Deep Dive Dubai
Diving center · Nadd Al Shiba ·
World's deepest pool with sunken city for diving
World's deepest pool with sunken city for diving
"As I descended from the surface with my guide, I felt as if I had entered another world — almost as if I was in a dream. A seasoned scuba diver with an Advanced Open Water Diver certification and over 130 open-water dives logged, the writer arrived skeptical about diving in an indoor pool but was quickly won over. Housed in the world's deepest pool, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the facility plunges to 197 feet (roughly the height of a 20-story building) and contains 3.7 million gallons of sanitized freshwater; its exterior resembles a giant oyster as a nod to the United Arab Emirates' pearl diving heritage. The site functions as a tourist attraction and occasional special-event space, but it's also a state-of-the-art training and recreational facility for free diving and scuba diving, offering divers of all skill levels a climate-controlled space to hone skills that are often hard to practice in the nearby Persian Gulf — "Visibility in the Gulf is frequently compromised due to currents and sediment, resulting in unpredictable conditions influenced by tides, boat traffic, and fluctuating water temperatures," Jesper Kjøller, the senior marketing supervisor, told Travel + Leisure. "If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would definitely be 'controlled.'" The water is crystal-clear thanks to NASA-developed volcanic rock filters and UV sanitation, is fully recirculated every six hours, and is kept at a constant 86 degrees Fahrenheit; 27 underwater speakers and 164 dimmable lights help set a calm, soothing ambiance. Beneath the surface is a theatrical "sunken city" — props, sets, and fully furnished rooms designed for underwater photo and video opportunities, from the trunks and roots of an imitation banyan tree draping several levels to a park bench (where I read a magazine), a bed (where I pretended to sleep), a motorcycle I rode in scuba regalia, pinball, chess, pool, foosball (my favorite because my guide and I were legitimately playing to win), and a submerged baby grand piano on which I performed "Chopsticks." I even got to indulge in my basketball fantasies and "soared up to a hoop in slow motion à la Michael Jordan for a dunk ... only to miss, grab the rebound, and quickly slam it down the basket." There's a voyeuristic element too: a subterranean cafe and main conference room have large observation windows (think aquarium with humans swimming instead of sea life), and underwater cameras both broadcast the action to spectators and function as a safety precaution — a controlled environment that still manages to feel adventurous because most props are accessible only by physically entering the rooms of each underwater level. Gimmicky? Yes. But could I experience something like this anywhere else outside of Dubai? No." - Erik Trinidad
"A unique aquatic attraction home to the world's deepest pool (about 197 feet deep) designed as an underwater 'sunken city.' It offers scuba, freediving, and snorkel courses, experiences for certified divers, and programs for children as young as six." - Latifah Al-Hazza Latifah Al-Hazza Latifah Al-Hazza is a Chicago-based travel journalist, documentary filmmaker, and co-founder of Femscape Sojourns, a boutique women's travel company. Her work has appeared in CNN Travel, The New York Times, Insider, Reader's Digest, Business Insider Australia, Harper’s Bazaar, and Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Verified by Guinness World Records as the world's deepest pool, I was struck by its 60-meter (about 197-foot) depth and 14 million liters (roughly 3.7 million gallons) of water—just shy of six Olympic-sized swimming pools. Shaped like a giant oyster as a nod to the Persian Gulf's pearl-diving history, the facility invites exploration of a theatrical "sunken city" complete with "abandoned" apartment buildings, an underwater arcade, submerged automobiles and musical instruments. It features advanced safety and support systems, including the region's most advanced hyperbaric chamber, a state-of-the-art lighting, sound and mood system, and an intense filtration setup that uses NASA technology, volcanic rock, and UV radiation to circulate the water every six hours. The operators emphasize a safe, year-round experience with outstanding instructors and programming for free divers, scuba divers, and snorkelers of all levels—beginners can take introductory courses, certified divers can book guided deep dives, children have dedicated programs, essential equipment is provided, and visitors can take facility tours, shop on-site, or view the action through large windows and video screens. Abdulla Bin Habtoor said the Deep Dive Dubai team hopes to embody the determination of Emirati explorers and innovators while providing a platform for future achievements and discoveries." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"This is the world's deepest pool with a depth of 60 meters. It boasts a sunken city for diving enthusiasts to explore and holds 14 million liters of water. Tailored entirely to water lovers, deep diving is for those with certifications only, while snorkeling on the surface and scuba-diving up to 12 meters can be undertaken by anyone over the age of 10. Given Deep Dive Dubai also acts as the region’s largest underwater film studio, packed with 56 cameras and the ability to create different moods, it is definitely a must-try experience. Tickets are required and can be pre-purchased or bought online." - Melinda Healy
"Tell me: What’s this place all about? This is the world's deepest pool with a depth of 60 meters. It boasts a sunken city for diving enthusiasts to explore and holds 14 million liters of water. Tailored entirely to water lovers, deep diving is for those with certifications only, while snorkeling on the surface and scuba-diving up to 12m can be undertaken by anyone over the age of 10. Tickets are required and can be pre-purchased or bought online. What’s it like being there? Adrenaline-inducing and challenging—there's something to be said about swimming in a record-breaking pool. Is there a guide involved? In some cases, yes. Snorkel and scuba-diving instructors guide as required and they do the job well. Who comes here? Divers are a dedicated bunch. Deep Dive Dubai delivers in every way. Did it meet expectations? Definitely a world-beating experience. This attraction is as good as it seems, Guinness Records says so. So then what, or who, do you think it’s best for? Water babes with a deep desire to experience the latest underwater offering. Given Deep Dive Dubai also acts as the region’s largest underwater film studio, packed with 56 cameras and the ability to create different moods, it is definitely a must-try experience. Not one for anyone with a water phobia." - Melinda Healy
