Malaysia Mermaid Club

Located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the Malaysia Mermaid Club occupies a unique niche in the local diving scene. While most centres in the region focus on traditional scuba, this club is the first and only professional facility in Kota Kinabalu dedicated specifically to the art of mermaiding.

The club operates as a professional PADI Mermaid Centre, providing a structured environment for those looking to master underwater movement and performance. Their activities are centred around the islands of the national park, offering a tropical setting for both training and community gatherings.

The team is composed of five affiliated Mermaid Instructors based in Kota Kinabalu. This includes the region's first PADI Mermaid Instructor and Instructor Trainer, ensuring a high level of expertise for those pursuing professional qualifications.

Instruction is delivered in English, Malay, Chinese, and Korean. Beyond mermaid-specific training, the team is qualified to teach Emergency First Response (EFR) courses, including Primary and Secondary Care, Care for Children, and refresher modules.

Environmental stewardship is integrated into their teaching philosophy. The instructors lead Dive Against Debris programmes, ensuring that students learn to interact with the marine environment responsibly and contribute to local conservation efforts.

The centre offers a comprehensive progression of PADI Mermaid courses. This begins with the PADI Discover Mermaid experience, moving through PADI Basic Mermaid, PADI Mermaid, and PADI Advanced Mermaid levels.

For those looking to enter the professional side of the industry, the club provides PADI Basic Mermaid Instructor and PADI Mermaid Instructor courses. They also offer a combo package for the Mermaid and Advanced Mermaid levels.

Safety and rescue training are also available through various Emergency First Response (EFR) courses. These include EFR Primary and Secondary Care, EFR Care for Children, and EFR Combo courses, alongside the PADI AWARE and Dive Against Debris programmes.

For those participating in mermaid training, mermaid fin rentals are available on-site. The club is also planning the launch of a dedicated mermaid shop in 2026, which will stock tails, fins, masks, and other essential accessories.

Mermaid trips include speedboat or ferry transfers from the mainland to the islands. For those opting for the multi-day mermaid trips, accommodation is provided in twin-sharing rooms with ensuite bathrooms, including breakfast and dinner.

The area experiences warm tropical weather throughout the year, making it accessible for mermaid training in any season. The specific local conditions for currents and swell are managed by the instructors during scheduled mermaid trips and pool sessions.