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

Kota Kinabalu makes a fine classroom for learning scuba skills: after your online study, you spend three days aboard a trimaran and practise in the waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The course is aimed at beginners, with patient instruction, small groups, and a clear path toward RAID Open Water certification.

I like two things right away. First, the price includes the equipment, park fees, permits, three lunches, water, course materials, and boat transport, so the $375 cost is easier to judge. Second, the instructors are praised for being calm and careful, especially Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi. The main consideration is that this is a full three-day commitment, and the lunch is simple rather than a highlight.

Key points

• Three days on the water: Meet at 9:00 am and return to the DBKK Jetty each day.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The course suits fit people who can swim, from age 10 upward.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Your practical sessions take place in a protected marine area with plentiful sea life.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is 12, allowing more room for individual help.
• Two 33-foot trimarans: Boat transfers are included, with wide, stable boats used for the course.
• Pre-course online study: Complete the theory before arrival so your three days can focus on practical training.

A three-day route from Kota Kinabalu to the sea

This is not a quick introductory swim with a tank. It is a proper entry-level certification course spread across three days, with each day beginning and ending at the DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu.

You meet at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens at 9:00 am. From there, the boat takes you toward Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the setting for the course’s practical work. The schedule is built around learning, repeating, and becoming comfortable with basic scuba skills rather than rushing through a single short session.

The exact lesson sequence is not provided in the booking details, so you should expect the instructor to set the pace according to the group. That matters for a first course. Some people settle quickly in the water, while others need more time with buoyancy, equipment, or basic procedures.

The course description uses both RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Open Water 30 wording. Since the product title identifies it as Open Water 20, confirm the precise certification level with Borneo Dream before paying, especially if you need a particular qualification for future courses.

Learning with Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi

The strongest part of this course is the human element. Basir is repeatedly praised for being patient, professional, encouraging, and good at keeping lessons light without losing focus. That mix is useful when you are trying a new skill and feeling nervous.

Yadi is described as clear and patient, with careful explanations that help beginners understand what they are doing. Amir has also helped nervous beginners relax through humor while still taking the practical requirements seriously.

Alex and Didi have been praised for professional teaching and a strong focus on safety. Didi, in particular, has spent extra time helping a student improve buoyancy. That detail matters because buoyancy is often the skill that takes the most patience for a new scuba student.

The instructors named in the course feedback include Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi, but you should not assume you can choose one of them. Instructor assignment depends on the day and group. If a specific instructor is important to you, ask when booking.

What Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park adds

The marine park gives the course a more appealing setting than a featureless training pool. Your practical sessions take place among the islands and waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, which is known here for accessible marine life and regular boat access from Kota Kinabalu.

The setting serves two purposes. You learn essential skills in open water, then have the chance to notice fish and other sea life as your confidence grows. That makes the exercises feel connected to real scuba use rather than isolated drills.

The marine park is also the reason weather matters. Poor conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your Malaysia schedule. Do not place this course on the final morning of your trip if missing it would cause problems.

The course stays focused on training, so it is not presented as a wildlife-focused sightseeing trip. You will have underwater marine life around you, but the main goal is to complete the required lessons safely and competently.

Boats, equipment, and the daily rhythm

Borneo Dream provides full scuba equipment, which saves you from bringing or renting separate kit. You will need to provide your height, weight, shoe size, date of birth, passport number, nationality, and full name before the course. These details help the operator prepare the paperwork and equipment.

The boats are described as 33 feet long and 9 feet wide, with a trimaran design. Two boats are available for the operation. Boat transport is included from the DBKK Jetty, and the activity returns to the same meeting point each day.

A three-day boat-based course can be tiring. You should expect early starts, time in the sun, repeated practical work, and a fair amount of sitting between sessions. The operator asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and you must be fit, healthy, and able to swim.

Lunch is included on all three days, along with drinking water. The food is practical rather than a reason to book the course. One account specifically found the lunch unremarkable, so bring realistic expectations. If you have special dietary needs, provide them before arrival.

The maximum group size is 12. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to give the instructor a chance to watch your technique and help with problems such as buoyancy. If your group is smaller, the practical side may feel more personal.

The value of $375

At $375 per person, this is not a budget half-day activity. It is easier to judge as a three-day certification course with transport and most core costs bundled together.

