Description: For a memorable Wildlife Tour in Borneo, you
can't miss out on the Turtle Island Park at Selingan Island in
Sandakan, an East Coast town in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo. No doubt,
the Orang Utan at Sepilok, also in Sandakan, may be top in most
visitors' list, but since Selingan island is not too far away from
Sepilok, your tour itinerary should also include a visit to the
Turtle Park, or your wildlife tour in Sabah may not be complete. The
following article explains why you should contemplate visiting the
Turtle Island Park.
The
Turtle Islands Park in Sandakan, Which comprise several uninhabited
islands lying within the Sulu Seas, offers a unique wildlife
experience cum beach holiday not found any where in Borneo. The
marine park is essentially gazetted way back in the 1960s for turtle
conservation and is the best destination for observing nesting sea
turtles, mostly the Green Turtles.
For tourists, the best known island is Selingan or sometimes
referred to as Turtle Island. Selingan is the largest island in the
marine park and has been developed to house the park’s visitor
centre, basic tourist facilities and a turtle hatchery.
There is also a
privately-run chalet accommodation at Selingan. Turtles nest all year round but
the best times to visit the island are between July and October when the seas
are calmer, although it is not as predictable as it used to be.
The other islands are usually off bounds to the casual visitors except for the
nearby Libaran Island, where there is also a privately–run chalet accommodation.
To get to Selingan, you will need to take boat trip from a jetty downtown
Sandakan town. It takes about an hour by speed boat to reach Selingan.
Upon arrival, you
will notice that the island appears to be deserted and inhabited. Don’t worry,
Selingan has been carefully developed and most facilities are neatly tucked away
in the centre of the island, keeping the beach vegetation intact.
As turtle landings usually occur at night after dinner (or sometimes early
morning), you can simply enjoy an island-beach relaxation during the day.
Snorkeling is a perfect activity and the most ideal location is on the western
part of Selingan.
For educational
purposes, you can visit a small Visitor’s Center, which opens daily from 5.00pm
to 9.00pm. This is a good place to learn about the sea turtles as well as other
wildlife and nature in Sabah.
At night, once there is landing, you will be notified by the park ranger
immediately. You will be escorted tot he nestling turtle to witness the unique
egg-laying activities.
Some rules like not
making too much loud noise or shining your torchlight directly on the nesting
mother will be conveyed to you by the Park Ranger or a guide. The ‘show’ will
end with the mother turtle covering sands on her nest and proceed gingerly back
to the sea.
You may also visit the protected turtle hatchery to witness young turtles being
released into the sea after a period of incubation (normally 50-60 days).
For more Selingan Island wildlife tour info, please visit the URL below:
http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-sdk05.shtml
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About the Author:
e-borneo.com is one of the leading Borneo-based
Borneo Travel and
Trip Advisor
web sites, which also serves as a Borneo travel gateway and tour
intermediary for the best and cost-effective custom/full-package
vacation deals to Malaysia Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei
Darussalam. Check out some of
Sabah
Tourism packages or visit our sister site
Borneo
Tropical Vacation for more information on Sabah.
Copyright © 2007
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