Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

#kotakinabaluguide Escape the Crowds at Gaya Island" For those willing to spend a bit more or focus on nature, skip the busy day-trip islands and head straight for Gaya. We stayed at one of the luxury resorts and it felt like a world away. We spent our mornings jungle trekking through the protected rainforest—the mangrove plank walk was particularly cool. The resorts have dedicated, quieter beaches and excellent in-house dive centers. This side of the park offers a much more tranquil, high-end experience that allows you to truly appreciate the island’s natural beauty and conservation focus without the large day-tripper crowds.