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    The small dive company

    with BIG heart!

  • We are proud of our service

    We are a small company, with BIG heart!

    Come Dive with me and my small team!

    We keep our groups small to give you the biggest dive experience possible

    Hi there!

    My name is John, 'Big John' to my friends and fellow divers!

    My dive shop is in Semporna, just 30 km away from the famous Sipadan Island. I have been diving these waters since 1996 and have made thousands of dives here.

    For the past few years my small company has grown slowly but surely;  having spent most of the company's existence sharing accommodation facilities on Mabul without much scope for  improvement or noticeable growth, 2015 was a wonderful year in terms of turnover for us.

    We bought another 2 boats, the fleet stood at 5; we made plans for our own homestay and after many long hours, total dedication and commitment from my team, dedicated support from all our staff and indeed our customers new and old...  early January 2016 my dream was realised and we finally opened our new homestay on Mabul - Paradise Inn.

    Our homestay...  Your homestay.

    A very comfortable and modern establishment, all rooms with aircon, private bathrooms, hot water showering 6pm to 7pm as standard, solid wood flooring, LED lighting.

    12 standard rooms on the first (ground) deck offering accommodation in Twin (2 x single) bedded / Double (1 x Queen bed) Family 3 persons (1 x queen bed + 1 x single bed).

    Some rooms with patio door opening onto a huge decking, some rooms with private balcony at the rear.

    We have 2 upper deck VIP rooms with Queen beds and an amazing view over the sea, fabulous sunsets, moon and star gazing.

    We have a larger family room on the first (ground level) deck offering private balcony, sliding patio doors - Queen bed and single bed.

    Also, an upper deck VIP family suite, offering King sized bed plus 1 single bed.

    In November 2016 we added another 6 Deluxe Family 3 person rooms with larger bathrooms, 3 upper deck with private balcony and 3 lower deck.

    We use island pumped water for general washing in bathrooms and toilet flushing, we collect rainwater and bring in fresh water from the mainland to run through the showers in your room.

    NOTE:  that the freshwater (hot) showering in your private bathroom is restricted due to the limited resources: 6pm to 7pm

    3 open showers on the huge decking for general use for when you've just stepped off the boat or exited the water from your confined waterskills sessions.

     

    We're rated on TripAdvisor!!
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          • Read our reviews of Big John Scuba in Semporna

     

     

     

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    About

    A small company with a BIG passion for Diving/Snorkelling and customer satisfaction.

     

    Mission

    To ensure that you have great fun and a safe time with our friendly and professional staff, whether you are relaxing, snorkelling, fun diving or taking a PADI course.

    Description

    BIG JOHN Scuba, our office is situated in Semporna (Sabah, Borneo) just past the Dragon Inn Hotel;

     

    On Mabul Island , our accommodation facility and dive centre.

    We have 12 standard aircon rooms with twin/double beds, family 3 person rooms all with attached bathroom, hot water showering.

    2 upper deck VIP aircon rooms allocated with Queen beds, attached bathroom, hot water showering.

    1 ground floor deck VIP family room with Queen bed + single bed, attached bathroom, hot water showering.

    1 upper deck VIP family suite with king sized bed + single bed, attached bathroom, hot water showering.

    6 larger VIP family rooms, 3 upper deck and 3 lower deck, attached bathroom, hot water showering.

    Electricity in all rooms available approx 23 hours per day.

    Sorry but we do not own fan room accommodation nor dormitory beds but we may be able to offer basic fan room packages with a privately owned homestay, please contact us for latest prices and promotional prices.

    ****  EMAIL US FOR LATEST PRICES and PACKAGE DEALS :  bigjohnscuba1@gmail.com  ****

     

     

    We offer guided fun dives with our PADI certified Divemasters with many years and 1,000's of dives in these waters.

    PADI diving courses available from beginner DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) to Divemaster with our experienced PADI Diving Instructors; courses available in English and Chinese.

