🌊 Day 3: Farewell to Satang — A Scenic Send-Off by Sea and Sky
Our final morning on Satang Besar Island arrived like the last page of a cherished storybook — beautiful, quiet, and just a little hard to close. After two days of unforgettable wildlife encounters and beachside bonding, it was time to say goodbye.
The kids were up early, still full of wonder from yesterday's sea turtle conservation experience and beach cleanup mission. As we packed our bags and tidied up the ranger station, the gentle rhythm of the waves seemed to echo our thoughts: "Do we really have to leave?"
With the sky painted in soft blues and the sun casting gold across the sand, we boarded our little boat, life jackets on, hearts full.
🚤 Bonus Adventure: A Boat Ride Around Satang Besar Island
But just as we were preparing to head straight back to the mainland — our ever-thoughtful boatman turned to us with a smile and said,
“Want to go around the island first?”
Yes! A full 360° boat tour around Satang Besar itself.
What a treat that was. As the boat slowly circled the island, we were treated to views you’d never get from the beach:
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Towering rock cliffs, jagged and wind-worn
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Dense coastal forest, clinging to the slopes like a green waterfall
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Hidden coves and tiny pockets of sand
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The occasional sea eagle soaring overhead
We passed by the far end of the island, where the rock formations looked like something out of a pirate movie. It was a rare perspective — seeing the entire island wrapped in the blue silk of the sea.
The kids leaned over the edge, pointing at tiny crabs sunning on coastal rocks and fish darting through the shallows. For a moment, it felt like we were explorers discovering new shores.
🐦 Nature’s Finale at Tokong Ara — The Bird Island
As we bid farewell to Satang Besar, another surprise awaited us. The boat veered slightly — toward a rugged, rocky islet not far off the coast.
Tokong Ara Island.
We didn’t plan for it. But this small, dramatic island — blanketed in lush greenery and swarming with migratory seabirds — became the unexpected highlight of our trip.
Our boatman, once again going the extra mile, circled us slowly around the island, letting us soak in this real-life National Geographic scene.
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Birds swooping, diving, and calling overhead
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Whitewashed nesting cliffs peppered with bird poop (lots of it — nature’s graffiti!)
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Old nesting boards still clinging to the rocks, remnants of research past
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My son giggling and striking a pose, pointing dramatically at the cliffs like a mini wildlife host
It was wild, loud, chaotic… and absolutely mesmerizing.
If Satang taught us about conservation, Tokong Ara reminded us about coexistence — nature doing its thing, unfiltered and untouched.
💬 Reflections on the Final Day
Our boat finally turned its nose toward the mainland, the islands shrinking behind us, the kids still buzzing with stories to tell.
This was more than a vacation.
It was an adventure packed with wonder — the kind that’s hard to describe and impossible to forget.
We came for the turtles.
We stayed for the birds.
And we left with full hearts and sandy shoes.
Would we come again?
In a heartbeat.
🔖Read the Full Stoy here 🌐
2.Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island Day 2 - Post 2 of 4
3.Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island Day 3 - Post 3 of 4
4.Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island - Accomodation - Sandflies - Post 4 of 4
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