“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.”
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Nothing compares to the feeling of taking your first breath underwater. Though the top of your head is just a few centimetres under the surface, you’re immersed in a whole new world. Through your mask you see grains of sand dancing with the waves pushing back and forth, while all the little critters continue going about their day. Curious fish dart around, investigating the newcomer seeking adventure.
You may find yourself one day on the island of Borneo, in Sabah. So much to see and the world is yours. From the capital itself, Kota Kinabalu, you see islands very close-by from the main watering hole at the waterfront in town. With just a short boat ride you could be on one of those islands. As you look out watching one of the best sunsets you’ve ever seen in your life, you wonder, what gems lie on the other side of the islands; on land and the waters below.
Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug are the 5 islands that form the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Just a 15 minute boat ride from the harbour in the city itself and you get to be on one of the beautiful islands in the marine Park. There’s not many places on earth that have this quality of diving so close to the city.
Waters around the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park are generally calm all year round and currents are usually mild to none which make it ideal for new divers learning new skills and exploring the underwater world.
Since being gazetted in 1974, Sabah Park authorities have been safeguarding the islands and underwater life. Their efforts have helped the marine ecosystem through patrols, educating the public and hefty fines. Because of that, the corals remain vibrant, healthy and full of life.
Southeast Asia is the pinnacle of diving. Just off Kota Kinabalu itself you have the chance to see a wide variety of marine life. From black-tip sharks and schools of barracudas and jackfish, to little critters like neon nudibranchs and peculiar shrimps. Every now and then looking into the blue you might find yourself being eyed by an eagle ray gracefully flapping its wings before majestically darting off with a blink of an eye. Not forgetting of course, those lucky enough to spot the seasonal whale sharks that migrate to Kota Kinabalu waters to feast on krill that spawn between January to March.
Since the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park are between 3-8km from Kota Kinabalu, almost every dive you surface from you get a stunning view of the city and if the skies are clear, you’ll be greeted by the lonely mountain Akinabalu (Mount Kinabalu), a prominent fixture of the skyline.
At Scuba Junkie you’ll be trained by 5 star PADI dive instructors. PADI dive instructors use international standards that give you the proper training and build confidence for diving that lasts a lifetime. Towards the end of your course you will have turned fear into courage, faintheartedness into accomplishment, timidity into confidence and turned anticipation into passion. You’ll be ready and well trained for your next diventure!
