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

Learn underwater skills in Sabah. This three-day RAID Open Water 20 course takes you from online study to supervised sea training in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off Kota Kinabalu. I like the small groups, the patient instructors, and the fact that equipment, park fees, boat transport, lunches, and drinking water are included. The main consideration is that the course demands three full days, a reasonable level of fitness, and comfort in the water.

I also like the mix of formal instruction and real marine-park conditions. Instructors such as Basir, Amir, Yadi, Alex, and Didi receive repeated praise for patience, clear explanations, and a good sense of humor. The lunch is the weak spot, and one practical detail needs checking: some course information calls this Open Water 20, while another description uses Open Water 30.

Key points at a glance

• Three days on the water: You return to DBKK Jetty each day for training in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
• Online study comes first: Complete the theory work before arrival so your time in Kota Kinabalu can focus on practical skills.
• Small groups matter: The maximum group size is 12, giving instructors more room to watch your technique and comfort.
• Patient teaching is a major strength: Basir, Amir, Yadi, Alex, and Didi are praised for calm instruction, humor, and extra help with buoyancy.
• Most costs are included: Equipment, permits, park fees, three lunches, water, course materials, and boat transfers are covered.
• Check the course name: Confirm whether your booking is for RAID Open Water 20 or Open Water 30 before paying.

Starting at 9:00 am from Kota Kinabalu

Your meeting point is at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in central Kota Kinabalu. The course starts at 9:00 am and finishes back at the same meeting point each day.

That central location is useful if you are staying in town and want a simple start. It is also near public transportation. The boat transfer removes the need to arrange your own way to the marine park, which keeps the first morning fairly straightforward.

You should allow the whole day for each session. The course lasts about three days, and the boat returns to DBKK Jetty after each day rather than leaving you on an island overnight. That makes this a practical choice if you want to keep your accommodation in Kota Kinabalu.

Before the course, you need to provide your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, shoe size, and any special dietary needs. This is routine information for equipment fitting, registration, and meal planning, but send it promptly so the operator can prepare properly.

Preparing online before you arrive

The course includes online pre-study, completed before the practical sessions begin. This matters because three days sounds generous until you account for equipment checks, safety briefings, skill practice, and time underwater.

I would treat the online work as a real part of the course, not as optional reading to skim on the flight. The better you understand basic safety, equipment, and procedures beforehand, the more attention you can give to breathing calmly, controlling your position, and listening to your instructor once you are on the boat.

The course is open to people aged 10 and above who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The operator asks people who are unsure about their suitability to get in touch for clarification, which is sensible. If you have a medical concern, do not assume that a holiday course is automatically suitable.

What the three days are really for

This is not a quick introductory outing. It is a certification course, so the aim is to build the skills and confidence needed for independent recreational scuba activity within the limits of the RAID qualification.

The exact order of exercises is not supplied, so I would not promise a particular skills checklist or number of underwater sessions. What is clear is that the course combines structured teaching with practical work from boats in the marine park.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of instruction. Basir is repeatedly described as professional, encouraging, patient, and systematic. Amir helped a nervous beginner settle down with humor while still keeping the training serious. Yadi is praised for explaining clearly and giving students time to understand each step.

Didi receives particular credit for helping a young student improve buoyancy. That detail is useful because buoyancy is often where new scuba students need extra attention. Small adjustments in breathing and body position can make a major difference, and an instructor who is willing to spend extra time is valuable.

Alex is also praised for clear teaching and a strong focus on safety. You may not be assigned a particular instructor, so think of these names as examples of the teaching style you can expect from the team, not a guarantee that one specific person will lead your course.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park as your classroom

The practical sessions take place in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the protected marine area off Kota Kinabalu. The park gives the course a real underwater setting rather than a confined training pool.

That makes the experience more memorable, but it also adds natural conditions to the learning process. You are not practicing in a perfectly controlled indoor environment. Boat movement, visibility, current, and general sea conditions can affect how comfortable a beginner feels.

The marine park is known in this course for its underwater life, and the supplied information points to plenty of marine life to see during the training. The exact animals and sites are not guaranteed, so I would focus first on learning sound technique. Fish and coral are a bonus, but safe, calm progress is the main goal.

Each day’s boat trip uses one of two 33-foot by 9-foot trimarans. That is a useful detail for anyone who dislikes cramped transfers. The boats are designed for the short marine-park runs, and the maximum group size of 12 helps prevent the course from feeling like a mass lesson.

Still, this is a boat-based course, not a luxury cruise. You should expect a practical day around equipment, instruction, wet gear, and sea conditions. Bring a patient attitude and do not judge the course by whether lunch or the boat feels like a resort experience.

The teaching style can shape your confidence

Learning to use scuba equipment can feel technical at first. You must pay attention to instructions, stay aware of your breathing, and respond calmly when something feels unfamiliar.

That is why the instructor matters so much. The strongest comments about this course focus on patience, professionalism, humor, and encouragement rather than on flashy sightseeing. Basir is singled out for being both serious about requirements and enjoyable to spend three days with. Amir is praised for helping a nervous beginner relax. Yadi is described as especially clear and patient.

