Throughout my two years of backpacking round Southeast Asia in my mid-twenties, I completely fell in love with Malaysia. A lot, actually, that I ended up utilizing Kuala Lumpur as my backpacking house base, had a strong crew of expat pals, and beloved heading out for weekend getaways or prolonged journeys to common locations like Penang, Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands.
However when my pals instructed me they had been embarking on a scuba-diving journey (9 years in the past) to a small island off the coast of Borneo, Malaysia, I wasn’t capable of go. Primarily as a result of A) I wasn’t licensed, and B) I didn’t really feel like spending a ton of cash to go to a spot that’s predominant attraction is one thing I couldn’t partake in.
That was the primary time I ever heard of SIPIDAN.
I bear in mind chatting with them upon their return, and as they shared their wondrous scuba-diving tales, I bear in mind pondering that at some point I’m certain I’ll ultimately make it there and expertise it for myself.
Nicely, that dream has lastly come true, and I’ve formally crossed Sipidan Island off my journey and scuba bucket record!
And whereas the diving is actually subsequent stage, what made this journey so distinctive and memorable was reserving my journey with Seaventures.
Seaventures Dive Resort
How did I find yourself right here…?
I’m presently on one among my 3+ month winter getaways in Indonesia (as a result of I’m not a fan of the Seattle gloom), and was planning on going diving with a good friend in Nusa Lembongan. I used to be discussing my upcoming plans for a visa run/dive journey to Sipidan Island, and one of many dive instructors began telling me how a lot she beloved the diving up there.
She then started to inform me about this “oil rig that’s just like a liveaboard” and really helpful I look into staying there. For sure, I used to be intrigued.
I received again to the lodge and started my analysis, and that’s after I found Seaventures!
THE WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY LIVE-ON-BOARD DIVE RIG!
After looking Seaventures web site and testing their social media — it was performed. I knew I HAD to remain there. I like distinctive stays and experiences (who doesn’t?), and I used to be shocked that I had by no means heard of this place earlier than!
It’s a decommissioned oil rig off the coast of Mabul Island which has beeen transformed right into a dive resort/floating lodge, and it’s actually a one-of-a-kind journey. Whereas there are many nice resorts that provide bucket record diving out to Sipidan Island, there’s merely nothing else on the planet just like the Seaventures Dive Rig expertise.
So let’s dive into what makes this a MUST-STAY!
The Seaventures Dive Rig
I imply, the place to even start?
From the minute I stepped off the boat, onto the carry, and into the Dive Rig – I knew I used to be in for a deal with. I used to be given a full tour of this distinctive marvel, and I have to say it’s a lot larger than footage make it appear!
There are 4 ranges to the dive rig, however the majority of the time was spent on Deck 1, which is the place all of the scuba tools is stored, and the place you’ll discover the digicam room, rental counter, eating space, workers workplace and entry to the carry.
I significantly beloved the principle dive space with maps of the varied islands, dive websites, and the epic home reef (extra on that later). Everybody will get their very own cubby/ space to maintain their weight belt, masks, fins, dive pc and different important dive tools. There’s additionally a spacious space for showering after dives, and recent water to rinse your wetsuits, important to keep away from wetsuit rash.
The Solar Deck
I by no means missed a sundown!
After a protracted day of scuba-diving, there’s no higher place to relaxation and calm down on the rig than up on the attractive solar deck! Providing loads of seating and tables, hammocks, and cozy lounge chairs, I discovered myself up right here each night and the sunsets had been spectacular.
The solar units proper in entrance of the sundeck, and it’s such a peaceable view as you marvel on the skies altering hues. It was additionally lovely having the ability to look over to Mabul and see its iconic overwater bungalows.
Sipidan Scuba Diving | “Sipidan Days”
Sipidan Island is world well-known for its diving, and rightfully so, because it actually is an underwater Eden! Whereas it’s just about at all times included on listicles for the very best diving, Sipidan Island has even been voted the #1 dive vacation spot on the planet!
It’s Malaysia’s solely oceanic island, with dramatic 600m partitions dropping to the seabed, and it’s house to an enormous number of marine life that may certainly preserve you coming again for extra diving journeys.
Sipadan Park Allow
Whereas some fellow scuba divers may already pay attention to this — I had no clue how troublesome it may be to get a allow to go diving in Sipidan, particularly throughout the busier seasons of the 12 months. This is a vital side of reserving a dive journey to Sipidan, as it’s going to have an effect on the size and value of your journey.
