TRY SCUBA (non diver)

The best part of this Semporna outing is that you can try scuba without signing up for a full certification course. You learn basic skills, breathe underwater, and make two guided descents at Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island, with a qualified instructor close by.

I like the small group limit of 10 and the fact that equipment, food, drinks, and underwater photography are included. The complimentary snorkeling session adds value, especially if you want more time in the water. The main consideration is timing: you need moderate fitness, and you must leave at least 18 hours between the activity and your flight.

I also like that this is a proper introduction rather than a quick splash in shallow water. Instructor Basir has been specifically praised for a calm, professional manner, which matters when your first moments underwater feel strange. Just remember that a prescription mask is not included, and you may need to arrange your own.

Key points to know before booking

• Two beginner scuba sessions: Learn basic skills and spend a total of about 45 to 60 minutes underwater.
• Two island stops: The program visits Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island, giving you more than one setting during the day.
• Small-group format: A maximum of 10 people keeps the outing more personal than a large boat trip.
• Snorkeling after the scuba session: You can continue enjoying the water without needing more formal instruction.
• Good value at $122.25: Equipment, meals, drinks, taxes, and underwater photography are included.
• Plan around your flight: Do not schedule a flight until at least 18 hours after the activity.

What this Semporna beginner program actually offers

This is a one-day introduction for people who want to try scuba but are not ready for an Open Water certification course. You do not need prior experience, and the session is led by a licensed and qualified instructor.

That distinction matters. You are not expected to arrive knowing how to assemble equipment, control your breathing, or manage yourself underwater. The program is designed to teach the basic skills first, then let you use them in the sea under supervision.

The full outing lasts about six and a half hours. It begins at 8:30 am at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty on Jalan Bangau Bangau and ends back at the same meeting point. The day includes two underwater sessions, listed as lasting about 45 to 60 minutes in total, followed by a complimentary snorkeling opportunity.

The group limit is 10 people. That is still large enough for a social boat trip, but small enough to avoid the feeling of being processed through an activity in a crowd. One account of the operation described a ratio of one instructor for no more than four adults, though you should treat the exact ratio as dependent on the day’s group and staffing.

Learning to breathe underwater without a certification course

Your first challenge is not the fish or the scenery. It is getting comfortable with the equipment and the unfamiliar feeling of breathing through a regulator.

The basic instruction is meant to prepare you for that moment. You will learn essential scuba skills before entering the water, then work with the instructor as you put them into practice. For a first attempt, calm guidance is more valuable than a long lecture, and Basir is specifically named as an instructor with a relaxed and professional manner.

That calm approach can make a real difference. A first underwater session may feel nerve-racking even for someone who swims well. The equipment changes how you breathe, and the need to listen, move slowly, and stay aware of the instructor takes some getting used to.

You should not book this expecting the independence of a certified diver. The point is to experience scuba under instruction, not to replace a certification course. You will learn enough to understand what the activity feels like and decide if you want to take formal training later.

The program describes the experience as suitable for someone with no prior experience. You still need a moderate level of physical fitness. This is not a passive sightseeing cruise, since you will handle equipment, enter the water, and spend time swimming.

Pulau Mabul: your first island setting

Pulau Mabul is one of the two listed stops. The itinerary does not provide a detailed schedule for how long you spend at each island, so you should think of Mabul as one part of a compact, water-focused day rather than a separate island tour.

For a beginner, visiting two locations is useful because the day feels less repetitive. You get a change of setting between the two underwater sessions, even if the main purpose remains learning and practice.

The program does not promise particular marine animals at Mabul. That is worth keeping in mind. One first-time participant did see sea turtles during the activity, but wildlife sightings are never a guaranteed part of a beginner program. You should book for the chance to see marine life, not for a fixed list of creatures.

The important feature at Mabul is the chance to use your new skills in the sea. After the initial instruction, you can focus less on the novelty of the equipment and more on staying relaxed, following the instructor, and looking around.

If you are nervous, tell the instructor early. The supplied information makes clear that qualified supervision is central to the program, and a calm start is likely to make the rest of the day much easier.

Mataking Island: a second chance to settle in

Mataking Island is the second listed stop. This is especially valuable for first-timers because your first underwater session may be spent thinking about breathing, buoyancy, and the equipment rather than enjoying the surroundings.

By the time you reach the second session, you may feel more at ease with the basic routine. You have already had a chance to understand the instructor’s signals and get a sense of how your body responds underwater. That does not make you an experienced scuba participant, but it can make the second session more enjoyable.

The two-stop format also adds variety to a short day. You are not being asked to commit to a multi-day course before knowing if scuba suits you. Instead, you get two supervised opportunities and can make a better decision about future training.

Again, the program does not state specific marine life or underwater features at Mataking. Do not expect a guaranteed turtle encounter, named reef, or particular photographic moment. The reliable promise is the structure: instruction, two guided sessions, and time to snorkel afterward.

Snorkeling gives you more time in the water

The complimentary snorkeling session is one of the nicest practical touches. After the scuba portion, you can continue enjoying the water without the same equipment or formal skill demands.

This matters for two reasons. First, you may finish your second session wanting more time in the sea. Second, snorkeling gives you a less intense way to look around if scuba feels tiring or overwhelming.

