A Crew That
Knows These
Waters
Velaris was built around a single idea — that the stretch of sea between Kota Kinabalu and Sabah's offshore islands deserves to be experienced properly, without the noise and crowds of larger vessels.
Return HomeFounded on Familiarity with the Sea
Velaris was founded in Kota Kinabalu by a team with decades of combined experience on Sabah's coastal waters. The founding captain grew up near Jesselton Point and spent his early career crewing fishing and research vessels across the Coral Triangle before shifting focus to private maritime tours.
The idea behind Velaris was straightforward: the Tunku Abdul Rahman islands, the reefs around Dinawan, and the volcanic formations at Pulau Tiga are all within reach of a well-equipped yacht — yet most visitors to Kota Kinabalu experience them from crowded ferries or day-trip speedboats with little time to stop and look around.
We set out to offer something different — structured itineraries with unhurried pacing, genuinely good food prepared onboard, and groups kept small enough that the crew can give every guest real attention. This has been our operating model since we first sailed commercially in 2018.
Our Mission & Values
Every decision we make on and off the water comes back to three straightforward commitments.
Maritime Integrity
We maintain our vessel to standards well above minimum requirements. Equipment is inspected before every departure. If conditions on the day are not appropriate, we say so — regardless of the inconvenience to scheduling.
Coastal Responsibility
The reefs and marine environments we visit are not ours to use carelessly. We follow no-anchor policies over live coral, brief guests on marine etiquette before water activities, and remove any litter we encounter — including that left by others.
Honest Service
Tour prices are inclusive — there are no hidden charges added at the dock. If you ask us something we don't know, we'll say so. If something onboard falls short of your expectation, we want to hear it directly and address it.
The People Behind Every Voyage
A small crew who know Sabah's waters and take genuine pride in the experiences they help create.
Razlan Hamid
Founder & Lead Captain
Licensed maritime captain with 18 years on Sabah's waters, including time on research and conservation vessels in the Coral Triangle. Leads all Overnight voyages personally.
Lina Soo
Guest Experience & Logistics
Manages all bookings, pre-voyage briefings, and onboard catering planning. Background in hospitality and a certified divemaster with detailed knowledge of Sabah's marine life.
Adi Khalid
Deck Officer & Snorkel Guide
Second-generation fisherman from Semporna, now a certified marine guide. Leads snorkeling briefings and water activities on the Dinawan tour and can identify reef species on sight.
Quality & Safety Approach
We hold ourselves to standards that go beyond what Malaysian maritime law requires for commercial tour operations.
MMEA Compliance
All operations conducted in compliance with Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency standards. Vessel registration and crew certification kept current.
Safety Equipment
Personal flotation devices for all guests, a fully equipped first aid kit, flares, VHF radio, and an EPIRB beacon on every voyage. Safety briefing delivered before departure.
Vessel Maintenance
The yacht undergoes a full technical inspection every six months. Engine systems, hull integrity, and navigation electronics are checked before each departure week.
Marine Conservation
No anchoring over live coral. Single-use plastics are not used on board. All food waste and packaging returns to port for proper disposal. Snorkelers receive a coral reef briefing before entering the water.
Food Hygiene
All onboard meals are prepared with ingredients sourced the morning of departure. Cold storage is maintained at correct temperatures throughout the voyage. Crew hold current food handling certificates.
Guest Privacy
Guest booking information is stored securely and not shared with third parties beyond what is required for insurance documentation. Photography during tours is at each guest's discretion.
Sabah's West Coast — Maritime Context
The stretch of water west of Kota Kinabalu sits within the Coral Triangle — the area of the Indo-Pacific recognised for the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. Within 30 nautical miles of the city, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park encompasses five islands with documented reef systems that support over 100 coral species and significant fish populations.
Velaris operates in this environment with full awareness of what that means. The South China Sea in this region is navigable year-round for most of the year, with the northeast monsoon (October to February) bringing different wind patterns that affect departure timing and routing — experience our crew draws on when planning each voyage.
Kota Kinabalu itself is the capital of Sabah state, located on the northwest coast of Borneo. It serves as the primary gateway to Sabah's coastal and mountainous attractions, with Mount Kinabalu — Southeast Asia's highest peak at 4,095 metres — visible from the water on clear mornings. This combination of sea and mountain landscapes is what makes the Velaris sunrise tour distinctive: it is one of the few ways to observe both simultaneously from a moving vessel.
Questions About Our Operations?
We're happy to answer anything before you commit to a booking.
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