Gayana Eco Resort, Kinabatangan River

Gayana Eco Resort has access to some of the best diving off Pulau Gaya and a big focus towards preserving and regenerating marine life. The over-water bungalows showcase a variety of views from mangroves to the rainforest and the ocean, and the natural environment is a constant throughout the entire experience.

Only a 20-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, the main draw for Gayana Eco Resort is not lounging on the beach (in fact its beach, though perfectly formed, is rather small), the under-water life is the trump card. Snorkellers and divers will find enormous clams, seahorses and other sea life aplenty in the surrounding water.

For those who would prefer to feel the sand between their toes, there is a beautiful beach operated by the Sabah Parks Authority a 4km jungle trek away. The Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) is based here and focuses on conserving the giant clams which are locally endangered however you might also be lucky enough to see the pregnant male sea-horses and mothering bamboo sharks when you visit. This is a great centre to learn about the environment, and you can also take part in some coral replanting sessions, as well as diving, kayaking and jungle trekking.

The hotel has two excellent restaurants and a lounge bar, Latitude. The Macac restaurant serves up some great Malay/Western fusion dishes while overlooking the turquoise lagoon whereas the Alu Alu Seafood restaurant boasts some fantastic Malaysian-style seafood, with the fish coming directly from the hotels own organic fish farm.

The 52 over-water rooms cover a variety of categories, all linked by a series of wooden over-water walkways. With views ranging from the mangroves to the lagoon and jungle, some even offer up the sight of the distant Mount Kinabalu. Ocean Villas offer direct access to the water via your private balcony so are great for lovers of an early morning swim.

This resort is an excellent example of how tourism and conservation can complement one another and needn’t mean staying in a musty basic shack! Making a great spot for couples and groups of friends, the diving here is world-class.