Scuba Diving internships are great way to spend the summer months, between university holidays, gap years or sabbaticals from work !!!

Pictured left: Tom (aka: Rambo) a KK dive club member joins our scuba diving internship candidates, Gabriel, Simon & Joe for the PADI Rescue Diver portion of their program.

Our Internship program has become very popular and successful. Please take a look at our FACEBOOK account to see up to date information on Gaya Island happenings and see how the scuba diving internship candidates are progressing with their training.

The internships represent great value for money, provide exceptional experiences and training and at the same time they are great fun.

On all our internships you receive UNLIMITED scuba diving. We can offer this because our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with direct access to our training lagoon & house reef.

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

Annually we run a minimum of two Instructor Development Courses (IDC) to co-inside with these two IDC courses we run 1 month - 1 year internship programs, which can be joined at any time throughout the year.

Our internship programs cater for people who are complete beginners to the sport of diving and those more experienced.

We include very affordable accommodation to participants.

Continuing education is offered to the already certified PADI Instructor as Emergency First Response Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor.

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

Shangri La Rasa Ria & Scuba Diving Promotional Package

Stay at the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort for 4 nights, Scuba Dive for 2 days (6 Dives).

What a perfect way to spend your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah !!!

Promotional Rate - based on 2 people sharing NETT .

Garden Wing
Garden View: MYR 1,950.00 per person

Ocean Wing
Ocean View: MYR 2,735.00 per person



Includes:
4 Nights Room with Buffet Breakfast for Two People
2 Days Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from Gaya Island with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.
Hotel - Island return transfers, all park fees, jetty fees, refreshments, lunch, equipment rental included. Qualified Divers enjoy 6 boat dives, non qualified divers enjoy first morning Discover Scuba Diving Program followed by 4 Boat dives.
Non divers enjoy fully guided snorkeling or relaxing on the beach or trekking the rainforest trails of Gaya Island.

NO HIDDEN CHARGES !!!!

Only - additional peak season surcharges apply to accommodation during:
From 15th July to 31st August 2010 (Summer Holidays)
From 21nd December 2010 to 4th January 2011 (Christmas, New Year)
From 1 – 7 February 2011 (Chinese New Year 2011)
Please contact us for peak season rates !

For more information and to see images of the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort please peruse the website.
 
Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

We recently conducted an overnight trip to Pulau Tiga for a group of 21 guests and what a fabulous trip it was !!

We have the fastest dive boats in Kota Kinabalu, able to transfer 21 and more in one group to P Tiga in less than 1 hour ;) which makes a trip to Tiga very comfortable and quick.

This was put to the test again last week when we arrived at Pulau Tiga in 40 minutes from the Sutera Harbour Marina - our mainland departure location.

Quick transfer times means more time to spend diving, playing in the mud volcano and enjoying the delicious cuisine of Tiga resorts buffet lunch - resort style !

Our guests enjoyed a morning of guided snorkeling, a buffet lunch then off to the mud volcano. In the evening we organized a BBQ dinner with overnight accommodation on the island then a boat trip to snake island the following day, lunch then back to Kota Kinabalu.

This paradise island surrounded by pristine tropical waters is located 6 miles offshore Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. 

Formed on September 21st 1897 when an earthquake on the Philippine island of Mindanao triggered a volcanic eruption just north of Borneo.

The eruption of mud and rock formed a new island 20 meters wide.

The last eruption of the volcano was in 1941 but to this day warm mud continues to ooze from geometric vents on the island.

These mud baths are safe to bath in and although not proved by science the mud bath is claimed to improve the complexion, relieve joint and muscle pain and remove toxins.

If nothing else they are great fun and very relaxing !!

Day Trip Itinerary

0730 hrs: Depart Sutera Harbour Marina
0830 hrs: Tea/ Coffee on Pulau TIGA Island
0900 hrs: 1st Boat Dive / Guided Snorkelling / Free & Easy Relaxation
1015 hrs: Tea/ Coffee on Pulau TIGA Island (time to relax)
11:00 hrs: 2nd Boat Dive / Guided Snorkelling / Free & Easy Relaxation
1230 hrs: Buffet Lunch & Free & Easy Relaxation
1400 hrs: Guided Trip to the Mud Volcano (fabulous fun for all)
1500 hrs: Frolic in the Ocean washing off all that Mud !!
1530 hrs: Depart for Kota Kinabalu OR evening BBQ and overnight stay. Trip to Snake Island on day 2, lunch and transfer back to Kota Kinabalu !

To discover more about this fascinating island and great day trip please visit our Pulau Tiga pages.


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

Congratulations and thanks goes out the kids and teachers at Jeredong International School in Brunei for completing their PADI Open Water Diver Course, Scuba and Snorkeling experience in TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The group of 11 lead by Wendy & Stewart completed PADI openwater courses while others improved their diving and snorkeling skills with pleasure dives & guided snorkeling.

Before coming to our Gaya Island PADI 5 Star IDC Dive & Adventure centre the group joined the Downbelow Bus for a day of KK sightseeing with Humpfrey our registered guide.

The day trip included visiting the Orangutans and Cultural village.


At Downbelow we specialize in Group Events, Schools, Colleges, University, Clubs and Organizations.

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

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

Two years ago we began a Professional Scuba Diving Internship Scholarship Program for local people in Sabah Malaysia.

Local people who would like a professional career in the scuba diving industry are invited to apply for this 1 year program to become PADI Divemasters, an education that would otherwise be too expensive for them to achieve.

Our company Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd, provides the financial support for such training within our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center on Gaya Island and the Internship Trainees also receive a monthly allowance.

We are very proud to welcome Fidelis, Lester and Alvin to the professional world of diving. All three of them have successfully achieved their goal of becoming a PADI Divemaster with us.

Now they have their sights on becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor, the next stage of the their diving career

They serve as a great example to others who have enrolled on this rewarding program. One of Downbelow's missions is to bring local people up to this professional level within the diving industry and help them become among the best diving professionals in Sabah enabling them to earn a respectable income and provide a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Our local Professional Scuba Diving Internship Scholarship Program complements our International Internship Program. Should you be interested to join either the Local or International Internship Program, please Contact Us.

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

IDC - Instructor Development Course, AI, OWSI & EFRI Course - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo Malaysia.

If you are hoping to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor we have 2 great programs that you can join.

We are offering an IDC 1 month Internship which offers exceptional value for money, you enjoy UMLIMITED Scuba Diving from our island based PADI 5 Star IDC Centre and free IDC prep. OR if you are short on time you can join us for your IDC Course which also includes free IDC Prep.

Dates:

AI & OWSI (IDC) & EFRI Course
Dates: 27th August - 10th September 2010
IE: 11th & 12th September in KK 

1 month IDC Internship with Unlimited Scuba Diving & OWSI (IDC) & EFRI Course
Dates: 11th August - 10th September 2010
IE: 11th & 12th September in KK 

With our staff team of Course Director, Master Instructor and 2 Staff Instructors our staff to candidate ratio is very high which helps to ensure 100 % success !!!!

Covering areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, the business of diving and PADI standards and procedures, the IDC is designed to develop a rounded diving educator who can work anywhere in the world.

The IDC begins and encompasses two PADI programs: The Assistant Instructor Course and The Open Water Scuba Instructor Course.

Together these two programs make up the full IDC.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination scheduled at the end of the IDC, confirmed for 11th & 12th September 2010 also in Kota Kinabalu.

This is where PADI Instructor Examiners fly from Sydney Australia to assess and examine the IDC Candidates.

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

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

Short of time but still want to join a Scuba Diving course, learn how to scuba dive and experience the beauty of the Underwater World ?

Then we have the perfect solution for you - The PADI Scuba Diver Course which takes 2 days to complete.

PADI Scuba Diver Course - 2 days

The PADI Scuba Diver program is a pre-entry level certification that is perfect for vacationers or people who only plan to dive a couple times a year.

As a subprogram of the PADI Open Water Diver program, the PADI Scuba Diver rating allows you to get certified quickly and easily by minimizing time constraints.

With the PADI Scuba Diver certification you can dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor or higher professional on your next vacation or dive trip to a maximum of 12m. 

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a Scuba Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Scuba Diver program available

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques.

You earn this rating by completing confined water dives in our lagoon in front of our island based dive centre (pictured below). You will also complete knowledge development sessions which take place at our island paradise below, plus you will make two open water dives in the surrounding tropical ocean.



How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you, we allocate 2 days for this course.

Where can I go from here?
After completing the Scuba Diver program, you can at anytime continue your diving education by completing the PADI Open Water Course with any PADI Dive Center which will take an additional 2 days. 

How do I book my place ?

Please send us an email with your preferred dates and we'll schedule your course.


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 & 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

New scuba diving sites, reef & fishing net clean ups, lots of new divers, budding underwater photographers and an abundance of critters are just some of what’s been happening at Downbelows PADI 5 Star Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island over the past couple of weeks !!

Scuba diving with us at Downbelow is very exciting because we have some of the very best dive guides in the region. With many years of local knowledge and experience we know exactly where to look for the beautifully ugly creature critters of the reef !!!

This week causing much excitement has been the discovery of 2 - yes TWO juvenile painted frog fish on one of the reefs close to our dive centre. We hope that these shy and sensitive creatures will stay in the area for a long while.

We found a fishing net washed up on North Sulug, one of our favorite dive sites, the very next day Richard, a few members of staff and our Divemaster trainees spent almost the whole day cutting it away, fish were saved and the reef was left with only a little damage.

Lots of guests have enjoyed leisure diving to some of the best dive sites at TARP offshore to Usukan Bay WW2 Wrecks, The Rock and Mayne Rock.

The visibility has been great too this week, surface waters were a little low at times due to some heavy rain but still very enjoyable.

Should you wish to come and visit us at our island based dive & adventure center located on the beach 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.  

For more information on scuba diving Gaya Island, TARP and Sabah’s West Coast please peruse our links to the left, starting with the Dive Trip section.

For more information on the marine creatures you are likely to see please peruse our Marine Biology Section of the website. All information and photography is the work of Richard and Joanne, Directors of Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

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

FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS !

Shangri La Rasa Ria & Scuba Diving Promotional Package

Stay at the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort for 4 nights, Scuba Dive for 2 days (6 Dives).

What a perfect way to spend your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah !!!

Promotional Rate - based on 2 people sharing NETT .

Garden Wing
Garden View: MYR 1,950.00 per person

Ocean Wing
Ocean View: MYR 2,735.00 per person
Save more $$$ with extra days & nights !

Includes:
4 Nights Room with Buffet Breakfast for Two People
2 Days Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from Gaya Island with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.
Hotel - Island return transfers, all park fees, jetty fees, refreshments, lunch, equipment rental included. Qualified Divers enjoy 6 boat dives, non qualified divers enjoy first morning Discover Scuba Diving Program followed by 4 Boat dives.
Non divers enjoy fully guided snorkeling or relaxing on the beach or trekking the rainforest trails of Gaya Island.
Pre-payment is required.

NO HIDDEN CHARGES !!!!

Only - additional peak season surcharges apply to accommodation during:
From 15th July to 31st August 2010 (Summer Holidays)
From 21nd December 2010 to 4th January 2011 (Christmas, New Year)
From 1 – 7 February 2011 (Chinese New Year 2011)
Please contact us for peak season rates !

For more information and to see images of the Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort please peruse the website.
 
Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

Ghostpipefish – a prize find in any location haven’t been this plentiful for long while and we believe the return of fantastical creatures to Kota Kinabalu’s Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP) is pure conservation dividends.

Like many marine creature Ghostpipefish are seasonal and now is their peak season but its been years since they were in such abundance.

TARP has historically been shunned by divers thinking anywhere in Sabah other than Sipadan is boring.

However with marine life returning to the reefs and rare creature encounters frequent, Downbelow is convinced that conservation efforts are rejuvenating the park.

We see something wonderful on every dive - vibrant corals, unusual Nudibranches, Marble & Eagle Rays, Schools of Chevron Barracuda, Orang Utan Crabs, Pajama Cardinals; they’re all here within sight of the city.

Gaya Island & TARP have enjoyed increased protection from Sabah Parks and it’s the reduction of illegal fishing practices that’s a major contributor to the return of marine life.

To discover more about diving Borneo and to dive Gaya Island & TARP, please peruse our website.

For more information on the marine creatures you are likely to see please peruse our Marine Biology Section of the website. All information and photography is the work of Richard and Joanne, Directors of Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

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

FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS !

Downbelow hosted 19 students and their teacher from Hartpury College in UK for a fabulous day of Scuba Diving from Gaya Island.

It was a mental day on the island with 36 people in total enjoying the activities - 21 of them were Discover Scuba Divers !! But everyone split into their small groups with their instructors - even with this many people we maintain our very personnel attention to instruction and safety - the more the merrier - and this day sure was !!!!

As usual the whole Downbelow team did a top job well done guys you made us very proud !

The group from Hartpury College in the UK and all our other divers and snorkelers had a great time on the island today discovering scuba and enjoying our little piece of paradise with their Downbelow Instructors (not sure who had the most fun ;)

At Downbelow we specialize in Group Events, Schools, Colleges, University, Clubs and Organizations.

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

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

We are very pleased to offer a special holiday promotion with additional discounts for bookings at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort and Lankayan island Resort from 1st November to 15th December 2010.

Further discounts are available if you book TWO Centre Packages with us at Gaya Island !!!

We are taking bookings NOW for these dates.



We are offering an additional 10% discount to our already discounted rates which make staying at these beautiful resorts a must when visiting Sabah !!

Please see our dedicated web pages of Celebes Sea Accommodation and Lankayan Island to learn more about these tropical destinations and see some stunning images.

Both resorts are protected under our "Price Promise".

Please email us for more information and to check availability.

Why not start begin your holiday in Kota Kinabalu and Scuba Dive, Snorkel or come Trekking with us on Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Our Dive and Adventure Center offers Marine & Wildlife lovers an unforgettable day trip in paradise !


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 & 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

Dive Borneo - Dive Downbelow - What makes Downbelow Different ?

There are only two Dive Centres actually based in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - we are one of those two !!!

We also have our Head Office in KK Times Square offering tailor-made Travel in Sabah. 

Our island based dive & adventure center provides a very special experience. Located on the beach 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.  

Plus .... 


Safety & Equipment 
New and maintained Dive Equipment with Documented Service History 
Boats equipped with Sounders, GPS and Marine Radios for Complete Safety and Enjoyment 
Marine Radio & Handheld Radio Communication links the Team & Dive Centre
DAN Emergency Oxygen Kit and First Aid Kits on Boats and at Dive Centre
Emergency Assistant Plan & Risk Assessment Updated and Displayed
All staff members trained in Emergency First Response with 7 in house EFR Instructors

Enjoyment 
Offering the widest range of Scuba Diving Courses - Try Dives to Staff Instructor - in house !
Offering the widest range of Scuba Diving Day Trips on comfortable, fast dive boats.
37ft, 35ft & 32ft Comfortable Powerful Dive Boats – plenty of space with cover from the Sun & Rain !
Small Groups & Personal treatment - No Crowds !
Fresh Water Showers and Toilets !
Marine Biology Information & Enthusiastic Staff 
Over 50 dive sites within easy reach of our Dive Centre 
Only 5 minutes by Speedboat from Kota Kinabalu City

Experience 
Authorized PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive & Adventure Centre 
PADI Professionals in Active Teaching Status 
International Team - British, Malaysian, Chinese 
7 x PADI Instructors, 2 x PADI Assistant Instructors, 2 x PADI Divemasters, 4 x Snorkel Guides and 24 members in the Downbelow Team resulting in an Exception Level of Service 
Underwater Photography Experts - in House 
Fully Licensed through the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Tourism 

FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS !

For bookings please call or email us

TEL: +6 012 867 7375
www.divedownbelow.com

Ornate or Harlequin Ghostpipefish - Solenostomus paradoxus

Closely related to the family Syngnathidae - Seahorses and Pipefish they are from same order and share the long tube like snout.

Easily identified and arguably the most elaborate of Syngnathiformes, the Ornate or Harlequin Ghostpipefish is a highly prized discovery among divers and underwater photographers and we have several pairs around Gaya Island and within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

The fins of the Ornate Ghostpipefish are well developed, large and as the name suggests ornately decorated.

Spending most of its time in a head down position, drifting or slowly swimming in gentle surge and currents. In our image to the left, photographed by Richard just a couple of minutes from our PADI 5 Star IDC Centre on Gaya Island, you can see a pair of Ghostpipefish cryptically nestled among the branches of a feather star.

Their coloration is variable and the female has much larger ventral fins to store her eggs. Males are generally smaller in size than females, who grow to approximately 10cm in length. If undisturbed they will remain in the same host fauna for many weeks allowing us to revisit and respectfully show our divers !!!

Gaya Island and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP offers some fabulous scuba diving possibilities, teeming with marine life it should not be missed by divers coming to Sabah.

For more information on scuba diving Gaya Island, TARP and Sabah’s West Coast please peruse our links to the left, starting with the Dive Trip section.

For more information on the marine creatures you are likely to see please peruse our Marine Biology Section of the website. All information and photography is the work of Richard and Joanne, Directors of Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

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’s Travel Centre girls took to the reefs last weekend and spend the day Scuba Diving on Gaya Island.

PADI Staff Instructor Joanne conducted a Discover Scuba Diving program with Azlina & Shiau Lee - already a qualified diver joined for a Scuba Review as its been a while since her last.

The water was stunning and we saw schools of fish, some beautiful coral reef and had a fabulous day all round !!!

More information on our courses, day trips and travel packages please peruse our links to the right.

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

REVERSING THE TIDE – CLEANING UP GAYA ISLAND

Last Sunday, dive operator Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures invited 40 volunteers, both local and foreign, to lead by example and clean up the rubbish choking the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Working from 9am till 2pm on the shores near Sabah Parks Headquarters & Downbelows PADI 5 Star IDC Centre, the trekking trail and in the mangrove swamps, Downbelow staff and the volunteers managed to rid the environment of the TAR Park of a staggering amount of rubbish, which included
• 180kg of glass bottles (mostly discarded beer bottles);
• 50kg of plastic items (plastic bags and drinks bottles the main culprits); and
• 40kg of aluminium and tin cans.

The clean-up is to help raise awareness for Dive for Earth Day coming up in April, a PADI Project AWARE initiative that encourages the conservation of our oceans, be it below the surface or on the shorelines.

“Every year we sponsor several clean-up operations to collect rubbish on Gaya Island”, said Evelyn Bernadinus, Downbelow’s Regional Manager. “We transport participants to the island and provide refreshments and lunch in exchange for trash collected”, she said.

Sabah Parks, as well as Sutera Harbour Resort, contributed to the initiative by waiving their respective jetty fees for the volunteers.

“As part of the clean-up initiative, we also donated RM888, and collected an additional RM310 from participants,” added Bernadinus, “which is for the PADI Project AWARE Foundation in support of their mission to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.”

Bernadinus hopes that more dive operators would step up to support awareness of Dive for Earth Day and contribute to keeping Kota Kinabalu’s national marine park clean, as both local and foreign volunteers expressed their satisfaction with the results of the cleanup.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures heavily promotes the TAR Park’s diverse and vibrant underwater life and, when not on a mission to clean it, conducts daily diving and island activities to explore it.

Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry or peruse our links to the right.

Videographer Richard Swann from Downbelow managed to capture some of our Hammerhead Shark encounter on film, we were deep and it was dark but you can still see the school of Hammerhead Sharks at Sipadan, there were more than 100 sharks in total - AWESOME !!!!

