For scuba divers seeking a truly distinctive base in the Sipadan region, the Seaventures Dive Rig presents a unique option. This permanently moored, converted oil platform in the Celebes Sea is just a short boat ride from the shores of Mabul Island. It has been transformed from industrial function into a scuba diver’s haven, providing immediate, direct access to some of Malaysia's most famed dive sites. No other accommodation in the area looks or feels quite like the Seaventures Dive Rig, and that originality extends to the diving experience itself.
The operational brilliance of the Seaventures Dive Rig lies in its practical efficiency. The purpose-built dive deck, with dedicated gear stations, streamlines preparation. Descend via the external elevator to your waiting dive boat, or take the memorable giant stride directly from the platform itself into the rich waters below. As an authorised operator, the team prioritises securing the coveted Sipadan permits for guests, with a structured system that guarantees a visit to this world-class site with a minimum stay of just 3 nights, and 2 visits with 5 nights. Snorkellers are welcome on the dive trips as well. This removes uncertainty and allows you to focus on the diving ahead. Staying on the Seaventures Dive Rig means you wake up directly above the action, not a boat ride away from it.
Your diving agenda effortlessly blends the majestic and the minute. Scheduled trips venture to Sipadan’s sheer walls, where encounters with green turtles, swirling jackfish, and patrolling reef sharks are commonplace. Returning to Mabul, you'll explore a muck-diving paradise alive with frogfish, crocodilefish, and a host of rare cephalopods. Integral to your package is unlimited diving on the rig’s own artificial reef. This thriving ecosystem, supported by the platform’s legs, is a macro photographer’s dream, offering endless opportunities to observe cryptic critters right beneath your room.
Between dives, the Seaventures Dive Rig offers a comfortable, social atmosphere tailored to divers. Accommodations, from standard cabins to more spacious deluxe rooms, are designed for practicality and rest, each with a private ensuite. The panoramic sundeck becomes a natural gathering point at day’s end, a place to relax with a drink, share sightings, and watch the horizon absorb the sunset. Complimentary Wi-Fi enables you to connect, though the camaraderie with fellow divers often proves more engaging.
The rig’s model provides remarkable value, especially for those committed to extensive diving. Packages are structured to maximise time underwater across the region’s top sites, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising on access or quality. Solo travellers can avoid single supplements through shared twin arrangements, fostering new friendships.
Ultimately, Seaventures Dive Rig is more than a resort; it is a 'one of a kind' dive experience. It combines unwavering access to Sipadan’s pelagic drama with the intricate critter life of Mabul and its own unique house reef, all from a base that is as functional as it is fascinating. For scuba divers who value authenticity, efficiency, and a story worth telling, this platform stands as a irresistible choice in the heart of Borneo’s underwater wonderland.
There are 38 rooms at Seaventures, each with air-conditioning and a private en-suite bathroom.
- 7 larger Deluxe rooms - 6 have king-size beds and 1 room has 3 single beds.
- 31 smaller Standard rooms - 9 have queen-size beds, 20 have twin beds, and 2 rooms have 1 single bed. Most of them have seaview windows.
All the rooms have:
- Air-conditioning and ceiling fan
- Private shower with hot and cold
- Basic toiletries and towels, hairdryer
- Bedside reading lights
- Housekeeping
- Desk, chair, wall mirror
- Wardrobe and shelves
- Drinking water
- 220v electricity supply, UK-style 3-prong plugs
- Fire alarm, life jackets and fire extinguishers
Note: Power 24 hours a day. However, there is a scheduled generator shut down at 6 am, 2 pm and 10 pm (not more than 1 minute each time). Kindly refrain from charging any electrical components during these intervals to avoid any potential damage during the changeover.
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Seaventures Rig Dive Centre Facilities:
- Showers, dive gear storage area (not locker), gear washing, nitrox, gear rental office.
- Gear up and ride the elevator down to the dive boat or to the water’s edge for a stride entry.
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Dive Boats (33–35 ft / ~10m):
- Total boats: 12 (9 dive boats, 3 transfer boats).
- Dive boat capacity: Max 10 guests with 2 dive masters (DMs).
