Richard has been in Macro heaven recently armed with his 105mm lens he has been diving with Underwater Photography enthusiasts to photograph some of the little critters of the reef.

This beautiful Seahorse can be seen on one of Gaya Islands nearby reefs, shot full frame with a 105mm lens, we will no doubt print it and add it to the gallery of images at our Dive Shop & Travel Centre in KK City.

Check out our FACEBOOK and see “Super Macro Fun in the TAR Park by Richard Swann” - the images are stunning, so too is Richards Nudibranch Album.

You can learn the art of Underwater Photography with us at our PADI 5 Star Dive & Adventure Island on Gaya Island, we have the perfect location, facilities and critters. Our staff team led by Richard have a wealth of knowledge that goes beyond standard courses.

Richard has many many years of experience in Underwater Photography and is more than happy to share this with friends & guests of Downbelow.

Enjoy UNLIMITED scuba diving where you can spend as long as you like (bottom time and air permitting) underwater getting that perfect shot !!

PADI Underwater Digital Photography Speciality Courses are available as well as Photography Clinics and underwater camera rental.



Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

We have been so busy recently in the Travel Centre & on Gaya Island that we have not had time to keep every body updated.

The dive sites around Gaya Island and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park are teaming with Marine Life right now, Seahorses, facinating Nudibranchs, Turtles, White Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Lobsters and more - we have been posting a lot of finds on FACEBOOK

We have been running lots of PADI Dive Courses from Try Dives, PADI Open Water Courses, Advanced Open Water Courses, Rescue Courses, Divemaster Courses and now the IDC Preparation sessions where the IDC Candidates prepare for the upcoming IDC Course later this month.

Congratulations to Fidelis Lester and Alvin (AKA Bob) for passing their rescue program and have now officially started the Divemaster course !

All three trainees are part of Downbelows long term staff training program for local team members.

More information on our courses and internships can be found at our IDC Course Asia website.


Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop and Classroom located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures are the proud winners of The Project AWARE Conservation Award- Asia Pacific 2010

“To better recognize the achievements of those PADI Dive Centres and Resorts who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of diving.

PADI Asia Pacific is pleased to announce the finalists and winners of this year’s PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards program which recognizes their efforts from 2009.

The PADI Member Awards program was based on nine separate Asia Pacific regions; a system that ensured PADI Members compete with other PADI Members within their own geographical region for one of five Awards.

All PADI Dive Centres and Resorts within each of the nine regions were considered for nomination by a specially convened selection panel, who selected up to three finalists for each of the awards.

A panel of PADI judges then considered all of the finalists within each region and we are very pleased to announce the following finalists and winners of this year’s awards.

PADI congratulates all of our Members on the outstanding job you do training divers and we wish you the best of success for the remainder of 2010”

Project AWARE Conservation Award 2010

WINNER: Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures S-36441

The Canon Powershot G10 Camera & Underwater Housing is proving to be a fabulous unit for Underwater Photographers.

We have it for Sale & Rental at our Scuba Dive Shop and Dive Centre - Kota Kinabalu.

Advanced amateur photographers are a discerning group, and they've flocked to Canon's G-Series for its ability to meet and exceed their demands.



The third-generation PowerShot G10 is a stunning successor, loaded with uncompromising specs like 14.7 megapixels, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and Canon's new DIGIC 4 Image Processor for notably improved face and motion detection.

This is a camera that supports and nurtures creativity, with a full range of shooting and recording modes and compatibility with exciting accessories including Speedlite flashes.

Includes:
Canon Underwater Housing
Toshiba 4 GB SDHC Card
Leather Camera Case
Moisture Alarm

When in Kota Kinabalu please visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre - its is a place for existing and potential clients to visit and discover what Sabah has to offer both on land and Downbelow !

Reservations for Adventure Travel, Sepilok and Kinabatangan Wildlife Packages, Lankayan, Kapalai and Layang Layang among others can also be explored and booked at our Travel Centre.

