RAID Open Water 20 Diver Course 3-Days | Kota Kinabalu

The sea becomes your classroom. This three-day course combines online study with guided underwater sessions in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off Kota Kinabalu. You learn the basics needed for a RAID Open Water 20 Diver certification while exploring coral reefs and tropical marine life in Sabah.

I like the small groups of up to four participants, which should give you useful attention during lessons and underwater practice. I also like the relaxed island lunch, drinking water, equipment, boat transfers, park fees, and certification costs included in the $368 price.

The main point to check is the certification wording. The experience is advertised as RAID Open Water 20, while one customer review refers to a PADI Open Water certificate. Ask Borneo Dream Travel & Tours to confirm exactly which certification you will receive before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Three-day course with online study first: You complete the RAID learning materials before the practical course begins.
• Three underwater sessions in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: The published boat day includes sessions at depths from 5 to 30 meters.
• Only four participants per group: The 1:4 student-to-instructor ratio is useful for new or returning divers.
• Island lunch breaks up the training day: You leave the boat for a relaxed meal on a tropical island.
• Sabah sits in the Coral Triangle: You may see colorful corals, clownfish, and possibly Green or Hawksbill Turtles.
• Bas and Azmi receive special praise: Marie from Belgium described instructor Bas and captain Azmi as serious, careful, cheerful, and good-humored.

Why this Kota Kinabalu course is worth considering

A beginner certification can feel like a lot of classroom work followed by a lot of equipment. This course softens that formula with a proper day in the sea around Kota Kinabalu. You are not simply practicing in a featureless pool. Your training takes place among the islands and reefs of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

The park is a short boat ride from central Kota Kinabalu. It includes five islands and coral reef sites with tropical fish and other marine life. That setting gives the course a sense of purpose. You study safety, equipment, and underwater skills, then use those skills in a real marine environment.

I also like the planned depth range. The course information gives a range of 5 to 30 meters, or about 16 to 98 feet. That is broad enough to introduce you to different underwater conditions, but your exact site and depth should depend on your training, comfort, and the instructor’s judgment.

This is not presented as a rushed, high-volume operation. Borneo Dream Travel & Tours limits the group to four participants and lists a 1:4 student-to-instructor ratio. For a first certification, that matters. You have fewer people to watch, fewer delays while gearing up, and a better chance to ask questions without holding up a large group.

The three-day format and online preparation

The course lasts three days, with online learning completed before the start date. This is an important detail. You should not treat the online material as optional reading to skim on the flight to Malaysia.

The study work gives you the basic knowledge needed before using scuba equipment in open water. It should also help you arrive with a better grasp of safety procedures, equipment names, and the reasons behind the skills you practice. Since the practical days involve an early meeting time, completing the study ahead of time keeps your attention on the water.

You need to provide your height in meters, weight in kilograms, and European shoe size. These details help the operator prepare suitable equipment. Give accurate information when booking, especially if you are between sizes or have any equipment concerns.

The course is intended for people who are fit, healthy, and able to swim in water too deep to stand in. It is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with respiratory issues, or people with high blood pressure. If any of those conditions apply to you, get medical advice and speak with the operator before making a reservation.

Meeting at DBKK Jetty at 8:45

You meet at 8:45 am inside DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu. The meeting point uses the DBKK Jetty counter area, near the Grab pickup and drop-off signage. Hotel pickup and return are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty.

That makes a central hotel or easy access to Kota Kinabalu transport useful. Leave time to find the right counter and meet the Borneo Dream team member without rushing. The staff member escorts you to the boat, which removes some of the usual confusion at a busy waterfront.

Arrive wearing your swimwear underneath your clothes. This small tip is practical. It saves time once you reach the boat and avoids trying to change in a cramped space. Bring a towel and swimwear, and remember that drinking water is provided.

The return boat transfer, jetty fees, Sabah Parks conservation fees, and equipment are included. Those inclusions make the price easier to judge because marine park charges and boat transport can otherwise appear as last-minute extras.

