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

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

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.

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

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.

Resort & Island Accommodation & Scuba Diving Promotional Package

Stay in the Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort - for 4 nights, Scuba Dive for 3 days (9 Dives) then relax in a Beach Chalet on Manukan Island for 2 nights !!!

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

MYR 2,650.00 per person. Promotional Rate - based on 2 people sharing NETT

Includes:
4 Nights Sea View Room with Buffet Breakfast for Two People
3 Days Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from Gaya Island.
Hotel - Island return transfers, all park fees, jetty fees, refreshments, lunch, equipment rental included. Qualified Divers enjoy 9 boat dives, non qualified divers enjoy first morning Discover Scuba Diving Program followed by 7 Boat dives.
2 Nights Beach Chalet on Manukan Island including Breakfast for two and boat transfers on arrival and departure days.

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)

Extra beds at RM 150 nett inclusive of breakfast
Peak season surcharge at RM 140 nett per room per night

For more information and to see images of the Magellan Sutera Harour Resort & Manukan Island - Beach Chalets please peruse the website.
 
Feel free to call us on +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us with your enquiry.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 !

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 !

Base yourself on Gaya Island with us and visit some of the best Scuba Diving dive sites on the West Coast Sabah.

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

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

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 !

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

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

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 !

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.

Our Adventure Training season this year kicked off in style with an invitation to join the Captains Cocktail Party onboard HMS Bulwark that was stationed at KK Sabah Port for 10 days.

The Royal Navy's Adventure Training Program was organized and conducted by Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures and consisted of Scuba Diving, Trekking, Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Dingy Sailing and Deep Sea Fishing.

Throughout the 10 day program approximately 90 British Royal Navy & Royal Marines took part in the various Adventure Training Activities.

Downbelow's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center and Adventure Center on Gaya island is perfectly suited to Adventure Training and Team Building Events.

Located just 8 minutes by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu City, we have primary rainforest that meets reef, ideal for Scuba Diving, Trekking, Snorkeling, Camping, Sea Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Dingy Sailing and Beach BBQ's with copious amounts if cold beer at the end of the day :)

Please look out for more posts on this Adventure Training Event as it continues.

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

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

Image right - HMS Bulwark approaching Sabah Port in Kota Kinabalu

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

Scuba Divers and Snorkelers with Downbelow were once again treated to sighting a Whaleshark just in front of Downbelows Beach House PADI 5 Star IDC Center on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.


After a fun filled day trip to our paradise island location scuba divers, snorkelers and trekkers had boarded our transfer boat for their return trip to Kota Kinabalu mainland - only 10 minutes away.

En-route our eagle eyed boat captain saw a huge school of Krill (image right) close to the surface. Whalesharks feed on the krill so he figured they might be close by.

Circling a couple of times, they then saw a fin and the Whaleshark itself. Pictured above are our guests rushing to the starboard side of the boat looking at the fish that was almost the size of the dive boat !!!

When the news spread that there was a Whaleshark in our bay the boat carrying our staff swiftly departed attempting to catch a glimpse - they were too late but instead they saw a Giant Manta Ray come to the surface !!!!!

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

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.

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

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

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

Our Beach House on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP, Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia Borneo is the ideal location for a family holiday day trip to a paradise island.

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 !!

Fun filled activities are all conducted from our PADI 5 Star Dive and Adventure Centre which is surrounded by primary rain-forest and tropical ocean.

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 join our Daily Scuba Diving Program or go Trekking or even learn to Scuba Dive.
Children can play on the beach or grassy lawns, try our Kids Discover Snorkelling Program or Bubble Maker Discover Scuba for Children 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. 

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

Combine a Scuba Diving Package with Underwater Camera Rental and enjoy Underwater Photography in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP - Kota Kinabalu.

Having climbed Mount Kinabalu at the weekend Tim Bolton (image left and below) joined Downbelow Marine & Wildlife for a 3 Dive Package in TARP and rented one of our Cannon A640 10 megapixel cameras with Cannon U/W housing - all functions are fully controllable and included within the cost is image download to CDROM.

