Visited Turtle Island overnight in Sept 06 to watch the turtles come ashore at night -time and see the release of the baby turtles into the sea. I wanted to write a review of this because I probably hadn't done my research properly and didn't really know much about it so wanted to advise others of what to expect. Firstly I'd advise to pack lightly and put luggage in storage at your hotel if possible. However, if you don't have that option, you can store your luggage at the jetty before you get on the boat to go to the island. We arrived at about 11am and had a bit of time on the beach to sunbathe and snorkel before lunch. As someone else said, there isn't a huge amount to see snorkeling but it passes some time. After lunch (food on the island is nice) we had until 6pm to do as we pleased. We would rather have arrived later in the day to be honest as, besides sitting on the beach, there is nothing else to do on the island. The rooms in the chalet were very basic, old and grubby, although they did have air conditioning. No hot water for the shower either. Not really a room you'd want to spend much time in when you have time to kill. As described by others, dinner is at 6pm and you can't go back to your room until you've seen the turtles. You can either sit in the canteen or on the benches just outside, not very comfortable either way after a while. Bring cards and a book no matter what. You can get alcohol until about 10pm. We were a bit unnerved in the canteen as the night went on when we started to see large cockroaches inside. Also, outside there were quite a few large black rats running along the side of the building. I know you're on a remote island and some might say what do I expect but better to be prepared i think! We got to see a mother turtle at 11.30pm and then saw the different stages in the turtle process until midnight. We definitely enjoyed this part! However we did have a sleepless night in the chalet listening to creatures running up the walls and over the roof outside and scratching at the vents. Don't mean to freak anyone out but I'm a bit nervy about these things and would advise if you are too, research this before going. Not sure if I can recommend this trip unless you really love turtles!

After a very rough trip across to Selingan island in February, we were rewarded by the remarkable sight of a green turtle which laid 104 eggs - we will never foget it!

Although there is not a lot to do on Sandakan Island and the accommodation is very basic, rooms are clean with a guide sleeping on the floor behind main door during night. We had to share washing and toilet facilites but were so lucky in what we saw. On arrival from Libaran Island we were approaching the shore when our boat slowed down. In the sea at close quarters was a green backed turle mating with probably three or four males. What a site!!! After a very enjoyable buffet dinner that evening we sat in the restaurant awaiting a call knowing that it was possible no turtles would come ashore. The public are not allowed on the shore after dusk. Fortunately about 9pm we got the call from a guide and everyone hurried very quietly to where the greenbacked turtle was already laying her eggs. Everyone was lucky enough to have two chances at her rear to see the eggs being laid, our one laid a total of 132 eggs. a hawksbill also approached nearbye but then headed off in look of somewhere quieter. We headed off then to the hatchery where the rangers buried the eggs in the sand away from predators. A short time later AFTER WASHING HANDS (this is very important as oils, perfumes etc can be dangerous to the little ones) we had a chance to hold a little hatchling. This was my highlight as small as they are their little fins are so vigorous in movement. Back into their basket then and down to the shore where they are sent on their way to the sea. In total that night six turtles came ashore and laid their eggs but later in our tour we spoke to a couple who had had a night on Sandakan and only one turtle arrived but did not lay. It is all a luck of the draw but to see both types was also a bonus

After a quick breakfast stop at Liberan Island, where there was not a great deal to see, we arrived at Turtle Is. We hit the water straight away while the tide was up and did a bit of snorkelling, it's not the great barrier reef but it was clear and there were plenty of fish and coral to explore, it was about 2 meters deep for the most part. You can walk around the entire island in about 30 minutes, it is very beautiful and quiet. The lodgings were clean and comfortable, it is dorm style with 5 or 6 private rooms under the one roof. Dinner was nice, after you have to wait for Turtles to land to lay eggs, this happens every night. While waiting we saw hatchlings placed on the beach and led to the water, it was pretty awesome they were so small. Finally at around 11:30pm we got the call to see a big Turtle laying eggs, it truly is somthing out of national geographic, the shear size of them is amazing. The rangers working on the island are truly great people. We were lucky enough to see a natural hatching on the beach after snorkelling, we picked a couple up and placed them in the water, we later found out this was extremely rare... keep your eyes peeled! If you are travelling to Sabah, Turtle Is in my opinion is a must!!!!!!!!!