A calm instruction team makes the water feel manageable. This RAID Open Water 20 certification course in Kota Kinabalu is built for first-timers who want structure, safety, and real time on the sea. You’ll work through skills on 3 boat days, then finish the course feeling like you actually understand what’s happening underwater.

I especially like the hands-on teaching style people talk about—patient, step-by-step coaching from instructors like Basir and Amir, plus instructors who stay firm about fundamentals (including buoyancy). I also like the practical package: equipment, marine park fees and permit, and lunch are included, so you’re not piecing together logistics while you’re learning.

One thing to consider: the course depends on good weather, and lunch is included but may be basic, so don’t expect gourmet. If you’re the type who gets disappointed when plans shift slightly, plan to stay flexible.

Key highlights from this RAID Open Water 20 course

• Small groups (max 12) so you get attention while you learn control, breathing, and buoyancy.
• Three days on boats with daily pick-up and return based around DBKK Jetty and the course meeting point.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is the main underwater training area, known for solid marine life.
• Equipment, permit, and park fees included, plus RAID course materials and 3 lunches.
• Online pre-study before Day 1 so you arrive with the basics already in your head.
• Instruction that blends safety with calm humor, with instructors named in past experiences like Yadi, Didi, Alex, Basir, and Amir.

RAID Open Water 20 in Kota Kinabalu: what you’re signing up for

This RAID Open Water 20 course is aimed at people who are fit, healthy, and able to swim, with a minimum age of 10+. If you’re under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult. In real life terms, that means you’re not just “doing fun water time”—you’re training toward competence, step by step, across multiple days.

You also don’t start from zero on the first morning. There’s online pre-study you complete before your course starts. That matters because it helps reduce the usual “wait, what am I supposed to do?” feeling, especially when your head is full of new gear and new procedures.

Finally, you’ll provide personal details ahead of time (including passport info, height, weight, and shoe size). That’s not random paperwork. It’s how they size up the practical parts of the setup so you can spend more time learning and less time fiddling.

The 3-day boat schedule and why it works for beginners

The course runs for about 3 days, and each day you’re on the water with boat transfers and then back to the meeting point area. The structure is simple: you build skills, practice them, then apply them again—without the long gaps that can make learning feel shaky.

The operators use two 33ft x 9ft wide trimaran boats. A trimaran design usually means a more stable platform than a narrow mono-hull, which is helpful when you’re new and your brain is already processing a lot. Stability reduces the “my body feels weird, so my skills suffer” problem.

You’ll also get lunch each day (3 meals) plus drinking water. That sounds like a small thing until you’re out on the water for hours and you realize energy matters when you’re concentrating. A full day of training is easiest when you’re not running on empty.

What the three days likely feel like in practice

Even without getting overly technical, the pattern stays the same across successful beginner courses:

• You learn a skill on the boat or in a controlled setting.
• You repeat it until it becomes familiar.
• Then you apply it while managing buoyancy and breathing calmly.

Past course experiences tied to this program highlight that instructors tend to be patient, but also firm about the key requirements. That balance is what helps beginners become confident without cutting corners.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: the wildlife training ground

Your underwater sessions are based at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. This is one of the reasons people enjoy the course beyond the certification goal: you’re not training in a blank, featureless pool environment. You’re learning where there’s real sea life to look at—fish, coral areas, and the general “this is alive” feeling that keeps you engaged while you practice control.

That engagement matters. When you’re a new scuba learner, curiosity is a feature. If the environment is interesting, you tend to breathe a little more calmly and focus better on your technique.

Keep expectations realistic, though. Marine life varies by day and conditions, so treat the course as training first and sightseeing second. If you do that, you’ll be happier with whatever you see.

Equipment and included gear: what you don’t have to plan

The course includes full diving equipment (so you don’t have to hunt down rentals or compare brands). It also includes the dive permit and park fees, plus RAID materials. For first-timers, this is a big value point: you’re paying for the “learning system,” not just the instruction time.

Two other included items are quietly helpful:

• Small groups (up to 12), which supports more coaching time.
• Daily boat transfers, so you’re not trying to figure out timing between your accommodation and a jetty while your brain is already overloaded.

Also, because you provide shoe size and body measurements ahead of time, the team can set you up more efficiently. That reduces the usual “gear fit” friction—especially with fins and related components—so you can move faster into practice.

