Sea turtle hatchlings travelling towards the water at sunset

Marine Conservation

Sea Turtles

Pom Pom Island is considered one of the world’s best places to observe sea turtles.

Sea Turtles

Sea Turtle Conservation

For decades, sea turtles have been hunted for their shells, meat and eggs, leading to a significant global decline in their populations. As a result, these magnificent creatures are now classified as endangered.

A few years ago, Malaysia banned the consumption and trade of sea turtle meat and eggs. However, nesting sea turtles on our island still face challenges such as natural predation, illegal poaching and beach erosion.

Beach erosion affecting the shoreline at Pom Pom Island
Beach erosion
Sea turtle patrol group at Pom Pom Island Resort

Working Together

Collaboration

At Pom Pom Island Resort, we work closely with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the Sabah Wildlife Department and local stakeholders to protect sea turtle nests and ensure the safety of hatchlings within our island borders.

Nest Protection

Patrol, Relocation & Protection

In the evening, we patrol the island’s beaches in search of sea turtle nests, which we relocate to our human-made hatcheries.

Guests observing a sea turtle laying eggs at night
Observing a sea turtle laying eggs
Relocation of sea turtle eggs at Pom Pom Island
Relocation of sea turtle eggs

Our hatcheries are protected and completely fenced from predators, and nest depths are mimicked as closely as possible to the natural nests.

Guest-sponsored sea turtle nests in a protected hatchery
Guest-sponsored sea turtle nests
A guest-sponsored sea turtle nest at Pom Pom Island
Guest-sponsored sea turtle nest

From Nest to Sea

Release

After roughly two months, the eggs are ready to hatch and the hatchlings are ready to be released. The sea turtle babies are released as soon as possible after hatching, either at sunrise or sunset.

Sea turtle hatchlings moving towards the water at sunset
Release of sea turtle hatchlings at sunrise or sunset
Guest taking part in a sea turtle hatchling release
Guest taking part in a sea turtle release
Pom Pom Island Resort’s in-house marine biologist
Join the turtle talk given by our in-house marine biologist
A baby sea turtle swimming over the sandy seabed at Pom Pom Island
A baby sea turtle underwater

During Your Stay

Turtle on Call

As a guest of Pom Pom Island Resort, you will receive exclusive access to our private social group, “Turtle on Call”, on WhatsApp and WeChat.

By joining, you can connect with fellow guests, receive timely updates and be among the first to know about sea turtle activities during your stay.

Group details will be provided at the resort.

Nest Sponsorship

Support the Programme

Support sea turtle conservation by sponsoring a sea turtle nest.

Your contribution directly helps us build and maintain safe nesting environments for sea turtles on our island.

View 2026 conservation activities (opens in a new tab)