We offer TWO Centre Scuba Diving Packages to Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort & Gaya Island with very generous discounts.

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

NEW in the Downbelow KK Dive Shop - The Canon Powershot G11 Camera & Underwater Housing.

In stock now at our Scuba Dive Shop and Dive Centre - Kota Kinabalu.

Advanced amateurs who have overwhelmingly embraced the G Series will be delighted with the PowerShot G11, which features RAW mode for unlimited editing options, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and a 2.8-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD.

Add to that Canon's new High Sensitivity System and high-speed ISO for incredible image quality, and Canon's top-range compact digital camera is a truly groundbreaking successor.



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.

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

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

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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

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

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures wishes friends & clients past, present & future A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010 !!!

This year has been an amazing year for us and we could not achieve such success without everybody’s support.

We have some really exciting plan for next year and can’t wait to share them with you all, please keep an eye on this page and all will be announced soon.

Meanwhile ..... the BBQ is still burning and its time for more BBQ lamb & Chicken, then perhaps a little late afternoon dive to look for the Frogfish that Evelyn found .....

Bye for now .......

More images from the event can be seen on our Facebook , here you can also see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

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

School kids form KL International School join us for the weekend for a Snorkeling, Camping and Sea Kayaking 2 Day / 1 Night Adventure Activity Program.

The youngsters have had a fabulous time making the most of our Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island - image left shows the group in front of our newly expanded Dive & Adventure Centre.

They have learned snorkeling & sea kayaking over the two day program and at the same time have enjoyed some exciting encounters with the local wildlife.

Pictured below, you can see them returning from a snorkel session to find a Monitor Lizard waiting on the beach and perhaps hoping to join in the fun !!!

Our PADI 5 Star Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is ideally suited to groups - friends and families because we can accommodate large groups with different levels of experience and at the same time the group can be together.

We have a large staff team of international divemasters and instructors so we are able to maintain high staff to guest ratios’s, we have three speed boats 37ft, 35ft, & 32ft so groups can enjoy a dedicated team of people and private boat charters.

Should you be visiting Kota Kinabalu and want us to host your friends & family day trips to the island of Tunku Abdul Rahman please contact us. We have many non diving activities which include, Snorkeling, Sea Kayaking, Trekking and not to forget - just relaxing with a book to the sound of the ocean !!


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 & 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

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

Welcome to Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures !
A Tours and Travel Centre for your Sabah Holiday

Our Holiday Travel Centre & Dive Shop are based in the city of Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia, Borneo and we are here to make planning and enjoying your holiday to Sabah in Borneo hassle free whilst saving time and money !

Whether you wish to climb Mt Kinabalu, visit the Orangutans at Sepilok, Scuba Dive, visit the Islands off Kota Kinabalu, Kapalai, Lankayan, take river safaris to the Kinabatangan or relax in some wonderful Resorts - we can assist.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn. Bhd is the brainchild of British expats and award winning Photo Journalists Richard and Joanne of Downbelow Dive Centre UK.

Upon realizing that the country is not only a biological melting pot but also a hidden treasure for Travelers, we felt we wanted to share our knowledge and passion for this wonderful country and put together some fabulous Marine & Wildlife Adventures - please peruse our TRAVEL PACKAGES and create your ideal holiday adventure.

We also have a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive & Adventure Centre based on Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, just 8 minutes offshore Kota Kinabalu City - a perfect day trip location for those staying in Kota Kinabalu wishing to Snorkel, go Trekking, Sea Kayak, Scuba Dive or relax in paradise !

On all our courses and activities you will find high standards of safety, very high staff to guest / student ratio, experienced, well qualified staff and flexibility to your needs and to the conditions.

As part of our internal staff training our office staff spend time at our Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island, learning about all the activities that we offer in TARP (image above - you an see Assistant Instructor Roy giving Naura an entry level snorkeling experience).

Should you wish us to help plan your holiday in Sabah, drop us a line and our Travel Centre girls will assist you. Please visit our Travel Centre & Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

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

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea and Lankayan Resort in the Sulu Sea are under Downbelow's Price Promise.

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.

Congratulations to our IDC candidates for succefully passing their PADI Instructor Examination and becoming PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife - Sabah have conducted the first Chinese PADI Instructor Development Course - IDC Course in Kota Kinabalu.

We owe a huge thankyou to Susan who acted as translator throughout the entire program including the IE.

We are pleased to say all our Chinese candidates were successful so their journey was not wasted !

Well done also to James who is now a fully qualifed Staff Instructor and Mark who is now a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor successfully completing his 3 month Professional Scuba Diving Internship Program, with us.

Big thanks to the team at Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures - DIVE DOWNBELOW - who's support was key to the guys success.

Well done to our Course Director Joseph Chung, Richard, Susan and James for staffing the course and putting in so many hours to ensure the candidates success :)

Thank you to PADI and PADI's Instructor Examiner from Sydney - Rob Scammel.

WELL DONE and lets look forward to the next IDC on starting 17th March 2010 !!!!!!

Should you wish to join our next IDC beginning 17th March 2010 please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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. We adhere to PADI 5 Star standards 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 PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island are very pleased to offer the PADI Open Water Course & Suunto Gekko Wrist Dive Computer at an Incredible bundled price promotion of MYR 2140.00!

Nope we have not gone crazy we just have great dive equipment prices in our dive shop and are happy to pass them on !!

Throughout the PADI Open Water Diver Course, you'll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You will also be taught using the Suunto Gekko Dive Computer (Brand New with Warranty) which will be yours to keep at the end of the course.

Suunto Gekko can be used with both air and enriched air nitrox, and it is designed to give the specifics of any diving situation, including decompression, at a glance.


Easy to use push buttons and a straightforward menu structure make Gekko simple to operate.

The extensive logbook memory stores up to 50 hours of dive profiles and logbook data including dive start time and date, dive time, maximum depth attained and temperature at maximum depth. In addition the dive history keeps track of up to 999 dives and 999 dive hours, as well as the maximum depth ever reached.

Scuba Diving with a dive computer has many benefits, very simply put - dive computers constantly track a divers decompression status, allow for more time underwater by using multi level techniques, provide accurate depth/time recordings and decompression status is made simple with automatic calculations.

What better way to become familiar with using and diving with a dive computer than learning to scuba dive with your very own !!

Please contact us to book you PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course with the Suunto Gekko Dive Computer - only available while stocks last - In Stock Now !

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

Congratulations to our PADI Instructor Development Candidates on passing their PADI Instructor Development Course - IDC Course with Downbelow PADI 5 Star IDC Center in Kota Kinabalu.

Now its time for the final Instructor Examination !

Over the next 2 days our candidates will be assessed by PADI Instructor Examiners who have flown in from Sydney Australia to assess the candidates.

We will keep everyone updated !!!!

Should you wish to join our next IDC beginning 17th March 2010 please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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. We adhere to PADI 5 Star standards 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

PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) - Kota Kinabalu - UPDATE !!

IDC is in full swing with all six candidates working hard until late at night.

This is a particularly challenging course for the staff team (Richard Joseph and Susan along with James on IDC Staff Instructor Course) as we have two Malay and three Chinese candidates that all require translation even in the IE.

IE is just around the corner so keep up the good work guys & Roy please try to stay away (poor mite) !

Our candidates are now Assistant Instructors and with the last few days to go the pressure is increasing.


During the PADI Instructor Development Course ( AI & OWSI which forms the IDC), candidates learn how to teach the PADI System of Diver Education through classroom and in water instructional sessions.

The course director and staff instructors who conduct the course teach and assess the candidates during the practical sessions, preparing them for the final Instructor Examination held by PADI at the end of the course.

At Downbelow we don't outsource our IDC's we teach them in-house using our own facilities.

Only PADI 5 Star IDC Centers and CDC Centers can conduct IDC's.

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 17th March 2010 please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

More informaion 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

Learn to Scuba Dive in warm tropical waters - PADI Open Water Course with Accommodaion Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia.

We are offering some fabulous Learn to Dive packages staying in Budget, Mid Range or High End Accommodation in Kota Kinabalu and joining us at our PADI 5 Star IDC Centre based on Gaya Island during the day for your course.

The PADI Open Water Course takes 3 to 4 days to complete (8.00 am till 4.00 pm daily) and courses offered by Downbelow are all inclusive with no hidden charges !

At Downbelow your safety is paramount, we have a large International staff team to accommodate different client requirements.

We adhere to PADI Standards and Procedures and follow British HSE guidelines.

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

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

Countdown to our IDC - Instructor Development Course- Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo Malaysia.

Our IDC begins one week from today !!!! Yippeee, with lots of nervous excitement throughout the centre our candidates are busy with IDC preparation.

Its not too late to join us, we have 6 candidates and can easily accommodate 1 or 2 more candidates. With our staff team of Course Director, Master Instructor and 2 Staff Instructors our staff to candidate ratio is very high which helps to ensure 100 % success !!!!

Covering areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, the business of diving and PADI standards and procedures, the IDC is designed to develop a rounded diving educator who can work anywhere in the world.

The IDC begins and encompasses two PADI programs: The Assistant Instructor Course and The Open Water Scuba Instructor Course.

Together these two programs make up the full IDC.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination scheduled at the end of the IDC, confirmed for 2nd & 3rd December 2009 also in Kota Kinabalu.

This is where PADI Instructor Examiners fly from Sydney Australia to assess and examine the IDC Candidates.

We will keep you posted on our candidates progress and we wish you all success !!!!

More informaion 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

Short of time but still want to join a Scuba Diving course, learn how to scuba dive and experience the beauty of the Underwater World ?

Then we have the perfect solution for you - The PADI Scuba Diver Course which takes 2 days to complete.

PADI Scuba Diver Course - 2 days

The PADI Scuba Diver program is a pre-entry level certification that is perfect for vacationers or people who only plan to dive a couple times a year.

As a subprogram of the PADI Open Water Diver program, the PADI Scuba Diver rating allows you to get certified quickly and easily by minimizing time constraints.

With the PADI Scuba Diver certification you can dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor or higher professional on your next vacation or dive trip to a maximum of 12m. 

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a Scuba Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Scuba Diver program available

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques.

You earn this rating by completing confined water dives in our lagoon in front of our island based dive centre (pictured below). You will also complete knowledge development sessions which take place at our island paradise below, plus you will make two open water dives in the surrounding tropical ocean.



How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you, we allocate 2 days for this course.

Where can I go from here?
After completing the Scuba Diver program, you can at anytime continue your diving education by completing the PADI Open Water Course with any PADI Dive Center which will take an additional 2 days. 

How do I book my place ?

Please send us an email with your preferred dates and we'll schedule your course.


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 & 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 Candidates - Mark, Lawrencius (fondly known as Tim Tam) and Nizam. Who will complete our PADI Divemaster Internship and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Internship.

Mark (pictured -far right) has joined us for 3 months, to complete his PADI Divemaster and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course. Also pictured with Mark are Ashley and Ken, who have just began their PADI Divemaster Course and are coming to the end of their one year training program with us.

Lawrencius and Nizam (image: below,left) have just joined our local internship program that will see them become PADI Divemasters within 1 year of full time training.

Our Internship program has become very popular and successful.

The programs represent great value for money, provide exceptional experiences and training and at the same time they are great fun.

On all our internships you receive UNLIMITED scuba diving. We can offer this because our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with direct access to our training lagoon & house reef.

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

Annually we run a minimum of two Instructor Development Courses (IDC) to co-inside with these two IDC courses we run 1 month - 1year internship programs, which can be joined at any time throughout the year.

Our internship programs cater for people who are complete beginners to the sport of diving and those more experienced.

We include very affordable accommodation to participants.

Continuing education is offered to the already certified PADI Instructor as Emergency First Response Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor.

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

Become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor - OWSI . There is still time to join our PADI IDC, Instructor Development Course OWSI in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Borneo beginning 19th November 2009.

Our IDC Package - AI & OWSI & EFRI in Kota Kinabalu is very competitively priced and our teaching facilities are ideally suited to professional diver training. We are also very proud to say that so far we have experienced 100% success rate with our candidates.

Introducing you to the PADI system of diver education our PADI IDC provides you with the tools to train scuba divers in the classroom, confined water and open water.

Our IDC package includes the PADI Assistant Instructor Course (AI) & PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) and Emergency First Response Instructor Course (EFRI).

Upon successful completion of these three courses you will be ready for the PADI Instructor Examination, which is a 2 day standardized, objective evaluation conducted by PADI Instructor Examiners from PADI Asia Pacific who fly to Kota Kinabalu several times a year.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the IE.

Our NEXT IIDC Course Begins: 19th November - 1st December 2009

The NEXT I.E in Kota Kinabalu is: 2nd & 3rd December 2009

OUR PADI IDC PACKAGE

This course takes the already certified PADI Divemaster to another level.

During the IDC you will learn how to successfully transfer knowledge and skills to others. Furthermore you will develop a clear understanding of The PADI Philosophy of Continuing Education and the full range of PADI programs, teaching materials and tools, including digital products, that are available to you as a PADI Instructor.

Once you have understood the basic teaching methods employed in teaching scuba and how to use the PADI system to it’s fullest, you will find teaching an easy and exhilarating experience !! The programs are performance based and focused on development, they are candidate centred, so you will receive feedback throughout the course informing you of your progress and level of proficiency.

They are also great fun and a rewarding and unforgettable experience.


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

Thank you to Edith and her group of friends who came from Hong Kong & the UK and chose us to accommodate their 2 day scuba diving trip in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Borneo !!!!

This special event had been organized for quite dome time and as the day neared, we all prayed for good weather and we were very fortunate as every day before and after their 2 days program bought rain, however for this group of friends who are attending a friends wedding here in Sabah the sun shined all day !!!!

In total we accommodated 25 divers all wanting to dive together - 20 qualified divers, 5 Discover Scuba diving and 9 night divers.

We all enjoyed a wonderful BBQ lunch and great fun was had by all, a special thanks goes out to the staff team who pulled out all the stops to ensure they all had a great time.

Our PADI 5 Star Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is ideally suited to large groups - friends and families because we can accommodate many divers with different levels of experience and at the same time the group can be together.

We have a large staff team of international divemasters and instructors.

Should you be visiting Kota Kinabalu and want us to host your friends & family day trips to the island of Tunku Abdul Rahman please contact us. We have many non diving activities which include, Snorkeling, Sea Kayaking, Trekking and not to forget - just relaxing with a book to the sound of the ocean !!


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 & 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

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

We now have the Canon Powershot G10 Camera & Underwater Housing 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

If you are considering to buy a Dive Computer you have to look to Suunto.

Suunto specializes in essential diving equipment that helps enthusiasts focus on the experience and make the most of every dive.



From the industry's first liquid-filled dive compass to the first wristop dive computer, Suunto innovations have become standard equipment the world over, trusted by professionals for accuracy, salient features and outstanding durability. Because divers differ in motivation and style, Suunto provides options. With the Suunto D9, for example, you can equip yourself with a full decompression dive computer, digital compass and wireless air integration - all in one convenient wristop unit.

Alternatively, you can customize your setup by dedicating different instruments to your wrist, HP hose or Suunto Combo console. Whatever your preference, the freedom is yours. Take a moment to explore the full line of Suunto dive computers, pressure gauges and compasses. Then visit our Dive Shop in KK Times Square to make your purchase !!! Check out also the latest Suunto diving product catalogue in English to learn more about Suunto's diving products.
Click here to view the catalogue online.

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

Try Dive - Discover Scuba Diving DSD - Scuba Diving Lessons for Beginners - An ideal day trip to the TARP Islands offshore Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Borneo.

It could not be easier to try Scuba Diving and within the same few hours see the beauty of the underwater world in a safe, warm paradise location.

Just take a look at some of our recent guests, pictured left with their Divemaster Cyril, they all chose to take their first breaths underwater with us, gaining our "Dived and Survived with Downbelow Stamp !!!!

Our Island based PADI 5 Star Instructor Development & Dive Centre in the The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is ideally suited to beginner divers providing shallow, sandy confined water environments which slope to slightly deeper coral reef habitats.

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program introduces people to scuba diving in a highly supervised and relaxed manner.

Under the guidance of a PADI professional, new divers learn basic safety concepts, put on equipment and swim around underwater in a closely supervised environment.

Our half day program competes before lunch time so you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the tropical beaches, snorkeling, trekking or sea kayaking.

Alternatively we can take you on an additional pleasure dive to a maximum depth of 12m with and instructor in the afternoon as part of the full day program.

You don't have to book the afternoon dive, "try before you buy" if you get the dive bug you can decide on the day.

Daily Program

0800 - 0820 hrs  Hotel pickup (KK City)  transfer to Jesselton Point Jetty
0830 hrs Meet Downbelow Staff and Transfer to Downbelow's The Beach House - Gaya Island
0845 hrs Registration & Equipment Selection
0900 hrs Dive Theory, Equipment Orientation and Dive Briefing
Confined Water Dive & Skill Practice
Open Water Scuba Dive
13.00 hrs Lunch
14.00 hrs Optional Scuba Dive or Relax on the Beach or go Trekking.
1600 hrs Boat Transfer to Mainland Jetty
1615 hrs Return to Hotel


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 & 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

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

Big thanks goes out to supporters and participants who took part in our annual International Clean Up Event today at our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Park (TARP) Kota Kinabalu.

Hosted by us Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd and supported by Sabah Parks and Sabah Tourism.

Twenty Eight volunteers offered their valuable time cleaning up the already beautiful Gaya Island in Tunku Abdul Park (TARP) Kota Kinabalu.
Blessed with many tropical bays and mangroves the daily litter bought in by tides accumulates in these secluded beauty spots.

Although Sabah Parks daily pick littler from the beaches in front of our Dive Center some of the more seculded beaches are much harder to reach.

Armed with littler bags, snorkeling equipment and speedboats our volunteers cleaned it all up !!!

249KG of plastic, styrofoam, flip flops and other debris was collected from our beaches and shorelines before seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and other marine-life can get entangled or eat it.

Remember "Prevent plastic pollution, save the oceans" !!

Sabah Parks kindly waived the park fee for all volunteers and contributed staff, clean up equipment and a speedboat whilst, we - Dive Downbelow provided logistics, speedboats, a delicious beach BBQ, refreshments and staff.

The day was as always FREE of charge to everyone who kindly donated their time.

Thankyou to all that took part !!

Together with Sabah Parks we run these events 2 / 3 times annually.

More images from the event can be seen on our Facebook , here you can also see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

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

Whilst taking some guests on their Guided Snorkeling Program at our nearby snorkel & scuba dive site "Turtle House" Kenny, one of our Snorkel Guides found a Fish Trap.

Disturbed by his find he reported back to the dive center and once all our guests had left for the day the crew led by Kenny, set about retrieving the trap and freeing the fish inside.

Fish traps are a destructive and illegal fishing method that wastefully catch many reef fish that are too small to be eaten or inedible.

The trap will also damage the reef in the process, in addition many fishermen loose the trap altogether leaving the menace permanently abandoned and continuing to trap fish.

The fish trap was in shallow enough water to retrieve whilst snorkeling so they paddled out on our Sea Kayaks and successfully safely destroyed the fish trap and set free the fish inside with no casualties.

More images from the event can be seen on our Facebook , here you can also see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

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

Make your special day even more special and celebrate on a beautiful Tropical Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, just offshore Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.

