‑conservation protocols.
Do not touch or disturb nesting turtles or hatchlings.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Turtle Islands Park?

You must join an approved Sandakan tour (≈RM150 per adult) that includes boat transfer and guide; overnight stay on Selingan adds ≈RM120.

What are the best hikes in Turtle Islands Park?

The park is small; the main walk is the beach trail on Pulau Selingan to the nesting site. No formal hikes on the other islands.

When is the best time to visit Turtle Islands Park?

Visit November to April for calm seas and active turtle nesting; avoid the monsoon months May to October.

Can I visit without a guide?

No. All visits require a Sabah‑approved guide and tour permit.

Is swimming safe around the island?

Only the designated beach area is safe; strong undertows exist elsewhere. Wear shoes and heed ranger advice.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Turtle Islands Park

Loading…

Was this useful?