<P> The islands are underlaid by folded sandstone and sedimentary rock, are part of the Crocker Range rock formation of the western coast of Sabah . Towards the end of Ice Age happened about one million years ago, changes of the sea level occurred, resulting in portions of the mainland being cut off by the sea, thus forming the islands today . Exposed sandstone outcrops still feature the coasts of most of these islands forming cliffs, caves, honeycombs and deep crevasses along the shore . </P> <P> Gaya Island derived its name from the Bajau word "Gayo" which means big and occupies an area of 15 km (3,700 acres) with an elevation of up to 300 metres . Several ridges rise more than 600 feet (180 m), peaking at 1,000 feet (300 m), along the backbone of Gaya Island . </P> <P> Gaya island is the largest island in the park, closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu (KK) and is covered with dense virgin, tropical forest . It has been a forest reserve since 1923 . The island has 20 km of hiking trails and two 5 star resorts named Gayana Eco Resort, home to the Marine Ecology Research Centre, and Bunga Raya Island Resort on the north - east part of the island . </P> <P> Another resort is being constructed on what used to be Hornbill Bay near Gayana Eco Resort . </P>

Which is the largest island of the tunku abdul national park