Semporna: 4D3N at the World’s First Dive Rig (Diving & Snorkeling Options)

5(6 reviews)
SempornaMalaysia
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Overview

  • Duration:4 days 3 nights
  • Travelers:2 - 20 guests
  • Tour Type:Group tour, Package tour
  • Language:Chinese, English, Malay
  • Start from:Semporna, Airport, Tawau Area
  • End at:Semporna, Airport, Tawau Area
  • Payments:Pay Advance
  • Cancellation:Non-refundable
Discover legends aboard the world's first diving rig, a converted oil platform overlooking Semporna's richest islands near to the world sipadan dive site. Wake up to turtles, macrolife, and pelagic delights in clear water. This full-service adventure provides an unforgettable experience with unmatched convenience, whether you're a diver exploring Sipadan's drop-offs or a snorkeler discovering house reef gardens. There are no boats to catch, only the platform, the ocean, and a life-changing dive. A daily trip to a local dive or snorkelling site includes transfer, accommodation, meals, and activities.

Highlights

  • Stay aboard the world's first dive rig, a unique converted oil drill platform with direct access to spectacular reefs.
  • Easy access to Semporna dive sites with house reef and colourful marine life with daily boat to Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai.
  • Snorkelers can see turtles and reef fish on shallow reefs, and certified divers can explore deep cliffs and macro life.
  • Be sure of a deep dive at a great Sipadan dive destination if stay longer.
  • Make memories on a legendary rig with clean water and amazing sunsets.
  • Includes all-inclusive accommodation, meals, tours, and transfer.

Includes/Excludes

  • Round trip transfer pickup and drop-off
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Tanks, weights, weight belts (divers only)
  • Unlimited house reef diving with companion (time and weather allowing)
  • Drinking water, tea, and coffee
  • All land and boat transport fees
  • Local government tax as per inclusion only
  • Sipadan diving permit and conservation fee 350 ringgit each
  • All dive equipment (divers only)

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Welcome to the Rig

The trips begin with a land vehicle transfer from Tawau Airport or Tawau City in the morning, followed by a boat ride to the rig, there may be a brief registration at the land office. Check in, followed by lunch and a diving briefing from the crew with. Rig orientation dive underneath the Rig. Will be subject to arrival time/sea and weather condition. NO DIVING if arrive later than 16:00 hours. leisure time, dinner, overnight at dive rig.

Day 2 : Full Dive

Experience the renowned Mabul and Kapalai diver locations on a morning boat after breakfast, a daily 3 dive daily is guaranteed in this adventure, this world-renowned macro life offers a distinct experience from Sipadan's pelagic action. The rare blue-ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp, and limitless nudibranchs live in Mabul's sandy bottoms. Searching the area's best spots for hidden gems on your second and third dives, have lunch at Mabul or Kapalai then return. After a big buffet meal, travellers can hang out at the bar, swap dive pics or chill on deck with the sounds of the ocean. overnight at dive rig.

Day 3 : Second Full Dive

A large breakfast buffet and stunning sunrise await, today might be the pinnacle of your expedition, a full day at Sipadan Island subject changes, a world-class dive site or neighbouring island, all divers is prioritised than snorkeling, or snorkeling tour it will be nearby islands. All sipadan licenses are limited to 176 each day, so 3-night stay grants access to this protected marine area, but divers have priority first. A surface interval and light refreshments on Sipadan precede a first dive and lunch. As the boat navigates the clear waters, divers relate their morning adventures and go for second dives. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Dress and descend from the hydraulic lift whenever you like for endless home reef diving with a friend. You can play pool and ping pong in the games area, have a massage, or drink on the sundeck while watching stars. dinner, self leisure and another overnight at the dive rig.

Day 4 : Third Full Day (if add on)

If you add on, you can do 3 boat dives between Mabul, Kapalai, or Sipadan, plus unlimited house reef diving with a buddy under the Rig.** diving in Sipadan depends on permit availability and approval from Sabah Parks Management. if the permit for Sipadan Island us denied, please take note that the package remains in force for 3 boat dives and to be conducted between Mabul or Kapalai or nearby island. ( if no add on, just check out day 5 instead.)

Day 5 : The Homeward Journey

Enjoy a final breakfast on the rig before packing your belongings. relax and have another lunch for the final day, gather gear for the 45-minute boat transfer back to Semporna Jetty. From here, driver will take you to Tawau Airport for your onward journey. Before flying, divers must observe a minimum of 18 to 24 hours of surface interval, schedule departure flight appropriately and check out about 12 p.m.

Customer reviews

suk thin c
suk thin c
On August 2, 2026

Everything about this dive trip was amazing.
The crew are so friendly and welcoming. Easy access to the sipadan and mabul/kapalai dive sites.
Would recommend night dive! So much to see and find.
3 of us upgraded to deluxe triple which was worth it. Room was equipped with AC unit and towels. Toilet and shower is clean. Quiet and restful nights are so important.
Selection of food is great! For my 5d4n, there was no repeat menu at all.
Nitrox available, and those who take their nitrox course, will have free nitrox for life.

