The conservation of our marine life would not be successful without supporting one another and at Downbelow, we reach out to all our groups and individuals and share our passion for preservation!

Every year, a group of students from the University of South Wales visit our premier PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre to practice their field skills. At the same time they simulate research and study the health of the coral reefs. 

The students are supervised by our full time PADI Instructors and what is most valuable is the interaction between dive professionals and budding scientists! Downbelow’s island team benefit so much as the students share their knowledge over the duration of their stay with us!

Our PADI professionals have a passion for the marine environment too and their understanding of the tropical marine life typically found in Malaysian Borneo is noticeably broader after collaborating with our guests from the University of South Wales.

Our adventure program for the group includes much-needed flexibility to accommodate for their studies of course, but we integrate a snorkelling session at a nearby island where Blacktip Reef sharks usually cruise along the top reef.

Resident Platinum PADI Course Director Richard Swann engages each student in a presentation on the shark species typically found in the waters of the protected marine park and the briefing discusses how best to snorkel to spot the amazing creatures.

We can hardly wait for another visit by our friends from the University of South Wales and work together underwater again!