The Philippine group includes six islands (Baguan, Boan, Great Bakkungan, Langaan, Lihiman, and Taganak) and one rocky islet (Sibaung), forming a remote archipelagic municipality in Tawi-Tawi province.
The Malaysian group includes three islands (Selingan, Gulisan, and Bakungan Kechil), which are part of Sandakan, Sabah.
Located at the southwestern tip of the Philippines, specifically south of Palawan, northwest of the Tawi-Tawi mainland and northeast of Sabah, Malaysia, the Philippine Turtle Islands cover about 318 hectares of land within a larger 242,967-hectare wildlife sanctuary that includes surrounding waters.
Together with the Malaysian Turtle Islands, the combined area forms the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA), acknowledged as the world’s first trans-boundary protected area for marine turtles, established on May 31, 1996.
The Turtle Islands were historically administered by the British North Borneo Company under treaties between the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. In 1947, sovereignty and control were formally handed over to the Philippines. Although there have been minor territorial disputes with Malaysia, joint conservation agreements have led to cooperative protective efforts.
A key step in the Philippine government’s efforts to protect marine turtles was initiated in 1982, when Baguan, the most important single nesting site in the area, was designated as a strict protection zone.
Highlighting its importance in regional biodiversity conservation, a joint agreement between the Philippines and Malaysia established the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA) in 1996, to ensure the species’ survival and conservation. The combined area has since been declared an ASEAN Heritage Park.
The entire area covering the Philippine Turtle islands was further affirmed as a protected national wildlife sanctuary under a Philippine Presidential Proclamation on August 26, 1999.
The Philippine Turtle Islands make up the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS), recognized as the only major nesting habitat for the endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). It is the 11th largest nesting site in the world.
The sanctuary supports successful nesting activities, with thousands of nests recorded annually, while also protecting other wildlife, including migratory birds and unique plant species like mangroves and ferns.
While the islands are sparsely populated and with limited access—which helps protect turtle nesting areas—the local communities actively participate in conservation efforts. Ecotourism activities are strictly regulated to ensure minimal impact on wildlife.
In conclusion, the Turtle Islands are an ecologically and historically significant archipelago in the Philippines. They provide vital nesting grounds for endangered marine turtles, engage local communities in conservation efforts, and serve as a model for international cooperation in biodiversity protection.
The islands’ distinct geological characteristics, rich marine life, and cultural importance make them invaluable assets for both natural and scientific research.