This vibrant island, nestled within Tun Sakaran Marine Park, invites exploration with sandy beaches, mangroves, and a friendly community of Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies).
Pulau Selakan is one of the most populated islands in Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
The only school in the vicinity of the marine park can be found here, catering to students from all 8 islands in the area.
Located just south of Pulau Maiga, there are several stretches of sandy beach around the main village and towards the north of the island. Patches of mangrove grow freely along the northwest coast.
There are two jetties here, providing easy access to the island.
Accommodation & day tours
There are no major hotels or resorts on Pulau Selakan, or any of the other islands in Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
► Explore more Tun Sakaran Marine Park packages
Things to do
Snorkeling & scuba diving
See above for snorkeling and diving day tours to Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Sea Gypsies village
There is a medium-sized, friendly community of Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsies) living in and around Pulau Selakan. Selakan Island communities comprise a mixture of Bajau Samal (settled Bajau), Bajau Laut (nomadic sea gypsies), and Suluks (originally from the northern Sulu archipelago), and the total population is about 2061 people, spread between 12 villages and about 100 stilt houses in diffuse clusters on the Sebangkat-Selakan reef top.
Getting here
Most of the time, the only way one can get here is by hiring local fishermen to take you on their boat. Selakan is located ±25 minutes by boat from Semporna, ±30 minutes from Pom Pom, ±40 minutes from Mataking and ±1.5 hours from Mabul.
More info
Pulau Selakan’s name takes after Panglima Selakan, the ancestor of Panglima Rubbani Bin Imam Isnin, a former native chief of the village.
The island is located on the southeast corner of the Sebangkat-Selakan reef complex. It covers an area of 32 hectares.
The island consists mainly of coral limestone, raised a few meters above sea level. The limestone bed has been eroded and undercut to form a rocky shoreline around much of the island.
Gallery
by Johnjo Deery.