Our Dive Shop & Travel Centre is a hive of activity and information.



Run by experienced marine and wildlife enthusiasts who love to explore, research and photograph the surrounding rainforest & reefs of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park , Pulau Tiga and beyond!

There are books and posters to help identify your latest underwater discoveries and helpful friendly staff to assist and inform you of the activities, courses and programs we run.

We are resellers for Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood Scuba, AKONA, Unidive, Dive Rite and more. We sell a selection of clothing and cool boxes plus many diving accessories.

For more information please visit our dedicated Dive Shop section of the website or Contact US.

Please find us at KK TIMES SQUARE, Block B, 3rd Floor, Lot 12 (above and left of MOTHERCARE)

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935

SBZZEAR49BSG

Borneo Scuba Diving Day Trips & Packages TARP, Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia

Due to popular demand and a number of requests we have published a collection of images from our day trips to Pulau Tiga on our company Facebook.

Please following the link below to have a look at this popular day trip from TARP and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

To read more about the day please visit our dedicated Pulau Tiga pages within our website.

Please peruse our company Facebook here.

Should you wish to join us for a day at Pulau Tiga, at our PADI 5 Star Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island or for a days Scuba Diving to the Wrecks, Mantanani, The Rock or elsewhere -

Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

Downbelow were pleased once again to accommodate Malaysian Underwater Group Members for a 3 day - 10 dive package which included sunset & a night dives.

Visibility is reduced at the moment - which has its positives because this makes us focus on the reefs smaller critters, Nudibranchs, Seahorses, Cuttlefish, Scorpionfish, Orang Utan Crabs among others we abundant.

There is also the excitement this time of year in perhaps seeing a Whale Shark - although its still a little too early but there has been one sighting so far.

Scuba Diving is becoming more and more popular and this year has seen a busy start to the year. We can offer Scuba Divers a very enjoyable day out and provide the best facilities available on the West Coast of Sabah.

We own 3 speedboats that take our divers to different dive sites within the TAR Park and offshore daily.

We choose the best dive sites to suit our divers that day - operating very small groups with their own Divemasters and Instructors ensuring a very personal and safe service.

Between dives we return to our paradise dive & adventure centre located on Gaya Island for refreshments, buffet or BBQ lunch.

Our island based dive & snorkel center provides a very special experience, with a resort like feel it is a fun place to spend the day, enjoying the tropical surroundings and chatting about all the wonderful creatures you will have spotted.  

We're only 10 minutes speedboat ride from the mainland of Kota Kinabalu so less time is wasted on boat trips leaving more time for Scuba Diving ! Our International staff team are highly skilled with many years of experience in their field, we pride ourselves on an exceptional level of service and safety.

We have an ALL INCLUSIVE POLICY with NO HIDDEN EXTRA CHARGES. 

Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Welcome to Downbelow's new Professional Internship Candidate - Azman (image: far right)

Azman has just completed his PADI Open Water Diver Course with us under the Divemaster Internship program that will see him become a PADI Divemaster within 1 year of full time training.

He joined Edward (Left) a British Army participant and Strike (Centre)- was their ever playful and professional PADI Instructor.

Our Internship program has become very popular and successful with both international and local interns. Whilst our International Candidates do contribute to the cost of their training and pay for their accommodation our local interns are fully funded and financially supported by us, Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

Many of the local interns come from underprivileged backgrounds where becoming a professional PADI Divemaster & Instructor would be financially impossible.

If you visit our PADI 5 Star Centre on Gaya Island you will meet some of our previous interns who successfully became PADI professionals.

After the internship we offer the candidates full time employment and they are now working as Divemaster and Assistant Instructors taking people scuba diving & snorkeling everyday and making peoples holidays to Sabah even more enjoyable - come see for yourself, they love to share their stories !!

Based only 10 minutes from the City of Kota Kinabalu, we dive everyday !

