White, shimmering sand, palm-fringed beaches, clear aquamarine water, and a true castaway atmosphere – yes, the Turtle Islands are the tropical paradise you were looking for. The Turtle Islands are the ideal location to get away from it all, spending a few days between sea and sand.
About the Island
The Turtle Islands are a remote archipelago made up of eight islands, located in the Atlantic just west of Bonthe/Sherbro Island. The eight islands are Baki, Bumpetuk, Chepo, Hoong, Mut, Nyangei, Sei, and Yele – Chepo, Baki, and Nyangei are inhabited by fishermen communities, and Hoong is off-limits to everyone except initiated men. These low-lying sandy islands have calm, pristine aqua and turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling, as well as beaches lined by palms and mangroves, perfect to explore and wander around independently. Tourists usually stay in Baki, a short distance from a local village – it’s possible to visit the community and learn about their way of life.
Things to do
The Turtle Islands are the ideal place to take a holiday from your holiday, enjoying the feeling of truly being in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature, in a place where life has virtually gone by unchanged for centuries. The islands are the place in Sierra Leone to enjoy ‘island life’, spending your days swimming in the calm bays and basking in the sunshine, forgetting about the outside world. It is possible to visit Sei for day trips that usually include lunch and time for swimming and exploring, and sport fishing excursions are also organized. Another popular activity are village tours, meeting people from the local community to learn about their way of life.
Day trips to the Turtle Islands are on offer from both Freetown and the Banana Islands, but to truly appreciate the spirit of the islands you’ll have to spend the night. There’s a rustic guesthouse in Baki, with two rooms and simple bucket showers, or alternatively, it’s possible to pitch tents on the beach. Tour operators provide camping equipment and take care of all logistics, including asking the village chief permission to stay upon arrival. Meals are usually cooked by village women – expect traditional Sierra Leonean fare, like rice with fish-based stews and plantain fritters.
The Turtle Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, located west of Sherbro Island in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. Of the eight islands, seven are inhabited. Sherbro people are the predominant ethnic group. This eight-island archipelagos expands in a zone of 8 miles (13 km) over shallow waters and white sand banks.
Yele, Bakie, Bumpetuk, Chepo, Hoong, Mut, Nyangei, and Sei are the names of the islands.
Stay tuned to our website for more details on the eight islands that make up the Turtle Islands of Sierra Leone.
Source: Sierra Leone Tourism, Wikipedia
