Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu’s best introduction to scuba is a day in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where you learn basic skills close to shore before heading out by boat for a second underwater session. The small 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio is the big comfort here, especially if this is your first time breathing underwater.

I like the easy meeting point at Jesselton Point and the fact that the $110 price includes equipment, lunch, drinking water, permits, and boat transport. The main consideration is that this is a six-hour group activity, with a 9:00am start and a moderate fitness requirement. Bad weather or too few bookings can also lead to a change of date or a refund.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater sessions: Learn in shallow water first, then take a boat to a proper reef setting with your instructor.
• A maximum 4:1 ratio: You get more direct help than on a large beginner group outing.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Park fees and permits are included, so the price is easier to judge.
• Jesselton Point meeting point: Start and finish at DBKK Jetty, a simple base for a day on the water.
• Lunch is included: The midday meal and drinking water are covered during the six-hour program.
• Beginner-friendly support: The experience suits first-timers, and instructor Alex has been praised for helping nervous participants feel safe.

Starting at Jesselton Point at 9:00am

Your day begins at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, beside Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in central Kota Kinabalu. The meeting point is practical rather than scenic, but that is useful: you can reach it by local transport and avoid a long transfer before the boat ride.

Allow time to find the exact meeting spot and arrive ready for the morning briefing. The experience ends back at the same meeting point at about 4:00pm, giving you a clear six-hour outline for the day.

Your RAID instructor starts with a verbal introduction and safety briefing. This is where you learn how the day works, how the equipment is used, and what to expect under the surface. For a first scuba experience, this opening matters more than a long classroom lecture. You need clear instructions, time to ask questions, and an instructor who can watch how you respond.

The group can include up to 12 people, but the working ratio is limited to four students for each instructor. That distinction is important. You may share the boat and general schedule with a larger group, while your actual instruction remains in a smaller unit.

Learning the basics in shallow water

After the briefing, you kit up and practise basic skills in shallow water. This first session is designed to help you get used to the breathing equipment and the feeling of moving underwater before you visit the reef.

I like this structure because it gives you a chance to settle down gradually. Beginners often need a few minutes to adjust to the mask, regulator, buoyancy, and unfamiliar sounds. Starting in shallow water gives the instructor a better chance to see what you need help with, and it gives you a chance to decide how comfortable you feel before the next stage.

The course is not presented as a full certification program. It is a try-out experience, so you should think of it as an introduction rather than a substitute for a longer training course. You will practise the skills required for the day and then take part in a guided reef session.

The instructor remains with you throughout. That is especially useful if you are nervous or have never used scuba equipment before. Alex is one instructor named in the available feedback, and the personal help he provided was singled out by a first-time participant who felt safe underwater. You cannot assume Alex will lead every departure, but the low ratio is built into the experience.

Seeing the reef after your first practice

Once the shallow-water skills are complete, you move on to a reef scuba session. The exact marine life can vary, and no responsible operator can promise particular animals, but the setting gives you a chance to see what lives in the waters around Kota Kinabalu.

This is the point where the practice starts to make sense. You are no longer simply learning how to handle equipment. You are using those skills to observe the reef while staying with your instructor.

The small group is valuable here. An instructor looking after four students has a better chance of noticing when someone is struggling with buoyancy, equipment, or nerves. You also have a better opportunity to ask for help without stopping a large group.

The setting is not a private expedition. You are taking part in a scheduled group day, and the number of people on the boat can reach 12. Still, the instructor ratio keeps the underwater part more personal than many low-cost beginner programs.

If you have never tried scuba before, do not measure success by how far you go or how much marine life you see. The useful goal is to become comfortable, follow instructions, and enjoy a controlled first look below the surface.

Lunch, water, and a second boat session

Lunch is provided after the first reef session, along with drinking water. This is a small but meaningful part of the value. A boat-based activity can make it awkward to arrange your own midday food, and you do not need to leave the group to search for a meal.

The supplied details do not specify the menu, so plan around the fact that lunch is included rather than expecting a particular dish. If you have dietary needs, check them before booking because no special meal arrangements are stated.

After lunch, you board one of the operator’s boats for a proper boat-based underwater session with your instructor. The boats are described as 33-foot by 9-foot trimarans. That gives you a stable platform for the trip and room for the day’s equipment, though the experience remains an active marine outing rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

The second session is a useful progression. You begin with instruction and a reef visit, then practise again from the boat. By this stage, you have had time to understand the basic routine, though you should still expect to rely closely on the instructor.