Our guests Tim and Valerie (pictured left) decided to spice up their birthday celebrations by spending the day with us at our Paradise Beach House Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island.

They joined us for fully guided snorkeling and trekking enjoyed a birthday song from the entire crew.

They saw a Turtle, Clownfish, Bats and much more ....

More images from the day can be seen on our Facebook , here you can also see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

Should you wish to join us for one or more days during your trip to Sabah, whether as a celebration or day trip please contact us.

We scuba dive the very best of dive sites on the West Coast Sabah, conduct PADI Scuba Diving Courses from beginner to Instructor and beyond, Daily Snorkeling & Trekking to most beautiful parts of the islands and Sea Kayak to some of the prettiest beaches and lagoons.

Delicious BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, CELEBRATION cakes can be ordered by email or telephone !!!!


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

The PADI Open Water Course formed the perfect basis for this years Military Adventure Training.

Hosed by us at Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures on Gaya Island, TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

This June and July we were very pleased to welcome back our old friends from the British Army - 7 Flight and Workshops for a 7N/6D Adventure Training Program.

Joining us for their PADI Open Water Courses and White Water Rafting, great fun was had by all !!

As always there was never a dull moment !!!

To see more images from the Adventurous Training please take a look at our Dive Downbelow Facebook.

It was our pleasure to organize and conduct the training for the Flight & Workshops for the 4th consecutive year and look forward to the next time !

Based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park our facilities are ideally suited to Adventurous Training and Team building. We are surrounded by primary rain forest and tropical ocean.

Year round Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trekking and Sea Kayaking are all available from our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre just minutes from the city of Kota Kinabalu and overlooked by Mt Kinabalu.

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

Soon we must say Goodbye to Mairi, one of our International Internship Candidates.

Mairi joined us as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and completed her Rescue Diver Course, Divemaster Course and Divemaster Discover Scuba Diving Internship.

We would like to say a big well-done from all the team for achieving your goal and becoming a professional PADI Divemaster with the Discover Scuba Diving Upgrade.

Mairi completed a two month program then put her new found skills into practice by helping us out for a week throughout our very busy season.

She then decided to complete her Underwater Photography Course and NITROX Course with us.

Just like William and James, Mairi became part of the Beach House Balcony furniture and the porch is not the same without her :)

Now that her internship is complete she is traveling around Sabah, she will soon return to Scotland to complete her Marine Biology Degree - all the best Mairi !!!!!

Should anyone wish to join us for a Professional Scuba Diving Internship Program, please peruse our dedicated website.

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !


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 & 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

Try Dive - Discover Scuba Diving DSD - Scuba Diving Lessons for Beginners - An ideal day trip from Kota Kinabalu.

It could not be easier to try Scuba Diving and within the same few hours see the beauty of the underwater world in a safe, warm paradise location.

Just take a look at some of our recent guests, pictured left and right, they all choose to take their first breaths underwater with us, gaining our "Dived and Survived with Downbelow Stamp !!!!

Our Island based PADI 5 Star Instructor Development & Dive Centre in the The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is ideally suited to beginner divers providing shallow, sandy confined water environments which slope to slightly deeper coral reef habitats.

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program introduces people to scuba diving in a highly supervised and relaxed manner.

It dispels common misconceptions about scuba by letting individuals try it for themselves.

Under the guidance of a PADI professional, new divers learn basic safety concepts, put on equipment and swim around underwater in a closely supervised environment.

After trying scuba, many new divers may decide to repeat the experience. If not immediately, then on other occasions or in different areas. Others will choose to pursue certification by enrolling in a PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver course.

When certain requirements are met, new divers may earn credit toward PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver certification.

Our half day program competes before lunch time so you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the tropical beaches. Alternatively we can take you on an additional pleasure dive to a maximum depth of 12m with and instructor in the afternoon as part of the full day program.

You don't have to book the afternoon dive, "try before you buy" if you get the dive bug you can decide on the day.

Daily Program

0800 - 0820 hrs  Hotel pickup (KK City)  transfer to Jesselton Point Jetty
0830 hrs Meet Downbelow Staff and Transfer to Downbelow's The Beach House - Gaya Island
0845 hrs Registration & Equipment Selection
0900 hrs Dive Theory, Equipment Orientation and Dive Briefing
Confined Water Dive & Skill Practice
Open Water Scuba Dive
13.00 hrs Lunch
14.00 hrs Optional Scuba Dive or Relax on the Beach or go Trekking.
1600 hrs Boat Transfer to Mainland Jetty
1615 hrs Return to Hotel

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 & 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

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !

Our daily dive package from Kota Kinabalu includes 3 boat dives, on the the 3rd boat dive last week our divemaster and divers were very disturbed to find a fishing net on one of our best dive sites in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP.

We think it had already been there for one night as it had claimed the lives of Bamboo Sharks and a few fishes.

So, after the guests had departed from our paradise Beach House Dive Centre for the day our staff team, decided to go and cut the net down.

It took about 1 and half hours to clear the net but we managed to remove it entirely with very little damage to the coral reef.

Should you wish to join us for a days Scuba Diving please peruse our website and contact us !

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

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

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is very pleased to welcome Lester and Fidelis to our team of Scuba Diving Internship candidates.

Pictured left are old and new interns with PADI Master Instructor Richard. (Topright: Mairi, Ashley, James, Richard, William (AKA Harry Potter), Kenny, Fidelis. Bottom Left: Cyril, Roy (NinjaBoy) and Lester.

We are currently going through a period of change where some candidates are leaving due to their program completing, others have been offered full time employment with us and some are continuing to become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

Our facilities are ideally suited to Diver Training both professional and non professional courses. You obtain "real life" training in "real life" settings. 

UNLIMITED Scuba Diving !!!

We are a young and fun group of people who all love to dive, our center has a 'resort atmosphere" where after the days diving we enjoy sitting with a coffee or a beer and chatting about our days diving experience and all the weird and wonderful creatures we spotted.

Our dive centre (known as the Beach House) is located 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). We are the only operaor here - away from the crowds.

In front of our dive centre we have a very quiet lagoon for our confined water training, we have a very special house reef with lots of marine life and all dive sites are within 5 minutes boat ride from our centre.

On all our internships we offer UNLIMITED Scuba Diving !!!

Pictured right, 3 of our interns studying for their final Divemaster exams.

We have 37ft & 32ft dive boats which are very spacious and comfortable to dive from.

We are usually the only dive boat on the dive sites, we have very high staff to client ratios so we are able to offer a very personal diving service without the crowds. We also offer NITROX diving and we have dive computers available for rent. 

Should anyone wish to join us for a Professional Scuba Diving Internship Program, please peruse our dedicated website.

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !


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 & 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

Congratulations on completing the PADI Open Water Course - TARP Kota Kinabalu, KK. Sabah !!

Dash, Kay, Stephanie, Tessa, Kathryn and Lauri all just completed their PADI Open Water Course with us on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The six students were taught by Calvin and James two of our PADI Instructors.

At Downbelow we pride ourself on providing well structured courses and an exceptional level of service and safety and our International staff team are highly skilled with many years of experience in their field

We keep our instructor to student ratio's high so that every student has personal attention from the instructor throughout the course.

It wasn't all hard work and no play during the course, our students enjoyed some great scuba diving and a beach BBQ for lunch time :)

The PADI Open Water Course is not only our most popular course but the most popular Scuba Course in the world.

This Scuba Diving Course is the first level of PADI Certification and as a certified PADI Open Water Diver you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

The Beach House on Gaya Island, Downbelow Dive Centres Island Paradise location in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah provides an ideal venue for this course, with a confined shallow, sandy area lagoon - ideal for skill practice and open water coral reef dive sites just minutes from the centre - ideal for open water dives.

Small group learning, no crowds, personal, thorough training and high standards of safely is what draws people to Downbelow !

Throughout the course, students learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques.

Completing five confined sessions, knowledge development sessions and four open water dives. Participants don't have to be super fit to learn, virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification, are you "Fit to Dive" ?

For more information please peruse our PADI Open Water Course website page or CONTACT US for more information.

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 & 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

Soon we must say Goodbye William (AKA Harry Potter) our most recent international internship candidate.

William joined us as a Rescue Diver and completed his Divemaster Course and Divemaster Discover Scuba Diving Internship.

We would like to say a big well-done from all the team for achieving your goal and becoming a professional PADI Divemaster.

William has done a seven week program with us and has become part of the furniture - quite literally as the front porch at the beach house wont be the same without him !

Good luck in the future mate !

Should anyone wish to join us for a Professional Scuba Diving Internship Program, please peruse our dedicated website.

You can also take a look at our Facebook to see what we all get up to over here in Paradise !


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 & 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

One year ago we began a Professional Scuba Diving Internship Scholarship Program for local people in Sabah Malaysia.

Local people who would like a professional career in the scuba diving industry are invited to apply for this 1 year program to become PADI Divemasters, an education that would otherwise be too expensive for them to achieve.

Our company Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd, provides the financial support for such training within our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center on Gaya Island and the Internship Trainees also receive a monthly allowance.

We are now extremely proud to announce Roy Duncan Robert (far left) and Cyril Masuil (far right) as the first two trainees to join the Internship Program and also the first two candidates to become fully qualified professional PADI Divemasters.

Seen pictured above enjoying a beer with Richard on the day of their last exam.

Roy and Cyril have been offered full time positions within Downbelow as PADI Divemasters, now they have their sights on becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor, the next stage of the their diving career

They serve as a great example to others who have enrolled on this rewarding program. One of Downbelow's missions is to bring local people up to this professional level within the diving industry and help them become among the best diving professionals in Sabah enabling them to earn a respectable income and provide a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Our local Professional Scuba Diving Internship Scholarship Program complements our International Internship Program, more details on these programs can be found here: Scuba Diving Internship Program.

Should you be interested to join either the Local or International Internship Program, please 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 & 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

Downbelow company directors Richard and Joanne Swann's latest article - "Ultimate Critter" is featured in this months Australian Sport Diving Magazine.

The article takes a look at the what makes the highly prized Blue Ringed Octopus the ultimate of critters.

Packed with interesting facts and stunning photography the article makes for a great read !!!

Sport Diving Magazine is in stores now throughout Australasia. You can subscribe to the magazine online and/or read the low res pdf of the article at http://www.divetheblue.net.

The Blue Ring Octopus is seen with some what regularity in the region of Kapalai in the Celebes Sea,

We have also seen the odd individual in TAR Park in the South China Sea where are have our PADI 5 Star Dive Center on Gaya Island.

For more information on this interesting and venomous creature please visit our dedicated Octopus and Squid Marine Biology Section.

For Diving within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park please visit our Daily Dive Package section.

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 & 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

We are very pleased to offer a special holiday promotion with additional discounts for bookings at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort and Lankayan island Resort from 1st November to 15th December 2009.

We are taking bookings NOW for these dates.



We are offering an additional 10% discount to our already discounted rates which make staying at these beautiful resorts a must when visiting Sabah !!

Please see our dedicated web pages of Celebes Sea Accommodation and Lankayan Island to learn more about these tropical destinations and see some stunning images.

Both resorts are protected under our "Price Promise".

Please email us for more information and to check availability.

Why not start begin your holiday in Kota Kinabalu and Scuba Dive, Snorkel or come Trekking with us on Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Our Dive and Adventure Center offers Marine & Wildlife lovers an unforgettable day trip in paradise !


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 & 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

Short of time but still want to join a Scuba Diving course, learn how to scuba dive and experience the beauty of the Underwater World ?

Then we have the perfect solution for you - The PADI Scuba Diver Course which takes 2 days to complete.

PADI Scuba Diver Course - 2 days

The PADI Scuba Diver program is a pre-entry level certification that is perfect for vacationers or people who only plan to dive a couple times a year.

As a subprogram of the PADI Open Water Diver program, the PADI Scuba Diver rating allows you to get certified quickly and easily by minimizing time constraints.

With the PADI Scuba Diver certification you can dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor or higher professional on your next vacation or dive trip to a maximum of 12m. 

What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a Scuba Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Scuba Diver program available

What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques.

You earn this rating by completing confined water dives in our lagoon in front of our island based dive centre (pictured below). You will also complete knowledge development sessions which take place at our island paradise below, plus you will make two open water dives in the surrounding tropical ocean.



How long will it take?
PADI programs are performance based. You proceed as you demonstrate mastery of the course skills. This allows you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you, we allocate 2 days for this course.

Where can I go from here?
After completing the Scuba Diver program, you can at anytime continue your diving education by completing the PADI Open Water Course with any PADI Dive Center which will take an additional 2 days. 

How do I book my place ?

Please send us an email with your preferred dates and we'll schedule your course.


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 & 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

At Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures we offer a wide range Accommodation & Diving Packages in Sabah.

Starting from 3 Days / 2 Nights and more.....

Our flagship diving destination is our very own paradise island Dive & Adventure Centre on Pulau Gaya within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP), just 8 minutes by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu.


Being so close to the city means we have a large variety of Accommodation options to suit travelers budgets and desires.

Beginning with a 1 million star a night tent !!!! - Camping next to our Dive and Adventure Centre is a wonderful experience.

Alternatively for the less intrepid traveller you can stay on the mainland and we will bring you to our island location daily.

We offer very clean and comfortable budget accommodation / mid range to large 5 Star Hotel complexes with swimming pools and facilitates which are either in or close to the city.

You can stay within the Tunku Abdul Rahman park on Manukan Island or on the other end of the scale you could stay in a family owned, very friendly beach resort approx 40 minutes south of the city.

We combine these packages with 2-6 days Scuba Diving and Snorkeling packages within the TAR park and beyond.

We also offer other destinations such as Kapalai Resort and Lankayan Island Resort plus Pulau Tiga.

We will soon be publishing these Accommodation and Diving Packages Packages on our website but until then, please contact us for your tailored trip that saves you money !!

Should you wish to join us for a day trip to our Island Dive Centre in TAR Park please contact us, we dive every single day and have superb access to the best dive sites. We also venture further afield (weather permitting) to dive locations along the West Coast Sabah.


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 & 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

The Travel and Diving industry is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Especially in and era of conservation awareness and exploration.

Over the years we have met so many lovely people, many of whom return year after year and have become good friends.

We just wanted to say "Thank You" to all of our friends and guests that support us and what we are doing here in Sabah.

We would like to share some of our guest comments because you don't just want to hear how wonderful our Dive & Adventure Centre is just from us all the time !!!!!

Please visit our GUESTBOOK.

Congratulations on completing your PADI Rescue Diver Course to James, Mairi, Ashley, Kenny and David (pictured left to right) with Richard (far left).

James and Mairi have joined us for long tern Internship Programs, they are enjoying UNLIMITED Scuba Diving throughout their internship.

Now that they have achieved their PADI Rescue Diver qualification they will soon begin the next stage of their training which is the PADI Divemaster Internship Course.

Ashley and Kenny have been with us for several months as local internship candidates.

Ashley also works in the office at our Dive Centre based on Gaya island and Kenny is one of our Snorkel Guides - over then next few months they will both progress on to the PADI Divemaster Course.

David, joined us with his wife for 6 days, he completed his Emergency First Response Course and PADI Rescue Diver Course whilst his wife Jacky completed her PADI Open Water Diver Course, they both then enjoyed 2 Days of Daily Diving in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Well done guys and girls - now enjoy some great diving and we'll progress to the next stage !!

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

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre are very excited to offer an additional offshore dive site to our dive site portfolio.

"The Rock" is located outside of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park but we can access it on calmer days with our fast speed boats in less than 1 hour from our PADI 5 Star Dive & Adventure Centre which is based on Gaya Island in TAR National Park.

For a very small additional fuel surcharge on top of our Daily Diving Package, we are offering The Rock dive site as a two tank dive package in the morning, returning to our dive centre for freshly cooked lunch with a boat dive in the TAR National park in the afternoon.

Visibility at The Rock dive site is very good, our last trip saw 30m plus visibility.

The Rocks topography and marine life make it a very interesting addition to our range of dive sites.

Unfortunately like many offshore dive sites outside of the protected marine park the coral has experienced damage due to detrimental fishing methods.

However its visibility and hidden treasures more than make up for the lack of soft corals.

In challenging conditions some critters thrive - scorpionfish, lionfish, clownfish and nudibranchs, bamboo sharks, rays and schooling mackrel can be found.

The Rock dive site is suited to novice and more advanced divers alike, photographers won't know whether to go wide angle and bask in the glorious visibility or stick with macro for its diversity of critter life !

Please ask our staff team for more information on this interesting dive site - subject to availability and weather we can go there everyday !!!

We are the only Dive Centre offering this variety of dive locations !!

Visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre at KK TIMES SQUARE, Block B, 3rd Floor, Lot 12 (above and left of MOTHERCARE) for bookings or EMAIL Us.

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935

All 3 of these images were taken last sunday at The Rock dive site - come join us there on your next diving trip to West Coast Sabah. More images will be posted soon as an album - watch this space !

We have expanded again and moved our Scuba Dive Shop and Adventure Travel Centre to KK TIMES Square in the city of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.



Complementing our paradise Island based Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park - together our two facilities make up our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre.

Our Dive Shop and Travel Centre 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

Welcome to Downbelow's new Professional Internship Candidates James, Marie, Lee and Fedils.

James (far right) has joined us for 8 months, joining us as a PADI Open Water Diver he will continue his education through to Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Marie has joined us for 2 months, completing her Recuse and Divemaster Internship.

Lee (far left) and Fedilis have joined our local internship program that will see them become PADI Divemasters within 1 year of full time training.

Our Internship program has become very popular and successful.

The programs represent great value for money, provide exceptional experiences and training and at the same time they are great fun.

On all our internships you receive UNLIMITED scuba diving. We can offer this because our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park with direct access to our training lagoon & house reef.

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

Annually we run a minimum of two Instructor Development Courses (IDC) to co-inside with these two IDC courses we run 1 month - 1year internship programs, which can be joined at any time throughout the year.

Our internship programs cater for people who are complete beginners to the sport of diving and those more experienced.

We include very affordable accommodation to participants.

Continuing education is offered to the already certified PADI Instructor as Emergency First Response Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IDC Staff Instructor.

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

Having completed a successful Adventure Training Event for the the British Royal Navy we just wanted to post a few images of their various activities.

Throughout the 10 day program activities included Scuba Diving, Trekking, Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Dingy Sailing and Deep Sea Fishing with approximately 90 participants.

The Royal Navy we visiting Kota Kinabalu and were collected daily from Sabah Ports, previous military and corporate groups have chosen to camp at our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center & Adventure Center on Gaya Island or stay in the city of Kota Kinabalu - all budgets and objectives can be accommodated.

Sabah is ideally suited as a location for Adventure Training and Team Building Activities.

Within the state we have access to some of the best hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, jungle trekking, wildlife safaris, river and sea kayaking, scuba diving, white water rafting, coastline, tropical islands and ocean anywhere in the world.

Using the countries natural environment and skills of our local staff, 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 and Team Building

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 comradery is key to success.

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

Should you choose, from the moment you or your group arrive in Sabah you are greeted by us.

All logistics, meals refreshment and accommodation are taken care of and full equipment provided.

To see images of this event plus previous events please see our Adventure Training Groups Photo Albums.


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, we have a large Dive Shop and Travel Centre located at Block B, 3rd Floor, Lot 12 (above and far left of MOTHERCARE)

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935

Please take a look at out Adventure Training Photo Album so see images of this Adventure Training Event plus previous events.

