8 replies to this topic

[Catfishog]

http://www.dive-the-...resort-main.php#

Check out the converted oil rig dive hotel in malayasia. I would go.

[WreckWench]

http://www.dive-the-...resort-main.php#

Check out the converted oil rig dive hotel in malayasia. I would go.

Indeed quite interesting and I've never heard of them. We'd need to check out a few things...

1. Safe for large numbers of American's to travel there. I've always wanted to do Sipidan Resort but they've been on various watch lists and not sure where they are now.

2. In reading the comments below several people mention being lucky to do 2 dives and one day 3 dives and the comments about fairly strong current.

We have been forming a team of members who LOVE to do research and this certainly seems to warrant some more follow up.



Customer reviews:

"Regarding the Seaventures Resort, it was very unique and the room and diving setup was great. Staff that actually went diving with you was great, they were very knowledgeable, interested and concerned and were great to hang out with. Crew on board was friendly and all smiles. Resort management seemed to be more in work mode which made me feel a bit uncomfortable and not very welcome. Food was good but had little variety." - Sander Koopmans, Netherlands ...

"The dive rig was fantastic. Accommodation was simple but fine. Food was good & service friendly." - Mike Debelak, Australia ...

"Excellent. Equipment was in working order, staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, fun to hang out with between dives. Living on an oil rig was a really great experience." - Keith, Canada ...

"Everything was very well-organised. Meals were on time, dives were well run and slick, and accommodation fine." - David Knight, South Africa ...

"Our diving holiday at Sipadan with Seaventures was fantastic. Cannot fault the diving. Seaventures focussed 100% on giving us the best diving experience possible. We were lucky to have 2 dives every day at Pulau Sipadan, and even 3 on the last day." - Patricia Jasudasen, Malaysia ...

"The equipment were all fully functional and dives were seamless. It wasn't the newest equipment and they didn't have a computer for everyone (nor a full-length wetsuit for me); these were just minor things and the reason why I didn't give them 5 (out of 5)." - Nanda Sandhu, Switzerland ...

"I just wanted to give you my very positive feedback about this company, accommodation and diving were simply excellent, staff is friendly and competent ... and I was lucky enough to dive Sipadan 4 days on 5!" - Bastien Petit, France ...

"The staffs are very friendly and helpful, we stayed in the VIP room and it was really huge and spacious. The food was good to our liking. I like the way the oil rig was perched high up, I can have a good 360 deg view of the surroundings. The staffs help us to setup our diving equipments, totally fuss free. I'm a happy diver. The best part of all is that there's free wifi everywhere, I can surf the internet and update my diving experiences, live telecast!" - Tiffany Ng, Singapore ...

"Everything about Seaventures was fantastic. The staff were always on time and really organized, not to mention friendly and accommodating. There was plenty of food and it was all delicious. And then there was the diving -- more fish and turtles and sharks than I could shake a stick at!" - Michelle Bishop, Canada ...

"From picking us up at the airport to drop off, all was very professional, personable and good value for money. Charges for things were fair. They put us in a spacious room when we asked for a triple. Food was plentiful and good. Dives were excellent. Dive masters kept a watch out for you and yet allowed experienced divers to feel under control as well." - Jenny Winkelman, USA ...

"Really good setup and we enjoyed the diving but, as experienced divers, we felt very restricted. The whole operation seemed to be setup for new divers. For example there was a strict 45 minute limit on dives, which meant that many of our dives felt very cut short - we were returning with well over 100 bar. It became a very frustrating experience.
We brought much of our dive gear with us but we rented fins. These were completely inadequate for scuba diving in occasionally strong currents. Dive guides were generally very good, finding lots of good critters etc. Short dive times were frustrating as noted above. Food was great." - Graham Midgley, Australia ...

"Basic rooms, but clean. Food was OK. Staff were very friendly. The transfer boats were OK. We needed to bring our adaptors for the DIN connection. They charge for rental. They allow divers to dive without computer." - Inge Van Stappen, Belgium ...

"There are quite a few options in Mabul/Kapalai area to choose from, but when I found out there was an oil rig that had been converted into a dive resort, I looked no further. Just loved the idea. It's probably the ugliest thing you'll ever see and if you're looking for a 5-star resort, this place is not for you because the rooms really are in a need of a major overhaul. Somehow, though, the place made sense - everything worked as it should. Food was tasty and plentiful, rental gear was in good condition and most divemasters were great (Ricardo and Kelvin, keep up the good work!).
The diving in nearby islands of Mabul and Kapalai is good and can be great if you just have the patience to look for the small stuff. And Sipadan, of course, is just beautiful. Probably not what it was 20 years ago, but still really beautiful." - Veiko Termonen, Estonia ..

