Seaventures Rig

[gkrane]

What is it like living on board that seaventure rig? How do you do the jetty diving from the rig? Is there a reef below it you can dive while not on a dive boat. Sipidan really interests me because of the large fish schools and the price.

 

[gkrane]

After researching a bit it seems the diving is below the platform. How do you get down to do a dive there? I cant imagine a long ladder.

 

[jamescjy]

i have been to sipadan once only on few months ago, but it was land based from Semporna.. about Seaventures, if i recalled correctly they have an elevator that can bring you up and down few divers at one time

 

[phamerton]

Hi Gkrane - My name is Pete and I manage the Dive Team at Seaventures. I'll answer your questions below:

The rig used to be a working oil rig. It originally operated in Panama before being decommissioned and moved to Singapore. It has been a dive resort since the late 1990's. It still has most of its original features but has been cnverted into a resort [for example the old heli-deck is now a sun deck]. Life on the rig is awesome....! But i'm biased! Have a look at our Tripadvisor reviews for a more independent view. The food is superb, accommodation comfortable [but probably not luxurious], service exemplary, and we offer unlimited diving on our house reef. In answer to your question, this, and a Turtle cleaning station, is just below the rig and you access it via a lift.

We offer three daily boat dives in the Mabul/Kapalai area [great for macro] and a daily boat/3+ dives to Sipadan - where you generally see the larger schools of Jackfish, Barracuda, Bumphead Parrot Fish, Sharks and Turtles. In fact, the BBC are coming next week to film some sequences for an upcoming nature documentary. In order guarantee a visit to Sipadan [all operators have a daily quota] you would need to book one of our four day/three night packages.

I hope that answers your questions. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly - pete@seaventuresdive.com - if i can help some more.

Have a great day

Pete

After researching a bit it seems the diving is below the platform. How do you get down to do a dive there? I cant imagine a long ladder.

 

[James R]

We stayed just across from the rig at Sipadan Water Village in 2011 and were able to do a couple dives under it. I can confirm that the diving under the rig is really great. We are going back to SWV next fall, and I hope they'll take us to the rig at least once or twice.

 

[Samma]

Hi Pete ~

Seaventures has been on my dive wishlist for several years, and I finally have an opportunity to go in March. I've been trading emails with Sandy and s/he's been very helpful. However, since I'm traveling on my own, I'm planning on the 4 day/3night Dorm package. I understand the Sipadan permits are hard to come by, and not guaranteed with the package I'm planning on.

I'm wondering what the criteria are, and how likely I may be able to dive there.

~ Samma

Hi Gkrane - My name is Pete and I manage the Dive Team at Seaventures. I'll answer your questions below:

The rig used to be a working oil rig. It originally operated in Panama before being decommissioned and moved to Singapore. It has been a dive resort since the late 1990's. It still has most of its original features but has been cnverted into a resort [for example the old heli-deck is now a sun deck]. Life on the rig is awesome....! But i'm biased! Have a look at our Tripadvisor reviews for a more independent view. The food is superb, accommodation comfortable [but probably not luxurious], service exemplary, and we offer unlimited diving on our house reef. In answer to your question, this, and a Turtle cleaning station, is just below the rig and you access it via a lift.

We offer three daily boat dives in the Mabul/Kapalai area [great for macro] and a daily boat/3+ dives to Sipadan - where you generally see the larger schools of Jackfish, Barracuda, Bumphead Parrot Fish, Sharks and Turtles. In fact, the BBC are coming next week to film some sequences for an upcoming nature documentary. In order guarantee a visit to Sipadan [all operators have a daily quota] you would need to book one of our four day/three night packages.

I hope that answers your questions. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly - pete@seaventuresdive.com - if i can help some more.

Have a great day

Pete

 

[Nomad-Diver]

I stayed there and would return. The Rig has a lift that starts at platform level and lowers to boat level (or water level for a local dive).
A side benefit of staying on the rig is you get to sit in deckchairs and look out towards the pretty resorts. Those in the resorts look out to view an Orange Oil Rig

 

[Wingy]

I've stayed on the rig twice - had a great time. I actually prefer the rig to Kapalua and Mabel OW bungalows both of which were nice but I got better dives in and no worries with Sipidan permits. The only complaint I've heard was - not another bloody oil rig - always fun to take an oil rig worker to an oil rig for a mystery getaway hehe.

 

[Samma]

Wingy, you're saying you were able to get a Sipidan permit staying in the dorm?

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, I'm really excited to see it for myself.

 

[Wingy]

Yes - the first time I stayed 6days/5night the next 4/5 - this was approx 5 years ago I'm sure the packages are explained now if they have changed.

I found I got more Sipidan dive day permits with Sea Ventures than I did with Kapalai.