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Dive centre · Kota Kinabalu · Malaysia

5.0260 Google reviews

Like Scuba Center

Explore the historic wrecks of Labuan with an SSI Diamond Center team that prioritises small groups and digital learning.

What sets this centre apart

  • SSI Diamond Center accreditation
  • Small group sizes with maximum four divers per guide
  • Instructors experienced in both PADI and SSI systems
  • Enriched Air Nitrox available for all divers
  • Comprehensive freediving and mermaid course programmes
  • Digital learning via the MySSI application
  • Multilingual instruction in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay
  • Access to historic WWII wrecks in Labuan

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Like Scuba Center about the centre

Like Scuba Center, also known as Like Scuba, is an established diving operation based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. As an SSI Diamond Center, the facility maintains high standards of training and safety, backed by a team of local instructors who know these waters intimately.

The centre serves as a gateway to some of the most interesting diving in the region, from the shallow, accessible reefs of Sepanggar Island to the deep, historic wrecks around Labuan. With a focus on modern, efficient training, they use the MySSI digital platform to move as much theory as possible into the classroom and onto your device, leaving more time for actual time in the water.

The club and its team

The team consists of eight instructors, many of whom have transitioned from PADI to SSI, bringing a wealth of diverse experience to the centre. Being locally based in Sabah, the instructors offer a deep understanding of the regional dive sites and local marine conditions.

Instruction is delivered in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay, making it accessible to a wide range of divers. To ensure close supervision and a personalised experience, the centre maintains a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide.

The centre at a glance

Affiliation
SSI
Certification level
Diamond Center
Operating since
2018
Languages spoken
English · Chinese · Malay
Website available in
English
Management
English
Instructors and guides
8
Divers per guide
4
Equipment rental
complet, palmes/masque/tuba, combinaison uniquement
Nitrox
Yes
Night diving
Yes
Oxygen on board
Yes
On board
eau, snacks, set lunch
Access and transfers
Jesselton Point (for Sepanggar Island), Sutera Harbour Marina (for Freedive), airport, shuttle, location
Address
No.11370, Dekat Lorong Tosaraya, 3, Jalan Kepayan Kobusak, Penampang, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Official website
likescubacenter.com

Courses on offer

The course catalogue is extensive, covering every level from Open Water Diver through to professional certifications like Divemaster and Instructor Training Courses. For those looking to advance their skills, they offer specialised modules such as Deep Diving 40m, Wreck Diver, and Computer Diving.

Beyond standard scuba, the centre has a strong focus on alternative disciplines, offering a full suite of Freediver courses, including Advanced Freediver and Monofin Freediving. They also host unique programmes such as Mermaid courses and specialized skill updates for experienced divers.

Equipment and gases

The centre provides a full range of rental equipment for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits. For those looking for more specialised gear, the centre is equipped to support your diving needs.

On the technical side, the centre is fully equipped for Enriched Air Nitrox diving. They also provide Mares dive computers for use, ensuring reliable instrumentation for your dives.

Dive sites with Like Scuba Center

Sepanggar Island Wrecks are accessible from the shore and are suitable for all levels. These three Vietnamese fishing boat wrecks sit on a sloping reef where you can encounter blue-spotted stingrays and various crustaceans.

Labuan Wreck Dive Sites offer a significant challenge for advanced divers, featuring four distinct wrecks including two from the Second World War. These sites are highly regarded by wreck enthusiasts and photographers for their colour and historical significance; a Deep Diving Specialty or Advanced Open Water certification with 40 logged dives is required.

American Wreck is a specific site featuring a US Navy minesweeper that was torn in two by a mine in 1945. It is a must-visit for those interested in maritime history and deep wreck exploration.

Blue Water Wreck is a large Philippine fishing trawler that sank in 1981. Resting at a depth of 35 metres, it provides an excellent site for advanced divers looking to explore larger structures.

And some of the dive sites the centre runs.

Labuan Wreck Dive SitesAmerican Wreck (Labuan)Cement Wreck (Labuan)Blue Water Wreck (Labuan)Sepanggar Island Wrecks

Marine life around Kota Kinabalu

The reefs around Sepanggar Island are vibrant habitats where you can find blue-spotted stingrays, lobsters, and lionfish. The sloping seabed is also home to various nudibranchs and reef fish.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to explore among the crevices and corals. The area is known for its diverse collection of nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp. You may also encounter the flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, and various species of gobies, including spike-fin gobies.

In the deeper wreck environments, the scenery is complemented by a variety of life, including scorpionfish, moray eels (Muraenidae), and various species of snapper. Keep an eye out for ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae) and different types of frogfish, such as the painted or clown varieties, tucked away in the structure.

Diving conditions

Diving in the region is generally best from April to December. During this period, the water is typically warm, though you should prepare for the local seasonal shifts.

At Sepanggar Island, currents are generally described as faible, making it a suitable area for those looking for more relaxed reef explorations.

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