"Dived with Fatimah (of Scuba-azusa) at Sipdan and various other dive sites near Semporna in Borneo. Fantastic three days, Fatima is extremely competent and knowledgeable when it comes to diving, and the local area. We managed to get in lots more dives per day than the other local operators and for a lot less money. All-in-all, a great time, great company, great diving! "
Jason Burns, 2005

 

"Diving with Fatimah (the founder of Scuba Azusa) was an absolute pleasure. She offers brilliant instruction, at an excellent price. We shopped around the area, Scuba Azusa is the best value you'll find in Semporna without a shadow of a doubt. Would I dive with them again? Hell yeah!
We stayed at Lee's Rest house, which was clean and good value for money. The staff is a little unhelpful. BUT check with Fatimah before because she is due to be providing accommodation soon, if it's as good a the diving... you'd be silly to miss out.
Fatimah is one of the most friendly, funny and honest people my girlfriend and i have met on our travels. Her hospitality appears to have no bounds, we ate together at her place more frequently than we ate out - she provided a true home away and diving you couldn't get anywhere else. "
Simon Mols, UK, 2005

 

 

"It's difficult to know where to begin, but I think it fair to say that the time I spent with Fatimah (the owner of Scuba Azusa, a mad American!) and Jens (a really good guy on holiday from Sweden) must rate as the best diving I've had since qualifying in the Red Sea in 1996. This is due in no small part to Sipadan exceeding expectations I been given by the "word on the street". Fantastic coral, great fish, sharks and a shed load of huge turtles are just a few of the highlights. It's also down to Fatimah been totally committed to enjoying diving to the full, her alternative sense of humour, her professionalism and the outstanding value for money she offers in comparison to the other operators in Semporna. From my perspective, Scuba Azusa has been a total revelation in terms of how it can be done when money is not the "God" for the operator.
However, as always, some people will not qualify in terms of Scuba Azusa's culture. This is not prima donna diving i.e. you kit yourself up, you lug your own tanks about (including one flight of stairs!), you'll probably dive 3 to 4 times a day. In 6 days of diving I,ve done 4 dives a day with a cumulative time in the region of 26 hours. Most dives have been in the 15 to 25 metre bracket, but many other profiles can be done. If you think you're a competent diver, then you should love it. You will get tired, but it's worth it. Fatimah concentrates on small groups mainly (1 to 4, so there is a really personalised approach).
Fatimah's just about to get a new fully equipped dive boat which will make her package even more fantastic.
So, in summary, great diving with an extremely competent operator at a price that is impossible to beat in this part of the world, but be prepared to roll up your sleeves for the reward of one of the greatest experiences of your diving career.
Enjoy!!! "
Andrew Jobling, UK, 2005

 

"I was asked to plug Fatimah's Sipadan Dive Center by Fatimah. The truth is she is a great instructor. I was a little unsure of her ability to help me underwater as she is 5' 6" and soaking wet she might weigh 125lbs. I am 6' 2" 276 lbs. I soon learned that my size was of no concern to her, she easily guided me into kneeling on the sand with ease.
I completed my dive course in four days, I was a little apprehensive of the depths I was told about on Sipadan.(six hundred meter) Fatimah instead of giving me a lot of attaboy's you will do it.... simply took me diving off the local fishing pier for two extra dives. This really helped calm my fears and before I realised it we were at 20 meter and I had no fear.
Fatimah's equipment is very new or well maintained. It is Mares equipment, I think they are Italian.
I dove with 3 other divers and so we split the 750 Ringet boat charter (about $200.00 US), lots of boats had 8 to 12 divers and I suspect they were paying around 500 Ringets each. 500 Ringets is what SCUBA Junkies wanted to charge me. Also I dove four dives instead of the usual 3 dives.
I think Fatimah deserves the highest rating for a shop in Semporna. "
John Pierce Crescent City, California.

 

"2 Day trip RM 1180, great value for money. If you have the opportunity to dive here I would hugely recommend Fatimah and I would just get here as soon as poss."
Daniel Spray and Jodi Dicker-Lee, Australia & Britain