Supporting Turtle Research in Mantanani, Sabah, Borneo

Posted on April 12, 2012 by edrie.juce
Looking for Turtles

Looking for Turtles

Supporting Turtle Research in Mantanani, Sabah, Borneo

Borneo Dream supports local marine conservation efforts on a regular basis from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We recently provided two of our team to support Turtle Research being conducted in the waters surrounding Pulau Mantanani, 48nm north of Kota Kinabalu. The turtle research was being managed by MRF (Marine Research Foundation), under the leadership of Dr Nick Pilcher. Edrie, one of the Borneo Dream Team research volunteers, wrote a blog about her experience. Read more about the start to the Turtle Research activity below – despite a slow start lots of research was conducted, data gathered, building towards a proposal for protecting the waters around Pulau Mantanani, Sabah.

Collecting Turtle Research Data

Collecting Turtle Research Data

“Myself and Ann were the early risers (no-earlier than Dr. Nick) and started the day with coffee and tea, respectively. In between sips, we would just look into the horizon and be in awe with the amazing beauty of Mantanani.

Looking around knowing there are about 200 sea turtles around, the need to make the project a successful one, and hope that the research will help to get Mantanani gazetted into a Marine Park, will be a dream come true . This means the turtles and marine life around Mantanani would be protected from over fishing and unwanted illegal fishing activity. Continue reading →

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International School Expedition to Sabah with Borneo Dream

Posted on April 9, 2012 by admin
Try Dives in Kota Kinabalu

Try Dives in Kota Kinabalu

International School Expedition to Sabah with Borneo Dream

Borneo Dream works with several International Schools in Asia-Pacific region helping them organise exciting school trips and expeditions to Sabah, Borneo. We had a another of our International School Clients join us over their Easter break for a week long expedition to Sabah, Borneo.

Snorkeling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Snorkeling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

We arranged the week long International School expedition for a group of 20 students and their Teachers which included jungle trekking and survival skills, adventure activities, seeing wildlife at the Kinabatangan River and enjoying a try dive and guided snorkeling in the tropical waters of the South China Sea. It was an adventure based, experiential and exciting week for the school students.

Our International School Client finished their school expedition to Sabah, Borneo with private charters of two of our boats – Borneo Dream 3 and Borneo Dream Betty.

PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience

PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience

We took them for a day trip to nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park where they joined in a try dive via the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience and guided snorkeling along shallow coral reefs.  Most of the students and teachers joined a try dive whilst the students who were already certified divers enjoy a day of leisure diving in TARP. It was a perfect day to end a great week for the students.

If you need help arranging your expedition, holiday or trip to Sabah, Borneo then just contact the Borneo Dream team. Borneo Dream – helping International Schools, groups, couples and friends experience the best during their trip to Sabah, Borneo.

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Prince’s International School joins PADI Dive Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on April 9, 2012 by admin
International School Learns to Dive with Borneo Dream

International School Learns to Dive with Borneo Dream

Prince’s International School joins Borneo Dream for PADI Dive Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Borneo Dream organised an Easter School Expedition for an International School in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo. We were joined by 14 students and their Teachers as they learned to dive through the PADI Open Water Diver course in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park near KK, Kota Kinabalu.

PADI Dive Courses in Kota Kinabalu

PADI Dive Courses in Kota Kinabalu

We ran PADI Junior Open Water Diver courses for the youngest students (aged 11 – 14 years old) and the PADI Open Water Diver course for students aged 15 years old and above. We had three lovely days of sunshine, calm seas and diving along pretty coral reefs. The Teachers who were already certified divers joined us for leisure diving whilst the students completed their PADI course dives.

Students Dive with Turtle

Students Dive with Turtle

We had small groups of 2 or 3 students per PADI Instructor so each student had a personalised, safe and fun time learning to dive with Borneo Dream. Some of the students were lucky enough to see a Hawksbill Turtle on day 2 of their course as it sat happily eating as we watched it for 5 minutes.

All the students went home with big smiles on their faces as certified PADI Divers. Good job kids!!

