Wooden pier at Gaya Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Gaya Island Resort

Borneo

Gaya Island Resort in Borneo

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

A tropical island paradise with pristine golden sands and backed by verdant rainforest

Lying within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort is an idyllic tropical retreat surrounded by lush jungle, pristine beaches, coral reefs, and mangroves. The resort blends a relaxed, barefoot vibe with exclusive luxury, offering activities such as nature hikes, and snorkelling, a Marine Centre for sea turtle rehabilitation, a Wildlife Centre dedicated to proboscis monkey conservation, and a tranquil spa.

 

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Borneo holiday today.

A team of real travel experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays that focus on boutique hotels and luxury hideaways

I cannot thank Sundowner enough for all their help, assistance and knowledge when we were booking this trip. We are actively recommending them to all our like-minded travel friends, and we will speak again when we are ready for our next adventure.
Mrs T Haines, Borneo and India

"Gaya Island Resort felt like a private paradise – each day was filled with nature, luxury, and unforgettable moments."

Gaya Island
120 villas
Infinity pool
Spa and treatment rooms
5 Dining experiences
Eco-focus
Wifi
Air con
Guided nature trails
Gaya Island Gallery BOR Beach Dancing

Why we love it here

  • Set within a protected marine park with coral reefs
  • Unique marine and wildlife centres for conservation activities
  • Spa Village with treatments inspired by local traditions
  • Guided nature treks and snorkelling opportunities
  • Private beach with beautiful views
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Talk to us about your perfect trip to Borneo

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Borneo Holiday today.

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double room with large bed and a large window overlooking the ocean

Rooms

Perched along the verdant hillside, each of the resort’s 120 villas artfully marries contemporary comforts with traditional Borneo architecture. The spacious interiors, spanning 47 to 188 square metres, feature high-ceilinged bedrooms dressed in muted earth tones, whilst floor-to-ceiling windows frame commanding views of either dense rainforest or the South China Sea. Private balconies, furnished with deep-cushioned daybeds, invite guests to linger over morning coffee or evening sundowners. Thoughtful eco-conscious touches include locally crafted furniture, bamboo flooring, and organic bathroom amenities.

Gaya Island Gallery BOR Omakase Japanese Dining

Food

Gastronomic offerings span from relaxed beachside dining to refined culinary experiences across five distinctive venues. The jewel in the crown is Fisherman’s Cove, where locally caught seafood is prepared with Japanese and Western influences, whilst Feast Village presents a theatrical array of pan-Asian flavours through live cooking stations. For special occasions, the resort arranges intimate torch-lit suppers on the beach, complete with personal chef and sommelier service. The emphasis throughout is on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, with many herbs harvested from the resort’s own garden.

Gaya Island Gallery BOR Mangrove Kyaking

Activities

Beyond the pristine beaches, the resort offers a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrate Borneo’s natural heritage. The resident marine biologist leads snorkelling expeditions to vibrant coral gardens, whilst guided nature walks reveal the island’s wealth of wildlife, including proboscis monkeys and hornbills. At the Marine Centre, guests can participate in coral restoration projects or witness turtle rehabilitation. For those seeking wellness, the hillside spa specialises in traditional Borneo treatments using indigenous ingredients, offering a serene retreat amidst the jungle canopy.

Our top Borneo holiday ideas

stunning white mosque with main copula and two towers located on water with a mirror like reflection and sunset setting behind it
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Borneo Highlights Holiday

16 Days
£3,789pp (incl. flights)

Discover the perfect blend of culture, wildlife and relaxation on this Borneo Highlights Holiday!

children learning to blow a bornean flute
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Great for families

Relaxed Borneo Family Holiday

17 Days
£3,108pp (incl. flights)

A laid-back family adventure with plenty of beach time and gentle wildlife spotting in Borneo’s lush rainforests.

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Borneo Sarawak and Sabah Highlights

14 Days
£5,957pp (incl. flights)

This holiday showcases the best of Sarawak and Sabah, from Kuching's charm and Mulu's bat-filled caves to wildlife encounters and jungle trekking in Sabah's rainforests

atols in the middle of an ocean in Borneo - Gaya Island Resort
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Great for Honeymoons

Borneo Wildlife and Island Honeymoon

13 Days
£3,497pp (incl. flights)

A truly unforgettable honeymoon that beautifully blends thrilling wildlife adventures with idyllic beaches.

