PULAUMY

Guide No. 17 · Getting there

Route · Pulau Selingan

How to get to Pulau Selingan

Take the package speedboat from the Sabah Parks jetty in Sandakan, about an hour. Fly to Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur, then it is about 20 minutes by road to the jetty.

I

The journey

  1. Kuala LumpurDirect flight KLIA to Sandakan, about 2 h 50.
  2. Sandakan airportGrab about 15 km to the jetty, about 20 min.
  3. Sabah Parks jetty, SandakanRegister by 09:30. Package speedboat about 1 h. Pay the RM60 Sabah Parks fee here or on the island.
  4. Pulau SelinganTurtle Islands Park, about 40 km north of Sandakan.

One boat out a day, mid-morning; the return boat reaches Sandakan at about 8 am the next day. Facts checked 9 November 2026 against operators.

II

Ways across

FromModeTimeFare
Sabah Parks jetty, SandakanPackage boat, overnight guests onlySpeedboat45 min–1 h 15 min–

There is no stand-alone fare: the boat comes only with the overnight package, so the table shows a dash. Crossing times reported by the operator, agents and travellers run from 35 to 75 minutes.

III

Public boats

Crystal Quest boat, daily; time varies, be at the jetty by 09:30
Sandakan to Selingan
  • 10:00
Selingan to Sandakan
  • 07:00

The operator's FAQ says 10.45 am and to be at the jetty by 10 am; an agent and a traveller in October 2026 said meet at 9.30 am for a 10 am boat. Be there by 9.30 am. The day's guests cross in several speedboats of 8 to 12, and boats can be cancelled in rough seas from November to February.

IV

Step by step

  1. Book the package

    Every visit is a one-night package. Book direct with Crystal Quest by WhatsApp on +60 11-5166 5923, or through a Sandakan agent, whose price includes a hotel pickup. Places are limited each night, so book weeks ahead, more for June to September.

    About RM500 direct · RM1,000–1,500 with an agent

  2. Get to Sandakan

    Direct flights from KLIA to Sandakan take about 2 h 50.

    KLIA–Sandakan about 2 h 50

  3. Go to the Sabah Parks jetty

    The jetty is on Jalan Buli Sim-Sim, about 15 km and 20 minutes from the airport by Grab. Crystal Quest's office is there, beside the Sabah Parks office and car park; ask Sabah Parks about parking. Some agents board at the Sabah Yacht Club jetty, about 250 m away, so check your voucher. There are no porters; lockers at the jetty take big bags.

    Airport to jetty 15 km · Grab about 20 min

  4. Register and cross

    Register with your passport or MyKad and pay the Sabah Parks fee unless your package includes it: RM60 for non-Malaysian adults, RM20 for Malaysians. Bring both cash and a card. The speedboat takes about an hour, and the return boat leaves Selingan at about 7 am, reaching Sandakan at about 8 am.

    About 1 h · back 07:00

V

Questions

How long is the boat from Sandakan to Pulau Selingan?

About an hour by speedboat from the Sabah Parks jetty in Sandakan; operators and travellers report 35 to 75 minutes.

Can I visit Pulau Selingan as a day trip?

No. Visits are one-night packages, and only overnight guests see turtles nest. The boat goes out mid-morning and comes back at about 7 am the next day.

How much does Pulau Selingan cost?

Booked direct with Crystal Quest, the package was about RM500 per adult in October 2026, plus the Sabah Parks fee of RM60 for non-Malaysians or RM20 for Malaysians. Sandakan agents charge about RM1,000 to RM1,500 with transfers.

Is Pulau Selingan open all year?

Yes. Turtles nest every night of the year. From November to February, boats can be cancelled in rough seas.

NextWhere to stay on Pulau Selingan