How To Get There
Route A: If you are NOT staying at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & SPA
Route B: If you are staying at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & SPA
A minimum of 1 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 1 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 0 day(s) before departure (local time 08:30). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Participants must be 10 years old and above to register for the course.
No flying on dive days. Please allow 18–24 hours of no-fly time after diving. Arrange your flights accordingly.
No Mount Kinabalu Park day tours on dive days. Please allow 18–24 hours of no Mount Kinabalu Park day tours after diving.
In the event of schedule changes or cancellations caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure events, the Travel Operator reserves the right to modify routes, timetables, itineraries, and accommodations if circumstances beyond our control make it necessary.
Please prepare a digital copy of your passport photo for registration purposes.
Participation in the diving adventure is not allowed for individuals with the following conditions: hypertension, heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, or for pregnant women.
Participants with recurring medical conditions who wish to join the Diving Course or diving activities must provide a Doctor’s Letter of Consent. However, participation is subject to approval by our team.
If a participant is unable to complete the course or achieve the required skills within the designated duration, an additional fee of MYR 430.00 per person per day (for two dives) will apply.
All guests must sign a Liability/Release Form (Waiver) before or upon arrival and comply with all diving and safety regulations of the resort. Diving or snorkeling activities will not be permitted until the form is signed and witnessed.
The Liability Release Form must be fully understood and signed by all participants before commencing any tours or activities.
Smoking is prohibited except in designated smoking areas. Please avoid any actions that could cause a fire in your room or anywhere on the premises. Smoking in non-smoking rooms will incur cleaning and repair charges, including replacement of bedding, curtains, wallpaper, and any damages.
Participants must refrain from touching or disturbing turtles, marine life, and coral reefs. Failure to comply may result in exclusion from subsequent diving or snorkeling sessions.
Jellyfish season typically occurs mid-year and/or at the end of the year. Please exercise caution and immediately inform our guides if stung. Jellyfish are common but usually cause only mild irritation or itching.
Private charter vehicles (4 to 10 seats) are available for an additional MYR 300.00 per vehicle. Kindly inform us prior to the tour if you wish to book this service.
We highly recommend customers purchase comprehensive travel insurance before traveling to Borneo. Insurance should cover medical expenses (including emergency evacuation), personal liability, trip cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage. Choosing suitable coverage helps avoid major disruptions and unexpected costs. Your safety is our top priority—please select your travel packages with care.
The SSI Basic Freediver Course typically includes access to online training materials, professional instruction during confined water practice sessions in Kota Kinabalu, and the official SSI Basic Freediver certification upon successful completion. These elements provide all the foundational skills and knowledge needed for safe freediving practice.
The SSI Basic Freediver Course focuses heavily on safety, teaching students how to freedive safely with a buddy. Common considerations include proper equalization techniques to prevent ear barotrauma, understanding breath-hold limits, and recognizing signs of shallow water blackout. The curriculum emphasizes crucial safety protocols and emergency procedures for a secure learning environment.
Kota Kinabalu offers ideal conditions for the SSI Basic Freediver Course with its generally calm, clear, and warm tropical waters. The sheltered bays provide excellent confined water environments suitable for beginners to practice breath-hold techniques and equalization skills without strong currents, ensuring a comfortable and safe learning experience.
As a freediving hobbyist, ongoing expenses typically include personal gear such as a mask, snorkel, long fins, and a wetsuit suited for local water temperatures. There might also be costs for travel to various freediving locations, potential boat charters, and further advanced training courses to enhance skills and explore deeper waters safely.
The SSI Basic Freediver Course emphasizes critical safety rules, including the mandatory buddy system where you always dive with a partner. A key rule is maintaining an adequate surface interval, often cited as a minimum of 120 seconds, before successive dives to allow for full recovery. Never hyperventilating before a dive and proper equalization are also fundamental safety tenets taught.
Participants in the SSI Basic Freediver Course will develop several core skills, including mastering fundamental breath-hold techniques and efficient breathing methods. They will also improve equalization skills to manage pressure changes, enhance overall water confidence, and practice safe freediving procedures while always diving with a buddy.
No, participants do not need any prior freediving experience to enroll in the SSI Basic Freediver Course. This program is specifically designed as an entry-level introduction, suitable for beginners eager to learn the foundational skills and safety protocols of freediving from scratch in a controlled environment.
The SSI Basic Freediver Course is typically a 1-day program. During the in-water practice sessions, participants will learn to freedive safely with a buddy in a pool or confined water environment, reaching a maximum depth of five meters. The course combines online theory with practical application for efficient learning.