Join us for a RAID Try Dive in Kota Kinabalu

The best part of this Kota Kinabalu experience is the small 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. You begin with a briefing and shallow-water practice, then move to a reef session and a second boat outing in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. That gives you more than a quick swim with an air tank. You get time to learn the basics before heading farther from shore.

I like the easy meeting point at Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, and I like that the $110 price includes equipment, lunch, drinking water, permits, park fees, and boat transfers. The calm attitude of instructor Alex is also worth noting for first-timers, with one guest describing feeling safe during a first attempt.

The main consideration is the six-hour schedule and the moderate fitness level required. You will be in the water, handling equipment, boarding a boat, and following instructions for much of the day. Poor weather or an unmet minimum group size can also lead to a change of date or a refund.

Key points at a glance

• A maximum 4:1 ratio: Your instructor can give more attention than a large introductory group.
• Two stages in the water: You learn skills in shallow water before taking part in a reef session and a boat outing.
• A practical Kota Kinabalu base: The day begins at Suria Seafront16 near Jesselton Point and ends back at the DBKK Jetty.
• Lunch and park costs are covered: You do not need to budget separately for food, permits, or marine park fees.
• A compact group: The full activity is capped at 12 people, though your direct instructor group is limited to four students.
• A beginner-friendly pace: Alex and the other instructors work with people who may have little or no previous scuba experience.

Starting at Jesselton Point at 9:00am

Your morning begins at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, in the Kota Kinabalu city center. The meeting point is easy to reach near Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, a useful advantage if you are staying in town and do not want a long transfer before the activity starts.

Allow yourself enough time to find the exact collection point. The published meeting information refers to Suria Seafront16, Jesselton Point, and the DBKK Jetty, so checking the final confirmation after booking is sensible. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The day starts with a verbal introduction from your RAID instructor. This is where you should listen closely and ask direct questions. You will be shown how the equipment works, what the basic underwater signals mean, and what to do during the shallow-water practice.

I like this order. A first scuba outing can feel like a lot at once: mask, regulator, buoyancy equipment, fins, and breathing through an air supply all require attention. Learning the key skills close to shore gives you a chance to settle down before moving to the reef.

Learning the basics in shallow water

The shallow-water session is the most important part of the day for a complete beginner. It is not filler before the more exciting portion. It is where you become familiar with the equipment and practice the actions your instructor will expect you to use later.

The 4:1 ratio matters here. With no more than four students per instructor, your guide has a better chance of noticing if you are uncomfortable, having trouble clearing your mask, or need a reminder about equipment. You should still speak up whenever something feels wrong. A low ratio helps, but it does not replace clear communication.

This is also the point where you can judge how your body feels in the water. The activity asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and you will need to manage equipment and take part in boat transfers. You do not need to arrive as an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a fairly active half-day.

One guest specifically praised the relaxed approach of the crew after finding the skills difficult at times. That is useful context for nervous beginners. You should expect instruction and correction, but the tone appears to be patient rather than stern. Alex is named as one instructor, and his guidance left one first-time participant feeling secure underwater.

From practice to a reef session

Once you have worked through the shallow-water skills, you move to a reef session with your instructor. The exact reef location is not specified, so you should not expect a guaranteed list of fish or coral sights. What you can count on is the chance to observe marine life in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park under direct supervision.

This change from practice to the reef is what gives the activity its value. A short lesson on land can explain equipment, but it cannot show you what it feels like to control your breathing and movement in open water. The reef session lets you use the skills in a real marine setting while your instructor remains close.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a try-out experience, not a certification course or a full multi-day scuba program. You are being introduced to the activity, with safety and basic comfort taking priority over covering a large area or chasing particular animals.

That said, the marine park setting adds real interest. You are not practicing in a featureless training pool. The day takes place among the islands and waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where you might find reef life and other sea creatures. One guest reported seeing five large sea turtles, but that should be treated as a lucky possibility, not a promise.

Lunch before the boat outing

Lunch is included after the first underwater portion. Drinking water is included as well, which is helpful in Kota Kinabalu’s warm conditions and saves you from having to organize food during a tightly scheduled day.

The meal also gives you a useful pause. You have already listened to an instructor, handled equipment, and completed a reef session. A proper break before the later boat outing is a practical touch, especially for a first attempt at scuba.

The supplied information does not specify the menu, so bring any personal snacks or dietary items you may need. Do not assume that lunch will match a particular diet unless the operator confirms it in advance.

Taking the trimaran to a second site

After lunch, you board one of the operator’s two boats for a proper boat-based scuba session with your instructor. Both boats are listed as 33-foot by 9-foot trimarans. Their broad design should make the transfer feel more stable than a very small open boat, though you will still need to follow crew instructions while boarding and moving around.

