RAID Try-Dive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Your first scuba day can feel refreshingly simple. This RAID Try-Dive gives beginners two underwater sessions in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park, with a short lesson, confined-water practice, boat transfers, equipment, lunch, and an instructor close at hand. The setting helps too: Sabah sits in the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s important areas for coral and tropical marine life.

I like the small-group format, which gives you more personal attention than a crowded introductory class. I also like the gentle progression from a shallow protected bay to a coral-reef outing reaching about 40 feet, or 12 meters. The main drawback is that the Sabah Parks permit costs extra, and you need to leave at least 18 hours between your last underwater session and a flight.

The experience costs $112 per person and lasts about seven hours. That is a fair price for a full day of instruction, two boat-based outings, good-quality equipment, lunch, refreshments, and park fees other than the separate diving permit. One family of four, with ages ranging from 16 to 52, found the day easy to enjoy together, and instructor Amil received special praise for making the experience fun and comfortable.

Key points before you book

• Two underwater sessions: Start in a shallow, sheltered bay, then continue to a coral reef at a maximum of about 12 meters.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman setting: The five-island marine park sits close to Kota Kinabalu and offers clear tropical water without a long journey offshore.
• Small groups: The instructor teaches the basic skills closely and can help you manage the first-time nerves that come with breathing underwater.
• Island lunch break: You stop on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi for lunch and time out of the water.
• Coral Triangle wildlife: Expect tropical fish and corals, with clown fish and the possibility of a turtle if conditions and luck cooperate.
• Important extra cost: The Sabah Parks permit is not included. It costs RM 125 for non-Malaysians and RM 58 for Malaysians.

Meeting the boat at DBKK Jetty

Your morning begins at 8:45am inside the DBKK Jetty building in central Kota Kinabalu. Look for the poster with the Grab pick-up and drop-off sign. A Borneo Dream team member wearing a Borneo Dream shirt will meet you and guide you to the boat.

This arrangement is useful because DBKK Jetty is close to most central hotels. You do not get hotel pickup, but if you are staying downtown, the jetty is usually a short walk or a quick taxi ride away. I would allow extra time for finding the correct meeting point, especially if you are carrying a full change of clothes and personal items.

The boat leaves at about 9:00am for Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. The park includes five islands and is close enough to Kota Kinabalu to keep the transport portion manageable. You get a pleasant ride across the South China Sea rather than a long transfer that eats into the useful part of the day.

The boat trip is part of the appeal. It gives you a chance to settle in, look out across the water, and get used to the idea of your first scuba session before the equipment appears. Refreshments such as water, biscuits, and sweets are included, though you should still arrive prepared for a warm day in the sun.

The 10am lesson makes the first attempt less daunting

At around 10:00am, you complete the required forms and attend a short scuba education session. The instruction follows RAID standards, while the experience is also described as a PADI Discover Scuba Diving introduction. In plain terms, this is a beginner session, not a full certification course.

You learn the basic ideas before entering the water. That matters because the first challenge is not usually the scenery. It is getting comfortable with breathing through a regulator, wearing the equipment, and communicating underwater.

The instructor speaks Chinese, English, or Malay. Small groups are especially valuable here. If you are confused by a skill or simply need another minute to relax, you have a better chance of getting direct help instead of being hurried along with a large class.

You must be at least 10 years old, comfortable in the water, and able to swim at a basic level. You also need to be in good general health, especially regarding your respiratory and circulatory systems. People with respiratory issues should not book this activity.

You will complete the required forms and self-certify your health before beginning. If you have any doubts about your suitability, sort that out before booking rather than leaving the decision until the jetty.

The first underwater session takes place in a protected bay

At about 10:30am, you put on the scuba equipment and begin in confined open water. This first session takes place in a shallow, sheltered bay at one of the park’s islands.

That is a sensible choice for beginners. Protected water lets you focus on body position, breathing, and the basic skills without immediately dealing with a deeper coral-reef setting. You can get used to the equipment while the instructor remains close.

The session is not simply a quick swim with a tank. You complete the required confined-water skills, then spend time experiencing scuba in the sea. The practical setting gives you a chance to decide how comfortable you really are before the second outing.

This is where the small-group promise matters most. Your instructor can watch how you handle the regulator and help you stay calm if the first few minutes feel strange. A Japanese-speaking participant praised the clear instruction, the easy meeting arrangements, and the way the instructor used a small writing board underwater to explain fish.

That detail gives you a good idea of the teaching style available. You may receive signals, demonstrations, or written explanations underwater when a fish or other feature catches the instructor’s eye. One family also singled out Amil for making the day enjoyable, including the boat ride, the equipment, and the time between sessions.

The island lunch break gives you time to reset

From about noon until 1:30pm, you leave the water and have lunch on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi. This is a useful pause, not wasted time. Beginners often need a break after the first session, and time on land lets you dry off, eat, and think about how the first attempt went.

Lunch is included, along with the park’s conservation and jetty fees. The separate Sabah Parks diving permit is not included, so check the current amount before you go. The listed fee is RM 125 for non-Malaysians and RM 58 for Malaysians.

The island stop also gives you a chance to enjoy the marine park from above the water. The supplied information does not promise a particular beach setup or menu, so I would treat this as a practical island lunch rather than a resort-style meal.

You should bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. A towel is included, which saves space in your bag. Keep valuables to a minimum, since a boat-and-island day is easier when you are not worrying about phones and extra luggage.

