The beauty of BORNEO
NO TRIP HERE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A STAY AT THE STUNNING GAYA ISLAND RESORT
WHERE TO STAY
Gaya Island Resort Borneo is situated just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. It is seriously easy to get to from Kota Kinabalu airport, around a 30-minute car and speed boat ride. On the boat ride over to the island, you’ll pass villages of stilted houses elevated over the water. Once you arrive, you will see an idyllic resort – with the villas and suites set in the hills, surrounded by tropical rainforest and mangroves. It’s heavenly!
WHAT TO DO
You can choose to do absolutely nothing and enjoy laying on one of the cabanas by the pool or just relax on your villa’s private daybed. But if you’re up for some activities, there are loads to choose from.
One of the resident guides from the island Nature Centre will take you on a tour of the surrounding jungle to try and discover more of the island’s animal inhabitants. There is even a night-time guided nature walk where you get to spot things like tiny scorpions.
There is a trek through the jungle to Tavajun Bay, a pretty and private beach with a small open-air restaurant. Keep an eye out for the family of bearded pigs that live there! Set out kayaking through the centuries-old, well-protected mangrove forest, or enjoy some drinks and canapes on a sunset cruise.
Make sure you experience Singgah-singgarung, a night of cultural food, music and dance enjoyed on the beach.
For the yogis, there are daily complimentary yoga classes at Spa Village Gaya Island, a tranquil hideaway seated among the mangrove forest.
You can also learn to make some yummy Malaysian food at Gaya’s open-air cooking school.
BACK TO NATURE
If you would like to get up close to some interesting sea life, there are snorkelling areas around the resort or you can opt for a boat tour out to the coral reef, which has been ranked as one of the top dive destinations.
You are guaranteed
a close encounter with wildlife at
Gaya Island. Wander the wooden walkways that connect different parts of the hotel, and you’ll likely spot monkeys hanging out in the treetops, pass a snake sunning itself on the warm path or a lizard sliding into the cool water.
Those monkeys will come and greet new arrivals, too, though the staff say they’re after a certain type of beer in the bar!
WORTH THE VISIT
There are so many things about Gaya Island Resort that makes it special. From their commitment to ecologically sustainable practices – they have won awards for their proactive conservation role and initiatives – to the little sand sculptures that appear every morning as you walk to breakfast. It’s definitely a place I would return to in the future!