This second water session is the day’s clearest test of what you learned earlier. You are no longer simply getting used to the equipment in shallow water. You are taking part in a boat outing, with the instructor continuing to supervise you throughout.

The boat transfer also adds a sense of place. Instead of treating Kota Kinabalu as just a departure point, you get to spend time on the waters around the marine park. The setting is part of the experience, even for someone who decides that scuba is not for them long term.

Do not mistake the boat outing for complete independence. You remain with your instructor, and the low ratio continues to matter. Keep following the briefing, stay aware of your equipment, and tell the instructor if you feel tired or uneasy.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning by the sea. The value depends on whether you want a guided introduction to scuba rather than a simple boat trip or a beach visit.

The price includes:

• Full scuba equipment
• Lunch
• Drinking water
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and permit fees
• Professional, insured staff
• Boat transfers
• Return collection from the DBKK Jetty

Those inclusions remove several costs that can surprise you on a water activity. You do not need to rent equipment separately, pay the park fee at the last minute, or arrange a second boat transfer after lunch.

The 4:1 ratio is another reason the price can make sense. A cheaper activity with a large group may leave you waiting for help or receiving less direct attention. Here, the smaller instructor group is especially useful if you are nervous or have never used scuba equipment before.

The price does not include travel insurance or unspecified personal expenses. Insurance is worth considering because the operator excludes unforeseen circumstances and force majeure from the package. You also need to arrange your own way to the meeting point unless your plans already place you near Jesselton Point.

How demanding is the six-hour schedule?

The activity runs from 9:00am until about 4:00pm. That is a full half-day, not a quick one-hour tryout. You should plan the rest of your day with some flexibility rather than booking another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The physical demands come from several small tasks added together: getting to the meeting point, putting on equipment, taking part in shallow-water skills, spending time in the water, eating lunch, boarding a boat, and completing the later session. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level, which is the right way to think about it.

Your comfort in water also matters, although no specific swimming qualification is stated in the supplied details. Be honest with the instructor about your experience and confidence. A low student ratio gives the guide room to help, but the activity still requires you to follow instructions and take part actively.

The schedule may suit you if you want one organized day with transport, instruction, food, and equipment arranged. It may not suit you if you want a slow beach day or dislike being tied to a set timetable.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This activity depends on good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Kota Kinabalu time.

Since the activity is often booked about 30 days ahead, I would reserve early if your dates are fixed, then keep the final day flexible in case weather affects the schedule. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The maximum overall group size is 12, while the direct instructor ratio is no more than four students to one instructor. Those are different limits, and both are useful to understand. You may share the wider boat and meeting arrangements with other participants, but your practical instruction group should remain small.

Who will get the most from this experience?

This outing suits a first-time scuba participant who wants guidance without committing to a full certification course. It also works for someone with very limited prior experience who wants a calm refresher in a marine park setting.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy hands-on instruction, can manage a six-hour schedule, and want to see what scuba feels like in real open water. Couples, friends, and small groups may also appreciate the group discount option, though the discount amount is not specified.

The experience is less suitable if you need a fully private guide, require a specific meal, or want a guaranteed animal sighting. The turtles reported by one guest sound memorable, but marine life is never a sure thing. You should book for the instruction, access to the marine park, and the chance to see what appears on the day.

The staff’s relaxed manner is a strong point for people who worry about looking clumsy in the water. One participant described the atmosphere as funny and easygoing even after struggling with some skills. That kind of patience can make a large difference when you are learning something unfamiliar.

Should you book the RAID Try Dive?

I would book this if you want a structured first taste of scuba in Kota Kinabalu and value close instruction. The combination of a 4:1 ratio, shallow-water training, reef session, boat outing, lunch, equipment, and park fees makes the $110 price reasonable for a guided full-day introduction.

I would skip it if you want a guaranteed turtle encounter, a very relaxed beach day, or a flexible schedule. The six-hour timetable and moderate fitness requirement are real considerations.

For a nervous beginner, the strongest reason to choose it is the instructor attention. For a confident swimmer with prior scuba experience, the limited introductory format may feel basic. For everyone else, this offers a sensible way to test scuba in Borneo without first signing up for a longer course.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Suria Seafront16 on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, near Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

What time does the activity start?

The start time is 9:00am.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point area, with return collection from the DBKK Jetty in Kota Kinabalu. The expected return time is around 4:00pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately six hours.

How many students are assigned to each instructor?

The maximum ratio is four students to one instructor.

What is the maximum overall group size?

The activity can have a maximum of 12 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinking water are included.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Full diving equipment is provided.

Are park and permit fees included?

Yes. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and permit fees are included in the price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.