Gaya Island Resort - Experience Travel Group

The Gaya Island Resort is hidden within the rainforest bordering Malohom Bay and is surrounded by marine beauty

Accessible only by boat, Pulau Gaya is the largest island in the marine conservation area of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. You can easily slip in and out of the tropical water while staying in comfortable accommodation and spot plenty of wildlife while you’re at it. You definitely don’t want to miss out on visiting the resort’s impressive marine and wildlife conservation centres and chatting with the resident naturalist and marine biologist, who both bring the surroundings to life.

Ideal for couples, families with older children and nature lovers seeking a luxurious island escape with meaningful wildlife experiences.

With rainforest trails, marine encounters and peaceful villas, it’s perfect for those wanting both relaxation and discovery in Malaysian Borneo.

This is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious beach hotels in Malaysian Borneo, with outstanding accommodation and beaches. However, Pulau Gaya’s location near the state capital of Kota Kinabalu means you might occasionally see ships heading into the port. This should be noted but does not spoil the overall beauty of the resort. Dining here is excellent value given the quality, but it’s a little more expensive than other hotels in Borneo, which can only be expected.

The Rooms

The villas are scattered throughout the hillside and along the beachfront, with views of the dense jungle, mangroves, sparkling South China Sea, and, in some cases, even the distant Mt Kinabalu. The accommodation’s design blends into the cinematic surroundings while keeping a certain level of luxury.

What You'll Find:

- Villas with views of rainforest, sea or Mount Kinabalu

- Marine and wildlife centres with resident experts

- Two pools, a spa, and four restaurants

Why You’ll Love It:

- Explore protected marine life with on-site naturalists and biologists

- Dine in hidden coves or elevated seafood restaurants

- Swim, kayak or simply unwind on a private beach

Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in Borneo

A few of our favourite routes – hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.

Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans – just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.

Wildlife

Borneo

Borneo Encompassed

21 Days

Wildlife

Borneo

Off the Beaten Track in Borneo

15 Days

Wildlife

Borneo

Slow Paced Borneo

15 Days

Wildlife

Borneo

Bucket List Borneo

15 Days

Family

Borneo

Family Borneo Highlights

15 Days

Explore Full Itinerary

Wildlife

21 Days

Borneo

Borneo Encompassed

This three-week, guided, in-depth tour of Borneo takes the wonders and contrasts of both Sabah and Sarawak states. In Sarawak, you’ll experience the bustle of historic Kuching City, the epic Mulu caves and an off-the-beaten-track adventure in a remote Iban community.

The focus in Sabah shifts to the island’s famous wildlife. Here, you’ll be joined by an expert nature guide to ensure the best possible sightings of an array of exotic creatures, including the iconic orangutan, of course. Before you depart, you’ll also have time to relax and reflect on your adventures in a lovely island beach resort.

Highlights

Danum valley

Listen to the call of gibbons and peek through rainforest vines to see orangutans swinging in the trees on an adventure in Danum valley

Sarawak

Travel by boat deep into the Sarawak interior to experience the culture and lifestyle of the Iban community

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

Kick back at the beach amidst gorgeous scenery in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

Gallery

Explore Full Itinerary

Wildlife

15 Days

Borneo

Off the Beaten Track in Borneo

An immersive holiday suggestion, ideal for families or couples who want to get away from the everyday without missing any of Borneo’s more well-known highlights.

Highlights

Kinabatangan River

Boat down the Kinabatangan River keeping watch for pygmy elephants, rare bird species and primates

Danum Valley

Discovering exceptional wildlife and incredible scenery while staying deep in Danum Valley

Sabah

Getting away from modern life as you travel to the most remote part of Sabah, homeland to the indigenous Murut people and the remarkable Batu Punggul

Gallery

Explore Full Itinerary

Wildlife

15 Days

Borneo

Slow Paced Borneo

If you want to immerse yourself in the incredible wildlife and beaches of Borneo but don’t fancy too much road travel or rushing around, then a holiday like this one could be ideal.

Highlights

Kinabatangan River

Drift down the Kinabatangan River, keeping watch for pygmy elephants, rare bird species and primates

Wildlife spotting

Wonder at the incredible rainforest teeming with wildlife in the company of your expert nature guide

Gaya Island

The flexibility to enjoy lazy days relaxing by the pool or active days following nature trails. The choice is yours at Gaya Island

Gallery

Explore Full Itinerary

Wildlife

15 Days

Borneo

Bucket List Borneo

This is the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime Borneo holiday. It covers everything that makes Borneo special, from its renowned wildlife to its lush rainforests

Highlights

Get off the beaten track

Getting away from modern life as you travel to the most remote part of Sabah

Wildlife spotting

Listen to the call of gibbons and peek through rainforest vines to see orangutans swinging in the trees on an adventure in Danum Valley.

Mount Kinabalu

Climbing 4,098 meters to the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

Gallery

Explore Full Itinerary

Family

15 Days

Borneo

Family Borneo Highlights

Borneo is a fantastic family destination: the wildlife, marine life, and tropical surroundings are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable holiday together.

This suggested holiday itinerary takes in some of the best highlights of the country and includes an off-the-beaten-track twist. It’s a holiday that will please all ages with a combination of fun and interactive activities, wildlife spotting, beach fun and family-friendly accommodation.

Highlights

Wildlife sightings

Spot elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans and more as you sail along the Kinabatangan River

Gaya Island

Relax at Gaya Island beach resort where there’s brilliant snorkelling and interesting jungle trails to follow too

Murat

Take a 4-wheel drive adventure away from modern life as you travel to the homeland of the indigenous Murat people

Gallery

Gaya Island on the map

In Our Travellers’ Words

An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia

There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.

Sven

3 March 2025

With ETG, we have visited extraordinary places

... stayed in wondrous hotels, met fascinating everyday people, listened to varied opinions, and learned much about places far away. I couldn't do that on my own.

David

24 October 2024

Curious traveller’s guide to Borneo

If you’d like to discover more, why not download the Curious Traveller’s Guide to Borneo? This is where you’ll find our experts’ edit of hotels, experiences and beaches. We also break down the best time to visit Borneo by month and share more information about our approach to conservation in-country.

Download