  • Scuba Dive with Big John

    In the beautiful Mabul and Kapalai islands

    Certified Divers

    Fun dives and more!
    We offer DiveMaster guided fun dives for the certified diver  including equipment rental :
    • 3 dives in 1 day package
    • RM330/Per Diver with own equipment*
    • RM360/Per Diver with rented equipment**
    • (2 Mabul, 1 Kapalai)
    • 6 dives in 2 day package
    • RM630/Per Diver with own equipment*
    • RM690/Per Diver with rented equipment**
    • (Mabul/Kapalai - varies)
    • 9 dives in 3 day package
    • RM900/Per Diver with own equipment*
    • RM990/Per Diver with rented equipment**
    • (Mabul/Kapalai - varies)
    • 12 dives in 4 day package
    • RM1140/Per Diver with own equipment*
    • RM1260/Per Diver with rented equipment**
    • (Mabul/Kapalai - varies)
    • 15 dives in 5 day package
    • RM1350/Per Diver with own equipment*
    • RM1500/Per Diver with rented equipment**
    • (Mabul/Kapalai - varies)
            ****    Please email us at bigjohnscuba1@gmail.com for latest deals  ****   Diving with your own equipment * Lead weights, weight belt and air tanks only will be provided. Wetsuit rental RM20 per day.
    Rent our equipment ** Wetsuit, Mask, Fins, Regulator with SPG, BCD,  Weights and weight belt.
    We frequently visit  10-12 dive-sites around Mabul and Kapalai, we will try our best to  give you a different dive each time within your package if you are multi-diving over a number of days.   Dive schedule times/sites/groups are often decided on the day dependent on the levels of divers, tide, current and weather conditions.

    Jetty Fees - please read and note

    For each person departing from Semporna to any island is RM2.12 (Malay i.c holder), RM10.60 (non-Malay)
    -

    Boat Transfer - Please read and note

    --> Semporna to Mabul : 8.00am-8.30am:  - RM70 per person, per journey - journey takes approx 1 hour. <-- Mabul to Semporna : 3.30pm-4.00pm:  - RM70 per person, per journey - journey takes approx 1 hour. - Transfers outside these times may be possible subject to our dive boat availability and additional charge if deemed necessary. - Boat transfer charges are waivered if taking a course and following our scheduled departure times. 1 return boat transfer free of charge. - Fun divers taking a 3 dive pack in a single day also include free transfer following our scheduled departure times. - Day trippers taking less than 3 dives in a day are charged for the return boat transfer.

    SIPADAN - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

    Whilst we do not hold permits ourselves, we obtain from other operators, our reputation often allows us to 'queue jump' standby/waiting lists.
    We only offer Sipadan within a minimum 2D1N package 3 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip.
      **  Please email us at bigjohnscuba1@gmail.com for price ** - We need your name, nationality, gender (male/female) and passport number before we can apply..  ..  please also tell us your certification level, date certified, number of logged dives and approx last dive date (month/year). - When we are successful in obtaining your very valued place/permit/spot we will ask you for advance payment in full and provide you with our payment details. - NOTE: all/any transaction/bank handling charges are to be incurred by you the sender. - Note: Payment not received within 72 hours of request will render the permit up for grabs and will be sold on.
    where we dive
     
    Click on an image below to view our beautiful galleries of marine and human life on our dive trips
    • show all
    • Kapalai
    • Macro
    • Mabul
    • Open Water Course
    • Mataking
    Mataking November 06, 2013
    Open Water Course September 15, 2013
    fun dive portfolio September 09, 2013
    Load more
  • Dive Courses

    Get Your PADI Certification

    Certifications For Every Level

    Discover new worlds in the most amazing places
    • *PADI Scuba Diver Course
    • Please email/ Per Diver
    • 2D1N
    • Description

      Short on time and long on the urge to become a certified diver? The PADI Scuba Diver certification might just be for you.

      This course requires less time than the PADI Open Water Diver course, covering only the first three of five sections of knowledge development, the first three of five confined open water sessions, and the first two of four open water training dives, resulting in a limited certification.

      Particularly if you expect to go scuba diving primarily in the company of a dive guide or if you have limited time to devote to scuba certification, consider becoming a PADI Scuba Diver.

