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Visiting Selingan Island, about an hour's boat trip from Sandakan was a unique experience and I found it really interesting.
The accommodation is simple, lacking internet or phone connection and hot water in the bedroom units, but that was a small price to pay.
Accommodation is limited to 50 guests and the boats arrive close to midday. After settling in, lunch is served followed by a free afternoon for swimming, snorkling etc. At about 6.30pm an information gallery is opened upstairs, followed by a video about turtles then dinner.
At this stage it is a matter of waiting for the call from rangers when the first female turtle is spotted coming to the beach to lay its eggs. Only one turtle beached on my night around 9pm, so there was a wait. After viewing the turtle lay its eggs which were secured by rangers, we moved to one of the hatcheries to view them being replanted there. Shortly afterwards, it was down to the beach to see the release of a batch of new hatchlings. Survival rates are very low, but we can only hope that a few will make it and return in due course.
I was very lucky being accompanied by Abkaria Bin Seyong, known as Jack, who was one of the best guides ever. He was able to answer any possible questions and made sure I was always in the best positions to take photographs both on the island and later at Sepilok. Would recommend him highly.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Cleanliness
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Room Tip:Rooms were allocated. Not sure how they might have varied, if at all.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are really glad we took the time to visit Selingan to experience the magic of this island and the "turtle experience".
As others have pointed out, the accommodation is basic but we found it to be clean and we very much appreciated having air conditioning in our room (which we had not expected). The included meals are simple but tasty and there was plenty of drinking water available (and beers to purchase) so all of our needs were met.
Our relaxing afternoon on the beach was delightful (if super hot), especially as we happened to see some baby turtles make a break for freedom into the sea (before the official release at night time). It was convenient to be able to hire a beach mat, snorkel equipment etc.
We loved learning about the turtles and witnessing the life cycle - a pretty special experience!
All in all, we would recommend adding this stop to your Borneo itinerary.
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Date of stay: September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We choose to do the turtle island experience as we liked how limited the numbers were for the island and that the animals would not be bombarded with tourists even though this meant the overnight (less than 24 hours) stay cost us £200+ as a couple. There is an additional fee of 60 RM per person for the National park fee once you arrive. The accommodation was basic but comfy enough beds. Our first issue was the shower in our room had no running water initially but after speaking to staff the problem was shortly fixed. The food is a buffet style for all meals which was fine. We found there was a WiFi network but the staff would not give us the password. In the afternoon you have free time to enjoy the beach and snorkel however there is an extra fee for individual mask, snorkel and fins of 35 RM. At dinner were told by staff we needed to a camera fee of 10 RM and we explained we didn’t use a professional camera only our phones, they insisted this was still required. We have seen fees for cameras over Malaysia but never for phones. You weren’t even allowed to record once you’d paid the fee only photos.
The best part of our trip was watching the sunset on the beach and a natural hatchery hatched and we saw loads of baby turtles swim into the ocean of their own accord. We waited around for about 3 hours after dinner until the rangers told us a mother was laying her eggs, everyone ran to the beach 30-40 ppl, and surrounded the mother. It was quite chaotic and not the calm, peaceful experience I had imagined. I think splitting into 2 groups would of been better for the animals and the guests. Afterwards we watched as the eggs were collected and placed into an artificial hatchery by the rangers. Lastly, we watched as the ranger released turtles into the sea but again was difficult to see with so many people crowded round. The artificial hatcheries had many baby turtles newly hatched in them and waiting to be released, we were told it would be a couple hours till they were released which made us sad to think they’ll be confined on top of each other, sometimes 120 turtles in this one enclosed patch of sand for hours. Breakfast is at 6:30am and you are off the island by 7am.
Overall, not sure what we expected as it is a tourist attraction at the end of the day but seeing them naturally hatch and enter the water was an amazing experience. All the additional fees seemed unnecessary after paying 500 RM each for the trip. Not sure why the return is so early when you could enjoy the beach for a few hours after breakfast.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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To get there is somewhat a mission. We had to spend the night in Sandakan as we were picked up at 8.30am. A short drive to the jetty and a 2 hour boat ride to the island.
The afternoon was spent lazing on the beach, snorkelling and looking for ‘wildlife’ in the form of monitor lizards.
Snorkelling can be hired for a nominal fee but the condition of the flippers was rather ‘sad’ . However, they served a purpose
Food was served buffet style- more than adequate and good to eat Nothing fancy but perfect.
The rooms were very basic but clean. There was only cold water but with the heat and humidity, it is not really that important!
A suggestion for anyone is to bring insect spray to spray the room. It can be purchased at a local supermarket. Insect repellent is an absolute must as is sunscreen and a hat.
The 2 highlights were being called to witness an adult female turtle lay her eggs in the sand and watching the day old turtle being released into the sea.
