The Floating Villages of Kota Kinabalu

 

Pulau Gaya is the largest of the cluster of islands located in the emerald waters of the South China Sea, off the coast of the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. The etymology of the name Pulau Gaya can be traced to the language of its main inhabitants, the Bajau. The word ‘Gayo’ in the language of the Bajau translates as ‘big’ and is thus ideal for this island which extends over 3700 acres.

The island which is located within the famed Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is covered with dense tropical forest and lush mangroves. Pulau Gaya is also home to two luxurious eco resorts, the Gayana Eco resort and the Bunga Raya resort. Aside from this island offers nearly 20 km of meandering hiking trails and many spectacular dive sites as the island is ringed with untouched coral reefs. The stunning Police Bay, a 400 meter long stretch of white sand is yet another well-known attraction located on Pulau Gaya as its  quaint floating village.

Pulau Gaya’s floating village called Kampung Gaya consists of stilt houses built along the beach. These stilt houses are connected by plank walkways. Kampung Gaya is believed to be home to approximately 8000 Bajau Laut people. The inhabitants of Palau Gaya work on the mainland in the many markets of Kota Kinabalu

The village is equipped 24-hour electricity supply though it doesn’t have fresh water supply as yet.  Boats transport fresh water from the mainland to Pulau Gaya, though this is set to change in the coming years, as a new project will soon supply the water village with fresh water supply from the mainland.

This unique floating village is quite self-sufficient as it is equipped with both a primary and a secondary school. The last mentioned institution SMK Pulau Gaya was established in 1989, and the school resembles a floating water chalet. Located to the left of Kampung Gaya is another floating village called Kampung Pondo believed to out of bounds as it is rumored  be inhabited by illegal immigrants and other unsavory folk.

A visit to the floating village of  Kampung Gaya makes for a fun day-trip, if you are on holiday in Kota Kinabalu. You can easily charter a boat from Jesselton Point Jetty on the mainland for your trip. Many tour operators located here offer sight-seeing tours to the floating villages of Kota Kinabalu that provide visitors an opportunity to view these unique dwellings at close quarters.