2D1N IN SEARCH OF SEA TURTLES ON LIBARAN ISLAND (EX- SANDAKAN JETTY)

Libaran Island

lies on the north-eastern coast of Sabah, about 45 minutes boat ride from Sandakan and five minutes away from the main islands of Sabah’s Turtle Island Park. Libaran island support about 450 inhabitants whose main livelihood being fishing and boat making. Sea turtles are known to come ashore and lay their eggs on the island.

Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Sabah Wildlife Department, a turtle conservation program has been set up on the island. The program includes creating awareness for the locals and visitors on the conservation value of sea turtles, undertaking research projects with the goal of better understanding the life cycle of sea turtles of Libaran island area and to make available research programs on sea turtle for international and local students.

Friend Of Sea Turtles Education and Research (FOSTER) was duly set up with the above objectives.

Since 2011, FOSTER together with Trekkers Lodge Sdn Bhd, has sponsored 12 local villagers to undergo a Honorary Wildlife Warden course and subsequently provided employment to them to take care of the sea turtle hatchery, Taman Hadiah. In 2021, FOSTER moved the hatchery to a new location and constructed a new hatchery, Aquagoat Sea Turtle Hatchery, named after the cryptocurrency company, Aquagoat Finance which sponsored the construction cost.

Turtle landings on the island have seen a marked increased and since November 2011. To-date, the project has released more than 43,000 sea turtles into the Sulu Seas

The sea turtle conservation program has always been inclusive for the residents of Libaran island. FOSTER is working with the villagers to clean up Libaran shore line, bringing the visitors to visit the community and participate in several community initiatives.

For these works, Walai Penyu Conservation Park has won the Best Tourism Product 2019 by Sabah Tourism Board, the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards 2022 by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia and the Gold Award for Conservation Destination 2022 by Malaysia Tourism Council. Do join us for this conservation journey.

For more information, please contact your reliable tour agent.

DAY 1

1000hrs
Meet at Sandakan Yacht Club, Sandakan. Register and stand by for departure.

1100hrs
Take a 45-minutes scenic boat ride towards the north for Libaran island. Arrive at Walai Penyu Conservation Park, Libaran Island and greet by an honorary wildlife warden. Welcome drink, orientation and check into your glamping accommodation. Free and easy.

1230hrs
Lunch.

1400hrs
Free and easy. Depends on the water level, you can go snorkeling(chargeable).

1500hrs
Honorary wildlife warden will lead a tour to the Aquagoat sea turtle hatchery and explain the life cycle of sea turtle. The hatchery has been sponsored by a USA based cryptocurrency company, AquaGoat Finance who paid for its construction cost. Then head to the nearby Libaran village.You will meet up with the residents of Libaran; learn how to weave mat from the Arsia family, explore your creativity by creating plastic flowers out of recycle bottles and try your hands to cook Kuih Pinjaram, a traditional dessert of the Bajua people in Sabah. You can buy a fresh coconut to quench your thirst and then head back to Walai Penyu Conservation Park as the sun starts to set.

1800hrs
Get a chance to release baby turtle* while enjoying the sunset.Freshen up with how shower. NOT GUARANTEED

1900hrs
Dinner and watch documentaries on Walai Penyu Conservation Park. Meanwhile, wait for the honorary wildlife warden to call for turtle sighting. Even though record shows turtles come to Libaran Island consistently, the sighting is still NOT GUARANTEED. Thus the need for this continuous sea turtle conservation program.

2200hrs
Overnight- camping style (2 people per camp)

DAY 2

0700hrs
Breakfast

0800hrs
Check-out and return by boat to Sandakan jetty.