Gaya Island

Travel Guide

An aerial view of a coastal forested area with a clear waterway and a distant island.
An aerial view of a coastal town with dense greenery, a harbor with numerous boats, and a distant island.
An aerial view of a coastal town with a marina, green hills, and a clear sky.
An aerial view of a tropical island with clear turquoise waters, dense greenery, and several buildings with red roofs.
A wooden pier extending into calm waters, with a gazebo at the end.
Gayana Marine Resort

Gayana Marine Resort

5 out of 5
Malohom Bay, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Gaya Island Sabah
$198 nightly
The price is $216 total per night from Nov 4 to Nov 5
$216 total
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Gaya Island. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (527 reviews)
"Excellent stay. Rooms were lovely and food very good"

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2026

Gayana Marine Resort
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

5 out of 5
Polish Bay, Gaya Island Gaya Island Sabah
$279 nightly
The price is $306 total per night from Nov 7 to Nov 8
$306 total
Nov 7 - Nov 8
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Gaya Island. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Imago Shopping Mall and Tunku Abdul ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (200 reviews)
"We stayed in the 2 bedroom cabin for 3 nights. First night, rats were running around between the bathrooms and bedrooms so we called the front desk and they sent 2 maintenance guys and they laid multiple mouse traps. Over the next 2 night, every night we caught one (large size rat) and the whole ..."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2026

Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
Gaya Island Resort

Gaya Island Resort

5 out of 5
Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya Gaya Island Sabah
$388 nightly
The price is $421 total per night from Dec 4 to Dec 5
$421 total
Dec 4 - Dec 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Gaya Island. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Imago Shopping Mall and Tunku Abdul ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (451 reviews)
"We had an amazing time at Gaya Island Resort. It is a luxury resort with great food and drinks, comfortable rooms, and incredible views/proximity to the ocean. Worth noting is that this is in a nature reserve, surrounded by jungle and ocean, and the resort embraces and supports this, which means ..."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2026

Gaya Island Resort
See all 592 properties in Gaya Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

4 out of 5
G-08 JALAN TUN FUAD STEPHENS Kota Kinabalu
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Imago Shopping ...
9/10 Wonderful! (83 reviews)
"We stayed for one week and the room was very comfortable. The breakfast included was worth the extra fee. 24/7 Gym and laundry services available. Infinity pool was relaxing and has a great view of sea. Citadines is a popular meet up spot. We went on two tours and they picked us up right outside ..."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2026

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu
The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

3 out of 5
Jln Lapan Belas Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Stay at this apartment in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy a garden, Netflix, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Imago Shopping Mall and KK Plaza are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7 reviews)
"Great location. The apartment was very clean and had everything we needed for our stay. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2026

The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses
Sunset Seaview Vacation Condos City Centre @ IMAGO Shopping Mall

Sunset Seaview Vacation Condos City Centre @ IMAGO Shopping Mall

3 out of 5
The Loft, IMAGO Shopping Mall Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a sauna. Popular attractions Imago Shopping Mall and Plaza ...
Sunset Seaview Vacation Condos City Centre @ IMAGO Shopping Mall
See all properties in Gaya Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Gaya Island attractions

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

8.6/10 (38 reviews)
Explore the great outdoors at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a lovely green space in Gaya Island. Stroll along the marina or visit the shops in the area.
See properties

Things to do

Full-Day Snorkeling Adventure from Kota Kinabalu

Full-Day Guided Snorkeling Tour from Kota Kinabalu

$73
per adult
Full-Day Guided Snorkeling Tour from Kota Kinabalu
Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies

Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies

$53
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies
Sabah MALI-MALI GARDEN SPA Massage Experience

Sabah MALI-MALI GARDEN SPA Massage Experience

$23
per traveler
Sabah MALI-MALI GARDEN SPA Massage Experience
Guided Snorkeling Tour & Lunch at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Guided Snorkeling Tour & Lunch at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

$69
per adult
Guided Snorkeling Tour & Lunch at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park
Kota Kinabalu Cow Island snorkeling with Lunch buffet

Kota Kinabalu Cow Island snorkeling with Lunch buffet

$59
per adult
Kota Kinabalu Cow Island snorkeling with Lunch buffet
Kota Kinabalu: Mari Mari Village & Bongawan Cruise Package

Kota Kinabalu: Mari Mari Village & River Cruise Package

$114
per adult
Kota Kinabalu: Mari Mari Village & River Cruise Package
See all activities in Gaya Island

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Gaya Island?
Gaya Island offers a pleasant experience year-round, with consistently warm weather from January through December. For travelers looking for fewer crowds and potentially better value, the quieter months of May through August are a great time to visit.
What is Gaya Island known for?
Gaya Island is known for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a marine park offering beautiful natural scenery. Located as a coastal destination on the South China Sea, travelers can enjoy its clear waters and island experiences, making it a great spot for outdoor activities.
What is a good itinerary length for Gaya Island?
A good itinerary length for Gaya Island is two to three days to explore Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and enjoy activities like beginner scuba diving or catamaran snorkeling. For a more in-depth experience, consider four to five days to include full-day diving and further exploration of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. See Gaya Island Activities.
What are the top things to do in and around Gaya Island?
Gaya Island offers travelers natural beauty, marine adventures, and cultural insights:

  • Explore Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a beautiful natural area.
  • Go scuba diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
  • Enjoy catamaran snorkeling in Kota Kinabalu.
  • Take a private tour of the Marine Ecology Research Center.
  • Visit Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village in Kota Kinabalu.

Can I book a refundable hotel in Gaya Island?
Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in Gaya Island by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.
Why book a trip to Gaya Island with Expedia?
Expedia makes it easier to plan your Gaya Island trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.
Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in Gaya Island?
The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in Gaya Island can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.
How can I manage my Gaya Island trip on Expedia?
Once you've booked your Gaya Island trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.
What if I need help during my Gaya Island trip?
Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your Gaya Island trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.
How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to Gaya Island?
If it's your first trip to Gaya Island, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.
How can I save on my Gaya Island hotel booking with Expedia?
Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your Gaya Island hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Cities near Gaya Island

A calm sea with a boat anchored near a small island.

Kota Kinabalu

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