A deep water support platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep waters of 10,000 ft or more is presented. The platform is attached to the floor of the ocean with a buoyant pile that includes buoyant members attached about the periphery of the pile. The buoyant pile and buoyant members include tubular members that can be filled with water, oil, air or other materials to produce a structure that has improved buoyancy and stability over prior platforms. Embodiments include configurations of buoyant members that have constant and equal diameter and spacing, and other configurations where the diameter and/or spacing of the buoyant members changes along the pile. In addition, the buoyant members are arranged about the pile to reduce vortex induced vibrations on the platform by interfering with current flow about the support structure.