Wake up to the call of exotic birds. Take a leisurely hike through the jungle canopy. Snorkel among colourful marine life. Watch fishes swim by from the privacy of your own balcony. Dine al fresco under the moonlight…… Treat yourself to the tranquility of this little patch of tropical paradise where you can completely unwind and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Idyllic Gayana Island Resort is an ecological paradise nestled away in a beautiful bay on the far side of Gaya Island, off the shores of Kota Kinabalu. Crystal clear waters and secluded beaches wrap around the inlet, with lush tropical rainforest and mangrove forming a serene backdrop.
Just minutes away from the bustling city, Gayana offers a secluded island escape, designed and operated with nature in mind. Gayana features 22 semi-detached overwater chalets built on timber stilts constructed out of sustainable local woods with thatched roofs.

The resort also features a gift shop, offering a selection of beach wear, leisure wear, handicrafts, postcards and snacks. Conveniently located at the reception lobby, it is popular with guests and visitors alike.

Gayana offers non-motorised watersport facilities including canoeing, snorkelling, sea kayaking and scuba diving. Island hopping, fishing and crab catching can also be arranged upon request. As the forest is virtually at your doorstep, you can also go jungle trekking.

The challenging 6 Km trial leading from the resort through the thick canopy of high dipterocarp trees to the nearby Malohom Beach is well-marked and can be explored with a guide or on your own.

The resort's ground is also a sanctuary to many of the island's wildlife such as the pied hornbills, long tailed macaques, monitor lizards, wild boars, green imperial pigeons, jungle rats, geckos, snakes, buffy fish owls and various species of insects.

So keep your camera handy…… you'll never know who or what you'll bump into. However, it is important to remember to keep your distance. Do not feed or provoke the animals in any way.

Swimming in the open sea can be fun, but do watch out for stonefish, sea urchins, scorpion fish and sharp rocks.This is because the resort is sitting on a reef. Do wear shoes or any other suitable footwear if you insist on swimming in the crystal clear waters. The Nature Pool is just as fun!

Being one of only 6 such facilities in the world, Gayana offers you the unique opportunity to observe the various species of giant clam and marine life housed in 19 display aquariums at close range at the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC). The MERC focuses on the conservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the coral reefs and its key organism, the giant clam. Several interactive programmes are currently being offered to interested guests and visitors, including the Marine Ecology Seminar and Field Trip.