The second session reaches the coral reef at 12 meters

After lunch, you receive a briefing for the second outing and put your equipment back on. This is the more substantial underwater session, following a coral reef to a maximum depth of around 40 feet, or 12 meters.

The change from a protected bay to a reef is what makes the day feel like a genuine introduction rather than a single trial run. You have already practiced the basics, so you can spend more attention on the marine life and the reef itself.

Sabah’s position in the Coral Triangle is important here. The area supports a wide range of corals and tropical fish, and the experience specifically highlights clown fish, often called Nemo. If luck is on your side, you may also see a turtle. One participant reported seeing a turtle twice during the underwater sessions, while another saw one and enjoyed the instructor’s explanations of smaller and less familiar fish.

No wildlife sighting is guaranteed, of course. The right attitude is to appreciate the coral and smaller fish first, then regard a turtle as a welcome bonus. The instructor can help by pointing out creatures you might otherwise swim past.

The 12-meter limit also suits beginners. It gives you a proper reef setting without turning this into an advanced excursion. You are still under direct instruction, and the purpose is to build comfort and enjoyment, not to test your limits.

The return to Kota Kinabalu is short and convenient

The boat leaves the park at about 3:00pm and reaches DBKK Jetty around 3:30pm. A seven-hour schedule gives you most of the day without forcing you into an evening return.

That timing works well if you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu. You can reach the jetty easily in the morning and still have the late afternoon free. The main planning issue is flying: recognized scuba safety rules require at least 18 hours between diving and boarding a plane.

Do not schedule this experience on the morning before your flight. A later flight the following day may be suitable, but you should plan conservatively and follow the operator’s safety advice.

What the $112 price really covers

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Kota Kinabalu. It is also more than a simple boat ride or a casual snorkeling trip. The price includes several costly and useful pieces:

• Information and confined open-water instruction
• Two scuba sessions, with the second reaching about 12 meters
• A qualified instructor
• Small-group teaching
• Boat transfers
• High-quality scuba equipment
• Water, biscuits, and sweets
• Lunch
• Conservation and jetty fees
• A towel

The value improves if you are new to scuba and want proper guidance rather than simply borrowing equipment. You are paying for instruction, supervision, transport, and access to a marine park, not just time in the water.

The cost is less attractive if you already hold a certification and want a more advanced or independent outing. This experience is designed for non-divers and beginners. A private instructor is available for an extra charge, which may suit families or pairs who want fully individual attention, but the standard small-group format is likely enough for many first-timers.

Remember to add the Sabah Parks permit to your budget. That separate fee changes the final price, particularly for non-Malaysians.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this for adults, teenagers aged 10 and above, couples, and families who want a first scuba experience without committing to a full certification course. The age range in one family group, from 16 to 52, shows how naturally the format can work across generations.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu and prefer a day with simple transport. The jetty is central, the park is nearby, and the program returns in the afternoon.

The experience suits you if you are comfortable in water but feel unsure about scuba equipment. The gradual order helps: lesson first, shallow practice next, lunch afterward, and the reef outing once you have some confidence.

I would not choose it if you have respiratory problems, dislike being in open water, or want a guaranteed turtle sighting. I would also avoid booking it immediately before a flight. People who want a formal certification course will need a different product, since this is an introduction rather than a qualification.

Practical planning for a smoother day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring sun protection. You will spend time on a boat and on an island, so a hat, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes are sensible.

Bring only what you need. Water and small refreshments are supplied, lunch is included, and a towel is provided. The operator also supplies the scuba equipment, so you do not need to own or carry specialist gear.

Arrive before the 8:45am meeting time. The correct place is the DBKK Jetty building, near the Grab pick-up and drop-off signage, not simply any point along the waterfront. If you are uncertain, look for the Borneo Dream shirt.

The standard languages are Chinese, English, and Malay. If you need extra help, ask about a private instructor when booking. That option costs more, but it may be worthwhile for someone anxious about the first session or for a family that wants the instructor focused on its group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Kota Kinabalu plans are still moving around, but you should still check the final booking conditions before committing.

Should you book the RAID Try-Dive?

Book it if you want a well-organized first step into scuba, especially with a family or small group. The strongest parts are the calm progression, the close instruction, the nearby marine park, and the two separate chances to get comfortable underwater.

The day also has useful variety. You get a boat ride, a lesson, a protected bay, an island lunch, and a coral-reef session, all within seven hours. The possibility of clown fish or a turtle adds excitement without being the only reason to go.

Skip it if you need certification, cannot meet the health requirements, or have a flight less than 18 hours after the final session. Also price in the separate Sabah Parks permit. For a beginner who wants safe instruction and a real taste of Sabah’s underwater world, $112 is a reasonable spend, provided you are comfortable with those extra conditions.

FAQ

How long does the RAID Try-Dive last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, usually from the 8:45am meeting time until arrival back at DBKK Jetty around 3:30pm.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu. The meeting point is inside the jetty building near the poster with the Grab pick-up and drop-off signage.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. The jetty is a short walk or quick taxi ride from most hotels in central Kota Kinabalu.

How many scuba sessions are included?

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

How deep does the second session go?

The second session reaches a maximum of about 40 feet, or 12 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served on Pulau Mamutik or Pulau Sapi in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. High-quality scuba equipment, a towel, and refreshments including water, biscuits, and sweets are included.

What languages can the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in Chinese, English, and Malay.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 10 years old. You also need basic swimming skills, comfort in the water, and suitable general health.

Can I fly immediately after the experience?

No. You need at least 18 hours between scuba and a flight, in line with recognized safety standards.