We look forward to welcoming our International School client back to KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo during their next school year for their next scuba diving trip arranged with Borneo Dream.

If you’d like to find out more about learning to dive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact the Borneo Dream Team. Borneo Dream – high quality PADI dive courses and scuba lessons in the tropical waters near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

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PADI Divemaster Internships with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on March 28, 2012 by admin
PADI Divemaster Internships with Borneo Dream

PADI Divemaster Internships with Borneo Dream

Become a PADI Dive Professional with Borneo Dream in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

We recently welcomed two new PADI Divemaster interns to the Borneo Dream crew in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Merete (from Norway) and Scott (from USA, living in Kota Kinabalu) both decided to complete their PADI Divemaster course with Borneo Dream and started their internship together a week ago.

In the past week they have worked hard to put all the foundations in place before they started supporting PADI Instructors with our diving customers. They passed their Divemaster exams, successfully completed a full skill circuit and rescue assessment, started their water stamina tests and dive site mapping. This will help them have the knowledge and skills to move onto the practical part of their PADI Divemaster internship where they work directly with our customers (supported by a PADI Instructor) during a range of PADI dive courses and guided leisure diving trips.

Become a PADI Dive Professional

Become a PADI Dive Professional

From today they start to support PADI dive courses, starting with a PADI Open Water Diver Course. They joined our lead PADI Instructor, Billy, who is running a PADI OW course to support him on day 1 of the dive course. Over the next 4 – 6 weeks they will get lots of hands on experience with diving customers as we help them become role model PADI dive professionals.

During their PADI Divemaster Internship Merete and Scott get lots of support from our team of PADI Instructors. They receive feedback at the end of everyday – praising them were they perform well and advising them of areas for improvement. They will get to work with each of our PADI Instructors so they maximise their learning. They each have a lead PADI Instructor in our team who helps them along with their overall journey to becoming a PADI Dive Professional.

If you fancy becoming a PADI Dive Professional with Borneo Dream in the tropical waters of KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah them just contact the Dream Team. Borneo Dream – delivering high quality, safe and fun scuba diving experiences in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

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Seahorse & Friends in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Kota Kinabalu

Posted on March 28, 2012 by admin
Seahorse in TARP

Seahorse in TARP

Spot Wonderful Marine Life Scuba Diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo

Gustav and his wife, Rasha, recently came on holiday to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from their native Sweden. During their holiday they decided to come scuba diving with the Borneo Dream team in nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP), located in front of KK, Kota Kinabalu.

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

Gustav decided he wanted to progress his continued diver education and completed the PADI Enriched Air Diver course as part of a scuba diving trip. Rasha decided she wanted to enjoy some relaxing chilled out diving along coral reefs, and did just that.

During their 3 dive trip to TARP they came across a lovely range of tropical marine life. They saw a Seahorse (very cool!), Banded Pipefish, Leopard Moray Eel, Green Moray Eel, Nudibranches, Squid, Juvenile Oriental Sweetlips, Indian Walkman, Puffer Fish, schooling Yellow Snapper, Lion Fish, Cowrie, Lobster and of course Nemo!

Yellow Snapper

Yellow Snapper

Gustav and Rasha enjoyed themselves so much that they joined us for a second day of diving during their holiday. During this subsequent trip we treated them to some underwater photos during their dives so they had some memories captured from their dives together. Enjoy some photos taken during their scuba diving trips in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park near KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

If you fancy joining Borneo Dream for some scuba diving trips, or try dives, during your holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact our team. Our friendly Seahorse is waiting to meet you :)

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The Best Range of Scuba Diving Trips from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo

Posted on March 22, 2012 by admin
Mayne Rock, photo by Jason Isley of Scubazoo

Mayne Rock, photo by Jason Isley of Scubazoo

Long Distance Scuba Diving Trips with Borneo Dream from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo

As we move into the ‘Dry Season’, and calmer sea states, in Sabah, Borneo it is time to start our long distance scuba diving day trips again. At Borneo Dream we are proud to offer visiting certified divers to KK, Kota Kinabalu the widest range of scuba diving day trips including diving at Pulau Tiga, Mayne Rock, Usukan Wrecks, Gaya Wreck and more.

