(3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu worth booking?
(3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu is a 8-hour experience in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from $439 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 28 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (28)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $439 per person
1. We receive so many positive feedback from previous customers. To achieve 5 Star Dive Center status, we must deliver the best service. Thats what we did. Our team are experienced scuba diving professionals. 2. We receive PADI Professional Image Evaluation certificate on March 2019, as our achievements has meet PADI's requirement as dive center run padi professional PADI scuba instructors. 3. Learn scuba diving in small group. 1 scuba instructor will teach maximum 4 participants in a group. 4. We use original PADI manual book, original PADI theory DVD and all our instructors hold professional teaching license as PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. 5. Our dive center location is close to the jetty, about 2-4 minutes walk. We also close to ATM machines for you to withdraw money, restaurants, hotels, banks, pharmacy, backpackers and tourists information center. 6. Our team speaks in English, Chinese and Malay. 7. All our PADI scuba instructors works full time as scuba diving coach.
What you get
About this experience
1. We receive so many positive feedback from previous customers. To achieve 5 Star Dive Center status, we must deliver the best service. Thats what we did. Our team are experienced scuba diving professionals. 2. We receive PADI Professional Image Evaluation certificate on March 2019, as our achievements has meet PADI's requirement as dive center run padi professional PADI scuba instructors. 3. Learn scuba diving in small group. 1 scuba instructor will teach maximum 4 participants in a group. 4. We use original PADI manual book, original PADI theory DVD and all our instructors hold professional teaching license as PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. 5. Our dive center location is close to the jetty, about 2-4 minutes walk. We also close to ATM machines for you to withdraw money, restaurants, hotels, banks, pharmacy, backpackers and tourists information center. 6. Our team speaks in English, Chinese and Malay. 7. All our PADI scuba instructors works full time as scuba diving coach.
What's included
Included
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Pick up and drop off service not included
- Accommodation not included
- Dry towel not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kota Kinabalu
On the first day of the course, meet at 10:00 AM. Meeting point will be in Go Aquatic dive center. The nearest landmark is Gaya Center Hotel, Suria Sabah shopping mall and Wisma Merdeka shopping mall. There is also a Petron fuel station about 80 meters from our dive center.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
On the first day of the course, meet at 10:00 AM. Meeting point will be in Go Aquatic dive center. The nearest landmark is Gaya Center Hotel, Suria Sabah shopping mall and Wisma Merdeka shopping mall. There is also a Petron fuel station about 80 meters from our dive center.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- cmn, ms, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 16 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Go Aquatic
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers under 10 years of age.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Just finished my two-day diving certification and I'm honestly still smiling about it. The instructors were genuinely great — su
Just finished my two-day diving certification and I'm honestly still smiling about it. The instructors were genuinely great — super patient, never rushed me even when I kept fumbling with the gear, and they spoke both English and Chinese so communication was never an issue. Day one got rained out, which was a bit of a bummer, but the team quickly shuffled the schedule around and made safety the priority — no cutting corners, no pushing us into the water just to stick to a plan. Day two made up for it though. Lunch was included too. All in all, worth every penny.
via Tripadvisor
A good school for absolute newbs.
