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

Your first breaths underwater change the map. This three-day RAID Open Water 20 course takes you by boat from Kota Kinabalu into Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, combining online study, practical training, and real sea sessions. I especially like the small maximum group of 12 and the strong emphasis on patient instruction from guides such as Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi.

The package also covers full equipment, park permits, boat transfers, three lunches, drinking water, and RAID course materials. The main consideration is that this is a full three-day commitment, and the included lunch has received mixed feedback. Also, the course description sometimes refers to Open Water 30, so confirm the exact certification level before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Three full days on the sea: Training takes place from boats departing and returning to DBKK Jetty each day.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: Your practical sessions take place among Kota Kinabalu’s protected islands and marine life.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is 12, which gives instructors more room to watch your technique.
• Patient, individual instruction: Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi are repeatedly praised for calm explanations, safety, and help with buoyancy.
• Nearly all major course costs included: Equipment, park fees, boat transfers, course materials, lunch, and water are covered.
• Online preparation required: You complete pre-study before the course begins, so this is not simply a casual one-day introduction.

Three days to build real scuba confidence

This course is designed for a beginner who wants certification rather than a quick taste of scuba. You complete online study before the start date, then spend approximately three days working through the practical side of the RAID Open Water program at sea.

That structure matters. The online work gives you the basic theory before you arrive, leaving the boat days for skills, supervision, and practice in real conditions. If you are nervous about breathing underwater, this gradual approach should feel more useful than being rushed through a single short session.

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 for your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, height, weight, shoe size, and any dietary requirements before the course begins.

You should also be ready for a moderate level of physical effort. The information does not give a detailed medical screening procedure, so contact the operator if you have any health concern or are unsure if you qualify.

Leaving Kota Kinabalu from DBKK Jetty

The meeting point is at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens in central Kota Kinabalu. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

The daily boat transfer is part of the appeal. Rather than learning only in a confined pool, you head out into the local marine park for your training sessions. That makes the course feel connected to Sabah’s coastal setting from the start, although sea conditions can also make training less predictable than a pool lesson.

Borneo Dream uses two 33-foot trimaran boats, each about 9 feet wide. That gives you a stable platform for a day on the water, with room for equipment and a small group. The boats are not a private charter, however, and the maximum group size can reach 12 people. Ask about the expected group size when booking if personal attention is your main reason for choosing this course.

Each day returns to DBKK Jetty. This is convenient if you are staying in central Kota Kinabalu, and it avoids arranging separate transport to a distant marina. The meeting point is also near public transportation.

Training in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The course uses Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park as its practical setting. The park is the main attraction here, since your lessons take place in an area known for underwater marine life rather than in an isolated training site.

You should think of the park in two ways. It is your classroom, where you learn essential skills under instruction, and it is also your first opportunity to see why people continue with scuba after certification. The course description does not promise particular animals or named underwater sites, so keep expectations sensible. Marine conditions and visibility can vary.

The setting also gives your qualification some practical meaning. You are not only memorizing procedures. You are learning to manage equipment and your body in the sea, with an instructor watching your progress. That is especially useful for a first-time scuba student who wants to continue on future trips.

Your instructor may be one of several team members. Basir is praised for being both firm and encouraging, with a systematic approach that helps students meet each course objective. Yadi receives similar praise for patience and clear explanations. Amir is noted for helping a nervous beginner relax through humor, while Alex and Didi are praised for professionalism, safety, and support.

One particularly useful detail is the attention given to buoyancy. A student completing the course with Didi received extra help with buoyancy control. This is not a flashy skill, but it affects comfort, air use, safety, and how gently you move around marine life. If you want help in this area, tell your instructor early.

What a course day may feel like

The provided schedule names one main stop, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, rather than listing separate island visits for each day. That means you should expect the course to be organized around instruction and water sessions, not around sightseeing at several different islands.

A typical day should involve leaving the jetty, setting up equipment, receiving guidance, and completing the planned training under supervision. The exact order and location of activities can change with conditions and your pace through the course. Do not book this as a relaxed boat cruise with a little swimming added on.

Your instructor’s role is central. You need someone who can explain skills clearly, notice when you are uncomfortable, and insist on correct technique without making the lesson stressful. The feedback about Basir, Yadi, Amir, Alex, and Didi is especially encouraging on these points. Students describe the instruction as patient, professional, funny, and structured.

That balance is important. An instructor who is only entertaining may not give you enough correction. An instructor who is only strict may leave you tense. The strongest praise here goes to staff who combine safety and competence with a relaxed manner.

The course lasts about three days, but do not assume you can compress it around a tight flight schedule. Weather can affect the program, and certification training requires enough time for you to meet the required skills. Leave space before any important onward journey.

Equipment, meals, and what your $375 covers

The listed price is $375 per person. For a three-day certification course, the value depends on how much you would otherwise need to arrange separately. This package includes full scuba equipment, park and dive permits, boat transfers, RAID materials, three lunches, and drinking water.

