GAYA ISLAND RESORT MARINE CENTRE
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
Nestled within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park—a protected archipelago of five islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu—the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre is a beacon of active conservation. Accessible by a brief boat journey from the resort’s jetty or a scenic 45-minute Tavajun Trek, the centre stands as a dedicated guardian of the region’s marine heritage.
Since its inauguration in 2013, the centre has provided critical care to numerous endangered Green Sea turtles and critically endangered Hawksbill turtles. To date, a multitude of turtles (I don’t want to say 38 as this may increase in the future) have successfully been rescued—including our famous Covid through years of rehabilitation and care—have been returned to the wild. The centre further advances marine stewardship through its coral reef display tanks and a specialised coral nursery, where fragments are cultivated for reef restoration. A 14,000-litre recovery tank offers a sanctuary for injured turtles and serves as an auxiliary coral nursery, reinforcing the centre’s dual commitment to rescue and regeneration.
Guided by three core pillars—Turtle Rescue, Coral Reef Restoration, and Conservation through Education—the centre is a testament to purposeful, community-led conservation. All programmes are thoughtfully designed and implemented under the leadership of the resort’s Resident Marine Biologist, Scott Mayback.
MEET OUR MARINE BIOLOGIST
SCOTT MAYBACK
Serving as the first-ever Resident Marine Biologist appointed within the YTL Hotels group, Scott Mayback brings a lifelong passion and professional expertise to the shores of Gaya Island. Originally from New York City, he spent his formative years exploring the beaches and estuaries of Long Island—an early immersion that instilled a deep and enduring connection to the marine world.
Scott’s journey in conservation led him to Sabah, where he spent three pivotal years helping to establish a marine conservation centre and public aquarium. This hands-on role immersed him in coral reef restoration and sea turtle rehabilitation, while field surveys took him diving across Sabah’s coastal waters—from the reefs of Kota Kinabalu to the Tip of Borneo and beyond.
A graduate of the University of Oregon, Scott further honed his skills with a year at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. His academic foundation is complemented by practical experience gained while working in the University’s Neuroscience Laboratory and several local aquariums—roles that helped fund his studies and enriched his understanding of marine ecosystems.
Today, Scott oversees both the Water Sports Centre and the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre. In this capacity, he shares his dedication with guests and local communities through the education and outreach programme he co-developed with Reef Check Malaysia, fostering a legacy of awareness and active stewardship.
FEATURED PARTNERSHIP
MOBULA
In June 2025, Gaya Island Resort and the Marine Research Foundation came together to sign the MoU that would bring the Mobula to life on our shores. What followed was not just the launch of a vessel, but the beginning of a healing process for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park—and that process is still unfolding. Every day, the Mobula is out there, skimming the surface and reclaiming the waters from the waste that humans leave behind. The numbers tell one story: tonnes of plastic removed, square kilometres of ocean cleaned. But the sights tell another: juvenile fish returning to nursery grounds, birds once again diving into clear water. And now, the Mobula’s mission is expanding. It is becoming a floating classroom—hosting researchers, engaging visitors, and opening eyes to the fragility of the reef. With every piece of plastic it catches, it teaches a lesson. With every pass it makes, it proves that conservation is not a moment in time. It is a living, daily commitment—born here, on these shores, and reaching far beyond them.
OUR RESCUES
SEA TURTLE
BOBBY
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SEA TURTLE
COVID
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SIGNATURE CONSERVATION PROJECT
TURTLE RESCUE
Through a dedicated Turtle Hotline (+60 13 899 9509), the centre responds to reports of sick or injured sea turtles, offering immediate rescue and a protected environment for recovery. In partnership with the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Marine Research Foundation, spearheaded by Dr. Nicholas Pilcher, a pivotal figure in the centre’s establishment where each turtle receives expert veterinary care and rehabilitation, with the ultimate goal of release back into their natural habitat.
SIGNATURE CONSERVATION PROJEXT
CORAL REEF RESTORATION
In collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia, the centre operates an on-site coral nursery that actively involves guests in reef conservation. The process includes collecting damaged coral fragments, securing them to artificial reef structures, and nurturing them in controlled conditions before transplanting them back into the marine park to revive degraded reef areas.
SIGNATURE CONSERVATION PROJECT
CONSERVATION THROUGH EDUCATION
Education lies at the heart of the centre’s mission. The resort leads by example by removing endangered species from menus, prioritising sustainable products, and offering regular conservation talks and hands-on engagement opportunities for guests and staff. Outreach extends to local fishing communities, promoting less harmful fishing techniques and facilitating recycling initiatives to reduce ocean debris.