How instructors can make or break your learning curve

This is where the course earns strong word-of-mouth. Multiple instructor names come up in successful past experiences: Yadi, Didi, Alex, Basir, and Amir. The common thread isn’t just being friendly—it’s being structured and careful.

Here’s what that typically means for you as a beginner:

• If you’re nervous, you’ll want an instructor who can keep you calm without ignoring safety. Experiences around Amir note using humor to ease nerves, which can be a real advantage when you’re new and your breathing feels unfamiliar.
• If you struggle with buoyancy, you’ll want extra time and clear corrections. Experiences involving Didi mention extra coaching to improve buoyancy control, which is one of the biggest skills early on.
• If you want a mix of professionalism and fun, coaches like Basir are repeatedly described as thorough and also capable of making the process enjoyable.

And there’s a captain in the mix too (often referenced as Captain Didi in past experiences). A good captain matters because safe, predictable boat handling makes the whole day easier—especially when you’re wearing gear and focusing on technique.

A practical tip for getting the most out of instruction

Go in expecting feedback. If your instructor corrects your buoyancy or reminds you about calm breathing, treat it as progress data, not criticism. The strongest results usually come from listening, practicing immediately, and staying patient with yourself.

Price and value: is $375 per person fair?

At $375.00 per person, this course is priced in the middle of what you’d expect for a multi-day certification program that includes equipment and fees. What makes it feel fair is what’s included:

• Full equipment
• Permit and marine park fees
• RAID course materials
• 3 lunches and drinking water
• Boat transfers on trimarans
• Small-group teaching (max 12)

The cost also doesn’t include travel insurance, and it doesn’t cover anything outside what’s stated. That’s normal, but it’s worth thinking about. If an unexpected issue happens, insurance can protect you from losing money—especially since the course depends on weather.

So when you weigh it up, you’re paying for the whole learning day package: gear, permits, coaching time, and the boat schedule. That reduces hidden costs and makes it easier to commit without surprise add-ons.

Meeting point and daily flow in Kota Kinabalu

The course starts at Suria Seafront, 16, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, with a 9:00 am start time. It ends back at the meeting point.

This matters because it shapes your day. You’ll want to arrive early enough to settle in and avoid starting the day rushed. Also, the meeting point is noted as near public transportation, which is useful if you’re staying centrally.

Another practical detail: the course collects and returns to DBKK Jetty each day, and then you end back at the meeting point. That tells me the schedule is likely very “tight” once you’re on the water. If you like predictable timing, you’ll probably appreciate that the operation is organized around daily jetty logistics.

Who this course is best for (and who should think twice)

This course is a strong fit if:

• You can swim and you’re in moderate physical fitness range.
• You want a structured certification process over three days.
• You prefer small groups where instructors can focus on your technique.
• You’d rather learn with a team that’s described as patient but firm about requirements.

You might think twice if:

• You get extremely frustrated when weather changes plans. The experience requires good weather.
• You’re hoping for a “relaxed sightseeing tour” first. This is training, and your attention will be on skills and control.
• You have low tolerance for simpler meals. Lunch is included, and while it’s part of the package, it may not satisfy everyone who’s used to a more premium food setup.

Should you book the RAID Open Water 20 course in Kota Kinabalu?

If you’re chasing confidence, not just a fun boat day, this course is a solid choice. The combination of small group sizes, equipment included, marine park training area, and instructors known for calm, structured coaching makes it easier for beginners to improve quickly.

I’d book it if you:

• want a real certification pathway with online pre-study,
• like learning in a step-by-step format,
• and value instructors who focus on safety, buoyancy, and repeatable technique.

I’d hesitate if you:

• hate schedule uncertainty and you know you’ll stress over weather-dependent operations,
• or you’re looking for food and sightseeing to be the main event.

FAQ

What age is the RAID Open Water 20 course for?

The course is open to people age 10 and up. If you’re under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult. You also need to be fit, healthy, and able to swim.

How long is the course?

It runs for about 3 days. The training happens on boats each day, with collection and return based around DBKK Jetty.

What’s included in the price?

Included are full diving equipment, the permit and park fees, 3 lunches and drinking water, RAID materials, and boat transfers on the operator’s two trimaran boats.

Do I need to do pre-study before I arrive?

Yes. There is online pre-study that you complete before your course starts.

Where does the course start and what time?

The start point is Suria Seafront 16, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens in Kota Kinabalu, with a 9:00 am start time. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.