Scubazoo photographers Jason Isley, Gil Woolley, and Christian Loader at the launch for our new book “Sensational Seas of Sabah”

Scubazoo are excited to announce the official launch of our latest publication Sensational Seas of Sabah – written and photographed by Jason Isley, Gil Woolley, and Christian Loader. This breathtaking coffee table book takes you on a voyage across the Sulu, Celebes, and South China seas to the region’s top scuba diving locations, showcasing the incredibly diverse marine ecosystems that Sabah has to offer with stunning underwater images.
Scubazoo’s photographers have been shooting extensively around the entire coast of Sabah over the last 18 months, taking in the well-known dive sites of Layang Layang, Pulau Mabul, and Pulau Sipadan, but also exploring underwater in exciting new areas such as the Ligitan Reef, Semporna Straits, or the vast Tun Mustapha Marine Park. The team were delighted with an abundance of rich, biodiverse reefs and sightings of rare critters in places where few have ever dived before.

The book was officially launched on Monday 20th January at The Star Marina in the luxurious Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa here in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Guests were treated to welcome refreshments, while many leafed through the copies of Sensational Seas of Sabah on display. Among the guests were many of the book’s sponsors, local dive centre and resort owners, and special guest YB Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board. After a welcome speech by emcee Andrew Lee Scubazoo’s Managing Director Jason Isley spoke of the highlights of Sabah’s marine life and dive locations visited while shooting for this book. He also gave thanks to the book’s many sponsors, and praised the hard work of all of the Scubazoo team involved in the project. SPeeches were brought to a close by the special guest of honour YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Environment, who congratulated Scubazoo’s efforts over many years in bringing Sabah’s wonderful marine biodiversity to the attention of the world, and spoke emotionally about the necessity of protecting and conserving Malaysia’s marine ecosystems.​

Guests enjoying refreshments at The Star Marina, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.	Guests gather for speeches by YB Datuk Masidi Manjun and Jason Isley, and the official book launch.

After the speeches, guest of honour YB Datuk Masidi Manjun and Jason Isley cut the ribbon, and Sensational Seas of Sabah was officially launched. Datuk Masidi Manjun was then presented with a framed print by Christian Loader of a stunning split-level image of the beautiful Tun Sakaran Marine Park, and the authors signed copies of the book for guests while they enjoyed drinks and refreshments.

All of us at Scubazoo are very proud to see Sensational Seas of Sabah finally published, and the launch was a wonderful ending to this remarkable project. Special thanks goes to Craig Powell, General Manager of Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa, and all of his staff.

Sensational Seas of Sabah (ISBN: 978-967-10528-2-2) is distributed by APD Singapore, and retails at MYR195/USD60. For a preview of the book, and more information on how to purchase a copy online, please click here.

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YB Datuk Masidi Manjun (Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment) and Jason Isley (Scubazoo’s Managing Director) cut the ribbon and officially launch Sensational Seas of Sabah.

Special guests Craig Powell (General Manager of Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa), and YB Datuk Masidi Manjun (Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment), with photographers Jason Isley, Gil Woolley, and Christian Loader.

Photographer Christian Loader presents a framed print to special guest of honour, YB Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Jason Isley (Scubazoo Managing Director) signs a book for special guest YB Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board).

From L-R: Simon Enderby, Gil Woolley, Simon Christopher, special guest of honour YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, Jason Isley and Christian Loader