Congratulations to 5 Singapore Army Soldiers who recently completed their PADI Open Water Course with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures on Gaya Island - Kota Kinabalu.

Also joining them were their friends who, as already qualified Divers, enjoyed some leisure diving from our Beach House Dive Center.

Their instructors Calvin and Strike also had the help of Tanja who is currently a the end of her 6 month professional internship with Downbelow !

Our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center & Adventure Center on Gaya Island is the perfect venue for groups, individuals, friends and families to take part in Scuba Courses and Professional Scuba Diving Internships.

The PADI Open Water Course takes 3 to 4 days to complete (8.00 am till 4.00 pm daily) and courses offered by Downbelow are all inclusive with no hidden charges !

At Downbelow your safety is paramount, we have a large staff team to accommodate different client requirements.

We adhere to PADI Standards and Procedures and follow British HSE guidelines.

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

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

Dive and Snorkel for Earth Day.

Earth Day on 22nd April has encouraged communities to think and act even greener than the norm and to participate in an event that will raise public awareness for our challenged planet !!



On 25th April Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn Bhd and Sabah Parks held a Project Aware - Beach & Reef Clean Up plus Mangrove Tree Planting Event at Downbelow's Island Based PADI 5 STAR IDC Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Sponsored by Downbelow Marine & Wildlife - there is NO CHARGE to join this event, all equipment, fuel, food and fees are paid by Downbelow and Sabah Parks kindly waived the Diving and Snorkeler permit fee for everyone involved in the clean up !

More than 60 volunteers joined the program and 111 kg of rubbish was collected.

Downbelow also donated a Brand New Suunto GEKKO Dive Computer to raffle and raise money for Project  Aware - PADI's Conservation Foundation.

In total MYR 850.00 was raised from the sale of the raffle tickets thanks to all those that bought a ticket:

Jagjeet Singh, Kong Lih Shan, Joanne Swann, Richard Swann, Ramesh Salimun, Tania & Navin Rajah, Murphy Ng, David De La hap, Sebastian, James M.Matthews, Evelyn Bernadinus, Sadli Bin Md. Sawfi, Mohd Hafiz Bin Mat Husni, Nordin Bin Che Man, Robert, Ericc Chong, Jaco Swanepoel.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sebastian who won the Gekko Dive Computer (Image right) !!

Aswell as the clean up - guests enjoyed a beach BBQ and generally celebrated the communities commitment to Dive and Snorkel for Earth !!!!

Big thanks go out to all those who took part in this event: Agensi Penguartkuasa Maritim Malaysia, Tendera Laut Diraja Malaysia, Sabah Tourist Board, Asian Tourism International School, Downbelow's KK Dive Club and lots of individual volunteers local people and ex-pats. 

At the end of the day, we enjoyed a few beers, ate the leftover BBQ food and played some games while the sun set over the park!!


Why is this Day Important ? 

Earth Day raises environmental awareness on a global scale. 

Since the 30th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE has helped divers focus attention on aquatic environments for this annual event. 

Thousands of diver volunteers in more than 115 countries have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities for Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day. 

Dive for Earth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to take action, create awareness and to meet like - minded divers and water enthusiasts also wishing to and help and address the underwater issues that concern us most.

To join us on our next Project Aware program, please contact us.

Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island - Downbelow run the fastest Dive Boat in Kota Kinabalu which makes a trip to Tiga very comfortable and quick.

This was put to the test again last week when we arrived at Pulau Tiga in 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu !

We are the only operator to run trips to Pulau TIGA WEEKLY and the only operator to offer resort facilities !!!

We have a dedicated 37ft speedboat for Pulau TIGA day trips which can be chartered for group trips or we can accommodate independent travelers.

Currently we have trips scheduled every SUNDAY so book now to secure your place !!!

Quick transfer times means more time to spend diving, playing in the mud volcano and enjoying the delicious cuisine of Tiga resorts buffet lunch - resort style !

Scuba diving is excellent with schools of fish - snappers, fusiliers and trevally. Soft corals are stunning, even the most seasoned divers are impressed !

This paradise island surrounded by pristine tropical waters is located 6 miles offshore Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. 

Formed on September 21st 1897 when an earthquake on the Philippine island of Mindanao triggered a volcanic eruption just north of Borneo.

The eruption of mud and rock formed a new island 20 meters wide.

The last eruption of the volcano was in 1941 but to this day warm mud continues to ooze from geometric vents on the island.

These mud baths are safe to bath in and although not proved by science the mud bath is claimed to improve the complexion, relieve joint and muscle pain and remove toxins.

If nothing else they are great fun and very relaxing !!

Day Trip Itinerary

0730 hrs: Depart Jesselton Jetty
0830 hrs: Tea/ Coffee on Pulau TIGA Island
0900 hrs: 1st Boat Dive / Guided Snorkelling / Free & Easy Relaxation
1015 hrs: Tea/ Coffee on Pulau TIGA Island (time to relax)
11:00 hrs: 2nd Boat Dive / Guided Snorkelling / Free & Easy Relaxation
1230 hrs: Buffet Lunch & Free & Easy Relaxation
1400 hrs: Guided Trip to the Mud Volcano (fabulous fun for all)
1500 hrs: Frolic in the Ocean washing off all that Mud !!
1530 hrs: Depart for Kota Kinabalu

Approximate return time 1630 hrs.

What's Included ?

Return sea transfers from Kota Kinabalu, Unlimited Snacks and Refreshments, Buffet Lunch. Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees. Guided Snorkelling and/ or Scuba Diving 2 x Boat dives (depending on package). Guided Trip to Mud Volcano and Optional overnight stay.

Non divers and snorkelers are also welcome !

To discover more about this fascinating island and great day trip please visit our Pulau Tiga pages.


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

Today is Global Earth Day - a day to think and act even greener than the norm and to participate in an event that will raise public awareness for our challenged planet !!

For our part - we - Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures S.B will be holding another Beach & Reef Clean Up plus Mangrove Trees Planting Event at our Island Based PADI 5 STAR IDC Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park this Saturday 25th April 2009.

Sponsored by Downbelow Marine & Wildlife - there is NO CHARGE to join this event, all equipment, fuel, food and fees are paid by Downbelow and Sabah Parks have kindly agreed to waive the Diving permit fee for every diver involved in the clean up !

Downbelow are also donating a Brand New GEKKO dive Computer to raffle and raise money for Project  Aware. 

Aswell as the clean up - we will enjoy a beach BBQ and generally celebrate the communities commitment to Dive for Earth !!!!

Why is this Day Important ? 

Earth Day raises environmental awareness on a global scale. 

Since the 30th anniversary of Earth Day in 2000, Project AWARE has helped divers focus attention on aquatic environments for this annual event. 

Thousands of diver volunteers in more than 115 countries have helped protect underwater environments and educate local communities for Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day. 

Earth is a water planet and the planet needs our help - why?  - Climate change is a major threat with increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification impacting fragile underwater environments.  

Dive for Earth Day is an extraordinary opportunity to take action, create awareness and to meet like - minded divers and water enthusiasts also wishing to and help and address the underwater issues that concern us most.

How can you help?

Take part !!! 

Contact Downbelow Today and book your place !

ALSO .... 

"Make Every Day Earth Day"

There are many simple, low-cost things you can do each day and each time you dive to lower your impact on the environment. Begin by following Project AWARE’s  Ten Ways a Diver Can Protect the Underwater Environment or check out our Tips to Keep Waters Debris Free. 

Hope to see you Downbelow this saturday !!!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Instructor Candidates on passing their IDC & IE with Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures in Kota Kinabalu !!!!

There we tears of joy and relief when after the 2 day Instructor Examination each of our candidates were told that they had passed the final Open Water Skills assessment and as a result had successfully become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors !!!

The PADI IDC and IE were the culmination of months of hard work for James, Navin and Streisand (AKA Strike), well done guys !!

Big thanks to the team at Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures - DIVE DOWNBELOW - who's support was key to the guys success.

Well done to our Course Director Joseph Chung and Richard and Joanne for staffing the course :)

Thank you to PADI and PADI's Instructor Examiner from Sydney - George Wegmann.

100% success is a clear reflection of the level of training and commitment from the entire team. Pictures top left is Joanne, Richard, Strike, George, James, Evelyn and Navin.

WELL DONE and lets look forward to the next IDC on starting 19th May !!!!!!

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

Congratulations to our PADI Instructor Development Candidates on passing their IDC Course with Downbelow PADI 5 Star IDC Center in Kota Kinabalu.

Now its time for the final Instructor Examination !

Looking tired and thirsty - Course Director Joseph Chung, company directors and Richard and Joanne who, together conducted the IDC within Downbelow can now relax - their job is done - beers and wine all round !!

Over the next 2 days our candidates will be assessed by PADI Instructor Examiners who have flown in from Sydney Australia to assess the candidates.

Nerves are at their all time high because if they don't pass this 2 day Examination they will have to re-sit the their non successful portions of the IE next time in Kota Kinabalu or fly elsewhere for another IE after a cooling off period of 5 days !!

Lets hope all our candidates won't need to resit !!!

We will keep everyone updated !!!!

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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.

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.

PADI Instructor Development Course - Kota Kinabalu - UPDATE !!

Just a small update, everyone is scoring high feeling that they will be ready for the final IE on 30th & 31st March !!

Our candidates are feeling pretty confident and we're on schedule.

Today at our island based PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Joseph and Richard had time for a little sing song between confined and open water dives !!

Whilst the Instructor candidates practiced their dive briefings with Susan who is here taking her Staff Instructor course with us.

At Downbelow we run IDC courses 3 times per year, our next course begins 19th May 09, with the PADI Instructor Assessment on 4th & 5th June also in Kota Kinabalu.

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

PADI Instructor Development Course - Kota Kinabalu - UPDATE !!

Classes, exams and presentations are going very well indeed !



Our candidates are now Assistant Instructors and with the last few days to go the pressure is increasing.

During the IDC, candidates learn how to teach the PADI System of Diver Education through classroom and in water instructional sessions.

The course director and staff instructors who conduct the course teach and assess the candidates during the practical sessions, preparing them for the final Instructor Examination held by PADI at the end of the course.

At Downbelow we don't outsource our IDC's we teach them in-house using our own facilities.

Only PADI 5 Star IDC Centers and CDC Centers can conduct IDC's.



Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

Day Trips to Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island just gets better and better, last Sundays trip to Pulau Tiga was superb.



Flat seas enabled us to arrive within 40 minutes of leaving Jesselton Point Jetty so we could make the most of our day trip.

En route with stunning views of Mt Kinabalu and the Crocker Range.

Cruising along Sabahs West Coast we spotted a large pod of Dolphins, they stayed around for a while enabling Richard to snap a few photos and we saw them again on our way to our first dive site.

Our dives were excellent, large schools of snappers, fusiliers and jacks, lots of nudibranchs, excellent soft corals and a whaleshark (well to be fair it was only our boat captain that saw the whaleshark) but our guests saw one the following day in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park !

We have the fastest dive boat in Kota Kinabalu, which makes a trip to Tiga very comfortable and quick. This is a superb trip for divers and non divers !

Quick transfer times means more time to spend diving, playing in the mud volcano and enjoying the delicious cuisine of Tiga resorts buffet lunch - resort style !

This paradise island surrounded by pristine tropical waters is located 6 miles offshore Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. 

Formed on September 21st 1897 when an earthquake on the Philippine island of Mindanao triggered a volcanic eruption just north of Borneo.

The eruption of mud and rock formed a new island 20 meters wide. The last eruption of the volcano was in 1941 but to this day warm mud continues to ooze from geometric vents on the island.

These mud baths are safe to bath in and although not proved by science the mud bath is claimed to improve the complexion, relieve joint and muscle pain and remove toxins.

If nothing else they are great fun and very relaxing !!

The pristine natural environment of Pulau Tiga Park is protected by the Malaysian government.

Pulau Tiga is also home to some fascinating land based wildlife, proboscis and macaque monkeys, flying foxes, bats, monitor lizards and a plethora of birds - including megapodes, hornbills and sea eagles.

The islands fine white sandy beach provides an idyllic place to relax, swim and enjoy the peace and serenity of this uncrowned tropical paradise.

Those who are a little more energetic can trek through the 7 miles of trails now carved through the rain-forest.

Close by Pulau Tiga is Snake Island - named for the many Sea Snakes that inhabit and lay their eggs on the tiny rocky uninhabited island. 

Aboard our 37ft spacious speed boat a day trip to Palau Tiga, Survivor Island departs at 0730 hrs.

Day Trips include the following:

Return sea transfers from Kota Kinabalu, Unlimited Snacks and Refreshments, BBQ or Buffet Lunch. Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees. Guided Snorkelling and/ or Scuba Diving 2 x Boat dives (depending on package). Guided Trip to Mud Volcano and Optional overnight stay.

This is a superb trip for divers and non divers !

To discover more about this fascinating island and great day trip please visit our Pulau Tiga pages.



We run Trips to Pulau Tiga daily on our largest 37ft dive boat whilst our 32ft dive boat is based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park running dive trips from our island based PADI 5 Star IDC Center.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah providing the best all round diving services to our clients. 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

Today our PADI IDC - Instructor Development Course begins and we'd like to wish our candidates all the best for the forthcoming 2 weeks !!!

James, Strike, Navin & Susan - we wish you SUCESS!

The instructional team, Course Director Joseph Chung, and Downbelow Company Directors Richard and Joanne Swann will over the next two weeks be developing the Instructor candidates to becoming PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

Covering areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, the business of diving and PADI standards and procedures, the IDC is designed to develop a rounded diving educator who can work anywhere in the world.

Our IDC candidates have already completed their independent self-study Knowledge Reviews and IDC Preparation sessions. Now their IDC begins and encompasses two PADI programs: The Assistant Instructor Course and The Open Water Scuba Instructor Course.

Together these two programs make up the full IDC.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination scheduled at the end of the IDC, confirmed for the 30th and 31st March 2009 also in Kota Kinabalu.

This is where PADI Instructor Examiners fly from Sydney Australia to assess and examine the IDC Candidates.

We will keep you posted !!!!

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

Calmer sea's and whalesharks are here and we are very excited about this years scuba diving trips which have already begun to WWII Wrecks, Pulau Tiga, Mayne Rock, Little Rock, Secret Schoals and more. A very popular scuba diving package is our 3 day "Reef, Wreck and Critter" package.

Reef, Wreck & Critter - 3 Day Dive Package
MYR 1,620.00 per person based on 4 pax booking.

Day 1. The Reef - Dive some of the beautiful reefs around Pulau Tiga (3 Dives)
Day 2. The Wrecks - Dive World War 2 - Usukan Bay Wrecks (2 x Wreck Dives, 1 x Reef Dive = 3 Dives)
Day 3. The Critters - Dive TAR Park to search for the beautifully ugly and wonderfully weird marine life on our doorstep. (3 Dives)
TOTAL: 9 Dives.
Includes, tranfers, all park & jetty fees, equipment, tea/coffee, water, freshly cooked lunch daily.

All Inclusive Package - No Hidden Extras !

FREE NITROX for the Wreck Dives, for Nitrox Qualified Divers !!

This 3 day package is designed for experienced divers with PADI Advanced Diver qualifications or equivalent.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures have by far fastest dive boat in KK - this means more time diving less time on the boat !!

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

Whale Sharks have arrived on Gaya Island Kota Kinabalu Sabah !!

March to April is traditionally Whaleshark season in the surrounding waters of Kota Kinabalu and along the west coast Sabah.

At Downbelow we run daily dive packages, visiting their favorite feeding grounds around Gaya Island and within TARP in search of these beautiful creatures.

Yesterday to every ones delight our divers came across a huge school of Krill whilst on their 1st boat dive of the day.

Knowing that the Sharks would not be far away they began searching the shallow waters.

In total 3 of these enormous fish were spotted, 2 of the Whale Sharks were 4-6m in length with 1 of them around 12m long !!

What a spectacle !! The divers spent an hour with them cruising back and forth the bay.

In the excited frenzy they didn't manage to get a great picture and unfortunately Richard did not have his camera but thanks to Tan from Sarawak we do have a couple of images of the actual sharks.

Among our guests that day were two people on a 3 Day Dive Package, specifically to see the Whale Sharks and they have both written very some lovely comments for our guest-book.

"I herewith attached the whale shark pictures that I took on Friday the 13th March 2009. These are the only pictures that I have in my cam.
 
I really have a great times diving with your team! Only two words that I can describe your team, and that is  VERY GOOD!
 
That's all from me now and I hope I will manage to get the divers from Kuching to dive in KK for Whale Shark next year!
 
Thanks for everything! Warmest regards,
Tan (Sarawak)

Your centre have got yourself great staff with superb eyes sight.. I'm so glad I did see the whale shark... The excitment in me is like so so huge... Really enjoyed myself. Thank you so much...

Warmest Regards
Lirene

Should you wish to join us for the Whale Shark season this year please contact us either by email, telephone or visit our Dive Shop and Travel Centre.

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

Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island - Downbelow run the fastest Dive Boat in Kota Kinabalu which makes a trip to Tiga very comfortable and quick !!!

This was put to the test on a recent day trip when we arrived at Pulau Tiga in 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu !

Quick transfer times means more time to spend diving, playing in the mud volcano and enjoying the delicious cuisine of Tiga resorts buffet lunch - resort style !

This paradise island surrounded by pristine tropical waters is located 6 miles offshore Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. 

Formed on September 21st 1897 when an earthquake on the Philippine island of Mindanao triggered a volcanic eruption just north of Borneo.

The eruption of mud and rock formed a new island 20 meters wide.

The last eruption of the volcano was in 1941 but to this day warm mud continues to ooze from geometric vents on the island.

These mud baths are safe to bath in and although not proved by science the mud bath is claimed to improve the complexion, relieve joint and muscle pain and remove toxins.

If nothing else they are great fun and very relaxing !!

The pristine natural environment of Pulau Tiga Park is protected by the Malaysian government.

Pulau Tiga is also home to some fascinating land based wildlife, proboscis and macaque monkeys, flying foxes, bats, monitor lizards and a plethora of birds - including megapodes, hornbills and sea eagles.

The islands fine white sandy beach provides an idyllic place to relax, swim and enjoy the peace and serenity of this uncrowned tropical paradise.

Those who are a little more energetic can trek through the 7 miles of trails now carved through the rain-forest.

Close by Pulau Tiga is Snake Island - named for the many Sea Snakes that inhabit and lay their eggs on the tiny rocky uninhabited island. 

Aboard our 37ft spacious speed boat a day trip to Palau Tiga, Survivor Island departs at 0730 hrs.



Day Trips include the following:

Return sea transfers from Kota Kinabalu, Unlimited Snacks and Refreshments, BBQ or Buffet Lunch. Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees. Guided Snorkelling and/ or Scuba Diving 2 x Boat dives (depending on package). Guided Trip to Mud Volcano and Optional overnight stay.

Non divers and snorkelers are also welcome !

To discover more about this fascinating island and great day trip please visit our Pulau Tiga pages.


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 based in Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island are thrilled to announce themselves as a PADI 5 STAR Instructor Development Center - a status awarded to premier dive centers for Professional Scuba Diving training.

Already a prestigious PADI 5 Star Dive Center that excel in providing dive consumers with a full range of diver education programs, equipment selection, recreational diving and experience opportunities we are very happy to announce our Instructor Development Course - IDC commencing 19th March 2009 with the IE in Kota Kinabalu on the 30th & 31st March 09.