      This certification allows for ample dive experience and is a good warm-up for the Open Water Diver course, if that’s your ultimate goal.

      PADI Scuba Divers are qualified to:

        1. Dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor to a maximum depth of 12 metres / 40 feet
        2. Obtain air fills, rent or purchase scuba equipment and participate in other diving activities as long as they have the required supervision
        3. Continue their dive training and complete PADI Open Water Diver certification and other courses such as Project AWARE and equipment specialty courses

      What You Learn

      All the basics of scuba diving through knowledge development, a set of scuba skills in confined/shallow open water that you’ll use again during open water dives, and an appreciation for the underwater world that will keep you coming back for more bottom time every chance you get!

      During the course you’ll cover material and practice skills related to topics such as:
      1. Buoyancy skills including comfortable ascents and descents, and breathing underwater.
      2. Staying warm underwater, streamlining your swimming skills and buddy diving techniques.
      3. Diving environments and aquatic life you’re likely to encounter.
      4. Preventing common problems underwater.
      5. An introduction to boat diving.

      Prerequisites

      To take this course, you must be:

      15 years old (or 10 years old for Junior Scuba Diver certification)

      Maintain yourself in water too deep to stand (floating, treading water) for 10 minutes.

    • *PADI Open Water Course
    • Please email/Per Diver
    • 3D2N
    • Description

      Get Certified!   with the PADI Open Water Diver Course.

      If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures or simply see the wondrous world beneath the waves, this is where it starts.

      The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

      What You Learn

      The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:

      1. Knowledge Development (self study and instructor taught) to understand basic principles of scuba diving
      2. Confined / Shallow open water Dives to learn basic scuba skills
      3. Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore!

      If you’ve tried diving through a Discover Scuba Diving experience or resort course, the skills you learned may be credited towards a portion of the full PADI Open Water Diver course certification.

      Prerequisites

      To enroll in the PADI Open Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must:

      Be 10 years or older (Junior Open Water Diver) 15 years old for Open Water Diver.

      Maintain yourself in water too deep to stand (floating, treading water) for 10 minutes.

      Swim without swimming aids (goggles permitted) for 200 metres or 300 metres with mask, fins and snorkel.

    • *PADI Advanced Open Water Course
    • Please email/Per Diver
    • 2D1N
    • Description

      Exploration, Excitement, Experiences. They’re what the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about. And no, you don’t have to be “advanced” to take it – it’s designed so you can go straight into it after the PADI Open Water Diver course.

      The Advanced Open Water Diver course helps you increase your confidence and build your scuba skills so you can become more comfortable in the water. This is a great way to get more dives under your belt while continuing to learn under the supervision of your PADI Instructor.

      This course builds on what you’ve learned and develops new capabilities by introducing you to new activities and new ways to have fun scuba diving.

      You’ll hone your skills by completing five adventure dives that introduce you to:

        1. Underwater navigation - Mandatory dive.
        2. Deeper water diving (typically anywhere from 18-30 metres) - Mandatory dive.
        3. A sampler of three more Adventure Dives of your choice - Peak Performance Buoyancy (PPB), Wreck,  Drift, Fish ID, Digital Underwater Photography...

      What You Learn

      The knowledge and skills you get in the Advanced Open Water Diver course vary with your interest and the adventures you have, but include:

      1. Practical aspects of deep diving
      2. Physiological effects of deeper scuba diving.
      3. More ways to use your underwater compass
      4. How to navigate using kick-cycles, visual landmarks and time
      5. And much, much more, depending on the Adventure Dives you choose

      Prerequisites

      To take this course, you must be:

      A PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization)

      15 years old (12 for Junior Advanced Open Water Diver)

    • *EFR - Emergency First Response
    • Please email/Per participant
    • 1/2 DAY
    • Description

      CPR and First Aid: Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care Scuba diving class practicing CPRFirst aid and CPR are good skills for anyone involved in adventure sports – just in case. And, you need these skills for the PADI Rescue Diver course.

      Emergency First Response is a PADI affiliate that specializes in teaching these lifesaving skills – and they’re for anyone, not just divers. Most PADI Instructors are also Emergency First Response Instructors!

