If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring an underwater world, here’s your chance – and you don’t even have to leave the UAE to do it.
Deep Dive Dubai, an incredible new diving venue, has opened its doors in Dubai. Located in Nad Al Sheba, it is home to the deepest pool in the world, with a depth of 60.02 metres, and can hold 14 million litres of water, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools.
One of the Deep Dive Dubai pool’s biggest attractions is its sunken city. Divers will be able to explore an underwater world, complete with an abandoned streetscape, apartment, garage, arcade and other interesting features.
Freediving and scuba diving experiences, along with courses, will be offered to people of all abilities by international diving professionals.
Other features of the 60-metre-deep pool include two underwater habitats with a dry chamber, 56 underwater cameras covering all angles of the pool, and an underwater sound and mood lighting system.
The pool’s water is filtered and circulated every six hours, while the temperature is maintained at 30°C.
According to spokesman Abdulla Bin Habtoor, Deep Dive Dubai pays tribute to the UAE’s pearl diving heritage.
“In developing the concept and facility, we took inspiration from the bravery and fortitude of the UAE’s pearl diving heritage. We also hope to embody the determination of Emirati explorers and innovators, both past and present, as well as provide a platform for future achievements and discoveries.
“Deep Dive Dubai allows thrill-seekers to dive inwards and discover a new underwater dimension filled with adventure and wonder … This facility is an investment in Dubai’s growing sports culture and will add another world-class destination to Dubai’s thriving tourist attraction and adventure tourism sector.”
The 1,500-square-metre facility has been designed to look like a giant oyster. It is also home to a dive shop, gift shop, as well as a variety of meeting, event and conference spaces. Large viewing areas on the lower floors of the building allow diners at the restaurant and other rooms to peer into the underwater environment.
An 80-seat restaurant, as well as a hyperbaric chamber (used to treat decompression sickness and other conditions), are scheduled to launch before the end of the year.
The facility is currently open by invitation only, but public bookings will be possible by the end of July. Deep Dive Dubai will then offer experiences and courses across three categories: Discover, Dive and Develop, which are open to anyone aged 10 and above, from beginners to professional divers.
The Discover category will cater to those who want to try a single dive or take their first steps towards certification as a diver.
The Dive category allows everyone from amateurs to professionals to dive within their certification limits.
Finally, the Develop category is to develop skills and gain scuba diving and freediving certifications offered by Deep Dive Dubai.
All experiences have a guide and equipment rentals, as do the courses. Underwater gear, and photo and video equipment will be available for rent, with videos and photos included with Discovery Dives.
The venue will also be home to the region’s largest underwater film studio, complete with a media editing room and a video wall.
Finally, if you're looking to make a splash as a group, the venue can hold up to 100 people, making it a good option for events, from product launches to birthday parties.
Deep Dive Dubai is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-8pm, starting Wednesday, July 28; experiences and courses will be available to book from Tuesday, July 27, and are from Dh800 onwards; For more information, visit www.deepdivedubai.com