Covering areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, the business of diving and PADI standards and procedures, the IDC is designed to develop a rounded diving educator who can work anywhere in the world.

The IDC begins with independent self-study Knowledge Reviews and encompasses two PADI programs: The Assistant Instructor Course and The Open Water Scuba Instructor Course.

Together these two programs make up the full IDC.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination scheduled at the end of the IDC, confirmed for the 30th and 31st March 2009 also in Kota Kinabalu.

During the IDC you will learn how to successfully transfer knowledge and skills to others. Furthermore you will develop a clear understanding of The PADI Philosophy of Continuing Education and the full range of PADI programs, teaching materials and tools, including digital products, that are available to you as a PADI Instructor.

Once you have understood the basic teaching methods employed in teaching scuba and how to use the PADI system to it’s fullest, you will find teaching an easy and exhilarating experience !!

We would like to thank all friends and clients of Downbelow past and present who have contributed to the success of our PADI Dive Centre and we look forward to exciting times ahead.

From the Team at Downbelow !!

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935
Dive Shop: +6 088 23 23 75 (with answer phone)

Downbelow PADI 5 STAR IDC Dive and Adventure Centre based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park have the daily pleasure to show some first time beginner scuba divers the beauty of our underwater world.

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program - aka DSD is one of our most popular 1 day programs.



Introducing people to scuba diving in a highly supervised and relaxed manner. It dispels common misconceptions about scuba by letting individuals try it for themselves. 

In a day trip from Kota Kinabalu City It could not be easier to try Scuba Diving and within the same few hours see the beauty of the underwater world in a safe, warm paradise location. 

Based at The Beach House, Gaya Island where rainforest meets reef,  Downbelow's PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is ideally suited to beginner divers providing shallow, sandy confined water environments which slope to slightly deeper coral reef habitats.  

Located just 8 minutes speedboat ride from central Kota Kinabalu the Beach House is ideally situated for visitors on day trips from the city and nearby resorts. 

Under the guidance of a PADI professional, new divers learn basic safety concepts, put on equipment and swim around underwater in a closely supervised environment. 

After trying scuba, many new divers may decide to repeat the experience. If not immediately, then on other occasions or in different areas. Others will choose to pursue certification by enrolling in a PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver course. 

Daily Program MYR 260.00 pp or MYR 340.00 pp(with additional afternoon dive)

0810 - 0820 hrs  Hotel pickup (KK City)  transfer to Mainland Jetty 
0830 hrs Meet Downbelow Staff and Transfer to our little "Piece of Paradise" on Gaya Island
0845 hrs Registration / Dive & Equipment Briefing 
1030 hrs Confined Water Dive
1200 hrs Open Water Dive
1300 hrs Lunch
1400 hrs Optional Scuba Dive (from the dive boat or shore)
1600 hrs Boat Transfer to Mainland Jetty
1615 hrs Return to Hotel

Cost includes hotel pick up (KK City including Tanjung Aru & Sutera Harbour), boat transfers, park entry fees, jetty fees, equipment rental, instruction, free flow tea/coffe/water and freshly cooked lunch.

There are NO HIDDEN EXTRAS !!!!


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

Company directors Richard and Joanne Swann's latest article - Muck & Magic, is featured in this months Australian Sport Diving Magazine.

Posing the question " Without Sipadan can Kapalai Dive Resort still compete for the divers dollar?"

Although divers are still permitted at Sipadan - permit numbers are low and no resort can with confidence guarantee their divers a place.

However Kapalai Dive Resort have a good quota and can still hold their own as a divers destination.

The resort has much to offer divers and non divers at very reasonable rates.

Our images within the piece show some stunning shots of the resort and marine life that can be found in the surrounding waters.

Kapalai Dive Resort is under Downbelows Price Promise, we guarantee that you won't be able to find better rates elsewhere, if proven wrong we'll give you an additional 2% discount.

Please peruse our dedicated CELEBES ISLAND ACCOMMODATION website section for information and booking Kapalai Dive Resort or CONTACT US for a quotation.

Sport Diving Magazine is in stores now throughout Australasia. You can subscribe to the magazine online and/or read the low res pdf of the article at http://www.divetheblue.net.


We have an island based full service PADI 5 Star Dive Centre within the state National Park of TARP. PLUS a well stocked 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

Just one of our recent critter discoveries was this beautiful little Mimic Octopus, found on the sandy bottom in at 15m on one of our out lying dive sites close to our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre.

Richard was leading a couple of divers who had joined us for a multiple day dive package within TARP when they came across this master of disguise and camouflage.

Unlike many other Octopodidae the Mimic is active during the day foraging for crustaceans, often using the same resting burrow for days at a time the Mimic Octopus can sometimes be revisited.

This octopus gets its name from its ability to impersonate the appearance and behavior of other animals, particularly poisonous ones such as lionfish and banded seasnake.

For more information on Octopus and Squid please visit our field guide.

Our guests are often surprised to see such rare and fascinating marine life on dive sites within the national park. Please join us next time you are passing Kota Kinabalu, visit our paradise island based Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island and Dive or Snorkel Downbelow to catch a glimse of some of our wonderful mairne life.

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

Congratulations to Steve Farlow who has recently completed his PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Course with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures in Sabah.



This scuba diving course is one of PADI's most popular specialties.

Diving with enriched air nitrox lets you safely extend your no stop time beyond the no decompression limits for air. Diving with enriched air means more time underwater - but you need to be certified as an Enriched Air Diver to get enriched air fills.

Whether you' re into underwater photography or macro diving, at home or on holiday the PADI Enriched Air Diver course helps you get more out of diving by giving you more time underwater. Certification counts toward the Master Scuba Diver rating

To enrol on the course you must be a PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization).

For more information on this popular speciality please see our dedicated PADI Enriched Air Nitrox website section.



For information on just some of the other PADI Courses we offer please peruse our dedicated web pages.

Qualified Nitrox divers can rent Nitrox Tanks from us during their Daily Dive Packages in TARP and West Coast Sabah !

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

With calmer sea's just around the corner we are getting very excited about this years scuba diving opportunities and are very happy to announce our 3 day "Reef, Wreck and Critter" package.

Inspired by our very good friends Jeff and Dawn Mullins - Underwater Photojournalist, Underwater Model and Authors with over 30 years of diving, photography and writing experience.

We have named our package after their recently published book and website.

Jeff and Dawn are fellow ex-pats living in Bali, their specialty is personally guiding small groups of photographers or divers interested in critters and rare marine life around Tulamben and surrounding areas.

For more information please contact them at www.reefwreckandcritter.com

Reef, Wreck & Critter - 3 Day Dive Package
MYR 1,620.00 per person based on 4 pax booking.

Day 1. The Reef - Dive some of the beautiful reefs around Pulau Tiga (3 Dives)
Day 2. The Wrecks - Dive World War 2 - Usukan Bay Wrecks (2 x Wreck Dives, 1 x Reef Dive = 3 Dives)
Day 3. The Critters - Dive TAR Park to search for the beautifully ugly and wonderfully weird marine life on our doorstep. (3 Dives)
TOTAL: 9 Dives.
Includes, tranfers, all park & jetty fees, equipment, tea/coffee, water, freshly cooked lunch daily.

All Inclusive Package - No Hidden Extras !

FREE NITROX for the Wreck Dives, for Nitrox Qualified Divers !!

This 3 day package is designed for experienced divers with PADI Advanced Diver qualifications or equivalent.

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures have by far fastest dive boat in KK - this means more time diving less time on the boat !!

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

Congratulations on completing the PADI Open Water Course - TARP Kota Kinabalu, KK. Sabah !!

Sabahs Government statutory conservation department - Sabah Parks part of which is located within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park have an ongoing commitment to protect and ensure the well-being of the states national parks.

As part of their role many of the staff learn to scuba dive and embark in the PADI System of education.

Pictured left, standing infront Downbelows Beach House are Sabah Parks latest newly qualified divers having recently completed their Scuba Diving Course with PADI 5 Star Dive Centre Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.


The PADI Open Water Course is not only our most popular course but the most popular Scuba Course in the world.

This Scuba Diving Course is the first level of PADI Certification and as a certified PADI Open Water Diver you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

The Beach House on Gaya Island, Downbelow Dive Centres Island Paradise location in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah provides an ideal venue for this course, with a confined shallow, sandy area lagoon - ideal for skill practice and open water coral reef dive sites just minutes from the centre - ideal for open water dives.

Small group learning, no crowds, personal, thorough training and high standards of safely is what draws people to Downbelow !

Throughout the course, students learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques.

Completing five confined sessions, knowledge development sessions and four open water dives. Participants don't have to be super fit to learn, virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification.

For more information please peruse our PADI Open Water Course website page or CONTACT US for more information.

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

Yesterday, whilst on route to our island based dive centre at The Beach House Gaya Island, Divers and Snorkelers aboard our dive boat were treated to Dolphin sightings.

Every year around this time we tend to have dolphins in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, last year they stayed within the shallows of our beach area for some 30 minutes.

Yesterday the dolphins were full of the joys of January !!

They leaped and frolicked around our dive boat for 40 minutes !!

Fortunately we were conducting a PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course so cameras were on board.

One of our PADI Instructors Calvin took an incredible shot of one leaping out of the water in front of Kota Kinabalu City.

All images here were taken of the dolphins yesterday.

Dolphins are marine mammals, they breath air from the surface of the ocean.

Dolphins are social animals, living in pods (also called "schools") of up to a dozen individuals.

The Dolphins yesterday had joined pods because there were about 50 individuals, this usually happens in places with a high abundance of food.

Dolphin pods join temporarily, forming an aggregation called a superpod; some such groupings may exceed a thousand dolphins, such as we have seen around Sipadan.

The individuals communicate using a variety of clicks, whistles and other vocalizations.

Dolphins are a popular artistic motif, dating back ancient times and always a joy to see, hopefully this will not be the last we see of them. We are feeling that the Whalesharks will not be far behind !!!!



We offer a wide range of scuba diving trips in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island, Usukan Bay WW2 Wrecks, Deluar Shoals, Tuaran Dive Sites and Mayne Rock.

Aboard our fast 37ft and 32ft Dive Boats there is not another operator on the West Coast of Sabah who can reach West Coast Dive sites faster - this means you spend less time on a dive boat and more time diving !!!

For more information on our West Coast Dive Trips please Contact Us.

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

January so far has seen a number of Dive Clubs from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan coming to Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures in Sabah enjoying multiple and single day dive trips.

Our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu provides the ideal location for clubs, friends and families to spend a fun filled activities day out whilst in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.

All levels of qualified and non qualified divers can be accommodated.

We have a large International Staff Team of Snorkel Guides, Divemasters and Instructors providing very small group tuition and guiding, allowing us to provide a very unique and personal service.

Some of our guests refer to our service as "pampered diving" as guests do not have to carry, set up or wash their equipment - everything is done for you !

We offer a wide range of scuba diving trips in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island. Usukan Bay WW2 Wrecks, Deluar Shoals, Tuaran Dive Sites and Mayne Rock.

Our facilities enable us to be very flexible and offer tailored dive packages, you tell us where and when you want to dive and we'll take you there, conditions permitting !



Aboard our fast 37ft and 32ft Dive Boats there is not another operator on the West Coast of Sabah who can reach West Coast Dive sites faster - this means you spend less time on a dive boat and more time diving !!!

For more information on our West Coast Dive Trips please Contact Us.

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

A recent Scuba Diving group from Japan enjoyed a one day Underwater Photography clinic with our resident Underwater Photography Professional and Downbelows company Director Richard Swann.



Many of Richards images have been published throughout the world in books plus dive and travel magazines, he has won numerous medals and prizes and is happy to share some of his knowledge and experience with clients of Downbelow.

Our group from Japan were keen photographers all with their own camera set ups. They enjoyed discovering new features of their own equipment and learning tips on how to get close to marine life and capture that priceless image and keepsake.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is the ideal play ground for underwater photographers, providing endless subjects in reasonably shallow waters allowing for extended bottom time.

Low visibility presented us with challenging conditions but we still managed to experience some great diving which produced some lovely images.

Some of the creature highlights include, a Seahorse, Turtles, Moray Eel, Nudibranchs, String Rays, a Cat Shark, Scorpionfish plus the usual always visually pleasing Snappers, Fusiliers and Barracudas.

After the rewarding days clinic our group enjoyed relaxing with a beer at our Beach House Dive & Adventure Centre on Gaya Island.

If you would like to get the most of your own underwater equipment or practice with ours, why not book an Underwater Photography Clinic along with our Daily Scuba Diving Program in Kota Kinabalu.

Whatever level of diver or photographer we can tailor a Photo Clinic to suit.

The length of the program also depends on you, our clinics incorporate, dry sessions and open water dives meeting individual requirements.

For more information please Contact Us.

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

Climbing Mount Kinabalu - 2D/1N Program with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures

Rising to 4,101m Mount KInabalu is the highest peak between the Himalayas and Irian Jaya (New Guinea).

Protected within the Kinabalu Park of some 753.7 sq.km, its biological diversity has captivated scientists the world over.

The Climb
The climb itself is very hard but not technical, an element of fitness is a real help

The climb to Laban Rata takes between 4-6 hours, it's 99% uphill, unrelenting and the steps are seemingly endless, you'll be dreaming steps for days ! The secret to climbing is take it slowly, unless you're competing in the Climbathon its not a race.

The summit ascent starts at 0230 hrs, take a good torch as the ones for rent usually don't last the climb. If it’s a clear night take a moment to look a the sky as its simply stunning.  The summit itself is ........ well you have to go and find out, its worth it !! The descent takes 5-7 hours.



Book Now To Secure Your Place
We offer a private package, so you are not part of a tour group.


Bookings should be made in advance, for more information please visit our Travel Packages Mt Kinabalu section.

For more information on the flora and fauna of this incredible mountain please peruse our dedicated Mt Kinabalu section.

To see images of some of the flora and fauna of the area view our Photo Collection pages.

Day trips are also a great way to spend a day in Sabah.

BOOK NOW and ensure availability.


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

Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea and Lankayan Resort in the Sulu Sea are under Downbelow's Price Promise.

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.

Our Christmas Day celebration was so much fun that by popular demand we're doing it all over again to Celebrate Chinese New Year !!!!!


Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Beach BBQ, Scuba Dive, Snorkel, Trek, enjoy Games a Chinese New Year Raffle and a few beers and wine at the Beach House, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Kota Kinabalu - KK Sabah.

We have come up with an itinerary for a perfect day of celebration. Ideal for families and friends wishing to spend Chinese New Year on a tropical island taking part in various activities !!

Based at Downbelow's Beach House on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu City.

Surrounded by tropical rain-forest, ocean, marine & wildlife !

FOUR dives will be available to those who wish to dive - two morning dives, an afternoon dive and a sunset dive (in search of Mandarin Fish )!!

Enjoy a delicious BBQ, with Tenderloin Steak flown in from Australia. Vegetarians will not miss out !

Football & Frisbee can be played on our green, we have a Treasure Hunt and a Raffle to win a SUNNTO GEKKO DIVE computer worth RRP 1,300.00 !!!!!

The days itinerary is as follows:

Chinese New Year Celebration

Diver Rate: MYR 460.00 p/p
Non Diver Rate: MYR 270.00 p/p
Non Diver Rate 4-16 years: MYR 180 p/p

0825 hrs
Meet Downbelow Staff & Transfer on Boat to Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre at The Beach House - Gaya Island, TARP
0915 hrs
1st Boat Dive/ Games / Snorkeling/ Trekking
1030 hrs
Surface Interval for Divers
1115 hrs
2nd Boat Dive/ Games / Snorkeling/ Trekking

1300 hrs
Beach BBQ & Christmas Day Raffle to win a SUNNTO Dive Computer
1430 hrs
3rd Dive Boat or Shore
1600 hrs
1st Boat Transfer back to Jesselton Point for those that wish to return
1745 hrs
Sunset Dive
1900 hrs
Return to Jesselton Point Jetty

All our programs are ALL Inclusive, the only additional option extra is the RAFFLE Ticket costing MYR 50.00, the chances of winning the SUUNTO Dive Computer are very good with only 12 tickets for sale per computer !!!!

Includes: Boat transfers from Jesselton Point Jetty to Beach House, Gaya Island Return (10 minutes each way), Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees, Dive & Snorkel Equipment Rental, BBQ Lunch & Refreshments, Beer & Wine, 4 Guided Boat Dives (Diver Rate).

Overnight camping is available for the intrepid adventurer !!

Click HERE to read about our Christmas Day Celebration.

Pre booking for this special Chinese New Year Celebration is required, please contact us on (+6) 012 866 1935 or Email Us.

www.divedownbelow.com

Looking for a Career Change ? Are you a Gap Year Student ? Are you looking for a Challenging Internship Program in Asia ? Do you thrive on Adventure Sports ? Looking to live and learn about another culture, meet new people and learn new languages ?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you should consider joining one of our Professional Scuba Diving Internship Programs in the exciting city of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo South East Asia.


Our great value internship programs can be suited to non divers wishing to enter the professional sport of scuba diving or qualified divers wishing to continue their scuba diving education.

The minimum internship period is 1 month.

To co-inside with these internships we run at least two PADI Instructor Development Courses (PADI IDC) annually which are followed by the PADI Instructor Examination (PADI IE)

On all our internships you receive UNLIMITED scuba diving.

We can offer this because our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is actually based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP)with direct access to our training lagoon & house reef and just a handful of minutes boat ride from TARPs surrounding dive sites.

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

We also have a Dive Shop and Classroom in Kota Kinabalu City.

We can also include very affordable accommodation to participants.

At Downbelow we also offer internship programs to local people under long term contract, providing opportunity and security for their career development.

Local and international candidates mutually benefit from the mixed program by providing opportunity to learn new languages, cultures and traditions and most importantly it brings people together forging new friendships.

For more information please visit the Scuba Diving Internship section of our website.

To follow James (one of our internship candidates) blog please check out this link. IDC Scuba

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

Scuba Diving Package and Day Trips - Unlimited Shore and Jetty Dives. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, TARP Kota Kinabalu.
MYR 340.00 per person - All INCLUSIVE !!

Based at The Beach House - Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is ideally situated to offer divers non limited Scuba Diving on our House Reef and Home Corner Dive Sites.

These fascinating dive sites hold many secrets and divers can enjoy having the reef to themselves and taking their time to search out the weirdly wonderful and beautifully ugly critters that live here from Nudibranchs, Stonefish, Demon Stingers, Sea Snakes, Eagle Rays and much more ...

This is especially suited to Macro Lovers and Underwater Photographers who don't want to the restrictions of boat diving.

During our Unlimited Diving Program divers can stay as long as they choose bottom time and air permitting. We will even provide a buddy for single divers.

Our House Reef and Home Corner Dive Sites can be accessed directly from our Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island.

Divers can also combine boat dives with unlimited shore dives providing even more flexibility.


Nitrox is also available as an option extra to extend your bottom time underwater.

Our Unlimited Diving Program follows the same shedual as our Daily Diving Program with hotel picks ups from 0815 hrs returning around 1630 hrs and is ALL INCLUSIVE - with no hidden extras !

Boat transfers, jetty and park fees, equipment rental, free flow tea/coffee/water and snacks, freshly cooked lunch are all included and the cost is MYR 340.00 per person.

Digital Underwater Cameras and Dive Computers are also available to rent.