A participant who had only scuba experience twice before found the crew relaxed and patient, even when the skills did not come easily. That is a good sign for anyone worried about being slow to learn. You are not expected to perform like an experienced scuba user.

The same participant saw five large sea turtles. That is an appealing possibility, but it is not a guarantee, and wildlife sightings depend on conditions and location. Book this for the chance to explore the marine park, not for a promised animal encounter.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, the price is easier to justify because so many core costs are included. You receive full diving equipment, lunch, drinking water, park and permit fees, professional insured staff, boat transfers, and return collection from DBKK Jetty.

The instructor ratio is also part of the value. A cheaper activity with a large student group may leave you with less individual attention, while this program limits the ratio to 4:1. For a first scuba experience, that can matter more than a small difference in headline price.

You are also paying for the structure of the day. The operator handles the equipment, permits, boat movement, instruction, and return to Kota Kinabalu. That lets you focus on learning rather than arranging each piece separately.

The price does not include travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. It also does not cover anything not specifically listed. If you need transport beyond the stated return collection from DBKK Jetty, check that before booking.

Group discounts are available, which may make this a better choice for friends or families booking together. The maximum activity size is 12 people, but the smaller instructor groups remain the more important figure when you assess how personal the teaching will be.

Who will enjoy this Kota Kinabalu outing

I would recommend this experience to a first-time scuba participant who wants more than a quick resort-pool demonstration. You get instruction, a reef session, lunch, and a second boat-based session in one organized day.

It also suits someone who values support over speed. The 4:1 ratio means you are not simply following a large line underwater. You have a better chance of getting direct help if you need to adjust your equipment or regain confidence.

The outing can work well for a small group of friends. Group discounts may reduce the cost, and the six-hour schedule leaves the rest of the evening free. The return at about 4:00pm also makes it easier to plan dinner or a relaxed evening in Kota Kinabalu.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boat travel, have very limited fitness, or want a completely private experience. The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and the day involves equipment, shallow-water practice, a reef session, lunch, and another boat trip.

It is also not the best choice if you want a guaranteed encounter with turtles or other wildlife. The sea decides what appears. The five-turtle sighting described by one participant is encouraging, but it should remain a pleasant possibility rather than the reason you book.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. You should avoid building a tightly packed travel schedule around this activity until your place is confirmed.

The operator requires suitable weather. If conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the activity is canceled.

Free cancellation is available 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, so keep the local time in mind if you are booking from another country.

You should arrive prepared for a full morning and afternoon on the water. Wear practical swim clothing and bring only what you need, since the essential scuba equipment is supplied. The operator also provides drinking water, but the supplied details do not state whether towels, personal toiletries, or specialty equipment are included.

The activity is near public transportation, and both the start and finish are at the DBKK Jetty meeting point. That simple arrangement is one of its best practical features. You do not need to coordinate separate departure and return locations.

How this compares with a quick introductory session

A short introductory scuba session can be appealing if you have very little time. This six-hour program asks more of you, but it also gives you more time to learn, settle in, and experience the marine park from a boat.

I prefer the longer format for a first attempt because the shallow-water skills come before the reef session. You are not pushed straight into the main activity without preparation. The second session after lunch also gives the day a clear sense of progress.

The tradeoff is time. Six hours is a substantial part of your Kota Kinabalu schedule, and you need enough energy for the full program. If your main goal is a quick taste of scuba with minimal commitment, this may feel longer than necessary.

For someone genuinely curious about scuba, though, the format is sensible. The program lets you test your comfort level in stages, with an instructor close by and the main costs already covered.

Should you book the RAID Try Dive?

Book this Kota Kinabalu scuba experience if you want a guided first step with a low instructor ratio, a reef session, and a second boat-based outing in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The included equipment, lunch, permits, water, and transfers make $110 a fair price for a full six-hour program.

I would choose it over a larger beginner group if personal help is important to you. The patient tone described by participants, including the positive experience with Alex, is especially useful if you are nervous about learning underwater skills.

Think twice if you need a private boat, have limited time, or are booking mainly to see a particular animal. For everyone else, this is a well-organized way to find out whether scuba suits you, without committing to a full certification course.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, near Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 9:00am.

When does the activity finish?

You return to DBKK Jetty at about 4:00pm on the same day.

How large is the group?

The maximum total group size is 12 people, with a maximum ratio of four students to one instructor.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinking water are included.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Full scuba equipment is provided for the activity.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.