Tim dived with Richard for the day. Richard is a professional underwater photographer and took his camera along just incase the already present Whalesharks passed by.

Richard was happy to share some tips with Tim, they didn't see any Whalesharks but saw Turtles Hawksbill and Green Turtles, Cat Shark, Cuttlefish, Lionfish, Nudibranchs, Moray Eel, Seahorses, Barracuda and numerous schooling fishes.

Tims Mum Doris also came along for the day trip and spent the day snorkeling and trekking from our Paradise Island Beach House.

Duncan was her snorkel guide for morning and took Doris to some pristine coral reef which they had all to themselves, they saw numerous clownfish, tropical reef fish and a Flying Gurnard.

In the afternoon JC, our resident wildlife expert took Doris trekking through the primary rain-forest that surrounds our Dive and Adventure Centre on Gaya Island.

They took the Padas Point route, fondly known as the Spirit Forest Trail which follows the coastal path along the southern side side of the Gaya Island providing stunning views across the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Downbelow's eagle eye guide spotted an endemic Bornean Angle-headed Lizard, Orchids, Horseshoe Bats and many more insects and reptiles.

The Beach House at Gaya Island offers so much for marine and wildlife lover.

Should you wish to join us at our tropical island paradise - just 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu please EMAIL US, for a quick response.

Or call our Telephone Hotline: +6 012 866 1935


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 recent divers who have just completed their PADI Open Water Course and Discover Scuba Diving Program - Scuba Diving lessons with Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Also, thank you for joining us to the rest of our clients who have been diving with us for 1 - 4 day dive packages over the past week. (Pictured Below)

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

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.

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.

Adam, (first left above) chose to save a day on this course and completed the academic portion online in his own time through the PADI eLearning system of education.

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 stunning island paradise which is very unique and not crowded.

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 or daily diving, we have some excellent walking trails from our 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, join our Daily Scuba Diving program for qualified divers or try diving for the first time with our PADI Discover Scuba Diving program.

Please email us now for a quick response.

Telephone: +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

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.

Our Island based PADI 5 Star 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


As with all our programs we offer a fully inclusive price, including hotel transfers (KK City) boat transfers, park entry fees, instruction, equipment rental, learning materials and certification fees.

For booking information please 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 Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP in Kota Kinabalu - KK, is the ideal location for kids, families with children wishing to try scuba diving.

We organize a full day of activities for children.

William and Veronique pictured here with their PADI Instructor Gon, spent 3 days with us.

One day on a Bubblemaker program - experiencing scuba diving for the very first time, whilst their Mum and Dad joined our Boat Dive activity.

The PADI Bubble maker program is a way for youngsters to join in the family fun of scuba diving.

Children should be OK in the water, but they don’t have to be super swimmers since the maximum depth is only 2m/6 ft.

Safety on all our courses and programs is paramount, we adhere to PADI standards and procedures and follow HSE guidelines.

The exciting Bubble Maker program is for ....

* Children eight years and older who want to have fun in our confined water environment
* Also available as an open water experience (two metre/six foot max. depth)
* Conducted by PADI Instructors
* No pre-training required

Should you be interested in joining us for a fun filled family day in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park at our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre please contact us

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

KK Dive Club NIGHT Diving !

The islands within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park - TARP 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 !

The KK Dive Club aims to get specifically locals - Malaysians and Expats in the water to appreciate what we have right here on our doorsteps.

If you live in Kota Kinabalu or Sabah and you love diving, then you've gotta dive with us!

KK Dive Club patrons Richard & Jo from Downbelow are crazy about diving and a passion like that is infectious. 

Further more, they love the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park (TARP) and show you thing you never knew existed so close to the city.

So how do i get involved ?

Please visit the KK Dive Club website or CONTACT US for more information.