For more information please peruse our website or call us on +6 012 866 1935

Please contact us or peruse our Travel Packages section to discover more about the activities we offer.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Downbelow Dive Shop
9A first Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu 88400
Sabah Malaysian Borneo

What an amazing year we have enjoyed this 2008, with a fabulous Christmas Day Celebration at our Beach House Island Paradise on Gaya Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park to round it all off !

There were 55 people in total, including Guests from the UK, Australia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Finland and Denmark plus Downbelow staff and Sabah Parks staff.

The day was Multi Activity day trip with Snorkeling, Trekking, Scuba Diving, Treasure Hunt, a Raffle and Beach BBQ - we had planned a Sunset Dive but a fews drinks soon put an end to any late diving so we relaxed at sunset with some wine and beers !!

Our Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island provides the perfect location for marine and wildlife lovers wishing to take part in various activities or simply relax away from the crowds.

Time and time again our quests tell us how wonderful it is to spend the day with their family whilst they enjoy their different activities with everyone returning for tea and coffee breaks, refreshments and lunch throughout the day.

Often Grandparents will relax or try our guided Snorkelling program, Mums and Dads will Scuba Dive or go Trekking whilst Children can play on the beach or grassy lawns or try our Kids Discover Snorkelling Program.

Our Adventure Centre is at the base of the best trekking trails in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

We have a confined lagoon, a fabulous house reef for snorkelers and divers and all snorkel and dive sites in the park are within a few minutes from our Adventure Centre.

The ultra adventurous visitor can camp overnight at our centre, we provide waterproof tents, dinner and breakfast and guests enjoy a safe environment with a 1 million star hotel accommodation !

A trip to our Adventure Centre is a 'Must See" day out whilst in Kota Kinabalu.

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

For more information please peruse our website or call us on +6 012 866 1935

Please contact us or peruse our Travel Packages section to discover more about the activities we offer.


www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Downbelow Dive Shop
9A first Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu 88400
Sabah Malaysian Borneo

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive and Adventure Centre offer Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Packages to the Best Dive locations in West Coast Sabah.

We also offer a wide range of different diving experiences within these packages including Sunset Diving, NIGHT diving, Mangroves and Muck Diving.

For divers with a buddy and more than 20 logged dives, we offer unlimited scuba diving on our Dive Centre House Reef - home to many secrets including the rare and beautiful Mandarin Fish !.

Our unique location is especially beneficial to underwater photographers wishing to explore the reefs without the crowds and air and bottom time permitting stay as long as they like.

Recently we conducted a Sunset and Night Dive package, our divers (image left) went out specifically to search for Mandarin Fish (image right) and were fortunate to find them. Mandarin Fish are seen at sunset when males and females rise together in the water column and mate.

To read more about these fascinating creatures, please take a look at one of Richard and Joanne (Downbelow's founders and company Directors) critter articles published in Sport Diving Magazine - Australia.

Please contact us or peruse our Travel Packages section to discover more about the Scuba Diving we offer.


www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Downbelow Dive Shop
9A first Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu 88400
Sabah Malaysian Borneo

Downbelows Scuba Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu has a wide range of underwater dive lights and torch.

We have become a reseller for Underwater Kinetics and now stock a wide range of underwater dive and torch lights.

Underwater Kinetics (UK) were the first to make injection molded protection cases, high performance waterproof lights and innovative accessories providing uncompromising performance since 1971

Also available are Ikelite C-Light 8 torches. Led, Rechargeable, Battery powered Dive Lights are all in stock.

We are also resellers for Atomic Aquatics, Suunto, BARE, Sherwood Scuba and Akona Dive and Adventure Equipment.

Please come and visit to see for yourself our range of Dive and Adventure products.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Downbelow Dive Shop
9A first Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu 88400
Sabah Malaysian Borneo

Congratulations to Peter, Paddy, Salin and Miska who have just completed their PADI Open Water Course - Scuba Diving lessons with Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The PADI Open Water Course is the first certification within the PADI system of education.

The PADI Open Water Course takes 4 days to complete (8.00 am till 4.00 pm daily) and courses offered by Downbelow are all inclusive with no hidden charges !

At Downbelow your safety is paramount, we have a large staff team to accommodate different client requirements.

We adhere to PADI Standards and Procedures and follow British HSE guidelines.

Our ratio is no more than four people on a course with 2 PADI professionals, your PADI instructor and a Divemaster.

Most of the time we have 2 people on a course with 1 PADI Instructor.

Peter and Paddy chose to save a day on this course and completed the academic portion online in their own time through the PADI eLearning system of education. Peters wife Sandy also joined Peter on the island, she enjoyed snorkeling on our crowd free house reef with our snorkeling guide.

Peter wrote a very nice email to us after completing his course, the email can be viewed in our Guest Book, he has also uploaded some great pictures.

Our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre known as the Beach House is located 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).

We have a very quiet lagoon for our confined water training, we have a very special house reef with lots of marine life and all dive sites are within 5 minutes boat ride from our centre.

We have many non divers joining us for the day who wish to snorkel or go trekking so if your friends or family wish to join it would be a great way for you all to still be together during your course, we have some excellent walking trails around the dive station all set in primary rain-forest and guides can be arranged for all activities.

So please join our recent clients and become a PADI Open Water Diver in Kota Kinabalu, email us now for a quick response.

Telephone: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com

Our Island based PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is nestled in a tropical bay and surrounded by primary rain forest.

We are the only operator in the area and we have some lovely neighbors !!

We share our little piece of paradise with some of the staff of Sabah Parks, their little children can often be seen playing around the Beach House, holding our hands and laughing every time a guest brings out their camera.

They have great fun with families that join us for the day, although the children don't speak the same language, its doesn't make any difference they spend all day together and get along just fine !!

Here are a couple of recent pictures of the little angles !!

Time and time again our quests tell us how wonderful it is to spend the day with their family whilst they enjoy their different activities with everyone returning for tea and coffee breaks, refreshments and lunch throughout the day.

We run daily scuba diving, snorkeling & snorkeling safaris, trekking, sea kayaking and camping from our dive centre. A trip to Downbelow's Beach House - Gaya Island is a must when in Sabah !!

Should you wish to learn more about our Dive and Adventure Centre please peruse our website or contact us.

Telephone: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is a section 3 protected national park which means only single line fishing with a maximum of 2 hooks is permitted by indigenous fishermen.

The use of nets within the park is prohibited but sadly this protection does not stop lost and abandoned fishing gear, primarily large trawl and drift nets, floating into the region and coming to rest within the more protected, low-energy, shallow water environments.

Whilst Scuba Diving around Gaya Island - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP we found a huge fishing net smothering the reef posing a real threat to the living coral and surrounding marine life.

Disturbed by what we found we called upon the KK Dive Club to volunteer their time and help us with the delicate, time consuming job of carefully removing the net from the reef.

KK Dive Club members were more than happy to lend a helping hand and spend their free time with us removing the net.

After the job was done we provided them a free lunch and refreshments and they got to spend the rest of the day at our Beach House on Gaya Island - infact they played Frisbee on the grassy green next to our Dive Centre.

Since this net removal project we discovered another net on Sapi Island, caught in the net was a dead black tip reef shark and a parrot fish.

The worry with this particular net was that it was still floating and therefore consuming more victims.

We called Sabah Parks, the governing body in charge of the parks protection.

They immediately called on the Marine Police to investigate the situation and began cutting the net to pieces to avoid any further casualties.

The following day Sabah Parks staff returned with our logistic support and some of our own staff to remove the net from the reef.

We would like to thank the KK Dive Club for helping us remove the first devastating fishing net and highly commend Sabah Parks for their immediate response and commitment to removing the second fishing net and providing protection for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Should you wish to join the KK Dive Club and get involved in Conservation and Awareness Programs please visit the website or contact us for more information.

Should you wish to Scuba Dive with us in this stunning tropical paradise please visit the Dive Centre section of out website for more information.

Telephone: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com

The D4 is the latest in Suunto's popular line of dive computers, an introductory model that rounds out a line that started with the more expensive D9 and D6.

The D4 can log 80 hours of dive data and can be set for diving on regular air, with nitrox at up to 50% oxygen or for free diving for serious breath hold divers.

It is a decompression computer.

You give up the digital compass and multiple gas features that you get on the D6 and D9.

But like the D6 and D9 from the Suunto Finnish company, the D4 is small and good looking enough to serve as a regular wrist watch when you are not diving.

Downbelow Dive Shop in Likas Square, Kota Kinabalu are resellers of the Suunto range of computers.

Currently the D4, D6 and D9 are on a very special christmas offer !!

Visit their Dive Shop at:

Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures Sdn. Bhd
PADI 5 Star Dive Centre S-36441
Registration No: 809487-K.
KPL/LN 5472. 
Lot 9a , First Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre,  
Kota Kinabalu 88400,
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: +6 088 266 935, Fax: +6 088 266 935, Mobile: +6 012 866 1935
www.divedownbelow.com

Full details of our Christmas Day Package Promotions & Celebration Information can now be viewed online.

Guests are invited to join us for Christmas Day or both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Options are there to include accommodation in Budget/ Backpacker, Mid Range or High End Accommodation.

Please join us and enjoy the fun !!!!

Please peruse our Christmas Day Celebration information page for details.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Our Good friend Jeffrey (AKA Jeff D' Corner) joined us for a DSD, Discover Scuba Diving Program in our Lagoon and House Reef on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Islands TARP. KK.

He came with a group of his friends which included our dear friend John.

Every one had a fabulous time, each couple with their own qualified Divemaster or Instructor, they saw a turtle, lots of snappers, parrot-fish, clownfish, sting rays along with all the usual suspects.

This was Jeffrey's second DSD program and no doubt he will be back again.

Jeffrey is the owner of Jeff D'Corner and in our opinion he cooks the best steaks in town, you can read more about him on our Eating Out in KK page.

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program introduces people to scuba diving in a highly supervised and relaxed manner.

It dispels common misconceptions about scuba by letting individuals try it for themselves.

Under the guidance of a PADI professional, new divers learn basic safety concepts, put on equipment and swim around underwater in a closely supervised environment.

After trying scuba diving for the first time, some of the group are considering completing a PADI Open Water Diver course.

Should you wish to try this wonderful and rewarding sport please contact us or peruse our DSD page.

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Celebrate Christmas Day with a Beach BBQ, Scuba Dive, Snorkel, Trek, enjoy Games a Christmas Day Raffle and a few beers and wine at the Beach House, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Kota Kinabalu - KK Sabah.

We have come up with an itinerary for a perfect day of celebration. Ideal for families and friends wishing to spend Christmas on a tropical island taking part in various activities !!

Based at Downbelow's Beach House on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park just 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu City.

Surrounded by tropical rain-forest, ocean, marine & wildlife !

FOUR dives will be available to those who wish to dive - two morning dives, an afternoon dive and a sunset dive (in search of Mandarin Fish )!!

Enjoy a delicious BBQ, with Tenderloin Steak flown in from Australia. Vegetarians will not miss out, we have TOFU alternatives !

Football & Frisbee can be played on our green, we have a Treasure Hunt and a Christmas Day Raffle to win a SUNNTO GEKKO DIVE computer worth RRP 1,300.00 !!!!!




The days itinerary is as follows:

Christmas Day Celebration
Diver Rate: MYR 460.00 p/p
Non Diver Rate: 270.00 p/p

0825 hrs
Meet Downbelow Staff & Transfer on Boat to Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre at The Beach House - Gaya Island, TARP
0915 hrs
1st Boat Dive/ Games / Snorkeling/ Trekking
1030 hrs
Surface Interval for Divers
1115 hrs
2nd Boat Dive/ Games / Snorkeling/ Trekking

1300 hrs
Beach BBQ & Christmas Day Raffle to win a SUNNTO Dive Computer
1430 hrs
3rd Dive Boat or Shore
1600 hrs
1st Boat Transfer back to Jesselton Point for those that wish to return
1745 hrs
Sunset Dive
1900 hrs
Return to Jesselton Point Jetty


All our programs are ALL Inclusive, the only additional option extra is the RAFFLE Ticket costing MYR 50.00, the chances of winning the SUUNTO Dive Computer are very good with only 16 tickets for sale per computer !!!!

Includes: Boat transfers from Jesselton Point Jetty to Beach House, Gaya Island Return (10 minutes each way), Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees, Dive & Snorkel Equipment Rental, BBQ Lunch & Refreshments, Beer & Wine, 4 Guided Boat Dives (Diver Rate).

Overnight camping is available for the intrepid adventurer !!

Pre booking for this special Christmas Day Celebration is required, please contact us on (+6) 012 866 1935 or Email Us.


www.divedownbelow.com

Suunto Dive Computers are now IN STOCK at Downbelow Scuba Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu, KK, Sabah.

We have outstanding Christmas discounts and special offers on the D9, D6, & D4 with the rest of the Suunto range at very competitive prices.

Our PADI Course plus Gekko Dive Computer bundle is back on offer, having previously sold out of stock, we re-ordered more



Suunto Diving Equipment - Innovative, Essential and Accurate

Suunto specializes in essential diving equipment that helps enthusiasts focus on the experience and make the most of every dive.

From the industry's first liquid-filled dive compass to the first wristop dive computer, Suunto innovations have become standard equipment the world over, trusted by professionals for accuracy, salient features and outstanding durability. Because divers differ in motivation and style, Suunto provides options.

With the Suunto D9, for example, you can equip yourself with a full decompression dive computer, digital compass and wireless air integration - all in one convenient wristop unit.
Take a moment to explore the full line of Suunto dive computers. Use the comparison tool to find the right Suunto dive computer for you. Start here.


We also have many other special offers and bundles on Atomic Aquatics, Sherwood Regulators & BCD, Underwater Kinetics Dive Lights, Bare Wetsuits and many more items.

Please come and visit to see for yourself our range of Dive and Adventure products.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

A BIG welcome to Norzumaayati Goloi, fondly knows as "Gone" who has recently joined the Downbelow Dive Team as an OWSI, Open Water Scuba Instructor & EFRI Emergency First Response Instructor in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Borneo.

Gone has a wealth of experience that she brings to the international staff team.

Having worked with Greenforce, Raleigh International and Lankayan Island Resort Gone is a huge asset to an expanding company with many educational and environmental projects already underway.

Gone is pictured here conducting a Discover Scuba Diving program with Marcin Stepinski, who, along with his family were a guest of Downbelow - from Poland.

Gone will assist in "Team Teaching" our growing number of Instructor Candidates who have joined Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in pursuit of a new career path, please use this link to peruse our Internship Programs should you be interested to join.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

The Beach House on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu is the ideal location for friends and families to spend a fun filled activities day out whilst in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo.

Home to PADI 5 Star Dive Centre Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures it is the perfect setting and provides the perfect venue for friends and family wishing to relax, snorkel, go trekking and scuba diving, snorkelling safaris, island hopping, play football, frisbee and volleyball !!

Our 37ft Speed Boat provides very comfortable transportation for such activities.

Wildlife lovers will be amazed by the diversity of wildlife that can be seen in one day, monkeys, butterflies, snakes, hornbill and lizards are seen regularly.



Wild Boars and Proboscis Monkeys also inhabit the island but they are very shy, occasionally they are heard but rarely seen.

Time and time again our quests tell us how wonderful it is to spend the day with their family whilst they enjoy their different activities with everyone returning for tea and coffee breaks, refreshments and lunch throughout the day.

Often Grandparents will relax or try our guided Snorkelling program, Mums and Dads will Scuba Dive or go Trekking whilst Children can play on the beach or grassy lawns or try our Kids Discover Snorkelling Program.

Our Adventure Centre is at the base of the best trekking trails in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

We have a confined lagoon, a fabulous house reef for snorkelers and divers and all snorkel and dive sites in the park are within a few minutes from our Adventure Centre.

The ultra adventurous visitor can camp overnight at our centre, we provide waterproof tents, dinner and breakfast and guests enjoy a safe environment with a 1 million star hotel accommodation !

A trip to our Adventure Centre is a 'Must See" day out whilst in Kota Kinabalu.

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

For more information please peruse our website or call us on +6 012 866 1935 OR +6 088 23 23 75

www.divedownbelow.com

Tags Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Trekking, Island Hopping, TARP, Kota Kinabalu

PADI 5 Star Dive Centre Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures is offering an end of year Scuba Diving Special Discount Package in Kota Kinabalu and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP).

This 4 Night, 3 Day Scuba package includes Accommodation and Buffet Breakfast at the Best Western Kinabalu Daya Hotel in Kota Kinabalu City.

Centrally located this hotel offers very good mid range accommodation twin/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, internet and satellite TV.

With a great watering hole on the ground floor scuba divers of Downbelow can enjoy beer buckets at discounted rates, arguably the cheapest in town !!

The diving package includes 3 full days of diving (9 guided dives in total), equipment rental, jetty fees, park fees, lunch and refreshments all included - NO HIDDEN Extras !!!

The hotel is located 5 minutes walk from our daily pick up point at the Jesselton Point Jetty, from here our boat will collect you and take you on a 10 minute speed boat ride to our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre located at The Beach House on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

This is where we surface interval and take our lunch break, all dive sites are within a a few minutes from our centre. You will also have time to look around, its very peaceful and surrounded by primary rain-forest with lots of wildlife.

Priced at MYR 1140.00 per person (approx. GBP 189.00) This really is a fabulous offer, pre booking is advised as availability is limited! Prices are based on 2 person bookings. For single travelers there is an additional MYR 200.00 surcharge.

You can discover more information about the daily diving and marine life you are likely to encounter here Downbelow Daily Diving Package.

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. 

You can find more info about Tunku Abdul Rahman Park ( Tarp ) the park here Scuba Diving TARP.

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

Tags Accommodaion Kota Kinabalu, Scuba Diving

Looking for a Career Change ? Are you a Gap Year Student ? Are you looking for a Challenging Internship Program in Asia ? Do you thrive on Adventure Sports ? Looking to live and learn about another culture, meet new people and learn new languages ?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you should consider joining one of our Professional Scuba Diving Internship Programs in the exciting city of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo South East Asia.


Our great value internship programs can be suited to non divers wishing to enter the professional sport of scuba diving or qualified divers wishing to continue their scuba diving education.

The minimum internship period is 1 month.

To co-inside with these internships we run at least two PADI Instructor Development Courses (PADI IDC) annually which are followed by the PADI Instructor Examination (PADI IE)

On all our internships you receive UNLIMITED scuba diving.

We can offer this because our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is actually based within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP)with direct access to our training lagoon & house reef and just a handful of minutes boat ride from TARPs surrounding dive sites.

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

We also have a Dive Shop and Classroom in Kota Kinabalu City.

We can also include very affordable accommodation to participants.

At Downbelow we also offer internship programs to local people under long term contract, providing opportunity and security for their career development.

Local and international candidates mutually benefit from the mixed program by providing opportunity to learn new languages, cultures and traditions and most importantly it brings people together forging new friendships.

For more information please visit the Scuba Diving Internship section of our website.

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

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures were invited to spend the afternoon in Klias Wetlands with Sabah's Tourism Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.


Downbelows Manager Evelyn, along with other guests enjoyed a Fish Foot Spa, Traditional Malaysian Buffet Dinner, a River Cruise and admired the Fireflies that light up the Mangrove Jungles like a Christmas Tree !!

Everyone had a fabulous time including our Instructor Development Internship - James who enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of Sabahs industry players.

Klias Wetlands can be visited on a day trip from Kota Kinabalu.

For More information, please see our dedicated Travel Packages section of the website.