Anyone can apply to join our program, for more information please see our Professional PADI Internship Program dedicated web pages or contact us.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop and Classroom located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

We were very proud to again host the British Army Adventure Sports Training AT & Team Building for the 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles - British Army in Sabah Borneo.

For many years the British Armed Forces have chosen us - Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures to organize and conduct the adventure training.

Our island based PADI 5 Star Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is an ideal location for such events.

This group of 40 men took part in various activities, including the PADI Scuba Diver Course, Sea Kayaking, Sailing & Snorkeling.

They enjoyed beach BBQ’s and in the evening painted the town blue .... i their DIVE Downbelow T.Shirts (image below).

An incredible amount fun was had by all and at the same time everyone achieved their qualification.

We would like to thank the British Army once again for bringing their boys to us, it’s a great honor for us to organize and conduct such an event and we look forward to the next group.

Adventure Training and Team Building - Gaya Island, KK, Sabah, Borneo

Using the countries natural environment and skills of our international staff team, we run a wide range of programs, activities and courses for many different people.

On each you will find high standards of safety, experienced and well qualified staff and flexibility to your needs and to the conditions.

We are activity involved in a number of marine and environmental conservation and awareness initiatives, we include these concepts within our programs.

Adventure training complements both individual and collective development and should:

- Planned and executed with proper supervision by qualified staff

- Have well defined objectives, with clear instruction

- Provide mental stimulation by exposure to the perceived element of risk

- Stimulate initiative and teamwork

Throughout our programs participants face personal challenges and as a group work together to achieve a common goal.

Often in alien environments, understanding and camaraderie is key to success.

We specialize in bespoke Adventure Training, taking the brief from the client and formulating itineraries to suit group size and duration.

For more information on Adventure Training and Corporate Events please see our dedicated webpages or contact our International Events Organizers Richard or Joanne

Please find us at KK TIMES SQUARE, Block B, 3rd Floor, Lot 12 (above and left of MOTHERCARE)

www.divedownbelow.com
Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935

Lots more images from the event can be found on our FACEBOOK

.

We have discovered a wonderful colony of Pajama Cardinalfish just outside our island based PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

These spectacular but shy fish are quite rare in the park however we can occasionally find them in sheltered bays where they prefer the calmer protected waters.

They are particularly sensitive to pollution so it's a good sign of a healthy reef to find them in any numbers.

Richard got a few pix for you to enjoy and help you know what to look out for !

Request your Downbelow dive guide to show you them next time you are here with us ;-)

You can see more images on our FACEBOOK.

Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea and Lankayan Resort in the Sulu Sea are under Downbelow's Price Promise and our 2009 holiday price remains for 2010 !!!!!

We are so confident that our clients will not find better rates at these resorts that if a genuine quote is presented to us from another agent we will beat it by 2% !!

Kapalai and Lankayan are the only environmentally friendly resorts in their regions - thats one very good reason to support them above the others !!


Pulau Kapalai
Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort

We have stayed at many resorts in the area and without doubt our first choice of residence is Kapalai. Once a vegetated Island, now a sandbank on Litigan Reefs and home to the stilt village resort of Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort.



Comprising 40 wooden chalets, double, twin and triple sharing, ensuite bathrooms with a shower and bathtub, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, you really do get a lot for your money, this is true style at a very affordable price.

Reminiscent of the Maldives, the accommodation huts are build over the water with shutter doors opening to reveal breathtaking ocean views. The soothing sound of the water laps beneath you and reflections dance across the high ceilings.

Downbelow Directors, Richard and Joanne have featured Kapalai Resort in their latest article "Much and Magic" in Sport Diving Magazine (on the shelves next month).

To read more about this fabulous resort paradise and see a slideshow of images please click here.


Lankayan Island Resort
"One Island - One Resort"

Lankayan Island, located within the Sulu Sea, 80km off the northeast coast of Sabah, Borneo takes Eco Tourism to another level.



