Seaventures Dive Rig — converted oil rig dive resort near Sipadan

Seaventures Dive Rig sits about 26km off the Semporna coast, near Mabul, on a structure that stands 24 metres above the seabed of the Celebes Sea. The rig houses 41 en-suite guest rooms, a restaurant, sun deck and games room, and guests can make unlimited dives on the house reef directly beneath the platform as well as boat dives to Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai.

The dive centre teaches PADI programmes from Open Water and Advanced through Rescue and specialities such as Cavern, Sidemount and its own Rig Diver Specialty, up to Divemaster and Instructor. It also runs PADI Tec 40, 45, 50 and Tec Deep courses, which sets it apart from most resorts in the area.

Sites listed by the operator include Sipadan's South Point, Mid Reef, Lobster Wall and Hanging Garden, along with Mandarin Valley, Eel Garden and the Seaventures House Reef. Package prices are published on the operator's site on request; the booking office is in Kota Kinabalu.