From next week Borneo Dream will be offering again our full range of scuba diving day trips from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for visiting divers to choose from. We already have scheduled the following long distance diving trips:-

  • 27th March = Mayne Rock
  • 8th April = Wreck & Mayne Rock
  • 17th April = Wreck & Mayne Rock
  • 28th April = Pulau Tiga
  • 30th June = Wreck & Mayne Rock
  • 1st July = Gaya Wreck
Go Diving at Pulau Tiga

Go Diving at Pulau Tiga

Our long distance scuba diving day trips from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah help to show divers the best diving opportunities off the west coast of Sabah. Alongside these diving trips we continue to run our daily diving and snorkeling trips to nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

For more information on joining our scuba diving day trips during your holiday in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah just contact the Borneo Dream team. Borneo Dream – helping you experience the best scuba diving opportunities along the west coast of Sabah.

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Learning to Dive via the PADI Open Water Diver Course in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin
Giant Stride Entry from Borneo Dream 3

Giant Stride Entry from Borneo Dream 3

Learn to Dive via the PADI Open Water Diver Course in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Alina and her friends from Kazakhstan (Alexandr, Dmitriy, Vassiliy & Stanislava) recently came on holiday to Sabah. During their time here they all wanted to learn to dive in Kota Kinabalu via the PADI Open Water Diver course and chose Borneo Dream as their preferred PADI Dive Centre for their scuba diving lesson.

Alina and one of her friends spoke English, however her other three friends did not. We worked with Alina to help arrange PADI eLearning in Russian so they could all easily cmplete their pre-study before they come on holiday to KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. They could then focus on enjoying the dives during their three day PADI Open Water Diver course when on holiday.

Learning to Dive in Kota Kinabalu

Learning to Dive in Kota Kinabalu

At Borneo Dream we have maximum three students per PADI Instructor for our PADI OW Course to help provide a personalised, high quality and safer learning to dive experience. We provided two PADI Instructors for Alina’s group with each Instructor providing a briefing for each confined skill session, or open water dive, in English that was then translated in to Russion by Alina and one of her friends. Once underwater they all spoke the same language :)

During their PADI Open Water Course in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah they completed five confined skill sessions, four open water dives, a swim and float test. They also had lots of practice diving to enhance their buoyancy skills as we took them for an extended dive for pleasure as part of each confined skill session. They dived from our spacious, well equipped catamaran, Borneo Dream 3 and our Speedy RIB. This provided them with practice from diving from different boat types.

PADI Open Water Divers!

PADI Open Water Divers!

They enjoyed a relaxing lunch break on an island each day and made the most of their selection from a full a la carte menu, as well as chilling out on the secluded beach.

We saw lots of smiles on their faces as the discovered the wonder of scuba diving in the tropical waters of KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The Borneo Dream team wish Alina, Alexandr, Dmitriy, Vassiliy & Stanislava many happy, safe dives in the future. See you guys in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in the future :)

If you fancy learning to dive via the PADI Open Water (OW) Diver course in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo then just contact the Borneo Dream Team. We have PADI courses running every month on a regular basis. Borneo Dream – providing personalised, high quality and safe PADI dive course experiences in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia.

 

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Borneo Dream Launch BSAC Boat Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Posted on March 14, 2012 by admin
Boat Courses with Borneo Dream

Boat Courses with Borneo Dream

Borneo Dream Launch BSAC Boat Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Borneo Dream is now able to offer BSAC boat courses in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Billy, our lead PADI Instructor, recently became qualified to instruct the BSAC Boat Handling Course and the BSAC Diver Coxswain Assessment Course. Alongside a full range of PADI dive courses, our customees can now choose to learn to skipper a boat during their holiday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Very cool!