Stunning white sandy beaches surround the small four hectare island. Palm and casuarinas trees form the interior and sparkling turquoise waters lap the shore. One resort operates here under the same management and ownership as Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea and Sepilok Nature Resort near Sandakan.

Comprising 20 luxury-detached chalets, each on the beach with balconies over looking the ocean, open air buffet style restaurant, dive station, turtle hatchery and conservation centre, the resort oozes peace and tranquillity.

To read more about this fabulous island paradise and see a slideshow of images please CLICK HERE.


"Two Centre" tailor made packages are available at both resorts at generous discounts.

Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

Kinabalu Park Day Trip – “A Walk In The Park”
“Offering Great Flexibility – so much to see in One Day !!”

The ecosystems of Mt Kinabalu are very special with climatic zones ranging from tropical lowland forests to polar type summit zones.

This great mountain has become an icon of natural history and successful conservation whilst maintaining its position as the most accessible of high mountains to climb and explore.

This private day trip to Mt Kinabalu offers great flexibility – whether you wish to take relaxed walks along the river and through mountain trails, enjoy the beautiful and rare flowers of the Botanical garden, see the rainforest from a different perspective at 45m above the canopy floor, take a dip into sulfur springs or try your luck at searching for the Raflessia Flower – all this can be experienced on a one day trip from Kota Kinabalu.

For the more adventurous you can climb HALF WAY to the summit !!!

This 8 KM return climb follows the same route that climbers of Mt Kinabalu take but instead of continuing to Laban Rata you will turn around at Layang Layang (2700m) and return to the comfort of your car and driver It’s a very physical climb and can get a little cold at 2700m but well worth the views.

For more information on this fabulous day trip from Kota Kinabalu please CONTACT US.

Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

All the Downbelow Divemaster Trainees are taking part in our PADI Emergency First Response Course - EFR (some for the second time to keep skills fresh) the difference is this time Roy and Cyril are the instructors !

Richard and all the Downbelow instructors like this ! ... hang on a minute, take a look at someone not taking it seriously !

Downbelow are committed to training all our staff to be able to handle emergency medical situations and who knows maybe this time next year it will be these trainees conducting the program with the next interns.


Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

This harmless & stunning Green Snake is frequently seen hunting nearby our Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

There is so much wildlife to be seen at our little piece of paradise on Gaya Island - surrounded by Tropical Ocean & Primary Rainforest - we love it !!

Referred to locally as the simple Green Snake - found among the island palm trees - this is one of the only snakes to have a horizontal pupil.

Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Join us for a multi activity day on Gaya Island, where you can go snorkeling, trekking all in one day trip from Kota Kinabalu.

Based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on Gaya Island where "Rainforest meets the Reef" located just 10 mins boat ride from the City of Kota Kinabalu (KK). Our paradise island location is perfect for friends, couples, groups and families to enjoy a day trip from Kota Kinabalu. 

Our Multi Activity Day Trip offers the flexibility to Snorkel some beautiful sites from our island base, go Trekking through the primary rainforest & mangroves and Sea Kayak to explore some secluded bays and see the island from a different perspective.

A member of our staff team will guide you throughout the Snorkleing & Sea Kayaking taking you to the most interesting places and pointing out fascinating marine & wildlife. Our guide will also bring along all the required safety equipment. Life ring & snorkel vests (if required) and marine hand held radio. This enables non swimmers to enjoy the activity. For Trekking it is very safe to wander through the Jungle Trails without a guide, we will give you a hand held radio for communication with the Dive & Adventure Centre and provide an area orientation.

Lots of fun actives but also plenty of time to relax and enjoy our tropical surroundings. We are the only operator at this location so we enjoy no crowds, pristine corals, walking trails through primary rain-forest that meets the reef and mangrove treks teaming with wildlife.