Kuching waterfront at sunset featuring boats docked, cruising on the river and ancient buildings - Sarawak
Borneo

Kuching, Borneo Beach and Jungle

13 Days
£3,392pp (incl. flights)

Explore colonial Kuching, relax on Gaya Island’s beaches, and cruise Sabah’s jungle rivers in one scenic trip.

aerial view of Bunga Raya Island Resort Borneo tucked in a bay surrounded by sea, beach and tropical rainforest at at the back
Borneo
Great for Honeymoons

Luxury Jungle and Beach

14 Days
£4,699pp (incl. flights)

Stay in Borneo’s finest eco-lodges while exploring Danum Valley’s rainforest and Gaya Island’s exclusive beaches.

A,Baby,Orangutan,In,The,Wild.,.
Borneo

Simply Borneo Jungle and Beach

12 Days
£2,883pp (incl. flights)

An adventure through Borneo’s wildlife-filled jungles before unwinding on the island’s tropical beaches.

Hornbill in the dark tropic forest. Rhinoceros hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros, big black bird with orange bill beak in the nature habitat. Kinabatangan, Borneo
Borneo

Borneo Wildlife Highlights Holiday

16 Days
£5,258pp (incl. flights)

Spot Borneo’s Big Five on a wildlife-rich adventure from Bako’s rainforests to Danum Valley’s remote jungle trails and riverbanks.

two people snorkeling in crystal clear waters
Borneo
Great for families

Borneo Family Jungle and Beach

12 Days
£2,649pp (incl. flights)

Spot monkeys, elephants, and orangutans in the wild rainforests, then relax with family beach time on the lush Gaya Island.

Kuching waterfront at sunset featuring boats docked, cruising on the river and ancient buildings - Sarawak
Borneo
Special Offer

Borneo Orangutans & Beach – SPECIAL OFFER

10 Days
£2,822pp £2,572pp (incl. flights)

An adventure through Borneo’s wildlife-filled jungles before unwinding on the island’s tropical beaches.

gold statue in fron of famous Batu Caves with colorful stairs in Kuala Lumpur
Borneo

Kuala Lumpur, Borneo Jungle and Beach

15 Days
£3,224pp (incl. flights)

Combine the buzz of Kuala Lumpur with jungle adventures and beach downtime for a well-rounded escape.

aerial view of a man walking on a hanging bridge above Danum Valley rainforest - Borneo
Borneo

Borneo’s Danum Valley and Beach

14 Days
£4,962pp (incl. flights)

Explore the untouched rainforest of Danum Valley, then unwind on a secluded tropical beach in true style.

Laura organised an unbelievable trip to Borneo for us that took in all of the wildlife, a few days at a luxury hotel on the beach and a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur. I was apprehensive as we were travelling with a five-year-old and we'd never been on this kind of holiday before, but I needn't have been. Laura tailored our trip to be adventurous and to see all of the sights, while still being child-friendly and at a pace we could all enjoy. The hotels and lodges were fantastic, and every flight, transfer and boat was organised to perfection. All we had to do was sit back and enjoy it. Genuinely a holiday of a lifetime.

The Yardley Family, Borneo

The juxtaposition of urban Kuala Lumpur with wild Borneo was brilliant … the animals and of course the Orangutans were a delight and all capped off with a luxury stay on Gaya Island …. Just perfect!

Margaret Styles, Borneo

Well, what an amazing country Borneo is, we absolutely loved it and probably still haven't come down to earth since we have been home.

Helen Lewis, Borneo

We booked a Malaysian holiday for a special birthday and right from the start, Hannah listened to our requirements and put together a fantastic itinerary for us of 4 nights in Kuala Lumpur, 5 nights in Borneo wildlife watching and 4 nights in Gaya Island, this was a truly fantastic holiday … I would give 6 stars if I could!

Neil and Donna, Malaysia

One of the best things about our time in Borneo was the people. Everyone was so friendly and kind to us. It was the most perfect honeymoon!

Jenny Casswell, Borneo

I cannot thank Sundowner enough for all their help, assistance and knowledge when we were booking this trip. We are actively recommending them to all our like-minded travel friends, and we will speak again when we are ready for our next adventure.

Mrs T Haines, Borneo and India
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