Seaventures Dive Rig
A decommissioned oil rig converted into a dive resort off Mabul Island, the only one of its kind in the world, with its house reef directly below the platform and 11 Sipadan permits per day.
Seaventures is a working oil rig that was converted into a dive resort. It sits 10 metres above the Celebes Sea off the coast of Mabul Island, with its house reef below the platform rather than beside a beach. There is no beach. There is no resort garden. What there is: a lot of diving, 360-degree sea views, and a structure that gives you something to talk about after you get home.
The rig suits divers who are primarily interested in the water and not especially concerned with room size or resort polish. Cabin rooms are compact and ship-style; dormitory rooms are available for solo divers and groups who want to keep costs down. Common areas on the open decks are where most of the time between dives gets spent.
Your Sipadan Permit Allocation
This resort is alloted 11 permits each day. Based on this allocation, you can visit Sipadan Island at least once with certainty if you stay a minimum of 4 days 3 nights.
Facilities and Diving
Three daily boat dives cover Mabul, Kapalai, and Sipadan (on permitted days), with unlimited house reef dives from the platform at any time. The house reef below the rig is particularly worth spending time on: the structure itself has become an artificial reef, and the diving directly under the platform turns up creatures that the sandy Mabul sites may not. PADI courses are available on-site. Nitrox fills can be arranged.
Common areas include a restaurant, game room with pool and ping-pong tables, a karaoke lounge, and open sun decks. All rooms are air conditioned with private bathrooms and hot showers. Free broadband is available throughout.
The 4-night minimum for a guaranteed Sipadan day holds here as it does elsewhere in the area, but Seaventures' permit allocation of 11 per day is solid. If you are bringing a group and want to coordinate Sipadan days together, ask us — we can advise on the stay length and timing that gives the whole group the best odds.
