Kota Kinabalu And Tarp Malaysia

Water Conditions

• Visibility can swing rapidly after rain because many sites are close to shore.
• Currents are usually manageable on sheltered reef sites, but can be stronger in channels and around points on changing tide.

Boat and Surface Safety

• Use a surface marker buoy (SMB) on ascent and safety stops.
• Freedivers and snorkelers should use a float and dive flag when leaving designated swim areas.

Shore Entries

• Watch for fire coral, sharp coral, and sea urchins on shallow reefs.
• Maintain buoyancy and fin awareness to prevent injuries and reef damage.

Wildlife Etiquette

• Keep distance from turtles and any large animals.
• Never touch, ride, or block wildlife.

Emergency Response

• Malaysia emergency number: 999 (general) and 112 (mobile).
• For diving emergencies, administer oxygen if available, monitor the diver, and contact a medical professional as early as possible.

Decompression Illness and Hyperbaric Care

• Kota Kinabalu has hospital infrastructure, and Sabah has hyperbaric capability (including reported hyperbaric services at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital in Sepanggar).

Dive Accident Insurance

• Carry dive accident insurance (for example DAN) that covers evacuation and hyperbaric treatment, and save your policy and emergency numbers offline.

Park Protection and Responsible Tourism

• Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a protected area established to safeguard fauna, flora, and marine ecosystems.
• Sabah Parks manages zoning, including areas where activities are restricted.

Low-impact Diving and Snorkeling

• No touch: do not stand on coral, do not collect shells or marine life, and do not feed fish.
• Use reef-safe sun protection and reduce plastics (bring a reusable bottle).
• Maintain excellent buoyancy over coral gardens, especially in shallow bays used for training.