- Safety equipment: DAN oxygen sets and first aid kits on board.
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Daily Boat Dive Activities:
• Non-Sipadan Dive Trip (Mabul & Kapalai)
- Schedule: Starts ~8 am.
- Dives: 2 dives before returning to the rig for lunch, followed by a 3rd dive.
- Travel time: Mabul (minutes away), Kapalai (~12 mins).
• Sipadan Dive Trip (Permit-dependent)
- Schedule: Starts ~6 am. Return: After 3rd dive (before lunch).
- Dives: 3 dives at Sipadan Island.
- Extras: Light breakfast provided at Sipadan; 2 towels given (vs. 1 for non-Sipadan dives).
- Travel time: Sipadan (~25 mins from the rig).
Sipadan Permit Policy:
- Guaranteed 1 visit with a 4-day/3-night package; 2 visits with 5-night stay.
- Extra permits (3 dives/day) may be requested on arrival (subject to availability).
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House Reef Dives (Unlimited (7 am – 7:30 pm)):
Rules:
- Buddy system only (no solo dives). No dive guide provided.
- Consult standby dive master before diving. Log name/details on the whiteboard.
- Subject to current/weather conditions.
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Diver Safety & Emergency Procedures:
• Medical Attention:
- First aid/oxygen kits: Located at front office, bar, classroom, dive station, and dive boats.
- Emergency response: Alert staff if unwell; EFR team provides assistance.
- Recompression chamber: 1-hour boat ride to Semporna Special Forces Base (Borneo mainland).
• Fire Incident:
- Smoke detectors/alarms, fire extinguishers on every deck.
- Follow evacuation floor plan (posted in rooms) to meeting point.
- 24-hour standby boat for emergencies.
• Security:
- Malaysian General Operation Force on standby (7:00 PM–6:00 AM daily).
- Staff available 24/7; guests advised to stay in rooms during security incidents.
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Extras / Special Dives: Extra dives available on request (additional charges apply).
A stay at the Seaventures Dive Rig is defined by its unique setting, yet your time on the platform is designed for diver practicality and relaxation. Life onboard this stationary base revolves around communal spaces that encourage connection and rest after a day beneath the waves.
The expansive, open-air sun deck serves as the social heart of the Seaventures Dive Rig. Here, you can rehydrate at the bar while watching the sky paint itself in sunset hues over Mabul Island. It's a natural social point for exchanging the day's stories and planning the next. Indoors, the dedicated games room offers a change of pace with table tennis and pool, providing a relaxed, casual atmosphere for evening downtime.
A photo station caters to underwater photographers needing to manage their digital work. For moments of pure relaxation, the massage room offers a welcome respite for tired muscles. A small souvenir shop allows you to take a memento of your unique rig adventure home. Throughout the platform, complimentary Wi-Fi keeps you connected, though the constant sea breeze and ever-changing view often prove more compelling.
Resort facilities include: Complimentary Wi-Fi - Dedicated photo station with charging facilities - Games room (pool table and table tennis) - Souvenir shop - Massage room - Panoramic Sun Deck with Bar - Communal dining area
At Seaventures Dive Rig you'll find a wide variety of Asian and Western cuisine, prepared buffet-style by local and Chinese cooks. Enjoy dining in different locations on the platform, including the open dining deck. Try the BBQ lamb chops with black pepper sauce, or a nice mixed salad. After dinner you can watch the sun set, with a drink in your hand from the sundeck. Enjoy the gentle breeze, and take in the best view in the area, overlooking the island of Mabul. During the peak season, the bar provides live music and karaoke for entertainment.
Dining times:
Breakfast: 7 - 9 am
Lunch: 12 - 2 pm
Tea/coffee break: 4.30 - 6 pm
Dinner: 7 - 9 pm
Sample dishes: White radish beef soup, steamed fish, seafood, rice, chicken stew, tofu, mixed vegetables, green salad, mixed fruits. Additionally, they have cakes, desserts, coffee, and tea available 24/7 next to the dining area, for guests who may want a quick bite in between dives.
The diving schedule is timed around meal times at this resort. On non-Sipadan days, the boat returns to the resort for lunch. If you go to Sipadan, there will be a packed lunch for you.
