Learn to Dive | RAID Open Water 20 Diver Course | Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu makes a fine classroom for a first scuba certification, with training conducted around the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park rather than in a swimming pool alone. You spend three days on the water, learning skills while surrounded by the marine life you came to see.

I like the small maximum group of 12 and the fact that instructors such as Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi are praised for patience, clear explanations, and careful attention to buoyancy. I also like the all-in pricing, which covers equipment, permits, park fees, three lunches, water, boat transfers, and RAID course materials.

The main point to check before booking is the course name. The supplied details refer both to RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Open Water 30. Confirm which certification you are purchasing, and make sure you can complete the online study before the first morning.

Key points to know before booking

• Three full days from Kota Kinabalu: You meet at Suria Seafront at 9:00 am and return there after each day on the water.
• Training in a marine park: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park provides the setting for your underwater lessons and marine-life encounters.
• Instructors with a patient teaching style: Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi are named in the course feedback, with special praise for calm instruction and buoyancy practice.
• A useful package price: At $375 per person, the fee includes gear, permits, park fees, meals, drinking water, boat transport, and RAID materials.
• Pre-course online study: You need to finish the theory work before the practical course begins, so this is not a walk-in activity.
• A moderate fitness requirement: You must be fit, healthy, and able to swim, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Three days learning scuba around Kota Kinabalu

This is not a quick introductory splash followed by a souvenir photo. It is a proper entry-level certification course, spread across approximately three days and built around a mixture of theory, equipment use, practical skills, and underwater sessions.

You begin with online pre-study before arriving. That matters because the time on the boat can then focus more closely on practical training rather than trying to cover every basic concept from scratch. You should allow enough time to complete the online work carefully, not simply click through it at the last minute.

Each course day starts at 9:00 am at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in central Kota Kinabalu. From there, the group travels by boat to the marine park, then returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day. The details do not give an exact return time, so avoid scheduling a tight evening flight, long-distance transfer, or fixed dinner reservation.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. You are not learning in an isolated training tank for the entire course. Once you are ready for the open-water work, the islands and marine life of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park provide a real environment in which to practise.

What the marine park adds to the course

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is the course’s one stated destination, but that does not mean the three days feel repetitive. The park gives the instructors a practical outdoor setting for your training, while giving you the chance to see marine life during your first certified underwater outings.

For a beginner, this combination is valuable. You learn equipment handling and safety procedures, then apply those skills in the sea. The setting can make the lessons more memorable, but it can also make them feel more demanding than a controlled pool session. Water conditions, boat movement, and the need to manage your own equipment all become part of the experience.

Your instructor’s teaching style will matter here. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not a particular animal sighting, since no specific species are promised. It is the care taken with beginners. Basir is repeatedly praised for being thorough, encouraging, professional, and humorous. Yadi is described as patient and clear. Amir helped a nervous beginner settle down, while Didi was especially helpful with buoyancy and gave extra time when it was needed.

That is exactly the sort of support you want on a first certification. You may not master every skill at the same speed as the rest of the group. A patient instructor can slow the process down, explain a task in another way, or give you another chance without making you feel rushed.

The instructors and how their teaching affects your experience

The named instructors are not interchangeable from a reader’s point of view, but the descriptions point to a consistent approach. Basir receives the most enthusiastic praise for combining firm standards with good humor. That balance is important: scuba training should be enjoyable, but safety skills still need to be completed properly.

Yadi is noted for explaining things clearly and patiently. If you are anxious about breathing through a regulator, controlling your position in the water, or remembering several steps at once, clear instruction can make a big difference.

Amir is associated with helping a nervous beginner gain confidence. That is useful context for anyone who has never used scuba equipment. You do not need to arrive as a natural in the water, but you do need to be honest about your comfort level and ask questions early.

Didi is praised for extra attention to buoyancy, a skill that often takes practice. Good buoyancy helps you move more comfortably, use less effort, and avoid bumping into the seabed or marine life. Alex is also named as part of the instructional team, with positive comments about professional support and safety.

Your actual instructor may depend on scheduling and group arrangements. Do not book on the assumption that a particular person is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it directly.

What is included in the $375 price

At $375 per person, this course is priced as a three-day training package rather than a single recreational outing. The value comes from the number of separate costs already bundled into the fee.

You receive full scuba equipment, which saves you from having to rent individual items elsewhere or work out what beginner gear you need. The package also includes the dive permit and marine park fees, so you are not faced with an unexpected conservation or access charge once you arrive at the jetty.

Three lunches and drinking water are included. This is practical rather than glamorous. You are spending full days on the boats, and having food and water arranged means you do not need to pack a separate meal each morning.

The package also covers RAID materials and boat transfers. The company uses two 33-foot trimaran boats, each 9 feet wide. That gives you a dedicated base for the course and avoids arranging separate transport to the islands.

One fair warning concerns lunch. It is supplied as part of the package, but it should be treated as a functional meal rather than a food highlight. If meals are a major part of your holiday planning, ask what is being served and whether special dietary requirements can be accommodated. The operator asks for dietary information in advance, so provide it when requested.