The boat ride to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

After meeting the team, the boat leaves DBKK Jetty for Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The transfer is short enough to fit naturally into the morning, with the first underwater session scheduled around 10:00 am.

The park’s five islands provide a choice of sites. The course is described as flexible, with locations selected around the group’s needs and experience. That is useful if you are completely new, have not been underwater for some time, or already have some experience and want a calm refresher.

The boat is described as one of Kota Kinabalu’s better diving boats and carries a full range of safety equipment. You should still pay close attention to the safety briefing and buddy check. Good equipment helps, but careful habits matter just as much.

The catamaran’s sun deck gives you somewhere to rest during the surface interval. This is a welcome part of the schedule. Three underwater sessions in one day require breaks, food, water, and time to settle your breathing and thoughts before going back in.

First underwater session at about 10:00 am

The first session begins with a briefing, equipment setup, and buddy checks. For a new diver, this sequence is as important as the time spent underwater. You learn to inspect your own gear, check your partner’s setup, and listen for details about the site.

The instructor can adjust the pace to the group. The information promises a personalized approach, which is especially valuable during the first session when you are still getting used to breathing through a regulator and moving with fins.

The marine park setting adds interest, but it can also add distraction. Bright fish and coral are fun to watch, yet your first priority is staying calm and following instructions. I would focus on buoyancy, body position, and communication before trying to identify every fish in sight.

The stated depth range for the course runs from 5 to 30 meters. You should not assume you will reach the deepest end of that range. Your instructor will decide what is suitable for your training level and the conditions on the day.

The sun deck surface interval

Around 11:00 am, you return to the boat for a surface interval. This break allows you to rest, drink water, and discuss the first session with the instructor and your buddy.

I like that the schedule gives the group a full hour before the second session. It is not just a rushed equipment change. You have time to get warm, review what happened, and settle any concerns before continuing.

The break also shows why this course is better suited to people who can manage a full activity day. Even with rest, you are handling equipment, sitting in the sun, traveling by boat, and concentrating on new skills. Bring a towel and use the provided drinking water. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Second session around noon

The second session begins around 12:00 pm. By now, you should have a better feel for the equipment and the underwater routine. That can leave more mental space for the reef and marine life.

Sabah lies within the Coral Triangle, an area known for exceptional marine biodiversity. Around the park, you may see small tropical fish, colorful coral formations, and possibly Green or Hawksbill Turtles. The information specifically highlights clownfish, so you can keep an eye out for a Nemo look-alike among the reef.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and you should not book this course as a turtle-watching trip. The real purpose is certification and skill development. The reef life is the reward that makes the training feel like an adventure rather than a checklist.

Site choice is another useful feature. The operator says the selection can be tailored to the group. That should help if you are nervous, returning after a long break, or working through a skill that needs more time.

Island lunch at about 1:00 pm

At around 1:00 pm, you leave the boat for lunch on an island. The meal is described as relaxed and a la carte, with lunch included on the training days.

This break gives the day a welcome change of pace. Instead of eating quickly on the boat, you get time on land in a tropical island setting. It also provides a chance to dry off, rest, and talk through the morning with the guide.

The island stop is not an extra sightseeing tour. Its main value is comfort and recovery between underwater sessions. Keep your expectations practical, and enjoy it as a pleasant pause rather than a separate attraction.

After lunch, the schedule allows about an hour and a half before the third session. That gap should help you return to the water with more energy. You may want to keep your meal moderate, since a heavy lunch can make physical activity less comfortable.

The third session at about 2:30 pm

The final session begins around 2:30 pm. By this point, you have had two chances to practice and receive feedback. The third session can help bring the day’s skills together under supervision.

For a new diver, repetition is valuable. You get more than one attempt at the basic procedures, and you have time to become more comfortable in open water. For someone who has not been underwater for a while, the repeated practice can work as a useful reset.

