Former Oil Rig Transformed Into Diving Resort

Naturally we've dreamed of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/19/oil-rig-eco-resort-by-morris-architects/" target="_blank">oil rigs being reclaimed and transformed into eco-resorts</a>, but we didn't know they actually existed until we saw this article in the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703376504575491662467118800.html" target="_blank">WSJ</a>. Located in the Celebes Sea between Indonesia, Borneo and the Phillipines, the <a href="http://www.seaventuresdive.com/" target="_blank">Seaventures Dive Resort</a> is a diver's dream come true, providing quick access to a gorgeous coral reef just at the base of the hotel. Already big fans of adaptive reuse, this amazing hotel/dive resort has got us wishing that all <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/09/02/breaking-another-oil-rig-explodes-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/" target="_blank">oil rigs</a> could be transformed to something so cool.

The old oil rig was bought back in 1988 and towed to its current location where it was renovated into a diving resort and hotel.

Located at the center of the Coral Triangle in the Celebes Sea, the rig sits atop of active coral reefs and abundant marine.

Visitors to the rig/resort must travel through Kuala Lumpur to the east coast of the Malaysian Borneo state of Sabah and eventually take a boat ride to the oil rig.

The rig is located off the island of Sipadan Island, which was transformed into a national park by the Malaysian government five years ago.

Only 120 permits are released a day for divers and snorkelers to tour companies like Seaventures, so the waters are relatively uncrowded.

The scuba resort is all inclusive and the price of your stay includes transfers, meals, dives, and the hotel. Although not luxurious, you'll probably be there for the scuba diving and not the ambiance.

As Suzette Harris, the Singaporean owner said, "So far as we know, we're the only ones in the world using an oil rig as a hotel and diving platform."

The hotel resort is feels very industrial feeling and little has been done to change the overall look of the oil rig.

Harris also said, "No matter what you do, oil rigs have an industrial feel because they're made of metal. You're not going to come to the rig to enjoy the sunsets. You come to dive."

Although this resort doesn't have many eco features to speak of besides adaptive reuse of the rig, we wish all oil rigs could be transformed into something as fun as a diving resort.

Hopefully a resort like this can help bring about more awareness for adaptive reuse as well as the abundance of life in the area.

The 25 rooms are tiny and much like cruise cabins, but also feel a bit more practical as they were originally built for workers on the oil rig.

According to the WSJ, a three-day, two-night scuba diving package runs for about $516, which includes room, meals, transfers, equipment rental and a guarantee of three dives at Sipadan Island.