Exploring Turtle Island: A Travel Guide To Getting There

There are several places known as Turtle Island, so you will need to decide which one you would like to visit.

Turtle Island in Tanjung Benoa, Indonesia, is known for its turtles and other animals, which are kept in captivity. Visitors can take a glass-bottomed boat to the island.

Turtle Island, also known as Guishan Island, is located in Yilan, Taiwan. It is a former military base and ecological reserve, which can be visited on a day tour. Tours include whale watching, hiking, and exploring an abandoned village and military tunnels.

Turtle Island, or Palau Selingan, is located off the east coast of Borneo and is one of three islands in Turtle Island National Park dedicated to turtle conservation. Visitors can stay overnight on the island and observe turtles nesting and hatchlings being released.

There is also a Turtle Island Dungeon in Ragnarok, which can be accessed by talking to Grandpa Turtle and a sailor in Alberta.

Turtle Island, Taiwan: Book a tour

Turtle Island, also known as Guishan Island, is a charming island floating in the Pacific Ocean just 10km off the coast of Toucheng in northeastern Taiwan. It is one of Taiwan's most beautiful offshore islands and its only active volcano.

How to Book a Tour

You can only visit Turtle Island as part of a tour. The easiest way to book is through a site like Klook, which offers packages ranging in price and duration. If you want to visit the island, read the fine print carefully as the cheapest option only includes sailing around the island.

Another option is to book with one of the boat operators that are licensed to take tourists to the island. These companies will help you apply for the permits required for landing on the island and climbing the peak. Some of these companies include:

• Polaris One (北極星壹號)
• Whale Go
• Lian Whale
• Yilan Whale

When to Visit

Turtle Island is only open to the public from March to November, and it is recommended that you visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds. For whale watching, your best bet is to visit between April and October.

What to See and Do

Turtle Island has a lot to offer despite its small size. Here are some of the highlights:

• Yin Yang (Milky) Sea: The mixing of sulphur-rich hot spring waters with the cold dark waters of the ocean creates a milky wash emanating from the cliff edge. This unique geological phenomenon can be viewed from Peak 401 or up close on a ferry tour (just be prepared for the strong smell of sulphur!).
• Peak 401: Creatively named because it is 401 meters above sea level, this peak offers a perfect 360-degree panoramic view of the island and the Milky Sea. To get there, you'll need to climb 1,706 steps.
• Guishandao Military Tunnel: This abandoned military tunnel was constructed during Turtle Island's armed heyday and led to a couple of outposts and an arsenal of weaponry. A single artillery gun has been left behind, still pointing towards the coast.
• Guishandao Abandoned Village: Turtle Island was once home to 700 inhabitants, but now it is completely deserted. All that remains are a few crumbling buildings, including the old elementary school.
• Guiwei Lake: This tranquil lake is next to the abandoned village and offers a picturesque spot for photos. The island's citizens tried to turn this freshwater lagoon into a harbour, but their efforts were repeatedly undone by typhoons.
• Gonglan (or Putoyan) Temple: This temple has stood on the island since the Qing Dynasty and was once a vital place of worship for fishermen who came to pray to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. When the locals left, they took their Mazu idol with them, and the temple was renamed after the army brought their own figure of Guanyin.
• Turtle's Tail: As the island is shaped like a turtle, there is even a rocky outcrop that sticks towards the mainland in the shape of a tail! You can walk along the tail, which is known to wag depending on the time of year and recent typhoons.

Turtle Island, Borneo: Book an overnight tour

Turtle Island, or Selingan Turtle Island, is a group of islands located 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea, Borneo. The island group is a designated National Park and turtle conservation area, and a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles.

How to get there

A 1-hour boat ride from Sabah Park Jetty in Sandakan will take you to Selingan Turtle Island. You can book a 2D1N (2 days, 1 night) tour with operators such as Amazing Borneo Tours and Borneo Eco Tours.

What to expect

Turtle landings happen throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between July and October when the weather is calmer. Turtles usually go to shore after dusk to lay their eggs. On the island, you will be able to witness the collection of eggs and the tagging of mother turtles, and even help release baby turtles into the sea. Other activities include snorkelling and sunbathing.

Accommodation

Accommodation on the island is basic but clean.

Tour costs

Tour prices vary depending on the operator and the package. A 2D1N tour with Amazing Borneo Tours is priced at USD 292, while Borneo Eco Tours offers a similar package at a higher price point.

What to bring

• Camera (note that only cameras without flash are allowed to photograph the turtles)
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Snacks and water

What to note

• The boat journey to Selingan Turtle Island may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung issues, recent surgeries, or spinal injuries.
• Visitors are forbidden from exploring the island on their own from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Turtle Island, Tanjung Benoa: Take a boat trip

Turtle Island in Tanjung Benoa, Indonesia, is a conservation site for turtles. Visitors can take a glass-bottomed boat to the island and see the turtles in their pools, as well as other animals in cages, including birds, bats, an iguana, and toucans.

However, some Tripadvisor reviews have criticised the site for animal cruelty, with turtles living in "ankle-deep filthy water" and "tiny cages" for other animals.

To get to Turtle Island, you can book a tour with a local company. The boats to the island leave from a jetty in Sandakan, which is about an hour's boat ride away.

Turtle Island, Guishan: Take a boat from Wushih Harbour

Turtle Island, also known as Guishan Island, is located just 10km off the coast of Toucheng in northeastern Taiwan. The island is accessible by boat from Wushih Harbour, which can be reached by train to Toucheng Station and then taxi. Alternatively, visitors can drive on National Highway 5 to Toucheng and make use of the free parking available at the harbour.

Boat tours of Turtle Island are generally available from March to November and typically last between 2 and 4 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the harbour or booked online in advance via Klook or KKday. Whale watching tours are also available, with prices ranging from 800 to 1200 NT per person, depending on the duration of the tour and the activities included.

Upon arrival at Turtle Island, visitors are required to pay an entry fee of 100 NT per person. The island offers a variety of attractions, including sea cliffs, hiking trails, a lake, an abandoned village, military tunnels, and whale watching opportunities. The island is also home to Putoyan Temple, the only centre of religious faith on the island.

Turtle Island has a fascinating history, having been inhabited by fishermen in the past. In 1977, the government relocated the residents to the main island of Taiwan due to the harsh living conditions on the island. The island was then used as a restricted military base until the year 2000, when it was opened for tourism and became an ecological reserve. Today, visitors are not permitted to stay overnight, but there are plenty of accommodation options available in nearby Toucheng.

Turtle Island, online: Play Ragnarok video game

If you're a gamer, you might be interested in visiting Turtle Island in the Ragnarok video game. Here's a guide on how to go to Turtle Island in the game:

First, locate the inn in north Alberta (alberta65233) and enter the room on the right. Inside, you'll find Grandpa Turtle (alberta_in23104). Talk to him and ask him about how to get to Turtle Island. After speaking with Grandpa Turtle, make your way to the dock in Alberta and find the Sailor (alberta247119). The Sailor will offer to transport your character to Turtle Island for 10,000 zeny.

Turtle Island is said to be the home of turtles, located in the Midgard ocean. The island is surrounded by a dense fog created by a waterfall inside a cave. It is rumoured to hold a mountain of treasure or a potion of eternal life. The surface of the island is swamp-like, with flora and fauna thriving in the wet environment. Turtle statues can be found both on the island and in the surrounding waters.

Turtle Island Dungeon is also mentioned in the Ragnarok video game. It is said to be located within Turtle Island and may be accessible through a quest. However, no further details about the dungeon or the quest are readily available.

Frequently asked questions