The Seaventures resort caters to all dietary requirements, so you can enjoy your meals without any worries.
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MORE PACKAGE DETAILS
Special offers: Packages prices have been discounted by 6% until further notice. Offer closes: 31 Dec 2050
Special rates apply for Malaysians and expatriates with Malaysian work permits at Seaventures Dive Rig. Please contact us for details at ask@dive-the-world.com
Destinations:
Sipadan Island (Diving environment: wall diving, drift diving, advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: shark action, turtles, schooling fish/big pelagics),
Mabul (Diving environment: beginner & advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: great macro life/marine diversity), and
Kapalai (Diving environment: beginner & advanced divers, very popular; Highlights: great macro life/marine diversity).
Resort diving includes:
Dives (as detailed in the packages above), unlimited self-guided day and sunset dives underneath platform, boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 5 divers per guide), tanks, weights and weightbelts, drinking water, hot drinks and snacks.
Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):
Dive computer (USD 7 per day), scuba equipment (USD 30 per day), Sipadan park permit fees (divers only: USD 111 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card). Sipadan permits are not transferable.
Optional extras:
Extra Sipadan boat dives (3 dives per person: USD 74 per day + 8% SST, excluding Sipadan park permit fees) to be paid in advance, extra boat dives (Mabul/Kapalai (minimum 3 customers)), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (USD 6 per tank), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased on site are subject to change.
Important note: All Sipadan divers must take their passport and diving license (minimum: advanced license), or a printed copy of it, to the Sipadan Island marine park office for presentation. The Sabah Parks authorities do not accept a digital copy of a diving license and divers that are unable to verify their qualification status will not be permitted to dive. Permits to Sipadan Island are not available for non-divers or snorkellers.
boat dives at Sipadan (incl. conservation fee and diving permit: MYR 887 per day incl. sales tax)
Resort accommodation includes:
Bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinking water, hot drinks, snacks, roundtrip transfers from Tawau airport (assuming 2 persons), Semporna jetty fee.
Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
8% sales and service tax (SST) on package price (to be paid in advance), Malaysian tourism accommodation tax - USD 2 per room per night (to be paid in cash at the resort).
Single Supplement:
This is optional at Seaventures Dive Rig - single travellers may choose to share accommodation or elect to pay an additional charge for the sole occupancy of double/twin bed room.
Optional extras:
Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks. Single supplement on single travellers only (payable in advance). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
How to get there:
The resort is located just off the northern shore of Mabul Island, which is a 40 minute speedboat ride from the port of Semporna. Seaventures Dive Rig provide return transfers from Tawau Airport to Semporna and Mabul.
Scheduled transfer times from Tawau Airport to Seaventures are at 8:30 am and 11 am (transfer times from hotels in Tawau town are at 7:30 and 9:30 am). Boat transfer times from Semporna to the resort are at 10 am and 12:30 pm. If you arrive on any flight which does not time well with the transfers then you must wait at the airport for the next available transfer or overnight in Tawau/Semporna. Diving is only possible on the first day if you arrive on a morning flight.
Scheduled boat transfer times from Seaventures Dive Rig to Semporna are at 11 am and 2 pm. Land transfer times from Semporna to Tawau Airport/town are at 12 noon and 3 pm. Please allow 4 hours between resort departure and your flight departure time.
Transfers assume a minimum of 2 persons. If there is only one resort guest on a scheduled transfer, there will be a land and boat transfer surcharge for single travellers (payable on arrival). If in doubt, ask us for a quotation.
Note: Individuals/couples can arrange private transfers at additional cost. Special transfers can be arranged for groups.
Find more details on how to get there (including airlines) in our Malaysia dive resorts travel section.
Dive clubs and group discounts:
Groups of 7 guests or more - 1 extra person can join free of charge.
Add-on package:
For those making their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Malaysian Borneo, we highly recommend extending your journey with a 2-night stay at Sepilok Nature Lodge, near Sandakan. This unforgettable add-on lets you experience close encounters with wild orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat - an absolute highlight of any Borneo adventure.
FIND YOUR RESORT/DAY TRIP
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