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island are very pleased to offer the PADI Open Water Course & Suunto Gekko Wrist Dive Computer at an Incredible bundled price promotion of MYR 2141.00!

Nope we have not gone crazy we just have great dive equipment prices in our dive shop and are happy to pass them on !!

Throughout the PADI Open Water Diver Course, you'll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You will also be taught using the Suunto Gekko Dive Computer (Brand New with Warranty) which will be yours to keep at the end of the course.

Suunto Gekko can be used with both air and enriched air nitrox, and it is designed to give the specifics of any diving situation, including decompression, at a glance.


Easy to use push buttons and a straightforward menu structure make Gekko simple to operate.

The extensive logbook memory stores up to 50 hours of dive profiles and logbook data including dive start time and date, dive time, maximum depth attained and temperature at maximum depth. In addition the dive history keeps track of up to 999 dives and 999 dive hours, as well as the maximum depth ever reached.

Scuba Diving with a dive computer has many benefits, very simply put - dive computers constantly track a divers decompression status, allow for more time underwater by using multi level techniques, provide accurate depth/time recordings and decompression status is made simple with automatic calculations.

What better way to become familiar with using and diving with a dive computer than learning to scuba dive with your very own !!

Please contact us to book you PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course with the Suunto Gekko Dive Computer - only available while stocks last - In Stock Now !

I must admit to getting a little star struck when in the presence of celebrities which is why i wasn't invited to Richard's day out with Brad Pitt !

One celebrity that i did have the pleasure of meeting though is Deepau Gurung - a famous Nepalese Pop Star, fondly remembered as Poppy !!

Poppy is also Corporal within the British Royal Gurkha Regiment. He was a participant with one of our Adventure training groups this year.

The Gurkhas, a British special ops unit that has existed since 1815 are considered to be some of the finest soldiers in the world, as is evidenced by the high regard they are held in for both their fighting skill, and their smartness of turnout on parade. Today there are 3400 troops within the British Army, they are all gentlemen and we are very honored to be given the opportunity to conduct their Adventure Training.



During Poppys program he completed the PADI Open Water Course. He enjoyed his AT week so much that he then returned with another group for some daily fun diving.

We had dinner with Poopy and the rest of his group at the Moonbell Restaurant in KK and Poppy charmed us with a few tunes and signed his autograph for me (pictured left with Richard) !!

We hope to see Poppy again and wish him and the boys all the best in their careers and happy diving !

With our Adventure Sports Training & Team Building Season 2008 almost coming to an end (only one more group to come), we thought we should write a quick review and say a "BIG Thank You" to the Downbelow Staff Team, Sabah Parks, Friends and Colleagues.

Its been a hard working year but great fun and once again we've met some fabulous people.

Probably our biggest achievement this year was our British Army Royal Gurkha Riffles Event for 291 pax.

Run over a period of 8 weeks this was the largest single PADI Certification Event in Malaysia and arguably in South East Asia !




During the program participants camped at our Beach House Adventure Centre on Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP.

Every participant completed a PADI Certification including Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water Course, Advanced Open Water Course and Rescue Diver Course.

In addition we conducted Sea Kayaking, Skin Diver Programs and White Water Rafting. After days of Adventure Training & Team Building participants went Trekking along the fabulous Gaya Island Trails, played Volleyball and Football !!

Since conducting the event we have received numerous emails from the British Army with glowing feedback from organizers and participants, to the extent that we're now making plans for the same program next year.

Please take a look at out Adventure Training Photo Album so see images of this Adventure Training Event plus previous events.

We have also had the pleasure this year of accommodating many other corporate groups and special interest organizations.

We are very fortunate to be based on a small island in the South China Sea, surrounded by stunning coral reef and rainforest - all this only 10 minutes from a bustling city !!

Should you be interested to learn more about our company and location, please visit our website:

www.divedownbelow.com

Or Contact our International Events Organizers Richard or Joanne

Yes, Sharks, a Whale, Giant Sting Rays, Turtles, Mandarin Fish, Cuttlefish, Ribbon Eel, Octopus, Fascinating Jellyfish and schools of Snappers and Fusiliers are just some of the marine life that we have seen in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu THIS WEEK !!

This is not to mention the Bornean Short Python, Pied Hornbills, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Long Tail Macaques and Green Crested Lizards that we saw during our surface interval !!!

Almost everyday we return buzzing from the marine and wildlife experience that us and our guests have experienced.

To elaborate on the Whale sighting, which is not a normal occurrence -"Whilst scuba diving one of our favorite dive sites just 5 minutes from our dive centre Downbelows boatman was drawn towards some enormous splashing".

Our divers were infact underwater at the time but Osmera (boatman) was a little perturbed, when realized he was watching a Whale longer than our boat (37ft) surface and dive 5 times !!!

Coincidentally it was almost two years ago that we found a 21 meter Brydes Whales beached but alive on the reef at Gaya Island, perhaps we could be experiencing a migration - yet a new project for us to investigate !!

Fortunately Richard has been taking his camera to the island this week so managed to catch some of the marine & wildlife on camera

Should you be interested to learn more about some of the Marine & Wildlife to be found in Sabah please peruse our Photography Section or visit us at Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre.

Congratulations to Jussi from Finland on completing his PADI Open Water Course with us - Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in Kota Kinabalu.

Jussi deserves a special mention because we feel he could be an inspiration to other amputee, physically challenged or indeed able bodied potential divers wondering whether they could embark in the sport of scuba diving

Throughout the PADI Open Water Course Jussi demonstrated mastery of each performance requirement in some cases by modifying techniques to meet requirements.



Its been a pleasure to meet and spend time with Jussi, he's a great guy and we had a lot of fun.

He became part of the team for his few days with us.

Jussi is pictured above completing his compass navigation exercise with James, our IDC Internship Candidate.

Richard, our company Director offered to teach his course, from the hundreds of students Richard has taught over his 2 decade diving career Jussi will remain one of his most rewarding students.

Jussi has now gone to Sipadan where we're sure he'll have a fabulous time and we look forward to welcoming him back "Downbelow" one day in the future !


Should Jussi inspire you to take on a challenge that you thought would be beyond your ability please contact us to discuss a tailored PADI Open Water Course in more detail.

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, Kota Kinabalu have decided to make the PADI Enriched Air NITROX Course speciality of the MONTH for November 2008, this means we're offering the speciality at a discounted 10% OFF !!

Congratulations to James, Nav, Patrick and Tan who recently completed their Nitrox Course, now they can stay longer Downbelow !!!!

For more information on this popular speciality please see our dedicated PADI Enriched Air Nitrox website section.

For information on just some of the other PADI Courses we offer please peruse our dedicated web pages.

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

Email Us to register for this super offer !!

Downbelow PADI Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, rent Enriched Air NITROX Tanks to their divers and neighboring Scuba Diving Centres.

For more information on Tank fills and rental please Contact Us.

For information on becoming a Nitrox certified diver and enrolling on our PADI Enriched Air Diver Course, please peruse our dedicated pages.

Click for more Information on our Tropical Island Diving Paradise Dive Centre at The Beach House, Gaya Island, TARP.

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in the TAR Park (TARP) was a buzz yesterday when the morning dive boat returned to the Beach House on Gaya Island with a group of very happy divers from Australia, UK, Denmark and Holland.

The excitement was over a Black Ribbon Eel that they discovered on a deep dive just a couple of minutes boat ride from our Island Dive Centre.

Our knowledge and experience tells us that these delightful little critters remain in the same area for some time, so revisiting this prize find should be possible.

Ribbon Eels (Rhinomuraena quaesita) are a rare find and quite secretive usually only showing their head and their distinctively large flared nostrils.

Should a diver get to close, they will hide away in their hole and probably stay hidden for a few minutes.

Black Ribbon Eels with a yellow dorsal fin are juveniles and sub adults.

To read more about Ribbon Eels please peruse our dedicated Marine Biology Section within our website.

Should you wish to Scuba Dive with us, please peruse our Daily Diving Package or PADI Courses Section.

Alternatively please call us on +6 )12 866 1935 or Email Us for a quick response.

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre are running a PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver Course Speciality - Kota Kinabalu 20th & 21st October 2008.

This scuba diving course is one of PADI’s most popular specialties.



Diving with enriched air nitrox lets you safely extend your no stop time beyond the no decompression limits for air.

Diving with enriched air means more time underwater – but you need to be certified as an Enriched Air Diver to get enriched air fills.

Whether you’re into underwater photography or macro diving, at home or on holiday the PADI Enriched Air Diver course helps you get more out of diving by giving you more time underwater. Certification counts toward the Master Scuba Diver rating

Pre-requistite

To enrol on the course you must be a PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization).

You will Learn
To analyze cylinder contents.
Plan enriched air dives using tables and dive computers.
Safely increase your no stop time.


Once qualified guests can rent NITROX tanks for their leisure diving from our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and extend their bottom time Downbelow !!

For more information on becoming a PADI Enriched Air Diver please Contact Us to book your place on the course.

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

Everyday people write to us asking about the Dive Sites and Scuba Diving in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

So i thought i would write a very quick summary for those that are interested.

Firstly its important to say that we enjoy year round scuba diving.

Often people think that the monsoon season is off limits for us divers but its not, infact monsoon time can bring some of the best weather because its no longer the Typhoon season.

Scuba Diving wise there is really no best or worst time to visit in terms of weather for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

March through May is Whaleshark season so i guess if you can visit any time atall this would be an additional bonus and our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is ideally located to track them down safely and unobtrusively.

For Beach Lovers, Snorkelers, Skin Divers, beginners to the sport of Scuba Diving and professionals alike the park offers a great deal.

Tropical waters abundant with diverse and fascinating marine life, sheltered reefs, idilic island paradise settings to relax and while away surface intervals - all this within view of the KK city centre and Mt Kinabalu.

Dive sites within TARP are predominantly sloping coral reefs with stunning hard and soft covered coral blocks, mangrove areas and sand slopes with plenty of fish life and macro subjects - ideal for photographers both beginners and those more advanced.

Depths range from shallow coral gardens at 5m to caverns and overhangs at 30m. Some of the well know Dive Sites include, Clement Reef, Rons Reef, Edgell Patches, North Sulug and Police Beach, but we make many many more new dive site discoveries all the time in and around the TAR Park.

So What Can We See ?

Macro life is what we are passionate about but having said this there are plenty of larger marine creatures to found. We regularly see Turtles and Rays, especially at Turtles House Dive Site.

At the moment Eagle Rays seem to be hanging around with a recent Open Water Course student seeing one in our lagoon in 4m of water !!

Schools of Barracuda, Snappers, Fusiliers and Anthias are common. We often see Cuttlefish, Moray Eels, Lionfish and Pufferfish.

Occasionally we see Sharks but sadly Sharks are these days a minority due to overfishing and illegal Shark-finning practices worldwide.

Nudibranchs are common, so too are all 7 species of Clownfish which can be seen in just one dive site! Many species of Crustaceans, Scorpionfish, Pipefish, Demon Stingers, Cuttlefish and Stonefish are also usual suspects.

From time to time we find Frogfish, Ghostpipefish and once in a while the highly prized Blue Ringed Octopus !

Our House Reef and Home Corner Dive Site which is just a giant stride from our Beach House Dive Centre jetty has many surprises. Generally we know where to find Mandarinfish at certain times of the day.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park should not be missed when visiting Sabah, often overlooked this Divers paradise offers constant surprises.

TARP also a perfect location for a Scuba Review before a trip to Sipadan or for non divers to try out the sport of Scuba Diving with the Discover Scuba Diving program. Also for qualified divers to continue their diving course education.

Two or three day dive packages offer great value for money and you certainly wouldn't see the same dive site twice - unless you wanted to of course, which can happen !!

For more information on packages please visit our Travel Packages page.

Or Contact us for Bookings.

To learn more about the Marine Life we find, please visit our dedicated Marine Biology Section of our Website.

We are running a day trip to Pulau Tiga - Survivor and Snake Island this Sunday 12th October due to popular demand !!

Guests old and new plus our KK Dive Club Members are welcome to join the fun, places are limited so advanced bookings are required.

We have the fastest Dive Boat in Kota Kinabalu which makes a trip to Tiga very comfortable and quick !!!

Made famous by CBS as the location for their Survivor Island reality based TV show.

Located 6 miles offshore Sabah in North Borneo this fascinating island was formed on September 21st 1897 by a volcanic eruption way of the coast of Borneo. To this day warm mud oozes from geometric vents on the island.


The surrounding dive sites offer great variety of hard and soft coral with plenty of tropical fish life.

Aboard our 37ft spacious speed boat a day trip to Palau Tiga, Survivor Island departs at 7am and includes the following:

Return sea transfers from Kota Kinabalu (approx. 1 hour each way, sea conditions permitting), Unlimited Snacks and Refreshments, BBQ or Buffet Lunch. Park Entry Fees, Jetty Fees. Guided Snorkelling and/ or Scuba Diving 2 x Boat dives (depending on package). Guided Trip to Mud Volcano and Snake Island. Optional overnight stay.

Non divers and snorkelers are also welcome !

To discover more about this fascinating island and great day trip please visit our Pulau Tiga pages.

If you are interested to join us, please drop us a line or give us a call, visit our contacts page for information.

CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE +6 012 866 1935

We are night diving in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on 19th October 2008.

The islands within the park offer some very safe and rewarding night dive sites with plenty of marine life to be found including a variety of crustaceans, nudibranchs, squid and cuttlefish, feeding coral polyps and much more.

Night diving is a unique experience, with your vision restricted our other senses are heightened and more alert, i liken this feeling to walking through the woods at night !

Departure from the jetty is at 6 pm and we should return by 8pm for the 1 dive program.

All equipment including torches are available to rent. Please contact us if you'd like more information and would like to join us.

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre had the pleasure of entertaining the Wang Family from Singapore and Australia on their Day Trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Tarp Kota Kinabalu (KK).

We like to post news of "out of the ordinary" clients and we feel that to host a family of 12, grandparents, parents and children is quite special.

Basing themselves at our Dive Centre at The Beach House, Gaya Island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, just 8 minutes speedboat ride from Kota Kinabalu City.

Their day consisted of Daily Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving, Snorkelling and Trekking.

On their day trip and between all their activites, the Wang family enjoyed a freshly cooked lunch and relaxed on our verandah to the sound of hornbills flying next to the Beach House where primary rainforest meets reef !

Everyone had a fabulous time and we'd like to thank the Wang Family for spending the day with us.

For more information on our daily packages ideal for families and individuals please visit our dedicated website section Travel Packages.

PADI 5 Star Dive Centre Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures is offering an end of year Scuba Diving Special Discount Package in Kota Kinabalu and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TARP).

This 4 Night, 3 Day Scuba package includes Accommodation and Buffet Breakfast at the Best Western Kinabalu Daya Hotel in Kota Kinabalu City.

Centrally located this hotel offers very good mid range accommodation twin/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, internet and satellite TV.

With a great watering hole on the ground floor scuba divers of Downbelow can enjoy beer buckets at discounted rates, arguably the cheapest in town !!

The diving package includes 3 full days of diving (9 guided dives in total), equipment rental, jetty fees, park fees, lunch and refreshments all included - NO HIDDEN Extras !!!

The hotel is located 5 minutes walk from our daily pick up point at the Jesselton Point Jetty, from here our boat will collect you and take you on a 10 minute speed boat ride to our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre located at The Beach House on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

This is where we surface interval and take our lunch break, all dive sites are within a a few minutes from our centre. You will also have time to look around, its very peaceful and surrounded by primary rain-forest with lots of wildlife.

Priced at MYR 1140.00 per person (approx. GBP 189.00) This really is a fabulous offer, pre booking is advised as availability is limited! Prices are based on 2 person bookings. For single travelers there is an additional MYR 200.00 surcharge.

You can discover more information about the daily diving and marine life you are likely to encounter here Downbelow Daily Diving Package.

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. 

You can find more info about Tunku Abdul Rahman Park ( Tarp ) the park here Scuba Diving TARP.

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

In a bid to improve the health of underwater eco systems Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures rallied 50 volunteers to clean up their base station and House Reef on Gaya Island including the ocean, beaches, mangrove area and rain-forest trails to help make clean waters a reality.

The cleanup event was spearheaded by Project AWARE Foundation who coordinate the global volunteer effort devoted to cleaner, healthier oceans. Every year seven million tonnes of rubbish enters the world’s oceans. Marine debris kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles each year.

“Dive Centres like Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures are instrumental in the global fight to wipe out marine debris. We could not make a difference without their support,” said Mike Holme, Executive Director of Project AWARE. “Project AWARE thanks Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures and all the local volunteers for their commitment to marine conservation. Local clean ups are a fantastic example of how people can work together to take action and make a positive contribution to the local community.”

The management of Downbelow said “Thanks to the commitment of passionate local divers and volunteers we have made a real impact cleaning up the local area. It is amazing what can be achieved and we’d like to thank Sabah Tourism Staff, holiday makers from London and Germany, Scubazoo Staff, KK Dive Club Members, Sabah Park Staff, Local Travel Agents, Family Volunteers and Local School Children for their efforts. In total we removed 403kgs of rubbish from the area”

We have submitted data from the event to Project Aware. With so many volunteers diving for debris and collecting vital information on different types of materials entering aquatic environments, International Cleanup Day is the most effective event of its kind. Project AWARE submits all the data collected to the Ocean Conservancy. The data becomes a powerful tool that is used to inform the public, governments and businesses of the damaging effects of debris.

This clean up day has made such a great difference to our local area we will be running these volunteer days regularly and will post all such events.

Please re-visit this page of the website, or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep updated.

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

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre - Kota Kinabalu are pleased to announce next years PADI Instructor Development Course to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor beginning 14th MARCH 2009

Covering areas as diverse as risk management, teaching children, the business of diving and PADI standards and procedures, the IDC is designed to develop a rounded diving educator who can work anywhere in the world.

The IDC begins with independent self-study Knowledge Reviews and encompasses two PADI programs: The Assistant Instructor Course and The Open Water Scuba Instructor Course.

Together these two programs make up the full IDC.

Certification as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor is by successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination scheduled at the end of the IDC, confirmed for the 30th and 31st March 2009 also in Kota Kinabalu.

During the IDC you will learn how to successfully transfer knowledge and skills to others. Furthermore you will develop a clear understanding of The PADI Philosophy of Continuing Education and the full range of PADI programs, teaching materials and tools, including digital products, that are available to you as a PADI Instructor.

Once you have understood the basic teaching methods employed in teaching scuba and how to use the PADI system to it’s fullest, you will find teaching an easy and exhilarating experience !!

For more information about this exciting program please drop us an email, if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours please check your JUNK mail folder.

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

Downbelow Dive Centre and Project AWARE are calling all divers, snorkelers and water enthusiasts to make their data count and help reverse debris trends this September !

Whether you are a frequent beach/ underwater clean up volunteer or a beginner you will have a fun and rewarding day !!

Join friends and clients of Dive Downbelow to help clean up our house reef and beach.

Pick up plastic, styrofoam, flip flops and other debris from our beach and underwater before seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and other marine-life can get entangled or eat it. Prevent plastic pollution, save the oceans !!

Our venue is our base station at The Beach House, TAR Park, Kota Kinabalu. This is a land and water based event so all are welcome.

