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

Kota Kinabalu gives you a rare chance to earn an entry-level scuba qualification while spending all three course days at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. You learn from a boat, practise skills in the sea, and finish with the underwater confidence needed for future trips.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives instructors room to help with buoyancy and nerves. I also like that the price includes equipment, park permits, three lunches, drinking water, course materials, and boat transfers, so fewer costs appear later.

The main consideration is the three-day commitment. You must complete online study before arrival, have moderate fitness, and be comfortable swimming. Also, the supplied information uses both RAID Open Water 20 and Open Water 30, so confirm the exact qualification before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three full course days at sea: Depart from and return to DBKK Jetty each day, starting at 9:00 am.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Your training takes place among the marine life of Kota Kinabalu’s local park.
• Patient instructors: Basir, Amir, Alex, Didi, and Yadi are named as course staff in the supplied information.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, RAID materials, permits, park fees, lunches, water, and boat transfers are covered.
• Small-group format: The experience accepts no more than 12 people.
• Check the course name: The title and several course details say Open Water 20, while one overview refers to Open Water 30.

Learning scuba skills around Kota Kinabalu

This is not a quick introductory swim followed by a single underwater outing. It is a three-day training course designed to take you from preparation through the skills needed for RAID Open Water certification.

The setting helps. You leave Kota Kinabalu by boat and spend the course in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where underwater marine life gives the practical lessons a proper sense of purpose. You are not simply practising in a classroom or pool and waiting for a later holiday to see the sea.

The course is aimed at people who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. The minimum age is 10, although anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A moderate level of fitness is expected, so you should be ready for repeated activity across three days.

You do not need previous scuba experience according to the course description. If you are nervous, that matters. Instructor names appearing in the course feedback include Basir, Amir, Alex, Didi, and Yadi, with particular emphasis on patience, clear explanations, safety, and helping new students become comfortable.

What the three days look like

The daily plan begins at 9:00 am at Suria Seafront, near Jln Tun Fuad Stephens in central Kota Kinabalu. From there, you head to DBKK Jetty, where the boat takes you toward the marine park.

The course description does not give a detailed hour-by-hour schedule, so you should not expect a fixed public timetable for every skill. In general terms, the three days combine instruction, practical training, and underwater sessions. Your progress depends on how quickly you become comfortable with the equipment and complete each required skill.

Online pre-study must be completed before the course starts. This is a useful part of the arrangement because it lets you handle theory in advance rather than trying to absorb every rule on a busy boat day. I would finish the online work early, not the night before departure, and contact the operator if you need help accessing it.

Each day returns to the meeting point. That makes the course easier to fit into a Kota Kinabalu stay than a live-aboard program, where you sleep on the boat or move between islands with luggage. At the same time, three early starts and repeated boat trips mean you should keep your schedule clear.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park as your classroom

The marine park is the heart of this experience. Its appeal is not just scenery from the boat. You are learning in a place where marine life gives meaning to the technical work.

New students often focus first on breathing, equipment, body position, and staying calm. Once those basics become familiar, the park gives you something to observe and enjoy. The course description promises plenty of marine life, though it does not guarantee specific animals or exact sites.

The boat is a 33-foot by 9-foot trimaran. Two boats are available, both described as trimarans of the same size. That suggests a practical platform for a small training group, with room for equipment and the daily boat transfer.

You should still expect the normal realities of a sea-based course. Conditions can affect the schedule, and the experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you receive a choice of another date or a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached.

Instructors who shape the experience

The strongest part of this course is the teaching style described in the supplied feedback. Basir is repeatedly praised for being patient, professional, encouraging, and funny. That combination matters when you are learning a skill that can feel unfamiliar or intimidating.

Amir is associated with helping a nervous beginner settle down through humour and clear guidance. Alex and Didi are also named as instructors, with Didi receiving specific credit for giving extra time to improve a student’s buoyancy. Yadi is praised for explaining skills clearly and patiently.

These details are more useful than a generic promise of friendly staff. Buoyancy is one of the areas that can take time for a new scuba student. If you are tense or use too much effort in the water, an instructor who calmly repeats a skill and gives you extra practice can make the difference between merely finishing and feeling ready to continue.

The course also involves a captain and boat crew. Didi is identified as captain in one account, while other staff names appear in teaching roles. Because staff assignments can change, you should treat these names as examples of the team rather than a guarantee that one specific instructor will lead your group.

What the price of $375 includes

At $375 per person, the course is not priced like a half-day recreational outing. You are paying for three days of instruction, course materials, equipment, boat transport, meals, water, and access to the marine park.

The included equipment is important for first-time students. You do not need to arrive with a full personal kit, which keeps the initial cost lower and makes this a practical way to decide if scuba is for you before buying anything.

Park fees and dive permits are also included. Those charges can be easy to overlook when comparing course prices, so an apparently cheaper option may not remain cheaper after equipment hire and permits are added.

Three lunches and drinking water are provided. The food is functional rather than a reason to book the course. One account specifically found lunch ordinary, so I would keep expectations simple. If you have special dietary requirements, provide them with your personal details before the course.

What is not included is equally important. The price does not cover anything not specifically listed, and travel insurance for unforeseen events or force majeure is excluded. Check your own policy before booking if you want cover for interruptions or other unexpected problems.

Boat transfers, meals, and group size

The daily boat transfer is both a benefit and a practical consideration. You get to train in the marine park rather than spend the course on land, but the boat becomes your base for instruction, equipment, meals, and rest between sessions.

The maximum group size is 12. That is not a private course, yet it is small enough to be manageable. Your actual group may be smaller, and smaller groups usually make it easier to ask questions and receive individual attention. The operator also describes the experience as using small groups, which fits the teaching focus.

The trimaran design gives the boat a broad working shape compared with a narrow single-hull craft. The supplied information does not promise specific onboard facilities, seating arrangements, or shade, so ask if those details matter to you. Bring only what you need for the day and follow the operator’s instructions about personal belongings.

Lunch is included each day, but it is best viewed as practical fuel. Bring no extra food unless the operator confirms it is allowed, and make sure your dietary needs are known in advance.

Who should book this course

This course suits you if you want a recognised starting point for future scuba trips and prefer learning over several days rather than rushing through a short introductory session.

It is also a good fit for:

• A first-time student who wants patient instruction
• A couple or family member who wants to learn together
• Someone staying in Kota Kinabalu with three clear days available
• A swimmer with moderate fitness who is comfortable committing to a structured course
• A parent or guardian arranging a course for someone aged 10 to 17, with an accompanying adult

The course may not suit you if you want a relaxed sightseeing cruise with only a little underwater activity. You will be studying beforehand and working through skills across three days. It may also be a poor fit if you cannot swim, have health concerns affecting physical activity, or want complete control over the daily schedule.

Group discounts are available, which may help if you are booking with friends or family. The booking also offers a mobile ticket, and confirmation is normally provided within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Details to settle before you pay

The difference between Open Water 20 and Open Water 30 needs attention. The experience title and several supplied accounts refer to RAID Open Water 20, while the main overview calls it RAID Open Water 30. Those may be different course labels or a wording error.

Ask Borneo Dream Travel Tours Sdn Bhd to confirm:

• The exact RAID qualification you will receive
• The number of required underwater sessions
• Which instructor is assigned to your group
• What happens if weather interrupts one of the three days
• Whether the course can accommodate your dietary needs
• What personal items and clothing you should bring

You must provide your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, shoe size, and any special dietary requirements. Have these details ready after booking.

The meeting point is Suria Seafront16, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The activity ends back at the meeting point. It is near public transportation, which makes the start easier to reach from central Kota Kinabalu.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The local cut-off time applies.

Is RAID Open Water 20 in Kota Kinabalu worth it?

I would book this course if you want a serious three-day introduction to scuba and value supportive instruction more than luxury meals or a flexible schedule. The marine park setting, included equipment, park fees, boat transfers, and small-group limit make the $375 price reasonable for a full certification course.

I would pause before booking if you are only looking for a one-day taste of scuba, since this requires online study and three days on the water. I would also confirm the Open Water 20 versus Open Water 30 wording before payment.

For a nervous beginner, the names Basir, Amir, Alex, Didi, and Yadi are reassuring because the teaching emphasis is patient, structured, and safety-minded. If you arrive prepared, disclose health or dietary concerns early, and keep three days free, this looks like a practical way to begin exploring Kota Kinabalu below the surface.

FAQ

How long is the RAID Open Water course?

The course takes approximately three days. You depart and return to DBKK Jetty each day.

Where does the course take place?

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

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Full scuba equipment is included in the price.

Are park fees and permits included?

Yes. Dive permits and marine park fees are included.

Are meals provided?

Yes. Three lunches and drinking water are included.

What age do you need to be?

The course is open from age 10, provided the participant is fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.