      The Fun Part

      The fun part about Emergency First Response training is learning serious medical emergency response skills in an upbeat, positive environment.

      You gain the confidence that you are prepared to help in an emergency.

      What You Learn

      1. BLS (Basic Life Support) CPR and rescue breathing at the layperson level
      2. AED (automated external defibrillator) use (optional)
      3. Preventing and caring for shock
      4. Spinal injury management
      5. Use of barriers to reduce disease transmission risk
      6. Basic first aid and first aid kit considerations

      Prerequisites

      To take this course, you must:

      Care about other people and want to be able to assist them in a medical emergency

    • *PADI Rescue Diver
    • Please email/Per Diver
    • 3D2N
    • Description

      “Challenging” and “rewarding” best describe the PADI Rescue Diver course. Building upon what you’ve already learned, this course expands on what you already know about how to prevent problems, and how to manage them if they occur.

      The Fun Part

      The fun part about this course is rising to challenges and mastering them. Most divers find this course both demanding and rewarding, and at the end, say it’s the best course they’ve ever taken.

      What You Learn

      1. Self rescue
      2. Recognizing and managing stress in other divers
      3. Emergency management and equipment
      4. Rescuing panicked divers
      5. Rescuing unresponsive divers

      Prerequisites

      To enroll in the PADI Rescue Diver course, you must:

      1. Be 12 years or older
      2. Have a PADI Adventure Diver certification (or have a qualifying certification from another organization)
      3. Be trained and current for first aid and CPR within the previous two years (Ask your instructor about Emergency First Response CPR and first aid courses).
    • #PADI DiveMaster
    • RM3990/Per Diver
    • min. 14 days (21 recommended)
    • Description

      Do you have a deep and abiding passion for diving? Or, do you merely love it with all of your heart? If so, you should consider doing what you love for a living: become a PADI Divemaster.

      When you Join the Tribe™ by becoming a PADI Divemaster, you align yourself with the largest and most respected dive tribe in the world—that of PADI Professionals. These are PADI Divemasters and Instructors sharing a passion for diving and an active concern for the health of the world’s underwater habitats.

      PADI Divemaster Course

      Looking for the first step in working with scuba as a career? Your adventure into the professional levels of recreational scuba diving begins with the PADI Divemaster program. Working closely with a PADI Instructor, in this program you expand your dive knowledge and hone your skills to the professional level. PADI Divemaster training develops your leadership abilities, qualifying you to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers. PADI Divemaster is the prerequisite certification for both the PADI Assistant Instructor and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certifications.

      What You Learn

      During the PADI Divemaster program, you learn dive leadership skills through both classroom and independent study. You complete water skills and stamina exercises, as well as training exercises that stretch your ability to organize and solve problems as well as help others improve their scuba. You put this knowledge into action through a structured internship or series of practical training exercises.

      As you progress through your Divemaster course, you’ll expand your diving knowledge, hone you skills and increase your confidence. Then, as a PADI Divemaster, you’ll use these attributes to lead, mentor and motivate other divers and experience the joy of seeing them transformed by the majesty of the the acquatic realm.

      Prerequisites

      To take this course, you must be:

      1. Be 18 years old
      2. A PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
      3. A PADI Rescue Diver (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
      4. An Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (or qualifying first aid and CPR training from another organization) course completion within the past 24 months.
      5. Have at least 40 logged dives to begin the course and 60 for certification
      6. Be fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement (PDF) signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

    *Prices include :  PADI (EFR) participant manual, practical sessions, applicable video sessions, knowledge development - instructor led and self study, quizzes/final exams where applicable, PADI certification fees, PADI instructor fees, Scuba equipment (excluding dive computer); 1 return trip boat transfer Semporna/Mabul/Semporna following our scheduled departures. # Divemaster Certification/PADI Member fees are excluded and are payable directly by you to PADI. Course prices do not include accommodation. PADI
  • Diving & Accomodation Combos

