What makes it 86% Kids-Friendly: KuRi-KuRi kids club, shallow wading pool, turtle marine center and guided family walks keep children engaged; large villas sleep parents plus kids comfortably for a fun, educational stay.
Marine Ecology Research Centre: 820m (10 min walk)
Learn about sea turtle rehabilitation and coral nurseries.
Tip: Join the daily turtle feeding at 2pm for a close-up view.
Tavajun Bay: 1.0 km (12 min walk)
A sheltered bay ideal for swimming and kayaking.
Tip: Visit at high tide for clearer water and easier paddle routes.
Gaya Island Resort Marine Center: 1.0 km (12 min walk)
Interactive displays on reef restoration and marine life.
Tip: Attend the 3pm reef restoration talk run by resort biologists.
Wi-Fi in public areas:
High-speed Wi-Fi throughout all communal spaces.
Outdoor swimming pool:
40m beachfront pool with floating cabanas, loungers and towels.
Gym:
Fully equipped gym with cardio and weight machines overlooking the rainforest.
Private beach area:
Exclusive sandy beach for guests to swim and sunbathe.
Guided Nature Walks:
Daily rainforest trails led by the Resident Naturalist.
Spa Village treatments:
Traditional Sabahan healing programs set amid mangroves; additional fees apply.
Boat transfers:
Scheduled land and speedboat transfers from Jesselton Point; must be booked and paid in advance.
Priority airport pick-up:
Arrange direct airport transfer service; contact hotel for rates and scheduling.
The resort is a walking resort; public areas connect via timber boardwalks and paths through the mangroves, with minimal motorized vehicles for operations.

Connor Wilson
My wife and I came to Gaya Island Resort on our honeymoon and had an incredible stay. We booked through luxury escapes and our package came with great inclusions and was fantastic value. The staff at the resort were so friendly and welcoming. Every member of staff we walked past during our stay always said hello with a huge smile. The resort is beautiful and excellently maintained. We stayed in th...
Magdalena Pawluk
If you are used to beautiful exotic 5 star resorts you may be disappointed. The location so near to a big city means loads of rubbish floating in the see everywhere. Big ships very close to the shore. View of the Kinabalu mountain spoiled by tall buildings. The resort is also very tired. Well overdue a major refurbishment. Everything seems to be closing or breaking down and looks rather shabby. We...
Hillary Tan
We had an exceptional stay at your stunning resort oct 19-22. The surroundings were absolutely beautiful, with meticulously maintained grounds and elegant décor throughout the property. Our room 822 was spacious, clean, and incredibly comfortable, providing a perfect retreat after a day of exploring. What truly set this experience apart, however, was the staff. They were consistently courteous,...
Janet Courtney
A slice of paradise! From the smooth check in at Jesselton Point to the scenic 10- minute boat ride across to Gaya Island, everything was effortlessly. The resort is set in a conservation Marine Park surrounded by rain forest and coral reefs - breathtakingly beautiful. My jungle canopy Suite was luxurious, private, and peaceful, with a balcony that extended and looked into the treetops, I loved t...
Edward W
I had to give 3 out of 5 stars for service as the pre-arrival service was terrible. Had so much difficulties getting in touch with the hotel to advance book the spa facilities. It was all centralised at the so called HQ in KL and they knew next to nothing and had major communication issues. I was told that the boat ride is first come first serve nothwithstanding their direct website stated needed ...
Address: Malohom Bay Tunku Abdul Rahman, Marine Park, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Arrange a combined land and boat transfer: drive from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Jesselton Point (≈20 min), then speedboat to Gaya Island Resort. Boat departs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 21:00. Contact the hotel to book transfers and fees.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Looking for other Hotels besides Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel (Kota Kinabalu)?
Explore These Activities
Check-in & Check-out
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+60 18-939 1100View available rooms
Promo on Trip.comHow You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
View available rooms
Promo on Trip.com