RAID Try-Dive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Kota Kinabalu makes a fine place to try scuba for the first time. The RAID Try-Dive experience takes you by boat into Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park, where sheltered bays and coral reefs provide a gentle introduction to the underwater world. You may see clown fish, unusual corals, and, with luck, a turtle.

I like the small-group instruction, which gives you a better chance to ask questions and settle your nerves. I also like the sensible shape of the day: a shallow first session, lunch on an island, then a second reef session reaching about 40 feet, or 12 meters. The main consideration is cost. The $112 price does not include the Sabah Parks permit, which adds RM125 for non-Malaysians or RM58 for Malaysians.

Key points at a glance

• Two guided underwater sessions: Start in a protected bay, then reach a maximum of about 12 meters on the second session.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park: Five islands and sheltered tropical waters sit a short boat ride from central Kota Kinabalu.
• Lunch on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi: The midday break gives you time to dry off, eat, and relax on land.
• Small groups and multilingual instruction: Qualified instructors teach in English, Chinese, or Malay.
• Useful first-timer support: Gear, towels, refreshments, boat transfers, conservation fees, and jetty fees are included.
• Plan around your flight: You need at least 18 hours between scuba and boarding an airplane.

A gentle first step into Sabah’s underwater world

This is not a full certification course. It is an introductory scuba experience for people who want to find out how they feel underwater before committing to formal training.

You will learn basic safety and equipment use, complete a confined-water skills session, and then head out with an instructor. The first underwater session stays shallow and protected. That matters. New scuba participants often need a few minutes to get used to breathing through a regulator, clearing their ears, and moving calmly with fins.

The second session is more like the picture many people have in mind when they imagine scuba around Borneo. You follow a coral reef with your instructor and may encounter tropical fish, clown fish, and a wide mix of coral species. The maximum depth is about 12 meters, so this remains a beginner-level outing rather than an advanced excursion.

The experience is described using both RAID and PADI Discover Scuba Diving language. In practical terms, you are booking a one-day introduction, not a qualification that lets you scuba independently elsewhere. If you enjoy it, you can ask the operator about the next step toward certification.

Meeting the boat at DBKK Jetty

Your morning begins at DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu. The meeting time is 8:45 a.m., with departure planned for around 9 a.m. Look for the Borneo Dream crew wearing Borneo Dream shirts, near the DBKK Jetty poster with the Grab pickup and drop-off sign.

This is a useful meeting point if you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu. It is close enough for a short walk from many hotels, or a quick taxi ride. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow a little extra time if you are unfamiliar with the jetty area.

The boat ride takes you from the city waterfront toward Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. This transfer is part of the pleasure of the day. You leave the urban shoreline behind and head into open South China Sea water, with the islands providing the setting for the rest of the experience.

You receive refreshments such as water, biscuits, and sweets. A towel is also included, which is a small but helpful touch after two sessions in the water. You should still arrive in swimwear with any personal sun protection you need.

The first session: learning in a sheltered bay

After reaching the park, you complete forms and attend a short education session with your instructor. This covers the basics required for a first scuba experience and is followed by confined-water skills practice.

The first session takes place in a shallow, protected bay near one of the park islands. This is the right order for a beginner. You can focus on breathing, buoyancy, hand signals, and equipment without immediately dealing with a deeper reef setting.

Expect the instructor to stay close and guide you through the process. The small-group format is especially useful here. You are not simply handed equipment and sent into the water. You receive instruction before entering, then have time to become comfortable once you are wet.

One participant, Yuka, had a particularly thoughtful experience with the guide using a small writing plate underwater to identify fish and point out unusual creatures. That kind of simple communication can make a difference. New scuba participants cannot chat normally underwater, so clear hand signals and visual explanations help you understand what you are seeing.

The first session is also your best chance to decide how comfortable you feel. You need to be at ease in the water and have basic swimming ability. People with respiratory issues should not book this activity, and everyone must complete the required health and safety forms.

Lunch on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi

Around midday, you return to land for lunch. The break lasts roughly 90 minutes and takes place on either Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi.

This pause is more than a meal stop. It gives your body time to rest between sessions and gives you a chance to dry off, sit down, and enjoy the island setting. You are not spending seven straight hours in the water, which makes the day easier for first-timers and families.

The lunch location can vary between the two islands, so do not book this expecting one specific beach. The supplied meal is included, along with conservation and jetty fees, but the Sabah Parks scuba permit is separate. For non-Malaysians, that permit costs RM125. Malaysian participants pay RM58.

Bring realistic expectations about an island lunch. The main value is the break and the setting, not a long restaurant meal. If you have dietary needs, check them before booking because no special meal information is provided.

The second session reaches the coral reef

After lunch, your instructor gives another briefing and helps you prepare for the second session. This one follows a coral reef and reaches a maximum of about 12 meters.

The reef setting gives you more to look at than the shallow skills area. Sabah sits within the Coral Triangle, a major zone of marine biodiversity, so the water around the park can offer a striking range of tropical life. You may see different corals, small reef fish, and the familiar orange-and-white clown fish.

A turtle is never promised, but it is possible. One participant saw a turtle twice during the underwater sessions. That is a lucky encounter, not something to count on, so treat it as a bonus rather than the measure of a successful day.

