Today a boat trip got us out to Pulau Selingaan, one of the three islands that make up Turtle Island NP. All three islands are important nesting grounds for Green and Hawksbill turtles, focus of the national park is – of course – turtle conservation. We enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach before we joined in to get closer to these magic animals.

The park is set up in a way that whenever a turtle starts laying eggs, these are gathered and then moved into a hatchery, where the little turtles can develop from their eggs in a controlled and safe environment. Once they are out after around 60 days, park staff will take them and bring them to the sea – thus removing the dangers on the way to the water – and giving the little turtles a slightly higher chance of survival.

At nighttime we could even get out with a ranger and actually watch a turtle lay her eggs – plus we could also assist in getting a load of little turtles in the water … no photos here, to avoid disturbing the turtles …