• The world's deepest pool is Deep Dive Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The world's deepest pool is Deep Dive Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The world’s highest outdoor infinity pool is at Dubai's Address Beach Resort. Photo: Address Hotels
    The world’s highest outdoor infinity pool is at Dubai's Address Beach Resort. Photo: Address Hotels
  • A view above the city awaits at One Za'abeel, which is home to the longest suspended infinity pool in the world. Photo: One&Only One Za’abeel
    A view above the city awaits at One Za'abeel, which is home to the longest suspended infinity pool in the world. Photo: One&Only One Za’abeel
  • There is no shortage of swimming pools at Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson in Malaysia, which has more pools than any other hotel. Photo: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson
    There is no shortage of swimming pools at Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson in Malaysia, which has more pools than any other hotel. Photo: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson
  • The record-breaking Aura Skypool is the world's highest 360-degree swimming pool. Photo: Aura Skypool
    The record-breaking Aura Skypool is the world's highest 360-degree swimming pool. Photo: Aura Skypool
  • The world's largest wave pool is at Bangkok's Siam Park. Photo: Siam Park
    The world's largest wave pool is at Bangkok's Siam Park. Photo: Siam Park
  • The Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens in London is the world's first 'floating' pool. Getty Images
    The Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens in London is the world's first 'floating' pool. Getty Images
  • The long-abandoned Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco was the world's largest. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
    The long-abandoned Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco was the world's largest. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
  • The Rooftop pool at SLS Dubai is the world's highest overflow pool. Photo: SLS Dubai
    The Rooftop pool at SLS Dubai is the world's highest overflow pool. Photo: SLS Dubai
  • The world's largest man-made lagoon can be found at Boulevard World in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Sela
    The world's largest man-made lagoon can be found at Boulevard World in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Sela

Record-breaking swimming pools around the world, from the longest to deepest


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia is to be home to the world’s longest-suspended skypool.

Set to open at Treyam, a luxury resort in Neom, the swimming pool will span a lagoon on the Gulf of Aqaba, connecting the north and south shorelines of the resort.

Lined by palm trees and sandy shorelines, the swimming pool will hover 36 metres above sea level and 450 metres in length, making it the world’s longest sky pool and 330 metres longer than the current record holder at Dubai's One&Only One Za'abeel.

When it opens, the pool at Neom's Treyam will join a handful of other record-breaking swimming pools around the world, including several in Dubai, from the largest landlocked pool to the highest 360-degree infinity pool on the planet.

Dip in below…

The world’s deepest pool: Deep Dive Dubai

Deep Dive Dubai launched in 2021 and has a depth of 60 metres, almost the same height as the towers of London Bridge. It’s designed as sunken city and a diving pool, and geared towards free-diving and scuba divers, but snorkellers are also welcome. With 14 million litres of freshwater, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools, it has sunken motorbikes, arcade machines, pool tables and cars.

The longest suspended infinity pool in the world: One Za'abeel, Dubai

Tapasake at The Link is home to the world's longest infinity pool. Photo: One&Only One Za'abeel
Tapasake at The Link is home to the world's longest infinity pool. Photo: One&Only One Za'abeel

The One & Only One Za’abeel hotel set a record for Dubai's skyline when it scooped the Guinness World Record title for the Longest Cantilevered Building in the world, and it's also home to a record-breaking pool. Set on top of The Link – the cantilever suspended between the resort's two towers, the sparkling pool hovers around 100 metres above the city and over a busy six-lane highway. Part of Tapasake, a glam urban beach club, it's currently the world's longest infinity pool and stretches 120 metres end to end.

The world's highest 360° infinity pool: Aura Skypool, Dubai

  • Aura Skypool Lounge had an opening on the 50th floor of Nakheel's The Palm Tower on Wednesday, November 10. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Aura Skypool Lounge had an opening on the 50th floor of Nakheel's The Palm Tower on Wednesday, November 10. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Aura SkyPool is the world’s first 360º infinity pool and will open to the public on November 15.
    Aura SkyPool is the world’s first 360º infinity pool and will open to the public on November 15.
  • Guests can enjoy fantastic views of Palm Jumeirah from this vantage point.
    Guests can enjoy fantastic views of Palm Jumeirah from this vantage point.
  • Inside Aura SkyPool Lounge, where there is a bar and lounge area.
    Inside Aura SkyPool Lounge, where there is a bar and lounge area.
  • Guests can see Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa from the roof.
    Guests can see Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa from the roof.
  • The pool deck features the 750-square-metre infinity pool and comfortable sun loungers.
    The pool deck features the 750-square-metre infinity pool and comfortable sun loungers.
  • There are three ticketing time slots available, for morning, afternoon or full day.
    There are three ticketing time slots available, for morning, afternoon or full day.
  • Prices to visit start from Dh170.
    Prices to visit start from Dh170.
  • The space is open from 10am to sunset daily.
    The space is open from 10am to sunset daily.
  • The menu at Aura’s lounge and bar, curated by head chef Craig Best, is inspired by famous Asian cities.
    The menu at Aura’s lounge and bar, curated by head chef Craig Best, is inspired by famous Asian cities.
  • Guests looked glam on opening night.
    Guests looked glam on opening night.
  • Guests can enjoy impressive sunset views in Dubai.
    Guests can enjoy impressive sunset views in Dubai.