To join please call us on +6 012 867 7375 OR +6 088 23 23 75

www.downbelow.co.uk

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 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 !

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.

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.

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.

We are running a day trip to Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island on 2nd November 2008.

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.

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

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.

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)

We are night diving in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on 29th August.

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.

We are running a trip to Pulau Tiga this coming Sunday 24th August. Dive Club members and guests old and new are welcome to join the fun.
Its a 3 dive program departing at 7am. Lunch and refreshments are provided and our 37ft dive boat makes for a very comfortable trip.

Non divers and snorkelers are also welcome !

Made famous by CBS as the location for their Survivor Island reality based TV show, the island is also known as Snake Island because of the amount of Sea Snakes that lay their eggs on the sand banks.

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.

If you are interested to join us, please drop us a line or give us a call, visit our contacts page for information.

We are currently on Lankayan Island in the Sulu Sea, Malaysian Borneo and feel we just have to share some of our sightings as the diving is just incredible at the moment !!!

Octopus are mating, Black Tip Reef Sharks are circling, Leopard Sharks are in abundance, yesterday our boat saw a Whaleshark and today a Giant Manta !!

All this along with the usual suspects Nudibranchs, Giant Jawfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, Seahorses all kinds of Crustaceans .... and the list goes on !!!

We must now dash as we're off for a night dive.

Images of the trip and results of the photo competition will be posted upon our return to Kota Kinabalu next week.

For more info on Lankayan Island with booking info please visit Lankayan Island section

We'll be visiting Lankayan Island Resort in the Sulu Sea from 20th -27th April. Famous for its natural beauty and tranquility the small tropical island is accessed via speedboat from Sandakan in Sabah, Borneo.

The surrounding waters are Marine Protected Areas and offer the diver Macro and Wreck dive opportunities as well as passing seasonal Whalesharks (April - June).

The resort has adopted an eco tourism concept and has the same owner/ managers as Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea, Borneo.

Should anyone wish to join the trip please drop us a line and we'll put you in touch with the resort to book your reservation.

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from a previous visit.

Should you wish to visit Lankayan Island Resort independently please contact us and we'll provide you with a direct contact at the resort.

Kota Kinabalu once again played host to British Army Adventure Training this September.

Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Speciality Courses were completed throughout an eight day program in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, with an additional day White Water Rafting on the Padas River.

Thanks to Ben and Maria who, whilst on their Digital Photography Course mananged to snap some pictures of the group and a few underwater critters.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park provides an ideal location for Team Building and Corporate Exercises such as this with year round diving in tropical coral reef waters just minutes from the city and overlooked by Mt Kinabalu.

It was our pleasure to organize and conduct the trip for the group and look forward to the next time !

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from the event.

For more information on tailored group and corporate events please contact us directly.

We're pleased to announce a trip to Lankayan Island Resort from 8th - 13th December 2007 (6 nights). Having never previously visited the resort we're looking forward to exploring above and below the island.

Reputed for its natural beauty and tranquility the resort is located in the Sulu Sea and accessed via speedboat from Sandakan in Sabah, Borneo.

The surrounding waters are Marine Protected Areas and offer the diver Macro and Wreck dive opportunities as well as passing seasonal Whalesharks.

The resort has adopted an eco tourism concept and has the same owner/ managers as Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort in the Celebes Sea, Borneo.

Should anyone wish to join the trip please drop us a line and we'll put you in touch with the resort to book your reservation.

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from previous trips to other locations.

Should you wish to visit Lankayan Island Resort independently please contact us and we'll provide you with a direct contact at the resort.

Everyone had such a great trip at Kapalai last August we've decided a return trip is in order.

We'll be there 23rd to 31st October, should anyone wish to join us please drop us a line and we'll put you in touch with the resort to book your reservation.

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from our last trip, all images were taken during the 5 night stay.



Should you wish to visit Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort independently please contact us and we'll provide you with a direct contact at the resort.

