Gaya Island Resort

🌺🌺🌺 Highly Recommended · 🌺 Luxury Resorts

🎟️ From about RM1,000/night

Why go

Villas on stilts over a bay inside Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, with a marine centre and mangrove boardwalks. Only 15 minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu, but it feels a world away.

⭐ Don't miss: Marine centre turtle programme and mangrove walk

Entry fee: From about RM1,000/night
Opening hours: Check in at Gaya Lounge, Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, before your speedboat; boats to the resort at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 9pm (check before you go)
Best time to go: Mar-Oct
Time needed: 2-3 nights
How to get there: Grab or resort car (about 20 min) from KK airport to the Gaya Lounge at Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, then the resort speedboat (about 10 min). Scheduled boat RM160 adult / RM80 child (2-11) per way, plus RM10 fuel surcharge per person per way from 1 May 2026; paid parking at Suria Sabah nearby
Address: Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Area: Pulau Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Facilities: 🏊 pool🍽️ restaurant💆 spa🧭 guided tours🚿 showers
Muslim-friendly: No surau confirmed on site
Halal status unconfirmed; ask the resort.
Accessibility: Boardwalks, stairs and boats; limited wheelchair access.
Kids: Kids can join conservation programmes.

☪️ Halal status changes. For food, look for a valid JAKIM certificate (check at myehalal.halal.gov.my). Hotels and venues we have not verified are described as "pork-free", not halal.

⚠️ Safety & weather