Semporna offers warm water, excellent visibility, diverse marine life, and calm training conditions, making it an ideal destination for learning scuba diving, freediving, or mermaid skills in a natural ocean environment.

All essential training equipment is included, such as scuba gear, freediving equipment, or mermaid tails, depending on the course. Students may bring personal equipment if preferred.

It depends on your goals. Scuba is for those who want to stay underwater longer to explore reefs. Freediving is a mental and physical challenge focused on silence and breath-hold. Mermaid is an artistic discipline combining swimming grace with monofin techniques. Many guests at TDB Semporna choose to combine two disciplines for the ultimate ocean experience.

Yes. PADI certifications are globally recognized, allowing you to dive, freedive, or participate in mermaid activities at dive centers worldwide, subject to local regulations and experience level.

For your safety, PADI and DAN guidelines recommend a minimum surface interval of 18–24 hours after your last dive before flying. This allows your body to safely off-gas nitrogen. When booking your departure from Semporna or Tawau Airport, please ensure your flight is scheduled for the following day. Our team can help you plan your Semporna dive itinerary to maximize your time underwater while strictly adhering to vital safety protocols for a worry-free trip home.

Course duration varies by program:

• PADI Open Water Diver: Typically 4 days.

• PADI Freediver: 3 days.

• PADI Mermaid: 2 days. Advanced and specialty courses may require additional days.

• Scuba diving uses breathing equipment, allowing longer underwater exploration.

• Freediving focuses on breath-hold techniques, relaxation, and depth control.

• Mermaid courses combine swimming skills with monofin techniques and underwater movement, emphasizing fun, fitness, and creativity.

No prior experience is required for beginner-level courses such as PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Freediver, and PADI Mermaid. These entry-level programs are designed for first-time participants and are conducted under professional instructor supervision.

We offer a full range of PADI-certified courses in Semporna, including PADI Scuba Diving courses, PADI Freediver programs, and PADI Mermaid courses. Our programs cater to beginners, certified divers, and those seeking specialty or professional-level training.

Absolutely. Semporna is a world-class natural classroom with calm, warm waters and clear visibility, making it perfect for beginner scuba diving. At TDB Semporna, your safety is our top priority. We maintain a strict safety culture with small student-to-instructor ratios to ensure personalized attention from our Mandarin- and English-speaking PADI professionals. We use premium, regularly serviced equipment. With 15 years of expertise, we provide a secure and professional environment that meets the highest international standards.

We pride ourselves on being a premier multilingual dive center. To ensure you master every safety skill and technical detail with confidence, we offer courses in English, Mandarin (普通话), and Cantonese (粤语). Our professional instructors are fluent in these languages, allowing for clear communication during both classroom theory and underwater training. At TDB Semporna, we remove the language barrier so you can focus entirely on the beauty of the ocean and your personal diving progress.

You do not need to be a competitive swimmer, but basic water comfort is essential for safety. PADI standards require students to complete a 200-meter swim (any style, no time limit) and a 10-minute water float or tread. If you prefer using a mask, snorkel, and fins, the swim distance is 300 meters. Our patient, multilingual instructors specialize in helping nervous beginners build confidence at their own pace. At TDB Semporna, we ensure you feel fully supported and safe while mastering these foundational skills in our calm, shallow waters.

A PADI certification is your global passport to the underwater world. It is the most recognized and respected scuba diving license worldwide, accepted at thousands of dive centers. This qualification proves you have been trained by PADI professionals in essential safety protocols, dive theory, and underwater skills. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, your PADI license never expires, allowing you to explore the ocean with confidence and independence wherever your travels take you.