It also helps make the price feel more reasonable. You are not paying for two short underwater sessions and then returning immediately to Semporna. The snorkeling adds another water activity to the day, although the supplied details do not specify its exact duration.

If you are traveling with someone who is uncertain about scuba, this part may help. The program itself is for people trying scuba, but snorkeling offers a simpler way to enjoy the marine setting after the main activity.

What the $122.25 price includes

At $122.25 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Semporna. But the price includes several items that can add up quickly if booked separately.

Included are scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, food and drinks, and underwater photography. The equipment is particularly important for a first-timer, since you do not need to arrange a regulator, tank, or other standard gear yourself.

Underwater photography is another useful inclusion. First-time participants often have enough to think about without trying to manage a camera. Having photographs included means you can focus on the instruction and the experience rather than worrying about capturing every moment yourself.

Food and drinks also make the half-day schedule easier. You are out from 8:30 am until roughly mid-afternoon, so this is more than a short activity between other plans.

The price does not include a prescription mask. If you need corrective lenses to see clearly, check this point before booking. A standard mask may not meet your needs, and the operator does not include a prescription option in the listed price.

The strongest value comes if you want a complete first taste of scuba. If you only want a boat ride and a little snorkeling, a simpler excursion may cost less. If you want instruction, equipment, two supervised sessions, food, and photos, the package is easier to justify.

Group size, instruction, and comfort

A maximum of 10 participants is a real advantage here. Beginners often need more reassurance and clearer attention than experienced scuba participants, so a small group can make the teaching feel less rushed.

The exact number of people in your instructor group is not guaranteed. Still, the operation’s small-group structure is more encouraging than a large tour where you might spend much of the day waiting for turns.

Basir is the named instructor associated with one especially positive account of the experience. His calm attitude and professional approach are the kind of qualities you want when you are trying to stay relaxed underwater. Instructor assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that he will definitely lead your session.

The activity has received a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 21 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. Those numbers point to a strong record, especially for a first-time activity, but they do not remove the normal uncertainties of weather, sea conditions, group dynamics, or wildlife sightings.

Timing, fitness, and the flight rule

You meet at Semporna Jetty at 8:30 am. The tour returns to the same meeting point, which makes planning your Semporna day fairly simple.

The total duration is approximately six hours and 30 minutes. Do not schedule another major activity immediately afterward. Boat timing, equipment handling, meals, and the two water sessions all need room in the schedule.

You should have moderate physical fitness. The supplied information does not give a specific swimming requirement, so you should ask the provider directly if you have concerns about swimming ability, medical conditions, or water confidence.

The most important planning rule concerns air travel. The operator practices no scuba activity within 18 hours before flying, and you should book your flight after 10 am. In practical terms, do this early in your trip rather than on the final day before departure.

This rule is easy to overlook. Even if the outing ends around mid-afternoon, you should not assume that an evening or early next-morning flight is suitable. Leave a full buffer and protect the day after the activity.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is normally received at booking. If you book within two days of the activity, confirmation may take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

The activity is near public transportation, and the meeting point is clear: Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, Jalan Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia. The tour ends at that same jetty.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Because confirmation can take longer for last-minute bookings, I would not leave this until the day before unless your schedule is flexible.

Who should book this activity?

I would recommend it to you if you have always wanted to try scuba but do not yet know if certification is worth the time and cost. The two guided sessions give you a fair test without committing to a full course.

It also suits you if you want a small-group outing with practical inclusions. Equipment, food, drinks, underwater photography, and snorkeling are all covered, so the day is easier to organize.

This is less suitable if you need a prescription mask, have limited physical fitness, or want complete freedom to explore underwater without an instructor. It is also a poor match for a tight departure schedule because of the 18-hour no-flying rule.

You should also keep expectations sensible. You might see sea turtles or other marine life, but the program does not guarantee specific sightings. Its main strength is the guided introduction, not a promised wildlife checklist.

Should you book the Semporna Try Scuba program?

Book it if you want a careful first step into scuba and value a complete package. The small group, qualified instruction, two island stops, snorkeling, meals, equipment, and photos give you plenty for a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

I especially like the second session. If the first attempt feels awkward, you get another chance to settle down and enjoy the underwater setting. That makes this more useful than a one-time introductory splash.

Skip it if you need a corrective mask, dislike structured instruction, or cannot leave 18 hours before your flight. For everyone else, the $122.25 cost is fair for a supervised first experience in the Semporna area, provided you book early enough and arrive ready for a physical day on the water.

FAQ

Is prior scuba experience required?

No. The program is designed for people with no prior experience and teaches basic scuba skills before the underwater sessions.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided sessions are included. The total underwater time is listed as approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Where does the activity go?

The itinerary includes Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. A complimentary snorkeling experience is provided after the scuba portion.

What is included in the price?

Scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, food, drinks, and underwater photography are included.

Is a prescription mask included?

No. A prescription mask is not included.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty, Jalan Bangau Bangau, Pekan Semporna, 91308 Semporna, Malaysia.

What time does the activity start and end?

The activity starts at 8:30 am, lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes, and ends back at the meeting point.

How long should I wait before flying?

You should not fly within 18 hours after the scuba activity. The provided guidance says to book your flight after 10 am.