At Scuba Junkie SEAS, our story begins with a shared passion — a love for the ocean, its incredible biodiversity, and the communities that depend on it. What started as a small dive shop in 2005 has grown into something much bigger: a mission to protect, restore, and advocate for the marine environment in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Scuba Junkie SEAS (SEAS stands for Sea Education Awareness Sabah) officially launched in 2009, born from the desire to safeguard the rich marine life around Semporna. Our very first campaign aimed to establish a shark sanctuary in the region — a bold idea at the time, and the spark that ignited our long-term commitment to conservation.
Since then, SEAS has expanded step by step, always responding to the challenges our oceans face. In 2011, we opened our turtle hatchery on Mabul Island, giving endangered sea turtles a safe place to nest and hatch. In 2015, our work grew again with the creation of the turtle rehabilitation centre, where sick or injured turtles can be treated and, whenever possible, released back into the wild. And in 2025, we began tackling one of the greatest threats of our time — plastic pollution — with a community-driven waste management and upcycling project.
Over the years, SEAS has seen incredible milestones:
These achievements are not just numbers — they represent real progress in giving marine life a fighting chance while empowering local communities to play a leading role in conservation.
Today, Scuba Junkie SEAS is a small but dedicated team based on Mabul Island. Our group is made up of conservationists, dive professionals, and community members, all united by a deep connection to the sea and to this island we call home.
Our projects now cover a wide range of conservation areas:
What makes SEAS unique is our collaborative approach. We don’t just work for the environment; we work with people — from local fishers and schoolchildren to international guests who join our beach cleans and conservation dives. This spirit of teamwork ensures that our projects have long-lasting impact.
At the heart of everything we do lies a simple truth: real change only happens when we work together. Whether it’s rescuing a turtle, planting a coral, or reducing plastic use, progress comes from many hands joining for a common cause.
That’s why we encourage everyone who visits us — divers, volunteers, or even those just following our journey online — to get involved. Every action counts, and every person who cares about the ocean becomes part of the SEAS family.
SEAS continues to evolve with the times. The challenges facing our oceans — from climate change to plastic waste — are urgent, but they also inspire us to find creative and inclusive solutions. We’re excited to keep expanding our work, testing new approaches, and deepening our collaboration with communities and conservation partners.
At the end of the day, it’s not about how big we are — it’s about how deeply we care, and how much more we can achieve together. Scuba Junkie SEAS is more than a conservation organisation; it’s a shared effort to protect our blue planet for generations to come.