Boat Handling with Divers

Boat Handling with Divers

The BSAC Boat Handling course is a two day course designed to give students with little or no boat handling knowledge or experience, instruction in small boat handling. It covers techniques relevant to scuba diving and related safety knowledge. You’ll cover boat equipment, skipper responsibilities, voyage planning as well as hands on experience at handling a boat, anchoring and skippering for divers. A great boat course for divers, and non-divers, in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The BSAC Diver Coxswain Assessment is for those already experienced in handling a boat. This half-day assessment is designed to assess students’ practical boat handling skills and the essential knowledge needed to handle small boats and diving-specific boat handling activities – competently. Once qualified as a BSAC Diver Coxswain the qualification enables the Diver Coxswain to prove competence and to play a key role in dive planning and management, as well as skippering boats. A great boat course for boat handlers wanting to take their boat handling expertise further in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo.

If you’d like to find out more about BSAC Boat Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact the Borneo Dream Team. Borneo Dream – offering high quality PADI dive courses and BSAC Boat courses from KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia.

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“Borneo Dream Betty” is Launched!

Posted on March 14, 2012 by admin
Borneo Dream Betty

Borneo Dream Betty

We Welcome “Borneo Dream Betty” to the Borneo Dream Fleet in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

To those who have been following our blog you will realise “Borneo Dream Betty”, our third scuba diving boat, has been transformed over the past month. After a lot of hard work “Borneo Dream Betty” was finally launched yesterday and is now ready for scuba diving and snorkeling action in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The Best Diving Boats in KK!

The Best Diving Boats in KK!

Betty, as she is affectionately known by the team, is a ~8m catamaran with twin 150hp Yamaha engines. She has plenty of space onboard and is licensed for 12 customers plus 2 crew. She has been fitted with GPS, fishfinder and a full range of boat safety features. She will, of course, also come with the usual refreshments and towels our customers appreciate during scuba diving and snorkeling trips in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo.

“Borneo Dream Betty” joins our other two scuba diving and snorkeling boats – Borneo Dream 3 and our speedy RIB – to create the Borneo Dream fleet.

If you fancy joining Borneo Dream for a scuba diving or snorkeling trip in KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and saying “Hi!” to Betty then just contact the Borneo Dream Team. Borneo Dream – the best fleet of scuba diving boats in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

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More ‘Love Scuba Diving’ in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo

Posted on March 4, 2012 by admin
Diving in Kota Kinabalu

Diving in Kota Kinabalu

More ‘Love Scuba Diving’ in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo with Borneo Dream

Ricky, during his most recent trip to Kota Kinabalu, decided he would learn to dive. After a recommendation from a friend he contacted Borneo Dream and booked his PADI Open Water Diver Course with us.

Ricky first completed his pre-study in our office. He was then ready for joining our catamaran, Borneo Dream 3, for three days of scuba diving completing the PADI Open Water Diver course dives, and confined water skill sessions, in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.

Regulator / Snorkel Exchange

Regulator / Snorkel Exchange

Ricky had booked for one-to-one PADI instruction so enjoyed private instruction during his PADI course with Borneo Dream with our PADI Instructor, Richard. On the third day of his PADI OW dive course his girlfriend joined him as a surprise. Shirley is already a certified PADI diver and wanted to join her new scuba diving buddy for the his last day of scuba diving. When she walked with him to meet our team on day 3 of his PADI course there was a big smile on Ricky’s face when Shirley didn’t say “goodbye” but followed him on to our catamaran, Borneo Dream 3 :)

I thought Billy and I were the only ‘love divers’ in Kota Kinabalu. I was happily proved wrong. Ricky and Shirley buddied up, did their buddy checks and enjoyed two very happy dives together along coral reefs in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park located near KK, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Ricky & Shirley

Ricky & Shirley

The photos taken by our PADI Instructor of them diving together say it all. We wish Ricky and Shirley many happy, romantic and safe dives in the future!

If you fancy learning to dive via the PADI Open Water Diver course in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah then just contact the Borneo Dream Team. Borneo Dream – creating memorable scuba diving experiences in KK, Sabah.

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