[ScubaTex]

[quote name='WreckWench' timestamp='1352415611' post='304196']
[quote name='Catfishog' timestamp='1352378290' post='304189']
http://www.dive-the-...resort-main.php#

Check out the converted oil rig dive hotel in malayasia. I would go.
[\quote]


Indeed quite interesting and I've never heard of them. We'd need to check out a few things...

1. Safe for large numbers of American's to travel there. I've always wanted to do Sipidan Resort but they've been on various watch lists and not sure where they are now.

2. In reading the comments below several people mention being lucky to do 2 dives and one day 3 dives and the comments about fairly strong current.

We have been forming a team of members who LOVE to do research and this certainly seems to warrant some more follow up.


[\quote]

From my previous research of this area of Malaysia, if my memory doesn't fail me, this would be a trip hard to forget. There are no resorts on Palau Sipadan, several years ago the gov't decided to protect the island and the surrounding waters as a Marine Reserve. There is a park outpost on the island, which issues a limited number of dive permits daily. There are numerous other dive sites outside of the park, in fact the Seaventures rig is known as one of the better 'macro' dives in the area. Also, getting there can be a challenge, which starts with a flight to Kuala Lampur, then onto Tawau [via Kota Kinabalu], then a bus to Semporna, and finally a boat to your resort. If I remember correctly, it could be a 2 day commute from KL to your resort. You definitely have to WANT to make this trip. Current rates for Borneo Divers Mabul Resort $240/day/ppdo [or $360/day/so] which includes airport transfers in Kota Kinabalu, land transfer from/to Tawau-Semporna, boat transfers Semporna-resort, 3 meals a day, 3 dives a day, and unlimited house dives.

Hopes this helps.
Bill

[WreckWench]

Thanks Bill...as usual you are an EXCELLENT source of information!

[Catfishog]

I will go.

[Sqbagal]

When I was in the Maldives last month, three of the other divers had been to this resort in Sipadan and raved about it:

http://www.sipadan-kapalai.com/

[Elias]

Wooooo! Sipadan! I'd like you join y'all if the scheduling allows. I've been twice in two years, diving with three different outfits -- Borneo Divers (nice but expensive), Uncle Chang's (a friend was working there; never again) and Scuba Junkies (out of Semporna, to explore the Northern Islands).

I will note that Scuba Junkies is the only outfit on Mabul that offers boats to the dive sites along the fringing reef to the West of Mabul. All of the other dive centers seem content with diving around Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan, with an occasional trip scheduled to a 'far island' (I forget the name right now, it's east of Mabul and north of Sipadan, but not the Northern Islands I mentioned above). For a longer trip, and if you are traveling halfway around the world it had better be, I'd suggest going with Scuba Junkies simply so that you have more dive site options available. SJ on Mabul is a good outfit, at that, not super luxury but nice and professional with good food and bar options.

IMO, Sea Ventures is not up to par for a SD trip. While I have not been on their rig personally, I have spoken with a number of people who have (both staff and clients). I will have to provide more info later as I'm dead tired and about to go to bed!


Cheers,
Elias

[seashell]

I wouldn't stay on the rig though it was cool to muck dive underneath. Lots of crocodile fish, frog fish and such. Yes, took me close to two days to get there from Singapore. Day one got me to Kota Kinabalu where i did an overnight. Day two was an early pickup to airport where upon flew into an Tawua. Picked up there in a van with others bound for the resort, after a couple hours drive, stopped in Semporna where we waited around for quite awhile. Eventually transported by boat to Sipidan Island. (I was one of the fortunate few to be able to stay on the island towards its last days). After a few days of fantastic diving, moved over to Mabul and dove from there for a few more days.

Obviously, my trip was awhile back but Borneo Divers took care of me every step of the way. The Borneo Divers resort on Mabul was brand new at the time. I liked it very much even though the grounds were not finished. By now, the grounds are probably lush and gorgeous, though the rooms maybe getting a bit shabby.

I hated looking at that ugly rig platform out there messing up the view. />

Nowadays, you need to get permits to dive Sipidan's dive sites. It is my understanding that Borneo Divers has access to more of them. This may be unfounded rumor and speculation.

This trip is not for the faint of heart with limited travel time. It should be noted that there are occasional incursions by Philippine guerrillas. At this time, Malaysia is maintaining that they have increased security.

Edited by seashell, 14 October 2014 - 01:59 PM.

[WreckWench]

I have been nervous about this trip due to the factors you have all mentioned. And while its not off the radar...its not in the 2015-2016 short term menu options with so many other places we all ready have scheduled NOW. However 2017 is wide open...so it may be a great option for then!