    Multiple Dives, Multiple Nights

    Dive / Sleep Combo Packages

    Sleep here, Dive here, See out there
    Dive / Sleep Combos: MABUL/KAPALAI - ***  Prices effective 01 Feb 2019 *** 2D1N - 6 dives Rental Equip  RM1000 / Private Equip RM940 3D2N - 9 dives Rental Equip  RM1525 /  Private Equip RM1435 4D3N - 12 dives Rental Equip  RM1995 / Private Equip RM1875 5D4N - 15 dives Rental Equip RM2435 / Private Equip RM2285 6D5N - 18 dives Rental Equip RM2825 / Private Equip RM2645
    Dive / Sleep Combos: MABUL/KAPALAI/SIPADAN 2D1N - 3 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives SIPADAN daytrip:       Rental Equip  RM2020 / Private Equip RM1990 3D2N - 6 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives SIPADAN daytrip:      Rental Equip  RM2575 /  Private Equip RM2515 4D3N - 9 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives SIPADAN daytrip:      Rental Equip  RM3075 / Private Equip RM2985 5D4N - 12 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives SIPADAN daytrip:     Rental Equip RM3545 / Private Equip RM3425 6D5N - 15 dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives SIPADAN daytrip:     Rental Equip RM3965 / Private Equip RM3815 PADI COURSE COMBOS: *** Prices effective 01 Feb 2019 *** PADI OpenWater - OWC 3D2N = RM1675 (OWC 4 dives + 1 additional Fun dive Mabul) 4D3N = RM2055 (OWC 4 dives + 3 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) 5D4N = RM2615 (OWC 4 dives + 7 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) OpenWater - SIPADAN package 4D3N = RM3315 (OWC 4 dives + 2 additional Fun dives Mabul + 3 dives Sipadan Daytrip) 5D4N = RM3695 (OWC 4 dives + 4 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip) 6D5N = RM4145 (OWC 4 dives + 7 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip)   PADI Advanced OpenWater - AOW 2D1N = RM1450 (AOW 5 dives + 1 addditional Fun dive Mabul) 3D2N = RM1855 (AOW 5 dives + 3 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) 4D3N = RM2325 (AOW 5 dives + 6 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) 5D4N = RM2795 (AOW 5 dives + 9 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) Advanced OpenWater - SIPADAN package 3D2N =RM3025 (AOW 5 dives + 1 additional Fun dive Mabul + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip) 4D3N = RM3495 (AOW 5 dives + 4 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan Daytrip) 5D4N = RM3965 (AOW 5 dives + 7 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip) 6D5N = RM4415 (AOW 5 dives + 10 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip)   PADI OpenWater + PADI Advanced OpenWater - OWC+AOW 4D3N = RM2785 (OWC 4 dives + AOW 5 dives) 5D4N = RM3165 (OWC 4 dives +AOW 5 dives +3 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai) OpenWater + Advanced OpenWater - SIPADAN package 5D4N = RM4385 (OWC 4 dives + AOW 5 dives + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip) 6D5N = RM4835 (OWC 4 dives +AOW 5 dives +3 additional Fun dives Mabul/Kapalai + 3 dives Sipadan daytrip)   Snorkel / Sleep Combos - Mabul/Kapalai 2D1N - 6 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai  RM600 3D2N - 9 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai RM915 4D3N - 12 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai RM1205 5D4N - 15 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai RM1495 6D5N - 18 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai RM1765   Snorkel / Sleep Combos - Mabul/Kapalai + SIPADAN package 2D1N - 3 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai + 3 sessions Sipadan daytrip   RM1860 3D2N - 6 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai + 3 sessions Sipadan daytrip RM2175 4D3N - 9 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai + 3 sessions Sipadan daytrip RM2465 5D4N - 12 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai + 3 sessions Sipadan daytrip  RM2755 6D5N - 15 Snorkel sessions Mabul/Kapalai + 3 sessions Sipadan daytrip  RM3025
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    Feel free to contact us if you have any questions
    Or you can use your favorite email client and send your message here: bigjohnscuba1@gmail.com
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