For instance – when reserving with Seaventures, every eligible visitor should buy a minimal of a 3 consecutive evening diving bundle to be eligible for a ONE-DAY Sipadan Allow assure with Seaventures.
I visited throughout off-season so I used to be lucky to have the ability to procure one other move throughout my 4-night keep, however I do know I wouldn’t have been so fortunate if I had visited later within the 12 months.
The allow prices a further 450 MYR ($95 USD) and solely contains two dives, which was solely only recently decreased from three dives per allow.
Additionally it is required that you’re an Superior Open Water (AOW) diver to go to Sipidan Island.
Sipidan Scuba Diving Days
Every day with Seaventures contains 3 boat dives, so on the times you’re taking the 6AM departure out to Sipidan Island, you’ll do two morning dives there after which the following dive can be at both Mabul or Kapalai Island.
I did 4 dives complete at Sipidan, on the well-known dive websites Barracuda Level, South Level, North Level, and Hanging Backyard. Whereas my first day at Sipidan was a tad underwhelming, my second day at Sipidan is what satisfied me how particular this place actually is.
Large faculties of fish, sharks and turtles galore await you, and an abundance of coral and marine life that’s distinctive and easily spectacular.
My Sipidan Highlights: Swimming amongst – and being surrounded by – the most important college of fish I’ve ever seen, recognizing a sleeping leopard shark, plus two completely different faculties of the long-lasting humphead parrotfish.
Mabul & Kapalai Scuba Diving
Sipidan, Mabul, and Kapalai are the crowning glory of Malaysia’s strong underwater realm.
Seavenutes Dive Rig is situated simply off the coast of Mabul Island, and a 10-15 minute boat trip away from Kapalai Island. For the times once you don’t have a allow to dive at Sipidan, you’ll do your three boat dives round one among these two areas.
Whereas they aren’t fairly as epic as Sipidan, they nonetheless supply jaw-dropping dive websites and are significantly well-known for macro-diving (smaller marine life), and that is removed from boring.
Throughout my 7 dives round Mabul & Kapalai, we encountered numerous nudibranches, turtles, moray eels, lionfish, crocodile fish, cuttlefish, blue noticed stingrays, clown fish, parrot fish, stone fish, plus a lot extra superb marine life!
Seaventures Dive Rig Home Reef
One of many coolest features of staying with Seaventures is that it contains UNLIMITED dives on the home reef, which is situated proper beneath the oil rig!
All you could do is to get your tools prepared, seize a dive buddy, ask the carry operator to decrease you down and to step proper off the vessel to dive immediately beneath it! I did this dive 4 instances in complete, two throughout the day and two evening dives.
Full with small boat wrecks, an previous automotive, a “playground”, and a plethora of marine life, it’s such an epic dive web site that has tons to supply!
Night time Diving
My solely remorse about my time on the dive rig was not going evening diving on all 4 nights!
I’ve solely been evening diving a handful of instances, but it surely’s such a thrill that may be arduous to elucidate. Whereas it’s actually intimidating and is usually a little scary at instances, evening diving is such an insanely distinctive expertise and I couldn’t suggest it sufficient.
After leaping off the carry and swimming over to the entry level, you’ll start to descend into pitch-black water solely lit by your dive gentle. On the way in which down, it actually felt like we had been floating by way of area, as visibility was so dangerous, and the one factor you can see had been tiny specks that resembled stars within the sky.
Whereas the primary evening dive was improbable, our second stole the present and ended up being my favourite dive of your complete journey (excluding Sipidan) as we lastly noticed two completely different octopuses! I’ve been diving A LOT the previous 12 months and for some purpose, have been actually unfortunate with discovering these eight-tentacled aliens! Till now!
In addition to that, we noticed cuttlefish, lion fish, hermit crabs, moray eels and much more underwater critters as we had been exploring the dive web site and the quirky spots inside it.
The Rooms
Similar to any dive resort or liveaboard, there are going to be various kinds of rooms out there. I stayed within the Customary Twin Sharing Room and haven’t any complaints in any respect!
The beds and linens had been actually snug, the air-conditioning labored completely, and there was loads of area for all my stuff. Then once more, I had the dual share room to myself so it might be slightly extra cramped with two folks in it.
