Islands · 5-star · YTL resort on Pulau Gaya; check-in is at Jesselton Point, not on the island
Gaya Island Resort
The only luxury resort on the islands: 121 hillside villas in the marine park, ten minutes by speedboat from the city jetty — for a beach-and-jungle stay where Kota Kinabalu is a day trip, not a base.
Checked against the hotel's own information and cross-referenced listings. Last checked August 2026.
Image obtained from gayaislandresort.com
To the airport (KKIA)
20 min
Pool
YesMain pool by the beach; private beach at Tavajun Bay by boat
Breakfast
Depends on rateAsk us for a rate with breakfast
Airport shuttle
NoneGrab or taxi, or ask us for a pickup
Walk to Jesselton Point
NoShort drive
Booking
Ask usWe check the rate with the hotel
What it is
Gaya Island Resort sits in Malohom Bay on Pulau Gaya, inside Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, facing the city across the water. Check-in happens at the Gaya Lounge at Jesselton Point, about 20 minutes from the airport, then a scheduled speedboat of roughly ten minutes. There are 121 villas on the hillside, a pool, a spa, a marine centre and a private beach at Tavajun Bay reached by boat. Everything is on the island, so once you're there, you stay there.
Check-in 3:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM.
Rooms
All rooms are hill villas with mangrove, canopy, rainforest or Kinabalu views. The higher villas are a five-minute uphill walk from the pool and restaurants; ask for a lower one if that matters.
Does Gaya Island Resort have a pool?
Yes. Main pool by the beach; private beach at Tavajun Bay by boat
Facilities we could confirm
Fitness centre
Pets not allowed
Suitable for families
Anything not listed here is unconfirmed rather than absent. We'd rather leave a gap than guess.
Eating
Feast Village for breakfast and all-day dining, Fisherman's Cove for seafood on the rooftop, and a beach picnic at Tavajun Bay.
About 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Grab and taxis are easy at KKIA, or ask us to arrange a pickup.
How do I get to Gaya Island Resort?
Go to the Gaya Lounge at Jesselton Point, check in there, then take the scheduled speedboat. Boats run to a timetable roughly every two hours from 10am; the resort quotes about RM80 per adult each way plus a fuel surcharge, or RM500 for a private boat. We can arrange the airport-to-jetty transfer.
Is there a park fee?
Yes. Sabah Parks charges a conservation fee per person per night on top of the room rate.
Can I pop into the city for dinner?
Only by scheduled boat, with the last return from the jetty in the evening. Treat the resort as the destination.
Can I book Gaya Island Resort through this site?
Yes. Send your dates by WhatsApp or the form and our licensed Sabah tours agency confirms availability and rate with the hotel. There's no booking fee, and you can add island trips, a Kinabalu climb or airport transfers to the same enquiry.