We provide full snorkeling equipment including snorkel vests for adults and children.
Itinerary

0800 - 0815 hrs    Hotel pickup (KK City)  transfer to Sutera Harbour Marina
08.30 hrs Meet Downbelow Staff & Transfer on Boat to Downbelow Dive Station on Gaya Island 
09:00 hrs  Welcome Briefing / Payment & Registration 
09.15 hrs Snorkeling & Trekking
13.00 hrs Lunch at Adventure Centre
14.00 hrs Sea Kayaking
16.00 hrs Boat Transfer to Mainland Jetty
16.30 hrs Return to Hotel


Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.

Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Scuba Diving is becoming more and more popular and January has seen a busy start to the year. WE can offer Scuba Divers a very enjoyable day out. We own 3 speedboats that take our divers to different dive sites within the TAR Park and offshore daily, we choose the best dive sites to suit our divers that day - operating very small groups with their own Divemasters and Instructors ensuring a very personal and safe service. Between dives we return to our paradise dive & adventure centre located on Gaya Island.

Our island based dive & snorkel center provides a very special experience, with a resort like feel it is a fun place to spend the day, enjoying the tropical surroundings and chatting about all the wonderful creatures you will have spotted.  

We're only 10 minutes speedboat ride from the mainland of Kota Kinabalu so less time is wasted on boat trips leaving more time for Scuba Diving !

Our International staff team are highly skilled with many years of experience in their field, we pride ourselves on an exceptional level of service and safety.

We have an ALL INCLUSIVE POLICY with NO HIDDEN EXTRA CHARGES. 

This means that you pay one price which includes: return transfers from your hotel - subject to confirmed bookings and availability, (KK City including Tanjung Aru & Sutera Harbour), boat transfers, park and jetty fees, equipment (except dive computer) refreshments - free flow water / tea / coffee, freshly cooked lunch and 3 guided boat dives are all included. If you bring your own equipment we offer 5% discount from the prices below. 
  
Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu Daily Dive Package from MYR 340.00 per person ALL Inclusive.
Diving here in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is very good, our guests are always very surprised to see such a variety of Marine Life and healthy corals. The park offers some great diving for beginners and experienced divers alike, lots of hard and soft coral, great macro life, schools of tropical fish and many prized critters. 

TARP Dive Sites, Offshore Dive Sites and The Wrecks !!
Our Daily Diving Program is an all inclusive day out.  We offer day trips and multiple day trips, night dives and sunset dives, costs are as follows: 

We have 37ft, 35ft and 32ft dive boats which are very spacious and comfortable to dive from, we have a great variety of dives sites just minutes from our island dive center.

We limit the number of divers on the boat and try to keep people with similar levels of experience on the same boat. Our staff to client ratio is very high so we can accommodate all levels of divers with their own Divemasters.  We offer NITROX and dive computer rentals. 

Daily Itinerary for TARP

0800 - 0815 hrs    Hotel pickup (KK City)  transfer to Mainland Jetty
08.30 hrs Meet Downbelow Staff & Transfer on Boat to Downbelow Dive Station on Gaya Island 
Welcome Briefing 
0900 hrs Registration & Payment. Equipment Selection.
0930 hrs  Dive Briefing
0945 hrs  1st Boat Dive 
Return to Dive Center for Tea / Coffee / Fruit & Biscuits 
1130 hrs  Dive Briefing
1145 hrs  2nd Boat Dive 
13.00 hrs Lunch at Dive Center
1400 hrs  Dive Briefing 
1415 hrs 3rd Boat Dive 
16.00 hrs Boat Transfer to Mainland Jetty
16.30 hrs Return to Hotel

Please contact us should you wish to come and spend the day on Gaya Island, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking, Sea Kayaking or just relaxing.


Our international staff team provide premier 5 Star service which it to be expected from a 5 Star Instructor Training Centre.

We pride ourselves on very small group tuition & guiding providing a very personal service.

We have extremely high safety standards and procedures and follow British HSE Guidelines. 

We have a Dive Shop & Travel Centre located on the KK mainland, please feel free to drop in, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!


TEL: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com