Dubai already has the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa), the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool (Address Beach Resort), and the world’s tallest hotel (Genova Hotel).
Now, this city in the United Arab Emirates can claim another Guinness World Record: home to the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving.
The recently opened pool at Deep Dive Dubai is an incredible 60.02 meters (197 feet) deep. It holds 14 million liters (3.7 million gallons) of water, which is the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Learn To Dive, Refresh Skills In Unusual Environment
This indoor pool isn’t for visitors to swim laps or lounge around on a floaty. Rather, it’s a state-of-the-art dive center that allows people as young as 10 years old to learn how to scuba dive with top-notch instructors and all of the proper equipment provided. (Deep Dive Dubai’s FAQ does say that snorkelers are welcome.)
Visitors can also get introduced to the concept of free diving, which is journeying far underwater in one single breath.
Experienced scuba divers and free divers can enhance their skills with advanced training or just have fun exploring several sunken features and scenes in the huge pool. In the “abandoned and sunken city,” check out a convertible car, swim around an arcade complete with vintage video games and foosball table, admire colorful graffiti, and even ride a stationary bike all far below the water’s surface.
The freshwater is kept at 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) at all times. With “perfect diving conditions 365 days a year,” the facility provides a controlled environment for divers of all abilities, notes Deep Dive Dubai’s spokesperson Abdulla Bin Habtoor: “We offer an unparalleled experience with year-round diving, in a safe environment, with outstanding instructors and services.”
Actor Will Smith Gives Deep Dive Dubai A Thumbs Up
Deep Dive Dubai is scheduled to open to the public at the end of July. But Hollywood superstar Will Smith, who visits Dubai regularly, got a sneak peek recently and shared a snippet of his experience on Instagram:
What hasn’t surfaced yet (pun intended) on social media is a clip of Smith actually wearing scuba gear underwater in the pool.
Amenities For Non-Divers At Deep Dive Dubai
For visitors to Dubai who may want to check out the scene, but not get wet, there are several large windows that allow non-diving visitors to peer into the underwater environment.
Also, more than 50 underwater cameras positioned throughout the pool also deliver a live feed to monitors, so you can watch divers make their way in and around the different spaces. Don’t expect to see any marine life though: No fish or coral make their home in the pool.
An 80-seat restaurant with viewing windows is scheduled to open by the end of 2021. A gift shop and dive shop are currently on site.
The exterior of the 1,500-square-meter (16,000-square-foot) facility is shaped like a giant oyster in a nod to the UAE’s pearl diving heritage.
Located at Nad Al Sheba 1, Deep Dive Dubai is a 15-minute drive from downtown Dubai and a 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
Deep Dive Dubai is scheduled to take reservations for diving experiences by late July.
Dubai has a wealth of attractions for visitors, along with many unique accommodations:
