If you are planning a trip to Turtle Island (Selingan Island) in Sabah, one of the questions you may ask is whether the island is safe to visit.
A quick online search can sometimes raise concerns. You may come across old news reports discussing kidnappings, piracy, militant activity, or security incidents in parts of eastern Sabah. Some of these reports were published many years ago, but they still appear in search results today.
As a result, you may wonder whether Turtle Island is still open to visitors and whether it is safe to include in your travel plans.
The good news is that there is a difference between historical incidents, past security alerts, and current tourism operations. To make an informed decision, it is important to understand the situation using current information rather than relying solely on older reports.
In this guide, you will learn where Turtle Island is located, why some travellers have safety concerns, how security is managed in eastern Sabah today, and what you can expect if you decide to visit Selingan Island.
Where Is Turtle Island?
Turtle Island refers to Selingan Island, one of three islands that form Turtle Islands Park in Sabah.
The park is located in the Sulu Sea, approximately 40 kilometres from Sandakan in Sabah’s east coast. The three islands within the park are Selingan Island, Gulisan Island, and Bakungan Kecil Island.
If you join a Turtle Island tour, your trip will usually begin in Sandakan. From there, you will travel by speedboat to Selingan Island. The journey normally takes about one hour, depending on sea conditions.
Selingan Island is the only island within Turtle Islands Park that provides accommodation for overnight visitors. This is where you will stay if you join a Turtle Island tour.
The island is best known for its sea turtle conservation programme. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles regularly come ashore to lay eggs, and conservation staff work throughout the year to protect nesting sites and improve hatchling survival rates.
For many visitors, the chance to observe real conservation work is one of the main reasons for visiting the island.
Why Are Some Travellers Concerned About Safety?
If you have researched Turtle Island online, you may have found articles discussing security incidents that happened in eastern Sabah many years ago.
These incidents received international media attention at the time and were widely reported around the world. Because online articles remain available for many years, they continue to appear in search results even today.
One example is a 2017 news report that discussed a planned kidnapping operation allegedly linked to Abu Sayyaf militants. According to the report, Malaysian and Philippine authorities identified and disrupted the plot before it could be carried out. The report mentioned several locations in eastern Sabah, including Selingan Island, as potential targets.
When you read headlines like these without knowing the full context, it is understandable to have concerns. However, it is important to remember that a historical news report does not automatically reflect current tourism conditions. There is a significant difference between incidents that occurred years ago, security threats that were prevented, and the way tourism operates today.
This is why it is important to check the publication date of articles and rely on updated information when planning your trip.
Security Situation in Eastern Sabah Today
Today, eastern Sabah continues to be one of Malaysia’s most important tourism regions.
If you visit this part of Sabah, you will find a wide range of tourism activities operating throughout the year. Popular destinations include Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Danum Valley, Semporna, Sipadan, Mabul Island, and Turtle Island.
Hotels, wildlife lodges, transport providers, dive operators, and licensed tour companies continue to welcome domestic and international visitors.
At the same time, security remains an ongoing priority for Malaysian authorities.
Like any travel destination, conditions can change over time. This is why it is always a good idea to obtain current information before travelling rather than relying on reports published many years ago.
The Role of ESSCOM
When researching travel safety in eastern Sabah, you may come across the term ESSCOM.
ESSCOM stands for the Eastern Sabah Security Command. It was established by the Malaysian Government in 2013 following the Lahad Datu intrusion and related security incidents in eastern Sabah.
ESSCOM operates within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, commonly known as ESSZONE, which covers Sabah’s east coast districts.
Its role is to coordinate security operations involving multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Although you are unlikely to notice ESSCOM’s day-to-day activities during your holiday, the organisation plays an important role in supporting security coordination throughout eastern Sabah.
Is Turtle Island Open to Visitors?
Yes, Turtle Island remains open to visitors.
Tourism activities on Selingan Island continue through regulated operations managed by Sabah Parks and licensed tour operators.
Because accommodation capacity on the island is limited, advance booking is normally required. Most visitors join organised tour packages that include boat transfers, accommodation, meals, conservation activities, and required permits.
If you are planning a visit, booking through a licensed tour operator is the best way to ensure that your travel arrangements are properly organised and that you receive the latest information before departure.
What Can You Expect During a Turtle Island Tour?
Your Departure from Sandakan
Your tour normally begins in Sandakan, where you will check in and receive a briefing before departure. Tour staff will explain the schedule, park regulations, luggage requirements, and conservation guidelines that apply during your visit.
Your Boat Journey
After registration, you will travel by speedboat to Selingan Island. The journey usually takes around one hour. During the trip, you will travel across the waters separating Sandakan from Turtle Islands Park.
Sea conditions vary throughout the year, so if you are sensitive to motion sickness, it may be useful to prepare in advance.
Your Arrival on Selingan Island
Once you arrive, park staff will provide additional information about the island and its conservation programme.
The island itself is relatively small, allowing you to explore the surroundings on foot. Many visitors spend the afternoon relaxing, walking around the island, or learning more about turtle conservation.
Turtle Viewing Activities
The highlight of your visit takes place after sunset. When a turtle comes ashore to nest, park staff will notify visitors and organise guided viewing sessions.
To minimise disturbance to the turtles, photography restrictions usually apply during nesting activities. You will be guided throughout the process and given instructions on how to observe the turtles responsibly.
Because turtle nesting is a natural event, exact timings cannot be guaranteed.
Your Overnight Stay
You will spend one night on Selingan Island in accommodation provided by Sabah Parks. The facilities are comfortable but simple. The focus of the island is conservation rather than luxury tourism. For many visitors, spending a night on the island is part of what makes the experience unique.
Visitor Facilities
Facilities on the island are designed to support overnight visitors while maintaining the conservation objectives of the park.
You can expect accommodation, dining facilities, washrooms, walking paths, and common areas. However, you should not expect the same facilities you would find at a large beach resort.
Safety Tips for Visitors
Book with Licensed Tour Operators
Only book through licensed tour operators. Legitimate companies have official licenses, operate regular tours, and maintain proper insurance and safety procedures. When booking, confirm that the operator is licensed to operate Turtle Island tours and ask about their safety record and procedures.
Follow Guide Instructions
Your guide knows the island, the turtles, and the safety protocols. Follow their instructions without question. This includes staying in designated areas, maintaining appropriate distance from turtles, and following emergency procedures if needed.
Follow Park Rules
The park has specific rules designed to protect turtles and ensure visitor safety. These include not using camera flashes, not touching turtles, staying on designated paths, and respecting night curfews. Rules exist for good reasons.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is always a good idea when visiting remote areas. Ensure your policy covers evacuation in case of medical emergency. While Selingan is reasonably close to Sandakan, serious medical issues would require evacuation by boat.
Why Turtle Island Remains Popular Among Visitors
Turtle Island continues to attract visitors because the experience genuinely offers something special. Observing sea turtles in their natural nesting habitat is rare and meaningful. You’re witnessing conservation in action and participating in a unique educational experience.
The island’s remoteness appeals to people wanting to step away from tourist crowds. There’s no wifi, no shops, no distractions, just nature and turtles. That’s exactly why some people love it.
Repeat visitors often return because they’re fascinated by turtle behaviour. First-time visitors tend to recommend it to others. This ongoing positive word-of-mouth shows that people actually enjoy visiting, rather than feeling unsafe or regretting their choice.
Conclusion
Turtle Island is safe to visit. The security concerns you find online largely refer to incidents from years ago that don’t affect current tourism operations. Eastern Sabah has improved significantly, and tourism to the region continues steadily.
What you should focus on instead is practical preparation: booking with a licensed operator, understanding the basic facilities on the island, bringing appropriate gear for a remote environment, and managing expectations about what the experience will actually be like.
If you’re genuinely interested in observing sea turtles and experiencing a unique, low-impact wildlife encounter, Turtle Island delivers exactly that. The overnight experience of walking a dark beach hoping to see a turtle emerge from the ocean, or watching hatchlings sprint toward the water at dawn, stays with visitors long after they leave.
When you’re ready to book a Turtle Island tour, Remarkable Borneo Tours can arrange everything you need. We work with the island’s management, coordinate all logistics from Sandakan, and ensure your visit is well-organised. Contact us with your dates and any questions about the experience, we’re here to help you plan a trip based on current information and realistic expectations. Click here to book your Selingan Island tour now.
