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

Kota Kinabalu is a fine place to learn scuba skills, with three days of training set among the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. You study online before arrival, then work through practical skills on the water with instructors such as Basir, Yadi, Didi, Alex, and Amir.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives the teaching a more personal feel, and I like that equipment, park fees, boat transport, lunch, and learning materials are already covered. The main consideration is that the course needs reasonable fitness, swimming ability, good weather, and three full days, so it is not a casual one-day taster.

Key points before you book

• Three full days on the water: The course runs from DBKK Jetty each day and returns there after training.
• Online study comes first: Complete the pre-course material before arrival so your boat time can focus on practical skills.
• Training in a marine park: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park provides the setting for learning and seeing local sea life.
• Patient, named instructors: Basir, Yadi, Didi, Alex, and Amir have each been praised for clear explanations, calm support, and careful instruction.
• Most major costs are included: Equipment, permits, park fees, boat transfers, three lunches, drinking water, and RAID materials are part of the price.
• Check the course title before payment: The information supplied refers to both RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Open Water 30, so confirm the exact certification level with Borneo Dream.

Learning scuba in Kota Kinabalu’s island park

The appeal here is simple: you are not spending three days in a classroom or a swimming pool far from the coast. Your training takes place from boats operating around Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, close to Kota Kinabalu.

That setting gives the course a useful sense of purpose. You learn the basic skills needed for safe underwater movement, then get to practise them in the same coastal environment that makes Sabah such a popular stop for sea-based activities. You may also see local marine life during the course, which adds something special to what could otherwise feel like a strictly technical qualification.

I like this combination of instruction and place. You are not only ticking off exercises. You are learning in a marine park, with the chance to notice fish and other underwater life as your confidence grows.

The course is aimed at people who are fit, healthy, able to swim, and at least 10 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. That age rule makes this suitable for families with older children, though every participant should be honest about fitness and comfort in the water.

What the three days are designed to do

This is a full beginner course, not a quick introduction. The supplied information describes the experience as a RAID Open Water 20 course, though the overview also uses the name RAID Open Water 30. That mismatch is worth clearing up before you book because the number may refer to a different course level or product label.

The online pre-study is completed before the course starts. This matters because it keeps the three days focused on practical learning rather than using valuable boat time for every piece of theory. You should arrange access to the material early and finish it before arriving in Kota Kinabalu.

The exact order of lessons and water exercises is not provided, so I would not expect a rigid public timetable. The sensible expectation is a structured progression under instructor supervision, with the team checking that you are comfortable and competent before moving ahead.

That steady approach is one of the strongest points of the experience. Basir is repeatedly described as patient, encouraging, and systematic. Yadi is praised for clear explanations and calm support. Didi is described as firm but patient, including giving extra help with buoyancy. Amir is noted for easing nerves with humour while still handling the training seriously.

Those details matter to a beginner. Scuba can feel awkward at first, especially when you are managing equipment, breathing, body position, and instructions at the same time. A good instructor does not simply demonstrate a skill once and move on. You need someone who notices when you are struggling and gives you time to correct it.

A closer look at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The sole listed stop is Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the group of islands off Kota Kinabalu. The course boats travel from DBKK Jetty, and the marine park provides the underwater setting for your training days.

The park is valuable here for two reasons. First, it gives you a real coastal environment in which to practise. Second, it brings marine life into the experience, so your attention is not limited to equipment checks and exercises.

Do not book this course expecting a sightseeing cruise with a little instruction added. Your main purpose is to learn scuba skills and work through the course requirements. The marine life is an important bonus, but your schedule will be shaped by training, weather, boat movement, and your pace as a student.

The boats are described as two 33-foot by 9-foot trimarans. That gives you a useful picture of the transport: a purpose-built boat trip rather than a road transfer to a mainland training site. Each day begins and ends at DBKK Jetty, so you do not need to arrange separate transport between different launch points.

The setting can also make the days feel long. You are committing to three days on boats, with an approximate start time of 9:00 am. If you like being outdoors and want your qualification tied to an actual marine setting, that is a strength. If you prefer short activities with plenty of free time, it may feel demanding.

The teaching team and what their styles mean

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the instructors. This is not just general praise for a friendly crew. Specific names come up with specific strengths.

Basir is repeatedly associated with patience, humour, professionalism, and careful explanations. One account describes his teaching as systematic, with clear objectives and milestones. That should appeal to anyone who wants to understand what they are doing rather than simply copy an instructor.

Yadi is praised for being patient and explaining things clearly. That kind of teaching is especially useful if you are nervous or have never used scuba equipment before.

Didi is described as both patient and firm. Extra attention to buoyancy is a useful detail because body control in the water often takes time. A patient instructor can help you improve without making the process feel rushed.

