Gaya Island Resort

The rise of conservation-focused resorts - SilverKris

"Positioned on the largest island within Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, this resort’s 121 hillside villas are integrated into primary forest and offer views of mangroves, the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu. The property places heavy emphasis on conservation: it employs a full-time marine biologist and a resident naturalist who run a marine conservation centre, a turtle rescue and rehabilitation programme (resulting in several turtles being released), reef regeneration through coral-planting activities for guests, regular mangrove clean-ups, biodiversity surveys that have recorded new species, and interpretive kayak and jungle walk experiences to connect visitors with local ecosystems." - Silkwinds, the inflight magazine of SilkAir