TRY SCUBA (non diver)

Semporna’s Try Scuba outing gives you two chances to learn the basics without signing up for a full certification course. You’ll practice breathing underwater with a licensed instructor, visit Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island, then have time for complimentary snorkeling.

I like the small group limit of 10 people and the fact that equipment, meals, drinks, and underwater photography are included. I also like the calm beginner focus, though you should allow a full morning and afternoon, have moderate fitness, and leave at least 18 hours between the activity and your flight.

Key points for your Semporna day

• Two underwater sessions: Learn basic scuba skills and get a second chance to feel comfortable beneath the surface.
• Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island: The day includes stops at two well-known island areas off Semporna.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: No previous scuba experience is required, and a licensed instructor leads the activity.
• Small group setting: The maximum is 10 people, with one reported arrangement using no more than four adults per instructor.
• Snorkeling after scuba: You can continue enjoying the water at an easier pace after the main activity.
• Useful inclusions: Scuba equipment, food, drinks, taxes, and underwater photography are covered in the price.

Why this is a good first step into scuba

Scuba can look intimidating when you have never breathed through a regulator before. This experience is designed for that first uncertain step. You are not being asked to arrive with a certification, prior lessons, or technical knowledge. Instead, the day introduces the basic skills needed to spend time underwater under the direction of a licensed instructor.

The value here is the chance to try the activity twice. The first session may be mostly about getting used to the equipment, breathing steadily, and following instructions. A second session gives you time to settle down and enjoy the setting rather than spending the whole day thinking about what your hands and feet should be doing.

That matters for nervous beginners. One participant described feeling very anxious at first but later seeing sea turtles. Another beginner felt safe throughout the experience. Those details point to the main strength of this outing: the instructor’s role is not just to show you fish, but to help you stay calm and follow the process.

I would not treat this as a substitute for a full open-water certification course. It is an introduction, not a qualification. But if you want to find out how scuba feels before committing to a longer course, this is a sensible way to test the water.

Meeting at Semporna Jetty at 8:30 am

The day begins at Jeti Pelancong Semporna Jetty on Jalan Bangau Bangau in central Semporna. The scheduled start is 8:30 am, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

That return to the original jetty keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out how to get back from a different island. The meeting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Semporna and do not have private transport.

I would arrive early. A morning boat outing has several moving parts, including equipment checks, group assembly, and travel out to the islands. A mobile ticket is accepted, so keep your booking accessible on your phone.

The total duration is about six and a half hours. That is long enough to include travel, instruction, two underwater sessions, food, and a snorkeling period. It is not a quick activity you can squeeze into a spare hour before another tour. Plan it as one of your main Semporna activities for the day.

Learning basic skills before entering the water

The first part of the experience is the instruction. Since no previous scuba experience is needed, the instructor must explain the essential skills clearly and at a pace beginners can manage.

The supplied information does not give a detailed list of every exercise, so you should expect general beginner training rather than a formal certification syllabus. The stated goal is to learn basic scuba skills and understand what it is like to breathe underwater while wearing the equipment.

Your instructor is a trained and licensed professional. That is especially important for a first attempt, when small concerns can feel much bigger than they really are. A friendly, relaxed guide can make the difference between spending the session tense and spending it looking around.

Basir led one two-person outing and was described as calm and professional. The small group design also helps. The stated maximum is 10 participants, while one outing used a ratio of no more than four adults per instructor. Ratios can vary by arrangement, but this gives you a useful sense of the intended scale: it is not built around a huge crowd moving through the water together.

I would tell the instructor at the start if you feel nervous. That is not a weakness. It gives the guide a chance to slow down, explain the equipment again, or give you extra help before you continue.

Pulau Mabul: your first underwater session

Pulau Mabul is the first listed stop. It is a fitting place to begin because the day is designed around trying scuba rather than completing advanced training.

Your first session here may be the most demanding part of the day mentally. You are learning how the equipment feels, how to breathe through it, and how to stay relaxed in a new environment. Even if the session lasts only part of the scheduled time, it can feel like a lot of new information.

The experience includes two underwater sessions lasting about 45 to 60 minutes in total, according to the tour details. That timing should be read as an overall estimate, not a promise that every beginner will spend the same amount of time underwater. Your instructor will guide the pace.

Pulau Mabul also gives you the first chance to see the marine setting that makes Semporna such a popular base for island activities. The exact wildlife is not guaranteed, but sea turtles were seen during one beginner outing. Keep your expectations sensible, and enjoy any marine life as a bonus rather than a promise.

One drawback is that first-time scuba can feel less relaxed than snorkeling. You need to pay attention to the equipment and instructions. If you mainly want an easy view of the water, the later snorkeling period may suit you better.

Mataking Island: a second chance to settle in

The second listed stop is Mataking Island. By this point, you have already had a first session and should have a better feel for the mask, regulator, and general routine.