The course is intended to be fun, but safety remains the center of the day. Follow the instructor’s pace, stay with your buddy, and be honest about how you feel. A small group makes those conversations easier, and Bas’s careful, good-humored approach received particularly warm praise from Marie of Belgium. She also highlighted captain Azmi’s serious and conscientious handling of the boat.

The published schedule places departure for DBKK Jetty around 3:00 pm, with arrival between 3:30 and 4:00 pm. Weather, sea conditions, and the group’s pace can affect exact timing, so avoid scheduling a tight evening commitment.

What the $368 price includes

At $368 per person, this is not a casual afternoon boat outing. You are paying for a three-day certification course, online study materials, practical instruction, equipment, and supervised open-water sessions.

The package includes:

• RAID online study materials and final certification
• Diving equipment
• Lunches on training days
• Drinking water
• Return boat transfers from DBKK Jetty
• Jetty fees
• Sabah Parks conservation fees
• A 1:4 student-to-instructor ratio

Those inclusions give the price solid value if you need the full certification package. The boat and park costs are already built in, and you do not need to rent basic equipment separately.

The price does not include hotel pickup and drop-off. You also need travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances or force majeure situations. Budget for your transport to DBKK Jetty and check your insurance before departure.

The certification name deserves special attention. The activity details identify RAID Open Water 20, while the one available customer account refers to receiving a PADI Open Water Diver certificate. These are not interchangeable labels. Ask the provider to confirm the agency and exact certificate before paying, particularly if you need a specific agency for future training.

Who should book this course?

This course suits a beginner who wants a recognized open-water qualification in a tropical marine park rather than in a less scenic setting. It also suits an experienced person who has not used scuba equipment for some time and wants structured guidance in a small group.

You should be comfortable swimming in water too deep to stand. You should also be fit and healthy enough for a full day involving boat travel, equipment, repeated time in the water, and a tropical island stop.

The course is less suitable if you are a non-swimmer, have respiratory issues, or have high blood pressure. The operator specifically excludes those conditions, so do not rely on an optimistic interpretation of the activity description.

Language should not be a major obstacle if you speak Malay or English. Instruction is available in both languages. The small group may also help if you need extra explanation or a slower pace.

Practical tips for a smoother course

Complete the online RAID materials before the first course day. You will get more from the practical sessions if you already understand the basic ideas.

Provide accurate body measurements and European shoe size when booking. This is not busywork. Correct information helps the team prepare equipment that fits properly.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes each morning. Pack a towel, and arrive at DBKK Jetty by 8:45 am. Hotel transport is not included, so plan your route to central Kota Kinabalu ahead of time.

Keep the evening after the boat day flexible. The planned return is between 3:30 and 4:00 pm, but boat activities can run late. Also confirm the certification agency, since the course description and customer account use different names.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kota Kinabalu schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book the RAID Open Water 20 course?

Book it if you want a small-group certification course with reef settings, an island lunch, included equipment, and a clear three-day structure. The 1:4 ratio, careful staff, and marine park location give it a strong mix of personal attention and scenery.

I would not book until the provider confirms the RAID or PADI certification wording in writing. Once that is clear, this looks like a well-priced way to begin your underwater education off Sabah’s coast, especially if you value patient guidance more than a large, fast-moving group.

FAQ

How long is the RAID Open Water 20 course?

The course lasts three days. Online learning must be completed before the course start date.

Where does the course meet?

You meet at 8:45 am inside DBKK Jetty in central Kota Kinabalu, near the DBKK Jetty counter and Grab pickup and drop-off signage.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to four participants, with a 1:4 student-to-instructor ratio.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Malay and English.

What is included in the price?

The $368 price includes lunch on training days, drinking water, return boat transfers from DBKK Jetty, jetty fees, Sabah Parks conservation fees, equipment, RAID online study materials, and final certification.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should arrive each morning wearing your swimwear beneath your clothes.

Can non-swimmers take the course?

No. You must be able to swim in water too deep to stand in. The course is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.