That is a useful bundle. You do not need to hire equipment piece by piece or pay separate marine park charges at the jetty. The boat transport is also significant, since three days of trips into the marine park would add cost and effort if arranged independently.

The small group promise improves the value further, especially for a beginner. A maximum of 12 is not the same as a private lesson, but it is more manageable than a large boat with limited instructor contact. Your actual group size matters, so ask for that detail if you need close supervision.

Lunch is the weak point in the package. One student found it unremarkable, and the operator acknowledged that the meal comes from a local restaurant. The food is included for convenience rather than as a culinary highlight. If you have dietary needs, provide them in advance, as requested by the operator.

Travel insurance is not included. That matters because the course involves weather and other conditions outside the operator’s control. The information specifically excludes cover for unforeseen circumstances and force majeure, so arrange suitable insurance if that is important to you.

The people who will get the most from this course

This course suits you if you want a proper beginner qualification and are willing to give it three days. It is a good choice for someone who prefers learning in a small group, wants access to instructors, and likes the idea of training in a marine park rather than only in a pool.

It may also suit a parent and older child, since the minimum age is 10. Anyone under 18 must have an adult with them, and all participants need to be fit, healthy, and able to swim.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. You will be handling equipment, using a boat, and spending repeated sessions in the water. If you are simply curious about scuba but do not want a certification course, ask the operator if a shorter introductory option is more suitable.

The course is less suitable if you have only one free day in Kota Kinabalu, dislike fixed schedules, or want a luxury food-and-boat outing. It also may not suit you if you need a guaranteed private instructor. The group cap is helpful, but it does not promise one-to-one teaching.

The RAID Open Water 20 and 30 wording

There is one detail you should clear up before booking. The experience title and course-related feedback refer to RAID Open Water 20, while the overview text also calls the course RAID Open Water 30.

Those may represent different course descriptions or a wording error. Certification names matter, especially if you plan to continue training with another operator. Ask Borneo Dream Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd to confirm exactly which RAID qualification the $375 price provides, what the online pre-study covers, and what certification documents you receive after completion.

This is a small step, but it prevents confusion later. A reputable instructor should be happy to explain the course level and progression.

Practical booking advice for Kota Kinabalu

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The course also requires a minimum number of participants, so do not assume the departure is final until you receive confirmation.

The weather rule is straightforward. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the 9:00 am start are not refunded or accepted.

Bring your schedule, not just your swimsuit. Since the course occupies three days and weather can change plans, avoid placing an airport transfer or major excursion immediately afterward. The operator provides equipment, so your main task is arriving prepared, rested, and ready for the online work.

Give the requested personal details promptly. Height, weight, and shoe size help the team prepare suitable equipment, while dietary information gives them notice about lunch arrangements.

The strongest reason to choose Borneo Dream

The best feature is the teaching team. Across the course feedback, the same qualities appear again and again: patience, clear explanations, safety, humor, and individual help.

That is exactly what you want when learning a technical activity. Basir is repeatedly singled out for his professional but friendly style. Yadi is praised for explaining skills carefully. Amir helped settle a nervous beginner, and Alex and Didi are noted for making students feel safe and supported.

The crew also receives warm praise, including Captain Didi. A good captain and boat team affect the whole day, from getting underway to handling equipment and keeping the mood comfortable.

The praise does not erase the practical limits. Lunch is basic, the itinerary does not promise named dive sites or particular animals, and a group of up to 12 may feel busy depending on how many people need extra help. Still, the combination of patient teaching, included equipment, and access to the marine park gives this course a solid foundation.

Should you book this three-day course?

I would recommend it if you want to earn an entry-level RAID qualification in Kota Kinabalu and value calm, attentive instruction more than fancy meals. The included equipment, park fees, boat transfers, water, lunches, and course materials make $375 a reasonable package price for three days.

Before booking, confirm the Open Water 20 versus Open Water 30 wording, ask about the expected group size, and make sure you can complete the online study beforehand. If you are nervous, mention it early and request an instructor who can give you extra reassurance and buoyancy practice.

Choose this course for structured learning and real time at sea. Skip it if you want a quick tourist activity, a private lesson, or a flexible schedule. For a first qualification around Kota Kinabalu, the patient instructors and marine park setting are the reasons to give it serious consideration.

FAQ

Where does the RAID Open Water course take place?

The course starts and ends at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens in central Kota Kinabalu. Boat sessions take place in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, with daily transfers from DBKK Jetty.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. You spend the course days on the boats and return to DBKK Jetty each day.

What time does the course start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

What is included in the price?

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

What age do you need to be?

The course is available from age 10 upward for people who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need to study before the course?

Yes. Online pre-study is required before the course starts.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The course may also be canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.