Gaya Island Resort is set between rainforest and sea within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, reached by boat from Kota Kinabalu. Timber villas climb the hillside beneath the canopy, their balconies looking towards mangroves, beach or Mount Kinabalu across the water. The spa occupies a quieter section of the forest, while the pool, beach and coral reefs support days divided between swimming, snorkelling and guided nature walks. Fisherman’s Cove focuses on seafood in an open-air setting, and the resident conservation team interprets the island’s ecology. The surrounding forest remains physically present, from the elevated paths to the sounds around each villa.