One and a half hour's by boat and 40 km north of  Sandakan in the Sulu Sea, lies Sabah's third Marine Park, one of the most important turtle breeding spots in South East Asia. Designated as a Marine Park, the islands of  Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan are safe haven for the endangered Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. Strangely, these turtles only lay their eggs in their original birthplace. So after over 30 years of turtle conservation, the success is now clearly evident as more turtles make their pilgrimage every year.

Dive into these waters and marvel at how the turtles are like ballerinas floating amidst the corals, foraging for food before their next breath of air. At night, crouch quietly as park rangers point out the turtles laying their eggs. It's a slow sand digging, laying and burying ritual that they go through before making their way back into the waters. Park rangers then carefully transfer 100 over odd eggs into a safe haven for monitoring, before hatching and subsequent release into the sea.

An oevrnight stay on Selingan Island is recommended for a rare glimpse of these turtles laying eggs.