The price includes:

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

You are also paying for three days of structured teaching and access to the marine park. If you were to arrange equipment, boat transfers, permits, meals, and instruction separately, comparing the total would be more useful than comparing the headline price with a short introductory session.

The value is strongest if you want a recognised entry-level qualification and have three free days in Kota Kinabalu. It is less attractive if you only want to try scuba once, have limited time, or prefer a private instructor.

Travel insurance is not included, and the operator does not cover unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. Add that cost to your trip budget if you want protection beyond the stated cancellation terms.

Who should take this course

This course suits a fit beginner who can swim and wants more than a one-time underwater sample. The minimum age is 10, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

It can also suit a parent and older child who want to complete the course together, provided the young participant meets the health and swimming requirements. Ask the operator for clarification if you have any concern about fitness, medical conditions, or ability in the water.

You should be comfortable giving the course three complete days. The training may include moments of repetition and correction, especially as you work toward stable buoyancy and safe equipment use. That is a benefit, not wasted time, but it may feel slow if you want constant sightseeing.

The course is also a good match for people who appreciate an instructor with a friendly manner. Basir is described as funny as well as serious about standards, while Amir has helped reduce nerves with humor. A relaxed atmosphere can make a real difference when you are learning to breathe underwater.

Practical matters before you book

Online pre-study is required before the course begins. Complete it in advance rather than treating it as optional holiday reading. Arriving prepared leaves more time for practical instruction and gives you a better grasp of the terms your instructor will use.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The meeting point is Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with a 9:00 am start.

The meeting point is near public transport. The activity ends back at the same location, which makes it easier to plan your evening. Even so, avoid scheduling a tight connection or major activity immediately afterward. Three days of practical training can leave you tired.

Provide your dietary requirements with the other requested personal details. You should also confirm the certification wording, instructor availability, and any personal health questions before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the course, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

What the course does especially well

The course has a strong balance between structure and personal support. It is not simply a boat ride with equipment handed over at the marina. You complete online theory, then work through practical requirements with an instructor over three days.

Safety also receives consistent attention. Basir is described as systematic and encouraging, while Alex and Didi are praised for clear teaching and professional conduct. That is exactly what you want from an entry-level instructor: someone who can keep the mood friendly while still insisting that you meet the standard.

The course also gives you time to improve. One student received extra help with buoyancy rather than being pushed through the lesson. That patience is particularly valuable because a certificate means more when you understand the skills behind it.

The marine park setting adds pleasure without changing the course into a sightseeing trip. You get a real open-water environment, marine life, boat travel, and the satisfaction of building a useful new skill.

Limitations to keep in mind

The product information is not precise about the daily timetable beyond the 9:00 am start and return to the jetty. You should ask how long each day typically lasts, where the practical sessions occur, and how much time is spent on the boat.

The lunch is included but basic. If food is important to you, bring suitable snacks if allowed and make your dietary requirements clear before the course.

The course depends on weather and a minimum group size. This is normal for boat-based activities, but it means you need a backup plan. A full refund is offered if the operator cancels for these reasons, but a refund will not replace a missed flight or rearrange your wider itinerary.

Finally, the age, swimming, and fitness conditions are real requirements. This is a certification course, not a passive boat outing. If you are unsure, contact the operator before booking rather than hoping the instructor can make exceptions.

Should you book the RAID Open Water course?

Book it if you want a proper three-day route into scuba, value patient instruction, and can keep your Kota Kinabalu schedule flexible. The $375 price is reasonable for a package that includes equipment, permits, park fees, meals, water, materials, and boat transport.

I would especially recommend it to nervous beginners who want steady guidance. The repeated praise for Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi points to a team that takes teaching seriously while keeping the atmosphere warm.

Skip it if you only have one free day, dislike structured training, or want gourmet meals and a private guide. Before paying, confirm whether your booking is for RAID Open Water 20 or Open Water 30, then complete the online study and arrive ready for three active days at sea.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

It starts at Suria Seafront16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

What time does the course begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. You collect from and return to the DBKK Jetty each day.

What is included in the price?

The price includes full scuba equipment, RAID materials, park fees, dive permits, boat transfers, three lunches, and drinking water.

Who can take the course?

The course is open to people aged 10 and over who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.