Epic views are guaranteed at Aura Skypool Dubai, the world’s highest 360° infinity pool. Located on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower on Dubai’s man-made Palm Jumeirah, this sparkling swimming pool has views from every plane, with vistas of the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and sunsets to envy the best in the world.

The largest man-made lagoon: Boulevard World, Riyadh

The world's largest man-made lagoon is in Saudi Arabia at Boulevard World. Photo: Sela
The world's largest man-made lagoon is in Saudi Arabia at Boulevard World. Photo: Sela

Size matters in Saudi Arabia where the world's largest man-made lagoon has been constructed. Stretching across 12.19 hectares, the vast pool of water is at Boulevard World in Riyadh, the kingdom's bustling capital. The permanent structure opened in November 2022 and was constructed by Sela, a company that specialises in experiences, events and destinations. The sprawling lagoon is part of Riyadh's Boulevard Word, a multi-zone theme park that is also home to the world's largest spherical theatre.

The world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building: Address Beach Resort, Dubai

Another title-holder in Dubai is the Address Beach Resort. The waterfront hotel entered the Guinness World Record book in 2021 when it opened the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building. Located on level 77 of the hotel at a height of 93.90 metres above sea level, the infinity pool only allows access to hotel guests over the age of 21.

The most swimming pools in a resort: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson, Malaysia

When Atlantis, The Royal opened in Dubai, it boasted of its 90 swimming pools – an impressive number no doubt. But that achievement is dwarfed in comparison with the number of pools at the Lexis Hibiscus Post Dickson Hotel in Malaysia, which holds the world title of having the most swimming pools in a resort. The luxury getaway is an all villa escape with overwater accommodation and no less than 643 swimming pools.

The largest swimming pool landlocked by area: Fleishhacker Pool, San Francisco

The long-abandoned Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco was the world's largest. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The long-abandoned Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco was the world's largest. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

While it’s been out of action for more than 50 years, the Fleishhacker Pool on Sloat Boulevard, near Great Highway in San Francisco still holds the record for the world’s largest swimming pool landlocked by area. Measuring 304.8 metres in length by 45.7 metres wide, the pool opened in 1925 and is 4.26 metres deep, meaning it could hold 6,000,000 US gallons of seawater. At its capacity, it could also accommodate 10,000 swimmers, but has been abandoned since 1971.

Highest outdoor overflow pool in a building: SLS Dubai

SLS Dubai Hotel is officially home to the world's highest outdoor overflow pool in a building, according to Guinness World Records. Located on the 75th floor of the building, the hotel boasts not one, but two outdoor overflow pools at a height of 325 meters, just higher than the tip of the Burj Al Arab hotel a little further down the road. The title was confirmed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in March 2022, a month before the luxury hotel opened to the public.

World’s largest wave pool: Siam Park City, Bangkok

The pool covers an area of 13,600 square metres. Photo: Siam Park
The pool covers an area of 13,600 square metres. Photo: Siam Park

Thailand’s bustling capital holds the title for the world’s largest wave pool according to the World Waterpark Association. Located at Siam Park City, a sprawling water park and amusement park on the outskirts of Bangkok. The wave pool itself is massive, covering an area of 13,600 square metres. It has held the title of being the world's largest wave pool since 2009.

The world's first 'floating' swimming pool: London Sky Pool

While it’s not an official world record, the Sky Pool in London is the world’s first “floating” swimming pool. Dangling between two high-rise buildings in the swanky Embassy Gardens residential development in Nine Elms near Battersea Power Station, the crystal-clear, 25 metre-long pool seems to hover in the air about 35 metres above street level. Unfortunately for Londoners hoping to nab a dip, it's only for residents and their guests.

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5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites

6am: Marathon Elites

7am: Marathon Masses

9am: 10Km Road Race

11am: 4Km Fun Run

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eamana%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Farra%20and%20Ziad%20Aboujeb%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERegulator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDFSA%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinancial%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E85%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf-funded%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Calls

Directed by: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

4/5

A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

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Updated: May 08, 2024, 3:26 AM