Early the next morning we walked to see sunrise and we were handed 3 baby turtles by security men who had found them. It was wonderful sending the turtles on their way as they moved towards the water and were ultimately carried out to sea. Our trip to Selingen Island, I believe , will add to one of my most memorable moments while travelling
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Boat was delayed a couple of hours but we had an enjoyable ride to the island. We arrived in time for lunch, which was basic, as was dinner and breakfast. The food is buffet style. Tea and coffee were available. A tiny shop selling nuts/Pringles/beer adjoins the dining room. We were given our keys and directed to the accomodation, which was very simple - no phone/internet/hot water and no electricity for hours. However the beds were comfortable and the AC worked well overnight. Afternoon was free time to enjoy the beach and spectacular snorkeling . After dinner we viewed the exhibition and watched the video showing what the rangers do. Shortly after a ranger called us and took us to the beach to see a turtle laying her eggs, well over a 100. We watched the eggs being collected and taken to the hatchery to be buried in a safer place than the beach. The last activity was to release hatchling turtles into the sea. The turtle experience was well worth the basic facilities on the island After breakfast a beach walk revealed another turtle resting before making her way back to the sea. This trip was a highlight in our Borneo tour.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Take snacks and decent towels for the beach. Also insect repellent is a must.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this experience with Borneo Calling and were incredibly fortunate to get Mason as a guide. What a legend! Enthusiasm oozed from him. He was a brilliant communicator. He took in to account that we were both relatively fit, and got us to run quickly to the beach as soon as the "TURTLE TIME" alarm was sounded. We were the first there to see the awe-inspiring event that was a mother green turtle laying her 100 eggs. Mason instructed all of the other visitors, as well as us, on how to conduct ourselves around the turtle. He was a terrific guide. The rooms were great, and the food was lovely. Lifeguards are present in the swimming zone. I'd highly recommend snorkelling here, but take sunscreen!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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Hotel on turtle island. People come here for one day as part of a tour to the turtle reserve. The rooms are very basic. The linen is clean, there is air conditioning. The problem is in the bathroom. It is in poor condition and is poorly cleaned. The water is only cold, the shower drains just under the house. I found someone's unflushed poop in the toilet! Was the room cleaned at all?! The sink drain is leaking. There is no WiFi on the island. Cellular communication is available only in one place on the beach on the side of the main building, regardless of the operator. The food is quite normal. The only drinks included are tea, coffee and water. The rest is extra. at a greatly inflated price. The caretakers are too strict. Don't come here, don't get the sea cucumbers, don't touch the turtles. Typical concierge syndrome. The rest is interesting. Turtles are cool.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
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Bit of a difficult one to review because ultimately your going for the experience of a lifetime and seeing the amazing work the staff on this island do for the conservation of these amazing creatures. As a family were also increadibly lucky to be 3 of only 11 visitors to this idilic Island on that particular day. However the accommodation is basic to say the least and I think more could be done to make the stay even more comfortable and memorable to what is not a cheap experience. The rooms are increadibly basic with a luke warm shower. Providing you go with the mindset thats itvsimplh somewhere to sleep you'll be fine. However saying that I don't think it should put you off making this overnight trip. We also found the boat trip there quite good fun. It can get a bit hair raising in parts and you may get a little wet if you sit at the back. I suppose it depends on the conditions and driver.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
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We booked directly with Crystal Quest rather than going through a tour company, and got exactly the same as everyone else, except perhaps the bonus of a slightly nicer room on the island. There is only one style of room, and it is basic, but okay. We weren’t there for the room, but for the turtles. Lunch, dinner and breakfast are included in the price. We had the afternoon free to relax on the beach, snorkel, or walk around the small island. There is a cost for hiring beach gear (see photo for what is available and prices). After dinner is when the turtle action begins, and is dependent on turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, which is pretty much 365 days a year. It’s a wonderful educational experience, great for all ages. A must do if in north Borneo.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:A must do!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I really liked this island it was beautiful, we arrived around 11 with our guide. The room was basic but clean and it’s only for one night, we quickly got into our swim gear so we could go snorkelling and the reef was pretty good we spent most of the day in and out the water.
Beach closes at 6 for the turtles so off to dinner and wait until they arrive. Bring some cards you don’t know how long it will be. Once we got called we then headed to the beach to watch the egg laying in my opinion I think there was too many people around one turtle and was quite hard to see even though we shuffled round a few times. I feel like you could have split the group. It wasn’t quite the experience I thought it would be but it was a first for me.
It was pretty cool to see the little hatchlings off to the sea at the end.
Overall loved the island itself, it’s good way to raise money for the turtles and having only 1 night there is a good idea.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Internet is pretty slow in reception so bring cards to kill time while waiting for the turtles
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Horsham, United Kingdom98 contributions49 helpful votes
I don't believe you can book directly through a website. I booked as part of a 3 day tour with one of the local travel companies as there is very limited availability with the amount they can have on the island at any one time. Hence the travel companies get the monopoly. You do need to book very early though
Tonbridge, United Kingdom747 contributions348 helpful votes
The food is all buffet so you can help yourself. There was chicken and fish, vegetables and rice. Dessert was fruit. I recommend you take snacks with you as the only things on sale in the tiny shop will not be suitable for you. I think breakfast was eggs, toast and jam and some local food
Don't expect luxury accommodation!
Have a great time it's well worth a visit.
Selingan island trip is only a one night experience, so you should do it - it is definitely worth doing. The boat leaves Sandakan at about 10 and returns at about the same time, so you should be ok.
There are more places to choose from in the Pulau Selingan area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
selingan island hotel pulau selingan
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionPulau Selingan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
337
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