I did a PADI open water with them, 2days plus online lessons and test for the theory section. My very first ocean experience. Overall I’d say they are good. They teach you in the ocean shallows and not in a pool on you day 1.So your confined water training is in the ocean. To me this was very scary as I have never been in the ocean, not even for snorkeling or just swimming. But in retrospect it prepared me well for the open water training. Even though it’s obvious, remaining calm was an issue but once I did manage to do it things got a lot easier faster. Also you have to do things slowly and not exert yourself as doing things violently just makes you tired and nothing else. Also a thing to note is to be comfortable breathing through your mouth and not use your nose. So for new people I’d recommend try snorkeling before scuba as it will probably help eliminate any concerns of breathing through your mouth as well as opening eyes under water, which were both challenging for me. Day 2 was much more peaceful since I knew what to expect. We went through all the lessons at a reasonable pace but I would have preferred the pace to be a bit slower because to me everything was new - ocean experience, treading water, breathing through the mouth, opening eyes under water etc. I think I would have been a bit more relaxed if the pace was a little slower but the again most people I guess would not be as bad as me 😅 One last thing is I with the package included one fun dive, even if at additional cost, so that you would have a relaxed experience over all, since the two day training has quite a few skills to go through and all of it is to help you stay alive and handle emergency situations. So you don’t end up having a lot of ‘fun’ time. I’d recommend them for beginners. We were two students per instructor. In general- talk to your instructor, don’t be a hero, listen to your instructor, trust in your instructor and everything will be alright.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome first dive experience
I did my open water with Alwee. He was fabulous ! Knowledgeable, patient, calm and fun. The Go Aquatic as a team were organised , professional and a lot of fun. Would recommend to divers of all levels.
via Tripadvisor
I went on three fun dive days (9 total dives) with Go Aquatic and had an awesome experience. My dive guide/scuba master Lily wa
I went on three fun dive days (9 total dives) with Go Aquatic and had an awesome experience. My dive guide/scuba master Lily was amazing. She is now the best scuba master I have every dived with! She is so much fun to be around. She took care of everything — I honestly didn’t have to lift a finger. I always felt safe, relaxed, and well looked after, which made it easy to just enjoy the dives. I’m a solo female traveler from South Dakota, USA, and I felt very comfortable the entire time — both underwater and on the boat. The camaraderie on the boat was great; everyone was friendly, easygoing, and fun to be around. The dive sites were really good! The visibility wasn’t the best when I went however I still had amazing dives! I was very luckily to see one of the largest turtles I have ever seen while scuba diving. The boats were comfortable, and the lunch on the fun dive days was delicious, which I appreciated since I’m usually a picky eater. The pricing was very reasonable, and the whole operation felt professional but still laid-back. I had a lot of fun and felt genuinely taken care of. Highly recommend Go Aquatic, especially for solo travelers looking for safe, well-run diving with a friendly crew. I’d absolutely dive with them again
via Tripadvisor
来亚庇学潜水就来潜心潜意（Go Aquatic）.If you want to learn diving in Kota Kinabalu, come to Go Aquatic.
在Go Aquatic学习了ow+aow，Go Aquatic的装备挺好的，我们的教练Oscar很负责专业的教我们技巧，教练们也很幽默友好，中文英文很好，氛围很好，来亚庇学潜水就来Go Aquatic I am learning Open water diver and Advanced open water diver at Go Aquatic. The equipment at Go Aquatic is quite good. Our instructor Oscar was very responsible and professional in teaching us skills. The instructors are also very humorous and friendly. They are good at both Chinese and English. The atmosphere is great. If you want to learn diving in Kota Kinabalu, come to Go Aquatic.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $439 to $1,750
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Go Aquatic, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.0.
See everything Go Aquatic runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
(3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kota Kinabalu.
How much does (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu cost?
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Prices start at $439 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kota Kinabalu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kota Kinabalu is not rushed.
Is (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Kota Kinabalu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kota Kinabalu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kota Kinabalu and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kota Kinabalu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kota Kinabalu?
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On Outty we rank every Kota Kinabalu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guided Snorkeling Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Leisure Diving | Fun Dives | 3 Dives in TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Learn to Dive | RAID Open Water 18 Diver Course | Kota Kinabalu. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kota Kinabalu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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Included: Use of SCUBA equipment; Bottled water; Lunch; and All Fees and Taxes. Not included: Pick up and drop off service not included; Accommodation not included; and Dry towel not included. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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On the first day of the course, meet at 10:00 AM. Meeting point will be in Go Aquatic dive center. The nearest landmark is Gaya Center Hotel, Suria Sabah shopping mall and Wisma Merdeka shopping mall. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese, Malay and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about (3 Days) PADI Open Water Diver Course Kota Kinabalu?
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Across 28 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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