Go Scuba Diving
From an Oil Rig Hotel

Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

There may be as many as three million (!) oil rigs and platforms scattered throughout the world’s waters. A decent percentage of them—no one seems to know the exact figure—have already been abandon or fallen into misuse. And as underwater oil fields start to dry up and as people implement alternatives to fossil fuels (we hope) many more oil rigs will be rendered useless.

So what should we do with all these discarded drilling platforms?

Here’s a cool idea: Turn them into hotels.

lightgrey Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel


space Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel
lightgrey Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel
space Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

That’s what the proprietors of the Seaventures Dive Resort did. The resort occupies a former oil rig off the island of Sipadan. The island, administered by Malaysia though also claimed by the Philippines, is an idyllic tropical wonderland. Jacques Cousteau himself, a man who has seen his share of islands, called Sipadan “an untouched piece of art.”

sipadan scuba diving Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel follow me on pinterest button Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel In short: Sipadan is exactly the sort of place that shouldn’t have an oil drilling operation anywhere near it. Happily, the Malaysian government came to this same conclusion, banning from Sipadan all environmentally-destructive activities—including the presence of full-time inhabitance. Today people need a permit to visit Sipadan or dive in its surrounding waters. Only 120 of those permits are granted each day; most of those permits go to the guests of a handful of hotels, including Seaventures Dive Resort.

To call the Seaventures Dive Resort a “resort” is s a bit of a misnomer. The sleeping quarters, while certainly comfortable, have all the atmosphere of your grandparent’s basement guest room. The food, while tasty and plentiful, is no culinary tour de force. There’s no swimming pool, no spa, no gym—and none of the guests seem to mind. They all come to here for what most divers-in-the-know consider to be one of the world’s top five scuba spots. When not under water guests at the Seaventures hang out on the deck of this former oil rig drinking beers, swapping stories and marveling at what a beautiful place they’ve found themselves.

The world arguably needs oil rigs to help supply it with energy. But the Seaventures Dive Resort—that’s one oil rig even the most argent environmentalist can love.

white Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

Getting there: Remember how in Indiana Jones a map would chart Indy’s travels to remote locations? Traveling to the Seaventures Dive Resort is something like that. Most international guests fly into the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, which in itself likely involves a change of plane or two when coming from North America. Then, from KL, take either Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines to Tawau from where you hop a boat to Semporna, where you’ll spend the night before taking another boat to the oil rig resort. Contact Seaventures for more info and help making arrangements.

updated: 29 Nov 2011
white Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

LEARN MORE & BOOK | READ | JOIN US ON TWITTER / FACEBOOK |

 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig HotelRelated posts:
Reviews of the Best Travel Cameras
The World’s Largest Underwater Sculpture Park
The Budget Airlines of Southeast Asia
The World’s Longest Pedestrian Bridge (Sort Of) ← it’s in Malaysia
The Similans: Thailand’s Best Islands for Scuba Diving
Waterproof Ultra-Compact Camera Comparison: Canon Vs Olympus

seaventures dive resort 1 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel follow me on pinterest button Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

seaventures dive resort 2 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel follow me on pinterest button Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

seaventures dive resort 3 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel follow me on pinterest button Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

seaventures dive resort 4 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel follow me on pinterest button Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

space Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

Elsewhere on the web:



lightgrey Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel


white Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel
lightgrey Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel
white Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel

LEARN MORE & BOOK | READ | FLY THERE | JOIN US ON TWITTER / FACEBOOK

See more environmentally-friendly vacation ideas and reviews

 Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel
space Go Scuba Diving <br>From an Oil Rig Hotel


Responses

  1. Mary Newman says:

    Who cares if there is no spa, no gym, or whatever? After all, why would I need a man-made thing, when I can have the real thing? On one of those photos there’s an air conditioner, so it can’t be all that bad. I love that idea, and I think that most man-made things should eventually get recycled to a better purpose, be it an oil rig.

    [Reply to this comment]

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff Reply:

    Mary,

    Personally, I totally agree with you. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned doing this travel blog it is that different people care about different things. (And, really, if you think about it, it is a great thing that not everyone likes the same stuff). So we try to give the info and let people decide for themselves.

    Thanks for the comment,

    ~ SCS

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Suraj Nair@Panoramic Universal says:

    There can’t be marine life nearby every oil rigs, right?

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Mia @ programming says:


    Twitter:
    This is nice recycling idea! everything can be reused and put to a good use, even oil platforms (which is quire surprising)!

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. emma thompson says:

    I will be in Singapore from 21 to 26 April 2011 and I would like to spend a day or two at the Seaventures Dive Rig. Could you please advise availability, costs and transport options from Singapore? Many thanks, Emma

    [Reply to this comment]

  5. Rare Retreats says:


    Twitter:
    Fantastic idea! Let’s hope more are converted this way.

    [Reply to this comment]

  6. Expat in Germany says:


    Twitter:
    I’m an avid diver and love this idea, but am disturbed to know that there are 3 million oil rigs in our waters. That’s just too much potential for multiple environmental disasters.

    [Reply to this comment]

Leave a Response

CommentLuv badge

SPOTCOOLSTUFF Travel reviews unusual hotels and restaurants, great attractions, cool travel gear, places with amazing views and all manner of travel destinations with a WOW! factor. Because we live on an incredible planet! Get our latest travel posts by email . . .

    Awesome Curacao vacations — up to $530 off!
    Check out the freebies offered too, including airfare credits, breakfast and room upgrades!

Save $530 Time left:
Book Now!
Offer Closed!



PARTNER WITH US     |     BE OUR GUEST TRAVEL WRITER    |      SUGGEST COOL STUFF FOR US TO REVIEW     |     INFO FOR TOURIST BOARDS

Other SCS SectionsHot Travel CategoriesFave Travel Posts
Cool Tech & GadgetsBest hotel room viewsCaribbeanBest Sandals in Jamaica
Cool Architecture & DesignFamily travelEuropeBest Wheeled Carry-On Luggage
Cool WebsitesHoneymoon resortsFloridaWorld's Coolest Airlines
Cool EntertainmentUnusual museumsSoutheast AsiaThe Honeymoon Resorts of Bora Bora