Charlotte W
Charlotte W
On July 29, 2026

This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. If you are hesitating to book just book it !!! My boyfriend and I came and we did our open water and our advanced certification, our dive instructor was Khai. The whole process went extremely smoothly, it was all very well organised and Khai was so patient, kind and a brilliant teacher. The food was also brilliant, lots of vegetarian options !! The diving was also top notch, amazing corals, so so many beautiful fish and we saw lots of turtles, sharks , eels and so much more. The rooms were clean and well air conditioned, and the rig itself had everything you could need! Could not recommend this place more! We cannot wait to return next year.

Amy M
Amy M
On July 16, 2026

Visited the dive rig with Girls That Scuba tour. The staff and dive guides were wonderful and the food and snacks were delicious. The Sipidan dive site is a gorgeous, healthy reef! Highly recommend this if you are looking for a novel dive location. I enjoyed not having to battle seasickness while being on a boat liveaboard - the lift to and from the deck to the boat made it easy!

Alex Leong
Alex Leong
On July 13, 2026

We booked a deluxe room for 3 and it was spacious and comfortable with A/C. The rig has 4 floors and a sundeck with awesome sunset views for you to chill and take photos. Food was amazing and there was variety everyday, and I felt the asian cuisine has their flavours on point! Friendly crew and kitchen staff service was very prompt.

I has the pleasure of diving with my dive guide, Aaril and did my nitrox course with Chye. Shoutout to Joel, Wan and Cham too! They have unlimited house reef dives, though visibility was not good when we went but still had things to see!

Overall, an awesome experience to stay in the world's only oil rig dive site, one that I will not forget!

Charlotte S
Charlotte S
On July 8, 2026

Some places are beautiful because of where they are.

Seaventures is beautiful because of the people who make it what it is.

I expected amazing diving. I did not expect to leave with tears in my eyes because saying goodbye would be so difficult.

Thank you for making this one of the most meaningful trips of my life

Diane O
Diane O
On June 25, 2026

We visited Seaventures Dive Rig after volunteering at TRACC Borneo for two weeks. The hot showers and comfy beds were much appreciated. We had an excellent guide (Mael) for just my husband and me for all our dives which was true luxury. We saw lots of nudibranchs which Mael was great at spotting. Our day diving at Sipadan was amazing. All of the staff on the Rig, especially Ramesh, were friendly and knowledgeable. We also enjoyed getting to know some of the other guests. The food was good and the transfers as part of the package from Semporna to the Rig and from the Rig back to Tawau were seamless. Highly recommend visiting and doing at least two days at Sipadan if you have time.

from1,200 $ 940 $ /person
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the stay located?

So, this converted offshore oil rig that’s turned into a dive resort, and it’s the only one like it out there in this world, hence super rare. It’s just a few minutes away from the famous Sipadan and Kapalai dive spots in the Coral Triangle, Celebes Sea, roughly 26 kilometres from Semporna's port.

What kind of meals is provided on an oil rig?

All meals are served buffet-style with options for breakfast, lunch, tea break, and dinner included, vegetarian is inclusive. No à la carte options here, sorry! If you bring your own food and need to cook, there might be some extra costs, so you might want to chip in.

Will the tour itinerary change due to weather or management's discretion?

That's just the way it goes, but it rarely happen all the time. They might switch up the route if they think it's needed, especially if the weather looks sketchy or there's a high risk of sea level. We think this applies to all water activities too.

Are the pick-up time flexible?

Sure, but it's just for a short transfer schedule. We've got shuttles lined up from Tawau Town to Semporna starting at 11 am and from Tawau Airport at 9.30 am. So, you can head out from Semporna to Tawau Airport or Town at 3:00pm only. Just make sure to plan your travel around our transfer time.

Does the Sipadan diving permit included and guaranteed?

As of October 1, 2022, divers have to be at least Advanced Open Water certified, and now you can only do two dives a day at Sipadan Island instead of three. Diving there really depends on whether you can snag a permit and get the go-ahead from Sabah Parks Management. So, if the permit for Sipadan Island doesn't come through, no worries! The package still includes 3 boat dives around Mabul, Kapalai, or some nearby islands. All the Sipadan permits are only for divers. The package prices don’t include any Sipadan fees, like the entrance and diving fees. eg, Entrance/Conservation Fee for Sipadan: MYR100.00 for non-Malaysians or MYR50.00 for Malaysians per person per day. Diving Fee for Sipadan: MYR350.00 for non-Malaysians or MYR250.00 for Malaysians. All guests should handle those fees before they check out. Also, Sipadan permits are mainly for certified Advanced Open Water Divers or anyone with a similar certification.

what's the best way to score a guaranteed sipadan permit?

The daily admission permit to dive or visit Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by Sabah Parks. To receive a guaranteed Sipadan permit for one day, you must book at least three nights in a diving package. • Divers are at the top of the line for Sipadan permits. In any event the trip has to be cancelled; the permit paid is NOT refundable or transferable to a later date. The management will not be responsible for such losses rendered to the guest. If we have large groups or other situations beyond our control, people on the same reservation may be divided apart. We will send your names for Sipadan permits as many times as possible. Just let us know if you do not intend to utilise more than your assured permits at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, you will be charged for the permit you have received. The Sipadan permission is extremely strict. Once assigned cannot transfer to someone else or change the date. If a diver or customer is unable to go to Sipadan on the scheduled day, there won't be a backup option.

What about responsibilities and insurance for this experience?

When it comes to travel and diving insurance, that’s all on you. You’ll need to sign a liability release (waiver) and assume all the risks when you arrive. And don’t forget to play nice and follow all the dive safety rules.

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