This is not a drill! Former oil rig off Malaysia transformed into hotel for scuba divers with direct access to stunning Coral Triangle

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An oil rig that no longer has any commercial value would usually be destined for the scrap heap, but not off the south-eastern coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah.

There stands a redundant rig that's been given a rebirth as a hotel haven for scuba divers keen for a unique holiday exploring the expansive wrecks and reefs next to the tiny Mabul Island.

Proud of its origin as a base for oil and gas exploration, Seaventures Dive Rig offers a direct route to stunning dive sites in the famed Coral Triangle. 

Seaventures Dive Rig is a refurbished oil rig that was towed to the south-eastern coast off the Malaysian state of Sabah

The refurbished site is also has 27 fully-furnished rooms including twin shares and family rooms, as well as a dormitory 

The rig once served as accommodation element of oil rigs around various locations but was given a new lease on life when it was towed from a shipyard in Singapore to the south-eastern coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah.

The refurbished site is also has 27 fully-furnished rooms including twin shares and family rooms, as well as a dormitory. 

There is also more entertainment on offer than one would expect of what is effectively, now it's no longer a working rig, a tin shed in the middle of the ocean.

It has a movie room, a karaoke lounge and bar, pool tables, table tennis table, a souvenir shop and a conference room accommodating up to 60 people. It even has free wi-fi access.

They also host a weekly barbecue and offer live music in the form of the dive master's band, The Sea Gypsies. 

For time above the water, the resort offers has a movie room, a karaoke lounge and bar, and pool tables to keep guests entertained

Twin rooms are also available with all accommodation on the former oil rig enjoying air-conditioning

For time above the water, the resort offers has a movie room, a karaoke lounge and bar, and pool tables to keep guests entertained

Twin rooms are also available with all accommodation on the former oil rig air-conditioned

But it's really all about what goes on under water and the remarkably easy access to it, once you get there via boat transfer – there used to be a helipad for helicopter access but that’s now been converted into a sundeck.

A major feature of the rig is its elevator that takes divers directly into the reef underneath, which means no longer do divers have to lug their gear on and off a boat.

The lift also serves as the main platform for the hotel's 'Rig Jump', which as the name suggests is a chance for guests to leap into the crystal clear Celebes Sea from a height. The resort is still, however, deciding whether or not to make it a permanent fixture.

Being part of the Coral Triangle the area is teeming with sea life. 

Divers receive instruction before exploring the depths beneath the Seaventures Dive Rig Resort off the coast Malaysia

A short walk down the stairs from guests' rooms is a dive site teeming with tropical fish around wrecks

A diver is surrounded by fish moments after leaving the hotel near Mabul Island off the coast of Sabah

Seaventures say their house reef directly below the rig features large schooling varieties of tropical reef fish.

Divers receive instruction before exploring the depths beneath the Seaventures Dive Rig Resort off the coast Malaysia

A short walk down the stairs from guests' rooms is a dive site teeming with tropical fish around wrecks

A diver is surrounded by fish moments after leaving the hotel near Mabul Island off the coast of Sabah

Species include barracuda, groupers, cuttlefish, turtles, giant morays, ribbon eels, frog fish, scorpion fish, crocodile flatheads, lion fish, nudibranchs and ghost pipe fish.

Whale sharks also pass below divers 'on rare opportunities'. 

Crystal clear water and abundant sea life is on offer off the rig resort found at the heart of the Coral Triangle

'This metal monstrosity was once commissioned as an exploration jack up rig in the oil and gas industry and now revamped as the Seaventures Dive Rig,' says Seaventures' website .

Crystal clear water and abundant sea life is on offer off the rig resort found at the heart of the Coral Triangle

'A unique dive resort and the only one of its kind in the world, Seaventures still maintains the allure and spirit of a working rig yet the rooms are made more comfortable, the food highly acclaimed, service exemplary and diving world class.'

'It truly is a novelty alternative to any dive resort and best of all it is situated in one of the diving industry’s renowned dive destinations commonly ranked as being one of the world’s best.'

Those running the rig offer official PADI five-star IDC courses and the opportunity to get additional diving qualifications.