The instructor remains with you, pointing out marine life and helping you manage the basics. For a first experience, the quality of that guidance matters more than the exact number of fish you see. A calm instructor can help you relax, conserve air, and pay attention to the reef instead of worrying about every piece of equipment.

The maximum depth also helps keep the experience approachable. You are not being taken far below the surface, and the reef portion is designed for beginners. Conditions in the sea can still vary, however. Clear tropical water does not guarantee perfect visibility every day, and marine sightings are naturally unpredictable.

What the small-group format means for you

The small-group approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. First-time scuba participants often need individual help with masks, fins, breathing, and equalizing pressure in their ears. A smaller group makes it easier for the instructor to notice when you need assistance.

It also works well for families. A family of four, with ages ranging from 16 to 52, completed the experience together and found the day suitable for the whole group. That does not mean every family will progress at exactly the same pace. It does mean the format can work for older teenagers and adults who meet the health and swimming requirements.

Private instruction is available for an additional charge if you want your own instructor. The standard format already includes instruction in small groups, so most beginners may find the regular arrangement sufficient. Private teaching makes more sense if someone in your party is especially nervous, wants a slower pace, or needs focused support.

Instruction is available in English, Chinese, and Malay. When booking for a mixed-language group, confirm that the selected language suits everyone who will be taking part.

Boats, equipment, and what the price covers

At $112 per person, the cost is not just for time in the water. You are paying for a full seven-hour outing with boat transport, equipment, an instructor, lunch, refreshments, a towel, conservation fees, and jetty fees.

That package offers reasonable value if you want a one-day introduction without arranging each part separately. You do not need to rent scuba gear on your own, find transport to an island, or organize a separate meal. The boat transfers also let you use the park as your base rather than dealing with several independent operators.

The price needs one important adjustment. The Sabah Parks scuba permit is not included. Add RM125 if you are not Malaysian, or RM58 if you are Malaysian. Travel insurance is also your responsibility, including cover for unforeseen circumstances or force majeure.

You may also pay extra for a private instructor. Hotel pickup is not included, though the central jetty is convenient for many people staying in Kota Kinabalu.

How the day feels from start to finish

The schedule is well paced:

• Around 8:45 a.m., meet the crew at DBKK Jetty.
• Around 9 a.m., depart by boat for the marine park.
• Around 10 a.m., complete forms and receive the basic scuba briefing.
• Around 10:30 a.m., practice skills and take part in the first session.
• From noon to 1:30 p.m., eat lunch and rest on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi.
• Around 1:30 p.m., prepare for the second reef session.
• Around 3 p.m., leave the islands.
• Around 3:30 p.m., return to DBKK Jetty.

This timing makes the activity easy to fit into a Kota Kinabalu visit, but do not put an airport transfer immediately afterward. Diving safety standards require at least 18 hours between scuba and flying. Build that gap into your schedule before booking.

The experience also depends on you being ready to spend much of the day outdoors. Bring suitable clothing, sun protection, and patience for the parts of the day that involve waiting, changing equipment, or moving between locations.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 10 or older who are comfortable in water, can swim at a basic level, and want a guided first look at scuba. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a structured day rather than arranging an island trip and equipment separately.

It is especially useful if you are unsure about scuba. The shallow first session lets you test the experience before the deeper reef session. You can discover whether you enjoy breathing underwater, managing the equipment, and moving through open water.

It is less suitable if you want advanced scuba, a certification course, or complete control over the day’s schedule. The maximum depth is limited, the locations are selected for beginners, and marine life sightings cannot be guaranteed.

People with respiratory issues should not take part. You must also be in generally good health, particularly regarding your respiratory and circulatory systems, and complete the required forms before starting.

Should you book the RAID Try-Dive in Kota Kinabalu?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to tropical scuba with two guided reef sessions, an island lunch, and close instructor support. The strong points are the sheltered first session, the small groups, the easy boat access from central Kota Kinabalu, and the chance to see Coral Triangle marine life without committing to a full course.

Before paying, add the Sabah Parks permit to your budget and leave at least 18 hours before any flight. If you meet the age, swimming, and health requirements, this is a practical way to find out whether scuba belongs in your future travel plans.

FAQ

How long does the RAID Try-Dive experience last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. The planned day runs from a morning meeting at DBKK Jetty to a return around 3:30 p.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu. Meet the Borneo Dream crew around 8:45 a.m. near the DBKK Jetty poster with the Grab pickup and drop-off sign.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided sessions are included. The first takes place in a shallow, protected bay, while the second follows a coral reef to a maximum of about 12 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided during a break on either Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi. Water, biscuits, and sweets are also included as refreshments.

What is not included in the $112 price?

Hotel pickup, a private instructor, travel insurance, and the Sabah Parks scuba permit are not included. The permit costs RM125 for non-Malaysians and RM58 for Malaysians.

What are the age and swimming requirements?

You must be at least 10 years old, comfortable in the water, and able to swim at a basic level. You must also be in suitable overall health and complete the required forms.

How long should I wait before flying?

You need at least 18 hours free after the scuba experience before flying on an airplane. Plan your Kota Kinabalu schedule around that safety requirement.