Whereas I used to be on board Seaventures had been renovating just a few rooms that I took at a take a look at, they usually’re actually stepping up their lodging.
The Meals
Once you ebook a dive bundle with Seaventures all your meals are included, which to my delight had been all buffet-style!
Each meal supplied a kind of hen/beef and fish dish for protein, recent fruit, rice, soup and salad, and there’s even a fridge with freshly-made desserts you’ll be able to assist your self to at any time. Superb!
Whereas I, sadly, wasn’t on board throughout peak season, Seaventures is understood within the area for his or her BBQ nights and occasional reside music. An awesome purpose to make a visit again sooner or later!
In between meals, there’s additionally a small number of snacks/frozen ice-creams on the market. For those who’re a hungry hippo like I’m, I’d suggest going to a grocery retailer in Semporna to fill up on snacks earlier than getting on the switch boat.
What’s it about diving that makes me SO hungry…?
Price/ Worth For Cash
Whereas diving in Sipidan is without doubt one of the dearer locations to dive in Southeast Asia, it’s nonetheless an extremely reasonably priced compared to different scuba/ liveaboard journeys.
Right here’s a normal thought of what you’re going to spend.
These are the 2024 charges.
- 4 Days/3 Nights Seaventures Diving Package deal: RM3,975.00 Per Diver ($837 USD)
- 5 Days/4 Nights Seaventures Diving Package deal: RM4,875.00 Per Diver ($1,027 USD)
- 6 Days/ 5 Nights Seaventures Diving Package deal: RM5,830.00 Per Diver ($1,228 USD)
These charges embrace land and boat transfers from Tawau Airport/Semporna Jetty, all your meals and ingesting water, plus tanks, weight belt, and weights.
NOT INCLUDED – Your masks, fins and dive pc will should be rented, when you don’t have your personal. The above packages don’t embrace the Sipidan Allow Charge of 450 MYR.
General — when you add up all the prices of the transfers, lodging, what you sometimes spend on meals, and 3-5 dives per day – it’s a stellar deal!
I do know of many liveaboards that cost hundreds of {dollars} for 5-7 evening journeys, so Seaventures is a very budget-friendly dive journey as compared.
Attending to Seaventures Dive Rig
The dive rig is situated a 40-minute pace boat journey from the small city of Semporna in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia.
You’ll must ebook flights to/from TAWAU AIRPORT (TWU), which is serviced by dozens of flights per day, working from Kuala Lumpur & Kota Kinabalu. I’d suggest checking Skyscanner for the most affordable flights, as I flew there with AirAsia & Batik Air Malaysia on the way in which again.
Tawau Airport to Semporna is an 80-minute drive or so, relying on site visitors, and if you could find an in a single day flight that arrives within the AM, it can save you your self the expense of an evening of lodging and head straight to the jetty for the ten AM switch to the rig. That’s what I didn’t do, and need I had.
Seaventures Dive Rig Suggestions & Packing Record
I at all times take pleasure in ending my evaluations with some ideas and pointers for maximizing your expertise. After not too long ago having essentially the most unbelievable 4-day journey with Seaventures, listed here are my predominant journey ideas and different key pointers…
- Spend money on your personal dive pc. I lastly received my very own not too long ago as a Christmas reward, and I adore it a lot! It’s a requirement that each visitor has their very own dive pc, so when you don’t purchase one you’ll have to hire one.
- The fins that I wore from Seaventures ended up giving me a gnarly blister on the again of my heels. So both carry your personal or put waterproof bandaids in your heels earlier than placing in your fins.
- I’d suggest shopping for some ear drops for scuba diving to assist with any ache and forestall ear infections.
- Pack some snacks to maintain in your room.
- Carry an excellent ebook! When you’re performed along with your Sipidan days (and when you don’t dive the home reef), there may be loads of downtime.
- Carry alongside a GoPro or underwater digicam. The pictures alternatives are actually superb right here, and also you’ll wish to seize all of it!
Have you ever been to the Seaventures Dive Rig/Sipidan earlier than?
I’d love to listen to from you guys about what you loved most about your expertise!
Thanks a lot for studying my Seaventures Dive Rig overview!
This was actually a one-of-a-kind expertise that I absolutely consider deserves to be on any eager diver’s bucket record.
Be sure you observe alongside on my Instagram for extra epic scuba-diving journeys!
