Friday, October 31, 2008

PADI Open Water Course & Suunto Gekko Wrist Dive Computer Package, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Asia


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!


Suunto_Gekko
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) 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.

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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 !!

www.divedownbelow.com


HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

Monday, October 27, 2008

Fame at Last !! Nepalese Pop Star Scuba Diving Downbelow !


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I must admit to getting a little star struck when in the presence of celebrities which is why i wasn't invited to Richard's day out with Brad Pitt !

One celebrity that i did have the pleasure of meeting though is Deepau Gurung - a famous Nepalese Pop Star, fondly remembered as Poppy !!

Poppy is also Corporal within the British Royal Gurkha Regiment. He was a participant with one of our Adventure training groups this year.

The Gurkhas, a British special ops unit that has existed since 1815 are considered to be some of the finest soldiers in the world, as is evidenced by the high regard they are held in for both their fighting skill, and their smartness of turnout on parade. Today there are 3400 troops within the British Army, they are all gentlemen and we are very honored to be given the opportunity to conduct their Adventure Training.



During Poppys program he completed the PADI Open Water Course. He enjoyed his AT week so much that he then returned with another group for some daily fun diving.

We had dinner with Poopy and the rest of his group at the Moonbell Restaurant in KK and Poppy charmed us with a few tunes and signed his autograph for me (pictured left with Richard) !!

We hope to see Poppy again and wish him and the boys all the best in their careers and happy diving !

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Adventure Sports Training, Team Building, Corporate Events Sabah, Malaysia Asia


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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.

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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.

We will soon be updating our Photo Album page to include many of the images taken throughout the even.

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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

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935





Sharks, Whales, Giant Sting Rays, Turtles and Mandarin Fish, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Tarp


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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 !!

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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.

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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".

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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.


HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

PADI Speciality of the Month - Enriched Air NITROX Course, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, Kota Kinabalu

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Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, Kota Kinabalu have decided to make the
PADI Enriched Air NITROX Course
speciality of the MONTH for November 2008, this means we're offering the speciality at a discounted 10% OFF !!

Congratulations to James, Nav, Patrick and Tan who recently completed their Nitrox Course, now they can stay longer Downbelow !!!!

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

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

Email Us to register for this super offer !!


HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com









Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Nitrox Air Tank Fill, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia


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Downbelow PADI Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP, rent Enriched Air NITROX Tanks to their divers and neighboring Scuba Diving Centres.

For more information on Tank fills and rental please Contact Us.

For information on becoming a Nitrox certified diver and enrolling on our PADI Enriched Air Diver Course, please peruse our dedicated pages.

Click for more Information on our Tropical Island Diving Paradise Dive Centre at The Beach House, Gaya Island, TARP.

HOTLINE !! Tel: +6 012 866 1935

www.divedownbelow.com

Friday, October 17, 2008

Black Ribbon Eel discovered on Dive Site in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, TARP, Kota Kinabalu


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.

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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 +6 012 866 1935 or Email Us for a quick response.

www.divedownbelow.com



Tuesday, October 14, 2008

PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver Course - Kota Kinabalu Sabah

Downbelow PADI 5 Star Dive Centre are running a
PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver Course Speciality
- Kota Kinabalu 20th & 21st October 2008.

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

pdienrichedirnitroxdiver_1

Diving with enriched air nitrox lets you safely extend your no stop time beyond the no decompression limits for air.

Diving with enriched air means more time underwater – but you need to be certified as an Enriched Air Diver to get enriched air fills.

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

Pre-requistite


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

You will Learn

To analyze cylinder contents.
Plan enriched air dives using tables and dive computers.
Safely increase your no stop time.



Once qualified guests can rent NITROX tanks for their leisure diving from our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and extend their bottom time Downbelow !!

For more information on becoming a PADI Enriched Air Diver please Contact Us to book your place on the course.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935




Saturday, October 11, 2008

Dive Sites, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park TARP Kota Kinabalu Sabah


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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.

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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 ?


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Macro life is what we are passionate about but having said this there are plenty of larger marine creatures to found. We regularly see Green and Hawksbill Turtles and Rays, especially at Turtle 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 !

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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 !!

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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.

www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935

Thursday, October 9, 2008

LAST MINUTE DAY TRIP - Pulau Tiga Survivor & Snake Island 12th October !!

We are running a day trip to Pulau Tiga - Survivor and Snake Island this Sunday 12th October due to popular demand !!

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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.


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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

Night Diving Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Kota Kinabalu Sabah

We are night diving in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on 19th October 2008.

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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.

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

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Discover Scuba Diving Try Dive Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Kota Kinabalu

Congratulations to Grace & Simon for completing a Discover Scuba Diving - Try Dive Course with Dive Downbelow in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Kota Kinabalu.

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Based for the day trip at our Beach House PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku abdul Rahman Park, just 8 minutes from the city of Kota Kinabalu Sabah.
Grace and Simon tried Scuba Diving for the first time and within the same few hours saw the beauty of the underwater world in a safe, warm paradise location.

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, Grace and Simon have decided to continue their new found sport by returning next year for a PADI Open Water Diver course.

Should you wish to try this wonderful and rewarding sport please contact us or visit our website www.divedownbelow.com

HOTLINE: +6 012 866 1935


Monday, October 6, 2008

PADI Advanced Open Water Course, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is the second level within the PADI system of Scuba Diving education.

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Now Qualified to go "Downbelow" to depths of 30m.

Richards three students completed the PADI Advanced Course as part of their Adventure Training program with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

Based at th Beach House, Downbelows PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, Gaya Island, Tunku Adbul Rahman Park they spent 5 nights camping whilst also taking part in Sea Kayaking and Trekking activities.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is an ideal diving paradise for scuba diver training.

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Richards students, completed Deep Diver, Navigation Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Photography and Fish Identification Training.

By the end of their course they were very competent divers with perfect buoyancy.

For more information on the PADI Advanced Course please contact us, or puruse our website.

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


PADI Advanced Open Water Course, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is the second level within the PADI system of Scuba Diving education.

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Now Qualified to go "Downbelow" to depths of 30m.

Richards three students completed the PADI Advanced Course as part of their Adventure Training program with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures.

Based at th Beach House, Downbelows PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, Gaya Island, Tunku Adbul Rahman Park they spent 5 nights camping whilst also taking part in Sea Kayaking and Trekking activities.

IMG_7596-adv
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is an ideal diving paradise for scuba diver training.

Richards students, completed Deep Diver, Navigation Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Photography and Fish Identification Training.

By the end of their course they were very competent divers with perfect buoyancy.

For more information on the PADI Advanced Course please contact us, or puruse our website.

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


Saturday, October 4, 2008

Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island Day Trip, Kota Kinabalu Sabah 2nd November.

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

Pulau Tiga Survivor Island
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.


_DSC0240
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.
http://www.divedownbelow.com/tiga.html

If you are interested to join us, please drop us a line or give us a call, visit our contacts page for information.
http://www.divedownbelow.com/contact.php

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



Friday, October 3, 2008

Family Day Trip, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, TARP, Sabah

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).

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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: http://www.divedownbelow.com/travelpackage.html

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