The Turtle Islands Park lies 40 km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah’s east coast. It encompasses 1,740 hectares which includes the three islands of Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan; the sea and surrounding coral reefs. The islands are built over shallow rocky shoals from coral shingle from the surrounding reef on the fringes. They are covered with a variety of plant life which includes mangrove, lantana, the yellow-flowered sophora and the furry silver-leaved Tournefortia. The main attractions here, however, are the turtles which come to nest on their shores. Pulau Selingan is the main nesting area for the green turtles chelonian mydas, while the hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys seem particularly attracted to the shores of Pulau Gulisan. Both species lay their eggs on these shores throughout the year, although the best months are between July to October. The islands were gazetted as Marine Parks in 1977 primarily for the protection of these two species in order to save them from extinction.
The park is located 2 hours by boat and 40 km from Sandakan town on Sabah east coast and the first in a chain of small islands that stretch across the Sulu Sea to the Philippines, Selingan, Gulisan and Bakkungan Kecil-these are Sabah’s Turtle Islands, separated from the Philippine border and the larger Phillipine island of Bakkungan Besar by no more than a narrow stretch of water- the route of barter traders from ancient times and still the haunt of modern day pirates.
Turtle eggs have been collected from the islands since before the colonial days. Though over-harvesting was already leading to the decline in egg production even then, it was not until 1971 that the turtles were given any form of legal protection, when the islands were designed as a Bird and Game sanctuary, administered by the Forestry Department. In 1977, the islands, together with surrounding seas, were handed over to the Sabah Park Trustees and the Turtle Island Park is now a total protected area for turtle conservation.
The island received the brunt of the north-eastern monsoon gales between October and February. The best time to visit this park is during the driest month and the calmest seas between March and September.
The park is located 2 hours by boat and 40 km from Sandakan town on Sabah east coast and the first in a chain of small islands that stretch across the Sulu Sea to the Philippines, Selingan, Gulisan and Bakkungan Kecil-these are Sabah’s Turtle Islands, separated from the Philippine border and the larger Phillipine island of Bakkungan Besar by no more than a narrow stretch of water- the route of barter traders from ancient times and still the haunt of modern day pirates.
Turtle eggs have been collected from the islands since before the colonial days. Though over-harvesting was already leading to the decline in egg production even then, it was not until 1971 that the turtles were given any form of legal protection, when the islands were designed as a Bird and Game sanctuary, administered by the Forestry Department. In 1977, the islands, together with surrounding seas, were handed over to the Sabah Park Trustees and the Turtle Island Park is now a total protected area for turtle conservation.
The island received the brunt of the north-eastern monsoon gales between October and February. The best time to visit this park is during the driest month and the calmest seas between March and September.
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