Deep Dive Dubai, which holds the Guinness record for being the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving, has opened for business. Located in Nad Al Sheba 1, Deep Dive Dubai pool has a 60 m depth and can hold 14 million litres of water, equivalent to quantity of six Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Among the key features of the 60m pool are two underwater habitats with a dry chamber at six and 21 m, 56 underwater cameras covering all angles of the pool, as well as advanced sound and mood lighting systems.
The pool’s water is filtered and circulated every six hours through siliceous volcanic rock, NASA-developed filter technology and UV radiation in one of the largest and fastest filter systems in the region. The pool water temperature is maintained at 30 degrees Celsius for diver comfort.
The 1,500-sq-m facility, which is shaped like a giant oyster in a nod to the UAE’s pearl diving heritage, is also home to a dive shop, gift shop, an 80-seat restaurant that will be open to the public later this year, 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.
Deep Dive Dubai’s pool also features a sunken city that divers of all levels can explore, complete with an abandoned streetscape and featuring an apartment, garage and arcade.
Freediving and scuba diving experiences - and courses - are offered to all ability levels by a team of international diving professionals.
"This facility allows thrill-seekers to dive inwards and discover a new underwater dimension filled with adventure and wonder. We offer an unparalleled experience with year-round diving, in a safe environment, with qualified instructors and services," said Abdulla Bin Habtoor, the spokesperson for Deep Dive Dubai.
"It is an investment in Dubai’s growing sports culture and will add another destination to Dubai’s tourist attraction and adventure tourism sector," he added.
Bin Habtoor said: "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."
Currently open by invitation only with public bookings to open in late July at deepdivedubai.com, Deep Dive Dubai’s guided experiences and courses are offered across three categories, Discover, Dive and Develop, and are open to both residents and visitors aged 10 and above, ranging from beginners through to professional divers and athletes.
The Discover category of scuba diving and freediving caters for those who want to try a single dive or take their first steps towards certification as a diver. The Dive category allows everyone from newbies to experienced individuals to dive within their certification limits.
The Develop category is for training to both develop skills and gain scuba diving and freediving certifications offered by Deep Dive Dubai - ranging from entry-level through to technical and instructor-level.
All experiences have a low guide-to-guest ratio, and all experiences and courses include high-end equipment rental – including Halcyon, Scubapro and Fourth Element. A range of underwater gear, and photo and video equipment will be available for rent, with experience videos and photos included with Discovery Dives.
For Director Jarrod Jablonski, himself a world record-holding cave diver, and a leading figure in the development of scuba diving, the new Dubai pool offers best-in-class diving safety practices, procedures, and equipment and is designed to both amaze and welcome everyone, from beginners to seasoned divers.
"By design, it offers something truly unique for everyone and our team is committed to ensuring a memorable experience, with outstanding service, for everyone, every time," said Jablonski.
Located in Nad Al Sheba 1, Deep Dive Dubai has ample parking onsite. The facility is easily accessible from main Dubai tourist and residential neighbourhoods and is only a 15-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, and a 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
"For those seeking a unique experience, the pool provides a safe and controlled environment to learn all about diving. For experienced members of the freedive and scuba dive communities, it’s a facility and experience like no other," he noted.
Along with the title of the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving, the facility is also the region’s largest underwater film studio, complete with a media editing room, a video wall, 56 underwater cameras and the ability to create different moods with 164 lights positioned throughout the pool, stated Bin Habtoor.
With the capacity to host up to 100 people and onsite catering options, the venue has the ability to hold a variety of events ranging from product launches, movie screenings and conferences through to birthday parties and weddings, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
