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

Kota Kinabalu makes a fine classroom for learning scuba skills. This three-day RAID Open Water course takes you by boat from the DBKK Jetty to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where classroom lessons become real underwater practice among Sabah’s marine life. The course is designed for beginners, not for people who already know their way around a tank.

I like two things right away: small groups capped at 12 and instructors who appear to take patience seriously. Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi are named in the course feedback, with particular praise for clear teaching, calm support, and help with buoyancy. I also like that equipment, permits, park fees, lunches, water, and boat transfers are bundled into the $375 price.

The main consideration is time and effort. You need three full days, online study before arrival, reasonable fitness, and the ability to swim. Also, the supplied details use both RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Open Water 30, so confirm the exact certification level before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three days on the water: You return to the DBKK Jetty each day rather than staying overnight on an island.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Your practical training takes place in Kota Kinabalu’s nearby marine park, with underwater wildlife as part of the setting.
• Instructors with a patient teaching style: Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi are among the named instructors and crew connected with the course.
• Two 33-by-9-foot trimaran boats: The operator uses roomy boats for the transfers to and from the park.
• Most major course costs are included: Equipment, permits, park fees, three lunches, drinking water, materials, and transfers are covered.
• Good preparation matters: Complete the online pre-study and send your personal details, measurements, shoe size, and dietary needs before the course begins.

Learning scuba in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The heart of the course is Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a short boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. Rather than learning in an isolated pool and saving the sea for another trip, you practice in the local marine park from the start of the three-day program.

That setting gives the course a clear advantage. You are not only memorizing equipment names and safety procedures. You are learning how your body, mask, regulator, and buoyancy work in open water. The marine park also gives you a reason to stay focused when lessons become technical: there is living marine life around you to discover.

I would keep expectations sensible. This is a beginner certification course, not a wildlife safari with a guaranteed list of animals. The information promises a marine park full of underwater life, but exact sightings depend on conditions and location. Your main job is to learn safely and meet the course requirements.

The course is suitable from age 10, provided the participant is fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The operator asks you to get in touch if you need clarification about fitness or swimming ability, which is the right approach for an activity involving open water and scuba equipment.

Three days from the DBKK Jetty

Each day starts at 9:00 am at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in central Kota Kinabalu. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. You should treat this as a full morning-to-afternoon commitment, even though an exact daily finish time is not supplied.

The boat transfers are part of the experience, not just a way to reach the lesson site. Borneo Dream uses two trimaran boats, each listed as 33 feet long and 9 feet wide. That gives you a practical base for reaching the park with your equipment and group, although you should still expect a boat day rather than a land-based course.

The three-day format allows your training to build in stages. You complete online pre-study before arrival, then use the time on site for instruction and practical work. This matters for a first certification because you are not trying to absorb all the theory while also handling unfamiliar gear in the water.

The small-group limit is another useful detail. A maximum of 12 people is not a private lesson, but it is more manageable than a large boat packed with beginners. Your experience will still depend on the final group size and instructor allocation, so ask about that if personal attention is a high priority.

What the RAID course involves

The course is presented as a RAID Open Water 20 course in the title and in the supplied customer comments, while the overview also refers to RAID Open Water 30. That mismatch deserves attention. Certification names and required training can differ, so I would ask Borneo Dream to confirm exactly which RAID qualification the $375 covers.

The included RAID materials should help you prepare for the course structure. You will need to complete online study before the start date, so do not leave that task until the night before. A beginner benefits from arriving with the basic terms and procedures already familiar.

The instructors are a major part of the experience. Yadi is described as patient and clear, and Basir receives repeated praise for being professional, encouraging, funny, and firm when needed. Amir is noted for helping a nervous beginner settle down, while Alex and Didi are also associated with patient instruction and attention to safety.

One useful detail concerns buoyancy. A participant’s son needed extra help with buoyancy control, and Didi reportedly gave him additional time to improve. That is exactly the sort of support I would want from a beginner instructor. Buoyancy is not just a style point. It affects comfort, control, air use, and how gently you move around the marine environment.

The strongest pattern in the course feedback is not a particular fish sighting or meal. It is the teaching. You should expect an instructor who explains the requirements, checks your comfort, and asks you to repeat skills until they are properly understood. That may feel slower than a rushed course, but it is the better trade for a first qualification.

Lunch, water, and the practical boat day

The price includes three lunches and drinking water. That is helpful because your days take place on boats and at marine park sites, where stopping to find food would be inconvenient.

I would not book this expecting a food-focused outing. One direct comment describes the lunch as ordinary rather than special. That is a fair expectation: the meal is included to keep you fed during training, not to provide a culinary highlight.

