Adventure Training - British Royal Navy. Scuba Diving, Mount Kinabalu Climbing, Trekking, Dingy Sailing

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

PADI Open Water Course - Singapore Army Scuba Diving Kota Kinabalu

Congratulations to 5 Singapore Army Soldiers who recently completed their PADI Open Water Course with Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures on Gaya Island - Kota Kinabalu.

Also joining them were their friends who, as already qualified Divers, enjoyed some leisure diving from our Beach House Dive Center.

Their instructors Calvin and Strike also had the help of Tanja who is currently a the end of her 6 month professional internship with Downbelow !

Our PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center & Adventure Center on Gaya Island is the perfect venue for groups, individuals, friends and families to take part in Scuba Courses and Professional Scuba Diving Internships.

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.

Please visit our Dive Shop in Kota Kinabalu or email us for more information on our full Range of Scuba Diving Opportunities, Programs and Equipment Sales.

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

Scuba Diving and PADI Courses - TARP Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia Borneo

Scuba Diving with Downbelow and PADI Courses.

I am sometimes asked "Why should we choose to dive with Downbelow" or "Why should we dive PADI" i thought i'd take 5 minutes to put a few responses on the world wide web for all to see :)

Why Choose Downbelow ?

SERVICE AND SAFETY !

We pride ourself on an exceptional level of service and safety, we adhere to PADI Standards and Procedures at all times and follow British HSE Diving for Work Guidelines.

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 (KK City including Tanjung Aru & Sutera Harbour), boat transfers, park and jetty fees, equipment, refreshments - free flow water / tea / coffee, freshly cooked lunch and 3 guided boat dives are all included / or the course of your choice (depending on package).

SMALL Group Diving !

We limit the amount of people we bring to our dive center everyday and do not overcrowd, this allows us to give personal attention to new divers and experienced divers alike.

FACILITIES !

We are island based - located less than 10 minutes by speedboat from central Kota Kinabalu. Nestled on Gaya Island - "Where Rain-forest meets Reef" we are surrounded by tropical ocean and virgin jungles.

All dive sites are just minutes from our paradise location so we return to the dive center after every dive which means non diving family and friends can also come along for the day !

PADI 5 STAR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING CENTER

Offering exceptional products and services with World Wide Recognition. PADI system of education is the World lead in Diver Training.

LARGEST DIVE SHOP IN SABAH

Offering brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite and more ......

INTERNATIONAL STAFF TEAM

Speaking Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakau, French and of course English :)

DIVE BOATS, COMPRESSORS AND EQUIPMENT.

37ft and 32ft Dive Boats providing the fastest access to dive sites from Kota Kinabalu. Bauer Compressors and NITROX Station. Excellent quality and well maintained equipment.


Plus we have a fun staff team .... please take a look at our GUESTBOOK to see what people say about us.

Plus check out our FACEBOOK !

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

Global Earth Day - Downbelow's Contribution on 25th April 2009

Today is Global Earth Day - a day to think and act even greener than the norm and to participate in an event that will raise public awareness for our challenged planet !!

For our part - we - Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures S.B will be holding another Beach & Reef Clean Up plus Mangrove Trees Planting Event at our Island Based PADI 5 STAR IDC Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park this Saturday 25th April 2009.

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 have kindly agreed to waive the Diving permit fee for every diver involved in the clean up !

Downbelow are also donating a Brand New GEKKO dive Computer to raffle and raise money for Project  Aware. 

Aswell as the clean up - we will enjoy a beach BBQ and generally celebrate the communities commitment to Dive for Earth !!!!

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. 

Earth is a water planet and the planet needs our help - why?  - Climate change is a major threat with increased ocean temperatures and ocean acidification impacting fragile underwater environments.  

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.

How can you help?

Take part !!! 

Contact Downbelow Today and book your place !

ALSO .... 

"Make Every Day Earth Day"

There are many simple, low-cost things you can do each day and each time you dive to lower your impact on the environment. Begin by following Project AWARE’s  Ten Ways a Diver Can Protect the Underwater Environment or check out our Tips to Keep Waters Debris Free. 

Hope to see you Downbelow this saturday !!!

PADI IDC & IE - Kota Kinabalu 100% Success for Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Instructor Candidates on passing their IDC & IE with Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures in Kota Kinabalu !!!!

There we tears of joy and relief when after the 2 day Instructor Examination each of our candidates were told that they had passed the final Open Water Skills assessment and as a result had successfully become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors !!!

The PADI IDC and IE were the culmination of months of hard work for James, Navin and Streisand (AKA Strike), well done guys !!

Big thanks to the team at Downbelow Marine and Wildlife Adventures - DIVE DOWNBELOW - who's support was key to the guys success.

Well done to our Course Director Joseph Chung and Richard and Joanne for staffing the course :)

Thank you to PADI and PADI's Instructor Examiner from Sydney - George Wegmann.

100% success is a clear reflection of the level of training and commitment from the entire team. Pictures top left is Joanne, Richard, Strike, George, James, Evelyn and Navin.

WELL DONE and lets look forward to the next IDC on starting 19th May !!!!!!

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May 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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

PADI IDC - Instructor Development Course Update - Kota Kinabalu Sabah

Congratulations to our PADI Instructor Development Candidates on passing their IDC Course with Downbelow PADI 5 Star IDC Center in Kota Kinabalu.

Now its time for the final Instructor Examination !

Looking tired and thirsty - Course Director Joseph Chung, company directors and Richard and Joanne who, together conducted the IDC within Downbelow can now relax - their job is done - beers and wine all round !!

Over the next 2 days our candidates will be assessed by PADI Instructor Examiners who have flown in from Sydney Australia to assess the candidates.

Nerves are at their all time high because if they don't pass this 2 day Examination they will have to re-sit the their non successful portions of the IE next time in Kota Kinabalu or fly elsewhere for another IE after a cooling off period of 5 days !!

Lets hope all our candidates won't need to resit !!!

We will keep everyone updated !!!!

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May 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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

PADI IDC - Instructor Development Course Update - Kota Kinabalu Sabah

PADI Instructor Development Course - Kota Kinabalu - UPDATE !!

Just a small update, everyone is scoring high feeling that they will be ready for the final IE on 30th & 31st March !!

Our candidates are feeling pretty confident and we're on schedule.

Today at our island based PADI 5 Star Dive Centre on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Joseph and Richard had time for a little sing song between confined and open water dives !!

Whilst the Instructor candidates practiced their dive briefings with Susan who is here taking her Staff Instructor course with us.

At Downbelow we run IDC courses 3 times per year, our next course begins 19th May 09, with the PADI Instructor Assessment on 4th & 5th June also in Kota Kinabalu.

Should you wish to join our nest IDC beginning 19th May 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 the largest Dive Shop in Sabah selling brands such as Suunto, Atomic Aquatics, BARE Wetsuits, Sherwood, AKONA, Unidive and Dive Rite. Also on the mainland is our head office and classrrom located in the same building. Please drop  by and see us, we offer free wireless internet, tea,coffee and biscuits !!!.

To find us on the mainland please take the CITY BUS from the City Hall in KK ( MYR 1.00 per person) or take a taxi to LIKAS Square Plaza MYR 12.00.

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

Pulau Tiga - Survivor Island Day Trip, Dolphins, Whaleshark, Buffet Resort Lunch, Mud and More !

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

Reef, Wreck and Critter - 3 Day Scuba Diving Package - Kota Kinabalu & West Coast Sabah.

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