Alex is mentioned alongside Didi as a professional and supportive instructor. Amir is praised for helping a nervous beginner relax while maintaining proper guidance.

The individual instructor you receive will depend on scheduling and group arrangements, so you should not assume you can select a particular person. Still, the range of names and consistent praise suggest that Borneo Dream has a team used to working with first-time students.

The captain also matters on a boat-based course. Didi is praised in one account as a captain, while Didi is also described elsewhere in an instructor role. The supplied information does not explain the exact staff assignments, so treat the names as examples of the wider team rather than a guaranteed roster for your dates.

What is included for $375

At $375 per person, the price looks reasonable for a three-day course because several costly items are bundled together. You receive full scuba equipment, park permits and fees, three lunches, drinking water, boat transfers, and RAID course materials.

The equipment inclusion is important. Beginners rarely want to buy or rent individual items from several suppliers while also learning the basics. Having the main kit arranged by the operator reduces preparation and keeps the group using equipment selected for the course.

Park fees and permits can also catch people by surprise on island outings. Here they are included, so the advertised price gives you a clearer idea of the main cost.

Three lunches and drinking water are provided as well. One honest point from the feedback is that lunch may be simple rather than a highlight. I would treat it as practical fuel for a busy day, not as a food tour. If you have special dietary needs, provide those details before the course begins. The operator specifically asks for dietary information, along with your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, and shoe size.

Travel insurance is not included. The conditions also exclude anything not specifically listed, so you should budget for your own insurance and personal expenses.

The group limit is 12 people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to be more manageable than a large boat group. Your value depends partly on how many people are booked on your dates and how instructors divide the group.

Boat days, timing, and practical comfort

You meet at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens in central Kota Kinabalu. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The daily return to DBKK Jetty simplifies planning. You can stay in Kota Kinabalu and avoid moving between hotels or island accommodation. The meeting point is near public transport, which helps if you are not hiring a car.

Bring a calm attitude toward timing. Boat-based training can be affected by weather, sea conditions, and the needs of the group. The operator states that the experience requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You also need to be comfortable committing three days to the course. This is not the right choice if your holiday schedule allows only one spare morning. It suits you best if you can protect the full course period and allow some flexibility around weather.

The operator asks for your height, weight, and shoe size in advance. That is a useful sign that equipment planning is taken seriously. Give accurate information and mention any concerns before the course, rather than waiting until you are at the jetty.

Who will get the most from this course

This course is a good match for you if you are a first-time scuba student who wants proper instruction rather than a quick introductory session. It also suits families with participants aged 10 and over, provided anyone under 18 is accompanied by an adult.

You should be able to swim and have a moderate level of fitness. The course is not presented as suitable for every health condition, so contact the operator if you are unsure about your ability to take part.

The experience may also suit you if you are nervous about scuba. The repeated praise for calm, patient instruction is meaningful here. Basir, Yadi, Didi, Alex, and Amir are all associated with supportive teaching, and humour appears to be part of the way some instructors help students settle.

It is less suitable if you want a luxury boat outing, gourmet lunches, or a very private instructor. Lunch is functional, the group can reach 12 people, and the schedule is built around course requirements.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience has a free cancellation policy if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not refunded or accepted.

The activity can also be cancelled if it does not reach its minimum number of participants. In that case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Before paying, I would ask Borneo Dream to confirm three things: the exact RAID level, the likely instructor arrangement, and the expected schedule for the three days. The conflicting use of Open Water 20 and Open Water 30 is the one detail that needs clearing up.

You should also have your personal details ready. The operator requests passport number, nationality, birth date, height, weight, shoe size, full name, and dietary requirements before the course.

Should you book the RAID Open Water 20 course?

I would recommend this course if you want a serious three-day introduction to scuba in Kota Kinabalu, with the convenience of equipment, permits, meals, materials, and boat transport included.

The best reason to choose it is the teaching approach. Names such as Basir, Yadi, Didi, Alex, and Amir are linked with patience, clear instruction, humour, and careful attention to student confidence. That matters more than fancy extras when you are learning a new skill underwater.

The main cautions are equally clear. You need three days, reasonable fitness, swimming ability, suitable weather, and a willingness to complete online study first. Lunch is basic, and the course title should be confirmed because the supplied details use both Open Water 20 and Open Water 30.

If those points fit your plans, $375 buys a practical course in a marine park rather than a rushed tourist activity. Confirm the certification level, finish the online study, arrive prepared, and you should be set for a focused introduction to scuba around Kota Kinabalu.

FAQ

Where does the course take place?

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

Where is the meeting point?

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

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days, with boat trips running from and returning to DBKK Jetty each day.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Full diving equipment is included in the course 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 can take the course?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.