That second opportunity is one of the strongest reasons to choose this program. If your first few minutes are spent feeling tense, you are not left with the impression that scuba is simply not for you. You get another session after you have learned what to expect.

The two island stops also add variety to the day, though the information provided does not promise particular reef sites, depths, or animals at either location. I would avoid booking this solely because you expect a specific turtle encounter or a certain underwater sight. Marine conditions and wildlife can change.

Instead, think of Mataking as the chance to apply what you learned at Mabul. You may find that you spend less time concentrating on breathing and more time noticing what is around you. That is often the point when a beginner starts to understand the appeal of scuba.

The trip remains instructor-led. This is not independent swimming with equipment. Follow the guide’s directions, stay with the group, and ask questions before entering the water if anything is unclear.

Snorkeling after the scuba sessions

Snorkeling is included after the main scuba activity. This is a useful touch because it lets you enjoy the water without the same equipment and instruction demands.

If you find scuba exciting, snorkeling gives you more time to look around. If you find the first session too stressful, snorkeling gives you a gentler way to enjoy the island environment. It also means the day is not entirely dependent on how comfortable you feel underwater with a regulator.

The details do not specify how long the snorkeling period lasts or exactly where it takes place. Still, its inclusion improves the value of the day. You receive a second water-based activity rather than finishing immediately after the scuba sessions.

I would bring a practical attitude. This is an organized island outing, not a private charter built around your personal schedule. You may have to fit your snorkeling time around the group and boat timetable.

What the $122.25 price covers

The listed price is $122.25 per person. That is not a bargain-basement price, but it covers several expenses that can add up quickly in a marine activity.

Included are scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, food, drinks, and underwater photography. You also receive instruction, boat transport connected with the island stops, two scuba sessions, and snorkeling as part of the overall experience.

The underwater photography is a useful extra for a first-time activity. You can focus on following your instructor instead of trying to manage a camera. The details do not explain how many photos you receive or how they are delivered, so I would confirm those points if the pictures are important to you.

A prescription mask is not included. If you need corrective lenses, this is the one clearly stated equipment gap to check before booking. Do not assume a standard mask will give you the vision you need.

For a beginner who wants instruction, equipment, island travel, meals, snorkeling, and photos in one day, the price can be reasonable. It is less attractive if you only want a short introductory session or already own your own equipment. The small group limit helps support the price, especially if the instructor ratio remains close to the reported one instructor for up to four adults.

Fitness, flights, and practical limits

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity involves meeting at a jetty, spending much of the day on a boat and around the water, handling scuba equipment, and taking part in two sessions.

No prior scuba experience is required, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. If you are worried about the physical side, contact the provider before booking and explain your concerns. The supplied information does not give detailed medical rules, age limits, or depth limits, so do not guess about those points.

The flight rule is important. The operator practices no scuba within 18 hours before flying. Book your flight after 10 am if you are planning to fly the following day, and leave more time if your schedule allows. This is one of those details that can prevent a rushed end to your holiday.

The experience is available with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling later, or making changes within that final 24-hour period, does not qualify for a refund. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, but bookings made within two days of travel may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

The group maximum is 10 people. That limit is worth checking when you want a more personal introduction. It does not guarantee that every participant receives a private instructor, but it does keep the activity smaller than a mass-market boat excursion.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this for an adult beginner who has always wanted to try scuba but does not yet want to commit to a certification course. The two sessions are particularly helpful if you expect to need time to relax and get used to the equipment.

It also suits someone who wants a full island day rather than a short pool lesson. You receive the marine setting, two island stops, snorkeling, food, drinks, and underwater photos in one package.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, have limited mobility, need a prescription mask, or have a tight flight schedule. The moderate fitness requirement and 18-hour no-flying rule are not minor details.

It may also be a poor match if your main goal is advanced scuba. This outing teaches basic skills and offers an introduction. It does not promise certification, advanced instruction, specific depths, or guaranteed wildlife.

Should you book the Semporna Try Scuba experience?

Book it if you want a carefully guided first taste of scuba, value a small group, and like the idea of combining two underwater sessions with snorkeling at Mabul and Mataking. The strongest points are the beginner focus, the chance to try again after the first session, and the number of inclusions in the $122.25 price.

Think twice if you need corrective vision equipment, have to fly soon after the activity, or want a private and highly flexible boat day. For most first-timers with moderate fitness and an open schedule, this is a practical way to discover if scuba belongs in your future travel plans.

FAQ

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The activity is designed for people with no prior scuba experience and includes instruction in basic skills.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two underwater sessions are included. Together, they are described as lasting about 45 to 60 minutes in total.

Where does the activity visit?

The listed stops are Pulau Mabul and Mataking Island.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Complimentary snorkeling is included after the scuba sessions.

What is included in the price?

Scuba equipment, all fees and taxes, food, drinks, and underwater photography are included.

Can I fly soon after the activity?

The operator requires at least 18 hours without scuba before flying. If you fly the next day, book your flight after 10 am.