Gaya Island water village tour: Traditional costume photo session

The water village sits on stilts, and you photograph yourself in traditional dress before leaving.

This private tour takes you by boat to Gaya Island's raw and authentic water village community and Kampung Gipsi Sabah, the first cultural village on the island. You cruise through the village, wear traditional costume for a photo session, and receive a free souvenir. Transportation and village access are included. The guide speaks English, Chinese, Malay or Cantonese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Gaya Island and Cultural Village

• Visit authentic water village
• Wear traditional costume
• Take photo session
• Receive free souvenir

The experience

An hour is enough to reach Gaya Island's water village by boat from Kota Kinabalu and move through Kampung Gipsi Sabah, the cultural village built on the island. The community lives on stilts above the water, and the tour takes you through the settlement so you see how the village is laid out and how people move between homes and boats. This is not a museum or a staged performance. It is where residents actually live.

At Kampung Gipsi Sabah you put on traditional costume and pose for photos, which gives you a tangible memory and a chance to understand the clothing people wear. You also get a free souvenir to take home. Transportation from Kota Kinabalu to the boat and the water village cruising itself are both included, so the only thing you arrange is when you want to go.

What’s included

• Transportation to Kampung Gipsi and water village cruising.
• traditional costume photo session.
• free souvenir.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 15:00 and 17:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Cantonese, Chinese and Malay

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel Guide Sabah Sdn Bhd

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Chinese, Malay or Cantonese, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language suits you best. Infants and small children can come along in a pram or stroller, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Chinese, Malay and Cantonese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is Kampung Gipsi Sabah?

Kampung Gipsi Sabah is the first cultural village on Gaya Island, built on stilts in the water where residents live. The tour brings you through the community so you see the village layout and daily life, then you dress in traditional costume for a photo session before you leave.

How do I get to Gaya Island from Kota Kinabalu?

Transportation to Kampung Gipsi is included in the tour, so you travel by boat from Kota Kinabalu to Gaya Island as part of the booking. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to arrange your own way to the departure point.

What happens during the photo session?

You wear traditional costume and pose for photos at Kampung Gipsi Sabah. The session is included in the tour, and you also receive a free souvenir to take with you.