Travel insurance is not included. The package also excludes anything not specifically listed, so check before paying if you expect extra services, personal purchases, or unusual arrangements.

Boat transfers and the rhythm of each day

The meeting point is convenient for anyone staying in central Kota Kinabalu. Suria Seafront16 is on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens in the city center, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

You should arrive prepared for a boat-based day. The course description confirms the morning meeting time, daily collection and return to the DBKK Jetty, and transport on one of the two trimarans. It does not provide a detailed hour-by-hour schedule, exact journey time, or guaranteed island rotation, so keep your plans flexible.

The boat is more than a transfer. It is where you spend much of the day preparing, eating lunch, drinking water, and moving between training locations as directed by the crew. The small-group limit should help keep the teaching more personal, although a maximum of 12 is not the same as a private lesson.

The crew also matters. Didi is praised not only as an instructor but as a captain, and the wider boat team receives credit for being friendly and professional. Still, conditions at sea can affect comfort. Bring anything you normally need for a long day outdoors, but remember that the supplied information does not specify a packing list.

Requirements you should take seriously

The course is open to people aged 10 and above, provided they are fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The operator describes the required fitness level as moderate. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but scuba training involves boat transfers, handling equipment, repeated in-water practice, and staying alert through a long day. If you have a medical concern, contact the operator before booking rather than relying on a general fitness statement.

Before the course, you must provide your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, shoe size, and any special dietary requirements. These details help the team prepare equipment and meals. Give accurate measurements, especially for footwear and exposure gear, because poor-fitting equipment can make a beginner’s first experience harder than it needs to be.

The online theory work is also a real requirement. Finish it before the course starts. The practical days are much easier when you already understand the basic terms and procedures.

A closer look at the learning experience

The supplied schedule does not list each individual skill or the number of underwater sessions, so you should not assume a specific sequence beyond the three-day open-water training format. Expect the course to build your confidence step by step, with instructors checking that you are comfortable and competent before moving forward.

That gradual pace is where the operator appears strongest. Basir is praised for working systematically through objectives and milestones. Didi is credited with helping a student improve buoyancy through extra practice. These details suggest that the course is not simply about ticking off a certificate. You are expected to meet the required standards.

You should also expect moments when the course feels like work. The marine park scenery is a bonus, but you are there to learn equipment control, safety procedures, and underwater skills. If you want a relaxed boat trip with only a short introduction to scuba, this may be more training than you want.

On the other hand, if you have always wanted to become certified but felt nervous, the three-day format gives you time to adjust. The repeated contact with the same instructors and crew can be more reassuring than a one-off session with a large crowd.

Who will get the most from this course

I would recommend this course to a first-time scuba student who wants a recognized RAID qualification and prefers learning in a small group. The three-day schedule suits someone who can give the course proper attention rather than trying to squeeze it between other Kota Kinabalu excursions.

It also looks suitable for families with older children, provided the child is at least 10 and an adult accompanies anyone under 18. The adult should be ready to take part in the course requirements, not simply wait on shore.

The course may suit nervous beginners particularly well, based on the repeated praise for calm, patient instruction. If you are worried about buoyancy, ask for help early. That skill is specifically mentioned as an area where extra time may be useful.

You may want to consider another option if you cannot swim, have a health issue that affects strenuous activity, or do not have time for online study before the course. You should also ask for clarification if the difference between Open Water 20 and Open Water 30 matters for your future certification plans.

Booking, cancellations, and weather

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The maximum group size is 12, and the course requires a minimum number of participants, so your plans are not fully settled until confirmation arrives.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

Weather can affect the schedule. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum group is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

These terms are fairly clear, but I would avoid booking the course on the final days of a trip if certification is important to your onward plans. A weather change could require another date.

Is this Kota Kinabalu course worth booking?

At $375, this is good value if you want a complete three-day certification package rather than a quick introduction. Equipment, park fees, permits, meals, water, RAID materials, and boat transfers are all covered, which makes the price easier to judge against separate arrangements.

The strongest reason to choose it is the teaching support. Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi are associated with patience, clear explanations, confidence-building, and careful work on buoyancy. The marine park setting gives your first certified underwater experience a real sense of place.

I would book it if you can swim, meet the moderate fitness requirement, complete the online study, and keep your schedule flexible for three days. Before paying, confirm the exact RAID level, ask who is likely to instruct your group, and provide your measurements and dietary needs promptly.

If those details suit you, this is a practical way to turn a Kota Kinabalu stay into a real scuba qualification, not just a morning at sea.

FAQ

Where does the course take place?

The course takes place in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park near Kota Kinabalu.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days, with collection and return to the DBKK Jetty each day.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Where do I meet the operator?

You meet at Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Full scuba equipment is included in the course price.

Are meals and drinking water included?

Yes. The package includes three lunches and drinking water.

What age can take the course?

The course is open to participants aged 10 and above. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need to complete study before arriving?

Yes. Online pre-study must be completed before the course begins.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You are offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.