Learning the basics on the water is one thing. Getting certified feels different. In Kota Kinabalu, this RAID Open Water 20 course turns a short break into a real goal: you finish with the skills you need, guided by instructors who focus on calm, clear coaching in a small group. What I like most is the way the team blends patient instruction with practical discipline, with names like Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi showing up again and again in feedback.

The main thing to watch is lunch. It’s included (three meals), but at least one person found it not very special, so don’t expect a food highlight.

Key things that make this course work

• Maximum 12 people keeps the pace hands-on and easier to follow
• Instructors like Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi are praised for clear explanations and staying patient
• Full scuba gear, park fees, and permit are included, so you’re not hunting for add-ons
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is the main underwater playground during the 3 days
• Online pre-study + required personal details (passport, measurements) help you start day one ready

Starting at Suria Seafront 9:00 am: where your 3-day schedule clicks into place

Your day starts at Suria Seafront 16, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, with a 9:00 am start time. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a complicated end-of-trip transfer.

What matters here is rhythm. The course takes about 3 days, and each day you’re collected and returned to DBKK Jetty. That repeatable routine reduces stress, especially if you’re new to scuba skills. It also helps you settle into the day: briefing, boat time, then back to shore logistics without guesswork.

A small bonus: the listing notes near public transportation and a mobile ticket, which can be helpful if you’re pairing this with other Kota Kinabalu plans.

33ft x 9ft trimarans and small groups: why the boat setup matters

The course runs on boats using two 33ft x 9ft wide trimarans. That detail isn’t just trivia. A stable platform and enough space for gear handling makes skills training more manageable—especially when you’re practicing control and comfort underwater.

You’ll also appreciate the maximum of 12 travelers. Open Water training is the kind of activity where you want your instructor close enough to correct small issues fast. Feedback for this course repeatedly mentions instructors being patient and spending extra time when someone needed help with specific skills, like buoyancy control. A small group size makes that possible.

Also, since it’s only a few days, you’ll want the day to move smoothly. A smaller group helps keep the pace from dragging, and it reduces the chance that you’re waiting around while others catch up.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park: the underwater setting for your training

Your main underwater location is Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The course description highlights marine life as a key reason to book: there’s plenty to see, and that matters because the course isn’t only about passing skills—it’s about practicing in a real environment with the sights to keep you engaged.

This is a good match for beginners. When you’re still learning comfort, the environment helps you feel motivated instead of anxious. The positive comments about instructors guiding people through the course safely and confidently pair well with the park setting, where marine life can make even short underwater moments feel meaningful.

One practical note: the course runs with an underwater permit and park fees included, so you don’t have to worry about extra paperwork or site charges while you’re trying to focus on the training.

Instructors and coaching style: Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, and Didi

This is where the course earns its strong reputation. The feedback you have here points to a consistent teaching style: clear explanations, patient repetition, and instructors who stay firm about safety and technique without making it feel scary.

Here are the names that come up most:

• Yadi: praised for being very patient and explaining things perfectly
• Basir: described as thorough, friendly, and funny, with strong professional control
• Amir: specifically noted for calming nerves with humor when someone felt nervous at the start
• Alex: mentioned for professional, patient teaching that keeps each dive feel safe and fun
• Didi: praised for being patient but firm, including spending extra time to improve buoyancy

If you’re brand new, I’d take this as a signal that the team is used to nervous first-timers. One comment highlights someone starting without prior scuba experience and feeling apprehensive—then leaving confident. That’s the exact kind of outcome you want from a short certification course.

Also, feedback credits captain Didi for a strong day on the water. Captain support matters more than people think; it affects how smoothly the boat days run and how comfortable the group feels between sessions.

The boat days and what you’ll actually do

You’ll spend three days on the boats, with each day tied to the same overall flow: you start from the meeting point area, connect via DBKK Jetty, then head out for the course sessions in the marine park area, returning each day to the jetty and then back to the meeting point.

What you can take from the feedback: instructors focus on skills that affect comfort, especially buoyancy. One review specifically calls out extra time to help improve buoyancy control. Another emphasizes thoroughness with requirements and guiding you skillfully, which usually means you’re not just going through motions—you’re being coached until you understand what “good” feels like.

So if your fear is messing up or not understanding quickly, the course is set up to reduce that. A small group plus coaching that includes repetition and confidence-building practice is exactly what makes a certification feel achievable in three days.

Price and value: what you get for $375 per person

At $375.00 per person for an approximately 3-day course, the value is tied to what’s included.

You get:

• Full scuba gear
• Permit and park fees
• RAID materials
• Boat transfers (the trimarans)
• Lunch (3) and drinking water
• Small groups and instruction time

That’s a lot of “hard costs” bundled together. The biggest hidden value for many first-timers is the equipment and permit/park fees. When those are included, you can spend your energy on the actual training rather than shopping and adding up bills.

What’s not included:

• Anything not clearly listed
• Travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances/force majeure

Also, the course mentions group discounts, which can improve the value if you have a friend who wants to learn at the same time. Since the group cap is 12, lining up with others can make scheduling easier too.

Pre-study and paperwork: the quiet step that saves time later

Before your course starts, there’s online pre-study that you complete first. That matters because it helps you arrive with baseline knowledge, so day one isn’t only about learning from scratch.

You’ll also be asked to provide detailed info before the course, including:

• Full name
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Height and weight
• Shoe size
• Any special dietary requirements

The practical reason for this is straightforward: measurements and identification support correct gear fitting and course paperwork tied to permits. If you’ve ever shown up for activities and felt like everything took longer than it should, this is the opposite. The course is set up to reduce that scramble.

Who this course fits best (and who should pause)

This course is aimed at people who are:

• Fit and healthy
• Able to swim
• At least 10 years old
• If under 18, accompanied by an adult

The activity also notes a moderate physical fitness level requirement. In plain terms, you should be comfortable with a multi-day schedule that includes time on boats and basic physical exertion during training sessions.

So who should book?

• First-timers who want a structured certification path in a real marine park
• People who prefer small groups and attentive coaching
• Anyone who wants instructors who can handle nervous start moments with patience and good humor

Who should pause?

• If you’re not confident in swimming ability
• If you can’t meet the course’s general physical expectations
• If you’re looking for a relaxed, purely sightseeing experience rather than skill practice (this is a training course first)

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

If your goal is real certification training with a strong chance of feeling safe, supported, and capable by the end, this is the kind of course I’d feel good recommending. The biggest reasons are the consistent coaching style (Yadi, Basir, Amir, Alex, Didi), the small group setup (up to 12), and the practical inclusion of gear, permits/park fees, and meals. Those pieces add up to smoother days and fewer surprises.

The one drawback to keep in mind is that lunch is provided but doesn’t seem to win any awards. Plan around it, keep expectations realistic, and you’ll be fine.

If you want a short answer: book it if you want structured Open Water certification training in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park with instructors who emphasize safety and comfort—and keep your schedule flexible for good weather.

FAQ

How long is the RAID Open Water 20 course?

It runs for 3 days (approximately).

Where do I meet, and what time does it start?

Meet at Suria Seafront 16, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, starting at 9:00 am. It ends back at the meeting point.

What’s the group size limit?

The course has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What is included in the $375.00 per person price?

Included are full scuba gear, permit and park fees, RAID materials, boat transfers, lunch (3) and drinking water.

Do I need to do online pre-study before the course starts?

Yes. There is online pre-study that must be completed before your course begins.

What age and swimming requirements apply?

The course is for people 10 years and up who are fit, healthy, and able to swim. If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if weather is poor?

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