This combination is important. You want an instructor who will not rush you, but you also need someone who will insist that you meet the required standard. One useful comment describes the training as systematic, with objectives and milestones handled in an organized way.

If you feel anxious before your first session, say so early. The feedback suggests that the team is used to helping beginners gain confidence, but instructors can support you best when they know what is worrying you.

Equipment, permits, meals, and what the $375 covers

The price is $375 per person. That is a substantial outlay, but it covers the main expenses that can make a certification course more expensive once added separately:

• Full scuba equipment
• Marine park fees and dive permits
• Three lunches
• Drinking water
• RAID course materials
• Boat transfers
• Instruction in a small group setting

The value depends on your goal. If you only want one short underwater introduction, a full certification course may be more than you need. If you want a recognized entry-level qualification and plan to continue scuba activity later, including equipment and permits makes the price easier to justify.

The included gear is especially helpful for visitors who do not want to pack specialist equipment or arrange rentals from several providers. You should still provide your height, weight, and shoe size in advance so the operator can prepare suitable items.

Lunch is the one recurring reservation. One participant called it ordinary and said it was not a highlight of the day. That does not make the course poor value, since lunch is only one small part of a three-day training package, but food-sensitive visitors should provide dietary requirements before arrival and keep expectations modest.

Boat transfers and the rhythm of the day

The boats collect and return you to DBKK Jetty each day. This daily return is convenient because you can sleep in Kota Kinabalu and keep your evening plans flexible, at least in principle.

The trimaran format also suits a course that needs room for equipment and several students. The maximum of 12 people is not the same as a private lesson, but it is more manageable than a large open boat outing.

The exact return time is not provided. Sea conditions, training progress, and the day’s schedule can affect it. I would avoid booking a tight evening connection or an important appointment immediately after the course.

Drinking water is included, but you should still arrive prepared for a full day outdoors. Sun protection and practical clothing are sensible choices, though the supplied information does not specify a required packing list. Ask the operator what personal items are expected before you arrive.

Age, fitness, and beginner suitability

The minimum age is 10. Students under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, so families should plan around that rule rather than assume a child can attend alone.

You also need moderate physical fitness and the ability to swim. This does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable managing yourself in the water and coping with a full day of practical activity.

The course appears well suited to first-time students. Several comments describe people gaining confidence during the three days, including one beginner who initially felt nervous. The instructors’ patient approach is a real advantage for anyone who is curious but unsure.

It is less suitable if you want a casual half-day attraction, dislike structured learning, or are not ready to commit to three days. Certification requires attention and repetition. You cannot simply watch other people and call it done.

The RAID Open Water 20 and Open Water 30 wording

Pay close attention to the course title when booking. The main details and several student comments refer to RAID Open Water 20, while the general description uses RAID Open Water 30.

That may be a simple wording error, but the difference matters because the qualification name tells you what training standard you are paying for. Ask Borneo Dream Travel Tours Sdn Bhd to confirm the exact course, certification, and included requirements in writing before your start date.

This is not a reason to reject the experience. It is simply the sort of small booking detail that is easier to settle before you arrive in Malaysia than after you have completed the online study.

Weather, cancellation, and planning around uncertainty

The course depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

That policy is fairly clear, but the weather clause means you should avoid building an unmovable international connection around the final afternoon. Give yourself some breathing room in your Kota Kinabalu schedule.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. If you do not receive it, contact the operator rather than assuming the reservation is complete.

Who should book this course?

I would recommend this course to a beginner who wants a proper qualification rather than a one-off underwater activity. It suits people who value patient instruction, small groups, and a practical marine-park setting.

It is also a good choice for families with an eligible teenager and an accompanying adult, provided everyone meets the swimming and fitness requirements. Experienced scuba users may find the course too basic unless they are seeking a new qualification or accompanying a beginner.

The experience is less appealing for anyone who wants gourmet meals, a relaxed sightseeing cruise, or complete control over the daily schedule. The lunch is functional, the day is structured, and the main reward comes from learning a new skill.

Should you book the RAID Open Water 20 course?

Book it if you want three days of guided training, a recognized entry-level RAID qualification, and the chance to practice in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The included equipment, permits, meals, water, materials, and boat transport give the $375 price a solid practical value.

Before paying, confirm the Open Water 20 versus Open Water 30 wording, ask about dietary needs, and be honest about your swimming ability and fitness. If you can make that commitment, Borneo Dream offers a well-supported route into scuba, with instructors whose patience and humor seem to be the best part of the experience.

FAQ

How long does the RAID Open Water course take?

The course takes approximately three days. Training takes place from boats, with collection and return at DBKK Jetty each day.

Where does the course meet?

The meeting point is Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the practical training take place?

The practical sessions take place in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Full scuba equipment is included in the course price.

Are marine park fees and permits included?

Yes. Dive permits and park fees are included.

Are meals provided?

Yes. Three lunches and drinking water are included.

What is the minimum age?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You are offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.