You are asked to provide any special dietary requirements before the course. Do this early and clearly. The operator also requests your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, and shoe size. These details are practical for certification records and equipment preparation, but they also mean you should have the requested information ready after booking.

Full diving equipment is included. For a beginner, that removes the hassle and cost of sourcing a complete set of gear in Kota Kinabalu. You should still make sure the equipment fits properly when it is issued, and speak up if anything feels wrong. Comfort matters when you are learning several new tasks at once.

Is $375 a fair price?

At $375 per person, this is not a casual half-day introduction. It is a three-day certification course with online preparation and practical training in a marine park.

I see solid value in the package. The fee includes full equipment, RAID materials, park fees, dive permits, boat transfers, three lunches, and drinking water. You are also paying for instructor time across three days, not just for transport and a short underwater session.

The price makes more sense if you want an actual entry-level qualification rather than a one-off experience. A short introductory session may cost less, but it will not offer the same amount of structured instruction or the same certification goal. On the other hand, if you only want to see marine life once and have no interest in learning the sport, this course may be more commitment than you need.

Group discounts are available, which could improve the value if you are booking with family or friends. Ask how the discount applies before booking, since the supplied details do not state the group size or reduced rate.

The bundled price also makes planning easier. You do not have to add separate marine park fees, equipment rental, meals, or boat transport to the advertised cost. Travel insurance is not included, however, and the operator specifically excludes anything not listed.

Who will get the most from this course?

I would recommend this course to a beginner who wants a proper start, has three days available, and feels ready for open-water training. It suits someone who values patient instruction more than a fast, casual introduction.

It also looks useful for families with older children, provided the child is at least 10, can swim, meets the fitness requirements, and is accompanied by an adult if under 18. The group format may work well for friends who want to learn together, especially with the possibility of a group discount.

You should think carefully if you are uncomfortable in open water, unable to swim, or unsure about your fitness. The operator asks people in that position to make contact for clarification, and you should take that invitation seriously rather than treating it as a formality.

This is also not ideal for someone who wants a luxury boat day. The boats are practical trimarans, the lunch is functional, and the focus is training. You will spend your energy learning skills, managing equipment, and meeting course standards.

What makes the instructors important

A beginner course can feel intimidating. You are asked to trust unfamiliar equipment, control your breathing, pay attention to instructions, and stay calm in an open-water setting. A good instructor changes that experience completely.

The named instructors give you useful points of reference. Yadi is associated with patient explanations. Basir is praised for combining professionalism with humor, while also being firm about course requirements. Amir helped one nervous beginner relax, and Alex and Didi are connected with clear teaching, safety, and confidence-building.

I would not assume you can request a specific instructor unless Borneo Dream confirms it. Staffing may depend on the date and group. Still, knowing the names helps you ask sensible questions when you confirm your booking.

The most encouraging detail is the willingness to spend extra time on buoyancy. Beginners often need repetition, not pressure. If you are anxious or slow to master a skill, tell your instructor early. The course appears best suited to an open conversation about comfort and competence.

Getting ready before you arrive

The online pre-study is the first step, and it should be finished before the course begins. Set aside quiet time for it. You will get more from the boat-based sessions if the basic theory is already fresh in your mind.

Bring the information requested by the operator and report dietary needs in advance. Confirm the exact RAID course level because the description contains both Open Water 20 and Open Water 30 wording.

Your meeting point is Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The activity starts at 9:00 am and returns there each day. The location is near public transport, which is useful if you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu.

The course requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book this Kota Kinabalu course?

I would book it if you want a structured first scuba qualification and like the idea of learning in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park rather than in a classroom alone. The combination of three days, included equipment and permits, boat transfers, and a maximum group size of 12 gives the price a sensible foundation.

The strongest reason to choose it is the teaching approach associated with Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi. Patient instruction matters more than flashy promises when you are learning to control your body underwater.

Before booking, confirm the RAID Open Water 20 or 30 qualification, ask about the instructor assigned to your date, and make sure you can commit to all three days. If you want gourmet lunches, a private boat, or a quick sightseeing trip, choose something else. If you want a serious beginner course with marine park training and a practical package, this is a good fit.

FAQ

How long is the RAID Open Water course in Kota Kinabalu?

The course lasts approximately three days. You travel by boat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park each day and return to the DBKK Jetty meeting point.

What time and where does the course begin?

The start time is 9:00 am. The meeting point is Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

What is included in the $375 price?

The price includes full diving equipment, dive permits, park fees, three lunches, drinking water, RAID materials, and boat transfers. Items not specifically listed are not included.

Is online study required before the course?

Yes. You must complete online pre-study before the course starts.

Who can take this course?

The course is open to people aged 10 and up who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You can contact the operator for clarification about fitness or swimming requirements.

How many people can join the course?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.