A recent trip to Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort surpassed all expectations for divers and non divers alike.

Reminiscent of the Maldives but without the crowds the resort comprises of 40 luxury wooden stilt chalets built over a once vegetated island. There are no sand-flies or mosquitoes, no need for air conditioning, bathing water is shipped from the mainland and rubbish is disposed of correctly.

Service and luxury are words that come to mind when describing the resort, the dive team are super efficient i don't think i lifted a tank in the 5 days of being there.
Camera washing and storing facilities are excellent, dive guides and boatmen know their creatures and where to find them. The food is very good with ample variety.

The surrounding dive sites, some of which are a simple giant stride away from the dive station support a wealth of marine life - a macro divers paradise, with world famous Sipadan Island a 20 min speadboat ride away. For information on the dive sites surrounding the area please visit our Scuba Diving Kapalai, Sipadan and Mabul pages.

We are still buzzing from our trip, to the point that a return visit in October is currently being planned, if you'd like to be informed of dates with a view to joining us please contact us or re-visit this news page soon.

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from this trip, all images were taken during the 5 night stay.

Should you wish to visit Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort independently please contact us and we'll provide you with a direct contact at the resort.

For a stunning photograph of the Blue Ring Octopus swimming see next months Image Of The Month.

June saw Mamutik Island in Sabah Borneo playing host to 7 Flight, a component of the British Army Based in Brunei. PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Speciality Courses were conducted over two 4 day programs with an additional day White Water Rafting on the Padas River.

Parts of the programs were completed in Brunei leaving ample time for the groups to enjoy some of the wonderful diving that Kota Kinabalu has to offer, whilst at the same time perfect their in-water skills.



The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park provides an ideal location for Teambuilding and Corporate Exercises such as this with year round diving in tropical coral reef waters just minutes from the city and overlooked by Mt Kinabalu. It was our pleasure to organize and conduct the trip for the group and look forward to the next time !

Please visit our Dive Trip Photo Album to see a selection of images from the event.

For more information on tailored group and corporate events please contact us directly or view our dedicated website section Corporate Events, Team Building and Adventure Training.

Taking time out from their busy schedule, a group of UK Military personnel came to Mamutik Island for a few days of recreational diving with Downbelow.

It was our pleasure to introduce them to some of the marine life this region has to offer and a good time was had by all.

Many had never dived before and they were fortunate to meet the friendly Green Turtle, mentioned in a previous post.

Upon surfacing one of the guys proclaimed "thats my first underwater turtle" we returned "you're our first underwater Gurkha !"

The group have now returned to their posts in various corners of the world. We wish them all the best and hope they return to KK one day in the future.

For more information on diving in Kota Kinabalu please see Scuba Diving - Tunku Abdul Rahman Park or drop us an email.

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We will be at Sipadan - Kapalai Dive Resort in Sabah, Borneo from 6th - 11th August 2007.

Please visit our Dive Trips link for more information.

As always we're sure to have a fantastic time and welcome additional souls, so if you wish to join us please email us for more details.

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We're off to Layang Layang at the end of March. Economies of scale should result in an attractive cost for the trip, so if you're interested in coming along please contact us for more information. Those that are considering flying here from outside of Malaysia should check out Malaysia Airlines as they have some pretty good deals on flights this year due to the "Visit Malaysia 2007" promotion. You need to meet us here in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then together we'll take a small plane over to the island which takes an hour.
The Island of Layang Layang is part of the Spratly Island and lies in the middle of the South China Sea, 300KM North West of Sabah in Borneo. Its just 50 acre's in size and the surrounding reefs plunge to 2,000m. Renowned for stunning wall dives, beautiful coral reef and an array of Pelagic Marine life including a resident school of Hammerhead Sharks. We're extremely excited about this trip and welcome our dive community friends to join us. As usual we'll be happy to conduct Photo Clinics for those interested in Underwater Photography.

For more information, please contact us.

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