For more information please Contact Us.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the PADI 5 Star Centre upgrade for our Scuba Diving Centre Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

This Prestigious PADI 5 Star Dive Center status is awarded, on an annual basis, to progressive PADI Dive Centers that excel in providing dive consumers with a full range of diver education programs, equipment selection, and experience opportunities and that actively promote aquatic environmental awareness.

A PADI 5 Star Dive Center is active in its community presenting a professional image consistent with, or better than, the norm of the marketplace.

These dive centers embrace the PADI System of diver education and are committed to providing customers with quality products, services and experiences.

We would like to thank all friends and clients of Downbelow past and present who have contributed to the success of our PADI Dive Centre and we look forward to exciting times ahead.

From the Team at Downbelow !!



Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935
Dive Shop: +6 088 23 23 75 (with answer phone)

No sooner had we launched the our new "Atomic Aquatics" Regulator Product Range we completely sold out of the Titanium T2 !!

Really there is no wonder. Known to be the Rolls Royce of Regulator Sets, recent reviews by Scuba Diving Magazine named them "the Ferrari of regulators" as this latest innovation from Atomic Aquatics earns the highest ergo scores of any regulator tested in the last four years, leaving other manufacturer ratings behind in ScubaLab tests.

Check out the Spec below:

T2 Regulators

The T2 from Atomic is designed to be the best performing and best looking regulator on the market.

The T2 is the perfect travel regulator, especially for remote diving destinations where every pound of excess baggage counts and regulator repair is not an option

• First and second stage components precision machined from solid billet Titanium that is lightweight and corrosion free

• An "all-Titanium comfort swivel" standard on all T2 regulators

• A new high flow second stage case and lever design that significantly lowers breathing effort at any depth from shallow water to beyond the limits

• Metal-accented front cover ring, adjustment knob, and AFC cover

• Factory sealed first stage to prevent outside contamination such as silt and sand

• Atomic Aquatics Jet seat first stage high flow piston first stage

• Deluxe padded travel bag

• Nitrox ready for mixtures up to 40% (Must be dedicated for EAN use)

• Patented Atomic Aquatics "seat saving" orifice

• Patented Automatic Flow Control (AFC)

Not to be forgotten is our Atomic B2 Range which we currently have a Seasonal Special on.

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Dive Equipment.

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935
Dive Shop: +6 088 23 23 75 (with answer phone)

Downbelow Dive Centre Kota Kinabalu is pleased to announce itself as an authorized reseller of Atomic Aquatics Regulators.

Atomic Aquatics continues to turn the dive industry on edge with its innovative products. First came the ground breaking Atomic regulator family, followed by the awardwinning SplitFins.

We currently have a Seasonal Special on the Atomic B2 First Stage Regulator. Only while stocks last !!




Purchase the Atomic B2 First Stage Regulator Set and get an SSI Air 2 completely FREE !!

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Dive Equipment.

www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935
Dive Shop: +6 088 23 23 75 (with answer phone)

Congratulations to James and Chris on completing their PADI Divemaster Course with Dive Downbelow, PADI Scuba Diving Centre in TARP, Kota Kinabalu Sabah.

During their 3 week Divemaster Course they learned about Scuba Diving Science, Dive Planning, Dive Site Mapping, Conducting Divemaster programs, Assisting with Student Divers in Training, Diver Rescue Development as well as completing many pleasure dives.

They even managed to squeeze in two trips to neighboring Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island and a night dive !

Whilst they were here they became part of our team and we will all miss them but we very much look forward to them returning next year for their PADI IDC Course (Instructor Development Course).

Well done guys !!!

Should you be interested to learn more about our Divemaster Course and Internships please visit our dedicated website pages or contact us for more information.

Our Dive trips to Survivor Island - Pulau Tiga have become so popular that we're now running a trip every week. Scuba Dive and Non Divers are welcome.

Made famous by CBS’s Survivor Island series Pulau Tiga makes for a very exciting day out.

Located 6 miles offshore Sabah in North Borneo this fascinating island was formed on September 21st 1897 by a volcanic eruption way off the coast of Borneo.

To this day the warm mud oozes from geometric vents on the island.

These mud baths are very accessible via a 1.2km walk through a well trodden jungle trail. The volcanic mud is said to have age reducing properties for the skin and can be bathed in!

Next to Pulau Tiga is Snake Island, named for the amount of Banded Sea Krates that lay their eggs on the rocky slopes.

A day trip or overnight visit to these very interesting islands is a must when in Sabah.

Our Day Trips include Speedboat transfers, 2 Guided Boat Dives, all park entry fees, jetty fees, free flow drinks, lunch and refreshments, guided walk to Mud Volcano and visit to Snake Island.

The surrounding dive sites offer great variety of hard and soft coral with plenty of tropical fish life.

If you are interested to join us, please drop us a line or give us a call, visit our contacts page for information.


www.divedownbelow.com

Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935
Dive Shop: +6 088 23 23 75 (with answer phone)

Our mainland Kota Kinabalu dive shop and classroom offers free wireless internet and refreshments for clients wishing to drop by and organize their diving and wildlife trips in Borneo.

Our friendly staff are on hand to help with enquiries.

There are books and PADI materials available to read, our limited edition Photographic Prints are also on display and for sale.

We can be found at:

Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures Sdn. Bhd
Registration No: 809487-K

Office Address:
9A first Floor, Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu 88400
Sabah Malaysian Borneo
Tel: +6 088 266 935, Fax: +6 088 266 935
Mobile: +6 012 866 1935 or +6 012 867 7375

See you there ....

We recently had the pleasure of entertaining guests Kathy Walsh and Martin Payne, they joined us for a 3 Day Diving Package in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu.

On day 3 their Divemaster guide Clare took them to an un-named dive site where Martin surprised Kathy with an underwater proposal of marriage, lovingly prepared on a white slate - fortunately she said yes !!!

Our dive site is now called Married Reef, a sloping reef to 14m with hard and soft coral, tropical fish-life, cuttlefish and many macro critters.

Congratulations to Martin and Kathy, we hope you will someday return as husband and wife, you have left a legacy behind in Sabah, we tell your story to all that dive Married Reef !!!!

The PADI Open Water Diver Course teaches us that a dive knife can be a useful tool to carry when diving but in many cases we forget to keep one with us, i recently found myself in this very position.

On a dive at Sulug Island in the TAR Park, Kota Kinabalu such a tool would have been very useful and i for one learned a valuable lesson in remembering to pack this rarely used tool.

We discovered an abandoned 10m long fishing net tangled among the corals, posing real danger for the surrounding marine life which includes the endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles.

Various crustaceans had already perished after becoming entangled which attracted other animals to feed on the remains, putting them in danger also.

After 20 minutes we managed to free one Lobster - had we been carrying a knife the process would have been much quicker, suffice to say the creature survived.



Fortunately we were able to revisit the dive site the following day with a cutting tool and after an hour of hard work remove the net from the reef and dispose of it safely on land.

In many cases it is better to just cut up the net and leave it in place because more damage can be done to the delicate corals when trying to remove it. So long as marine life cannot become entangled in the net then it can remain in place causing little harm.

Questions as to why anyone was fishing within this National Park is for another discussion but the lesson learned here is as divers carrying a dive knife can be very useful because sadly from time to time we do encounter disregarded fishing nets that pose hazards for marine and human life.

Thanks to Spencer Steadman for the images and his patience and assistance during the dive.

For more information on the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, please read our dedicated pages.

A web-site has been created to host a petition against "Whaling for Scientific Research"

Every year thousands of precious mammals are slaughtered in the name of so-called 'scientific research'. Add your voice by signing this campaign then forwarding it everyone you know. They hope to obtain 1 Millions names on the list and they've almost achieved this ambitious target.

Please help to stop the killing.



www.whalesrevenge.com

I've never really given much consideration to what happens to my toilet waste after i pull the chain. At home of course its treated at dedicated plants and disposed of correctly - but what about when we stay on a beautiful tropical island or stilt resorts over the ocean, where does it go then ?

The truth is in some cases our sewage can be extremely detrimental to our environment, especially within small islands where government treatment plants are not available.

Take for example the situation on Sipadan Island, where ground water became polluted due to untreated wastewater, sewage seeped out to the sea and polluted the surrounding ocean.

Forward thinking Kapalai Dive Resort and Lankayan Island Resort in Sabah Borneo both use the Hydroponics system to treat all sewage and wastewater before it is discharged to the open sea.

The waste is pumped through several large containers containing plants and ozone which filter the bacteria and harmful microorganisms and purify the water. At the same time plants absorb their required nutrients and enrich the water with O2.

This responsible method of treatment not only produces clean water that can be re-used but also irrigates the resort plant nursery and so saves on water consumption.

The initial set up cost for such treatment systems is fairly expensive and every year they must be maintained - this is perhaps why other resorts are not adopting the same concept.

However with growing environmental awareness we as guests should support resorts that genuinely adhere to responsible sewage and waste disposal practices. They may be slightly more expensive than others in the area but in our opinion this is for good reason. Sadly we have witnessed how some budget resorts save money and its the environment that pays the ultimate price.

We will certainly be voting with our feet and support places that we feel make efforts to not only protect their surrounding environment but also not harm it.

To our knowledge the only two resorts to use this in Sabah are those mentioned above.

Featured in this months Australian Sport Diving Magazine is our Mating Mandarinfish article - Spawning Splendidus.

Images within the piece show how these beautifully stunning little creatures mate and how we as mere mortals can visit and photograph their delightful habits.

You can subscribe to the magazine online and/or read the article at http://www.divetheblue.net.

Why are the people of Japan burying their heads in the sand over their countries whaling practices?

Through travel we meet many Japanese people and from our experience they are kind hearted. Why then are they standing by or in some cases applauding their government's decision to send a fleet of whaling boats to sea today intent on slaying and processing more than 1,000 whales, 50 of which are the protected and threatened Humpback.

Whalers claim they are continuing a tradition however when the practice began in the 1700's it was only a few family owned businesses with handheld harpoons that went out to coastal waters and bought back small numbers of whales, not factory fleets going as far afield as the Antarctic pulling in more then 1,000 each a year.

Japan is trying to encourage the younger generation to eat whale meat from the 400 or so animals caught every year through so called "scientific research".

What consumers are not told is that the blubber of dead whales in some areas is so highly contaminated with organochlorines such as PCBs and pesticides that it would be classified as toxic waste! Organochlorines are known to damage development of children and affect reproduction.

It is suggested that most people of Japan are not interested in eating whale meat, if so surely in a so called democratic country if they spoke out against their governments whaling practices and refused to eat the meat the whalers and government would have no choice but listen and the rest of the world would think better of the country and its people.

The brave men and women of Greenpeace are following the fleet that departed today with the sole objective to stop as many whales as possible from being slaughtered.

Please visit their website and follow the expedition to the Southern Ocean.

Conservation efforts by the staff and management of Kapalai Dive Resort continue with the construction of artificial reef systems located in front of the dive station.

Adding to an already established collection of small wrecks the recently sunken boats and purpose built wooden constructions will in time become part of the natural environment providing shelter, protection and food for surrounding marine life.

With worldwide coral reefs in decline space comes at a premium.

An artificial reef system creates its own biomass where coral polyps develop and cover the steel and wooden debris, thus providing extra room for species to develop.






Wildlife concentrates on these reefs and in many cases enhances the development of rare species.

To name but a few Kapalia's artificial house reef is already home to Painted and Clown Frogfish, Harlequin Ghostpipefish, Giant Grouper, Butterfly and Angelfish, various members of the Scorpionfish family and the endangered Bumphead Parrotfish.

The resorts vision in creating this new habitat is, in our opinion to be commented.

Not only will it ease human pressure by divers on natural reefs in the area, it also provides another attraction should Sipadan be privatised or off limits to divers for an amount of time in the future.

Kapalai's House Reef is located a giant stride from the Dive Center

Please visit our Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort section for more information and images of the area. Should you wish to book a trip contact us and we'll put you directly in touch with the resort.

Although we have always enjoyed the challenges of basic accommodation at the Kinabatangan River, new luxury rooms at Bilit Adventure Lodge are a real treat.

Twin, Triple and Double bedded rooms with air-con and hot showers have been built and provide a very comfortable stay at the lodge.

A visit to Sabah would not be complete without visiting this region which is acknowledged by experts to be the most varied and easily accessible river in all of Southeast Asia.


Bird lovers will find the bird watching incredible: all 8 of Borneo's hornbill species are seen regularly.

Please visit our Borneo Bird section to see just some of our images from the area

Throughout various trips we've been fortunate to see Proboscis Monkey, Langurs, Orang Utan, Saltwater Crocodiles, Pygmy Elephants and the list goes on and on.

Please see our Kinabatangan River section for more images and info.

Should you wish to visit the region we highly recommend Bilit Adventure Lodge, not only do they have new luxury accommodation rooms they also offer fan and dormitory options.

You can book direct with them by email or visit their Sepilok website at Sepilok Jungle Resort. another resort well worth a visit and owned by the same family.

We are currently upgrading our webservers and have experienced some emails going astray. If you have contacted us within the last few days and we have not replied, please resend your mail once we have posted that we are back to normal. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. If your enquiry is urgent please fill in the form on the Contact Us page, this will find its way to us.
Problems resolved on 5.07.07.

Tags Webmaster

A common misconception of Mount Kinabalu is that a visit means conquering the summit which is simply not the case.

Mount Kinabalu is a comfortable 1-hour 40 minute drive from Kota Kinabalu and makes for a interesting day trip for anyone wishing to escape the city.

Today we decided to combine a day out with some exercise and climbed from the starting point of the summit ascent at Timpohon Gate (1,866m) to Layang Layang at 2,621 m.
Layang Layang is the farthest point along the summit trail climbers may ascend without a guide and summit permit charge. This makes the experience very affordable having to pay 15RM entrance to the park itself plus 10RM for the summit trail entrance( £3.70 in total).

The atmosphere on route is exhilarating with climbers descending having achieved their summit goal, full of encouragement for those beginning their two day ascent.

The 8-km round trip to Layang Layang takes around 3.5 hours so theres plenty of time to spend the rest of the day within the Kinabalu Park, visiting the botanical gardens and enjoying a nice meal in one of the restaurants, or for a cheaper option but superb cuisine - the cafe opposite the main entrance to the park.

For more information and images including accommodation reviews and advise on a summit ascent, please visit our Mount Kinabalu page.

We are currently upgrading our web servers and some pages will not be available form 22th - 25th May 2007.

We apologize for the interruption.

Please re-visit www.downbelowseaventures.com OR www.downbelow.co.uk soon.

Should you have an immediate enquiry please contact us.

COMPLETED 25.5.07.

Tags Webmaster

This years Whale Shark season in Kota Kinabalu has passed with no credible sightings, which leads us to wonder why?

Every year from February to April the waters surrounding the north western coast of Borneo become cooler with temperatures dropping as low as 24 degrees at diving depths. At the same time, Krill begin to appear along with their predator the Whale Shark Rhincodon typus - the only representative of the Rhincodontidae family.

Although the Whale Shark is the largest fish in the ocean, migration patterns are still poorly understood and their absence this season could be attributed to a number of occurrences. For one, last years giant visitors were harassed and injured by locals and tourists, one young male was hit by a boat propeller.

Overfishing and ocean pollution is a rising and constant threat to all marine life within the food chain and will no doubt put pressure on already small numbers of Shark visitors to the region. Unknown to most, fish bombing continues in the surrounding waters of Sabah, although an illegal practice law enforcement appears to be weak in this area and we often hear bombs exploding whilst diving.

This years El Nino could also be a factor, studies at the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville indicate that in strong El Nino years Krill numbers are lower, whereas during La Nina years krill abundance proved to be much higher. So perhaps the El Nino phenomenon somehow negatively affects the whale sharks’ food supply in certain areas, thus less or in our case none are seen.

At Ningaloo reef in Western Australia the Department of Fisheries and Calm have developed strict guidelines for human interaction with Whale Sharks. Perhaps in positive anticipation of them returning next year the local authorities of Sabah should introduce a similar enforcement. For more information on these guidelines please CLICK HERE.

For more information on Whale Sharks please visit our Marine Biology Sharks section.

Tags Sharks

Making headlines this week in Kota Kinabalu are Marine Turtles - dead ones, illegally caught by poaching boats from China and Indonesia. This frustrating and sad news along with finding a dead Green Turtle, killed by a speed boat engine has inspired us to post a news item reminding readers of the dangers these adorable creatures face in our world today.

Marine Turtles have roamed our oceans for 185 million years with only one natural predator – the Tiger Shark. Amazingly they survived the mass extinction of dinosaurs to face and even greater threat - Man !

WWF’s Endangered Species list includes the Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Kemps Ridley, Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle.

Sexual maturity comes late, most turtles will not mate until at least the age of 25 years old some much later, and a great number are killed before they reach this age reducing their numbers to the point of critical depletion.

They face numerous threats; their meat, eggs and oil are sought after for human consumption and seen as a delicacy in parts of Asia. Their shells, especially the Hawksbill is beautiful and used to make jewellery and household ornaments. Although they are a protected species in many waters as we've seen this week there is still great demand for their body parts to the point where poachers are willing to risk jail and hefty fines to bring back the catch.

Many become entangled in fishing nets, long line nets and drown.  Some are hit by speed boats as they surface for air.

Turtles accidentally swallow plastic bags, which block up their digestive system. Cigarette butts, which are toxic are often thrown into the ocean - even by Divers ! If a turtle swallows one of these they will more than likely die.

In recent years dead turtles have been found with grapefruit size tumors, the cause of which is uncertain but most likely a result of increased chemical pollutants in our oceans.


It’s a sad state of affairs, perhaps awareness and education can help save our Turtles and each of us can make a small difference.

So what can we do ?

Do not buy or support any outlet selling turtle products.

Take a rubbish net diving and collect any plastic bags you might find, ensuring that nothing is living in them before you ball them up. If you don't have a net just put them in your BCD pocket, just one bag can make a difference.

If you see anyone throw cigarette butts into any body of water, inform them of the consequence should a turtle or other marine creature swallow their butt. Usually when people are educated about the cigarettes toxicity, next time they finish their smoke they'll dispose of it differently.

If you're diving or snorkeling in an area known for turtles and the dive boat you're on is going too fast to avoid an ascending turtle, ask the driver to slow down and explain why.

If you visit a region and rubbish in ocean alarms you, say something, make your thoughts known to the tourist board.

When guests and tourists complain, this is the voice thats heard as this is where the money comes from.

For More Information on Marine Turtles please visit our Marine Biology Turtle page.

Tags Turtles

On a recent trip to Kinabatangan we discovered a Tree Planting program organized by Bilit Adventure Lodge.

This entire area has suffered greatly from tree felling and forest clearing for the development of Palm Plantations which pose enormous challenges to the environment and wildlife living within it. Thankfully in 1999 the Government of Malaysia declared a 26,000 hectare region of the Kinabatangan their "Gift to the Earth".

With lodges and resorts now providing visitors the opportunity to see many endangered and fascinating creatures, tree planting is a way in which we can all give a little back, not only to the area but to the planet.

It is said that in a lifetime one human being requires 10 trees to absorb our carbon dioxide output.

Tree saplings are cultivated by the local Orang Sungei (River People) and for 10RM you can take part in this program and plant your own tree, a name board is provided so you can check on the tree's progress throughout future visits. Fruiting trees are a valuable food source to the wildlife in the region, encouraging more wildlife to the replanted area.




Click here for more information on the Kinabatangan River.

For information about the Tree Planting program please email Bilit Adventure Lodge.

Tags Recreation