I’m an Experienced Scuba Diver With Over 130 Dives Logged — and Diving Indoors in the World’s Deepest Pool Was Surprisingly Fun

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. I was scuba diving in a man-made pool and with each passing moment, my preconceptions about what this experience would be like were swiftly debunked.

As a seasoned scuba diver with an Advanced Open Water Diver certification and over 130 dives logged — all of which have been out in open water — I was skeptical about diving in an indoor pool. After all, there are opportunities to see sea turtles, seahorses, sharks, eels, manta rays, and tropical fish in the wild. What could a pool offer?

But one visit to Deep Dive Dubai — the world’s deepest pool, according to the Guinness Book of World Records — taught this doubtful diver that scuba diving in a pool can actually be fun.

The exterior of Deep Dive Dubai resembles a giant oyster — a nod to the United Arab Emirates’ pearl diving heritage. With a depth of 197 feet (roughly the height of a 20-story building), this pool is filled with 3.7 million gallons of sanitized freshwater.

Deep Dive is a tourist attraction and, occasionally, a unique special event space — but it’s also a state-of-the-art training and recreational facility for free diving and scuba diving. (In fact, if I were to return, I’d want to learn how to free dive here.) The venue offers divers of all skill levels, from seasoned veterans to entry-level beginners, a climate-controlled space to hone their skills in a relatively tranquil environment — it’s an experience that isn’t always possible 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, Deep Dive Dubai’s senior marketing supervisor, told Travel + Leisure. “In contrast, Deep Dive Dubai offers a fully controlled and predictable diving experience.”

If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would definitely be “controlled.” The pool’s crystal-clear water is filtered through NASA-developed volcanic rock filters, sanitized via UV radiation, and then fully recirculated every six hours. The temperature is always a comfortable 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and 27 underwater speakers and 164 dimmable lights help set a calm, soothing ambiance.

And within those gin-clear waters, visitors will find a “sunken city” — a submerged playground of props, sets, and fully furnished rooms that make for perfect underwater photo and video opportunities. The experience reminded me of those often-viral “Instagram museums” found in many cities, which feature interactive exhibits designed purely for selfies and social media posts.

The first prop I came across was hard to miss: the trunks and roots of an imitation banyan tree that draped over several levels of the pool. But that was just the start — I had a full-scale photoshoot in scuba regalia with all the props and sets. I read a magazine on a park bench; slept in a bed; rode a motorcycle; played pinball, chess, pool, and foosball; and performed “Chopsticks” on a submerged baby grand piano. 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.

Gimmicky? Yes. But could I experience something like this anywhere else outside of Dubai? No.

There’s a voyeuristic element to the experience, too. The subterranean cafe and main conference room have large observation windows — think of an aquarium with humans swimming around instead of sea life. The pool also has underwater cameras that showcase the action to spectators who aren’t diving. (The cameras also function as a safety precaution. I was less nervous diving here since I knew the cameras were everywhere, the environment was controlled, and I had a guide.)

Despite all the cameras, window displays, and highly regulated environment, the diving experience still manages to feel adventurous, as most of the props are only accessible if you physically enter the rooms of each underwater level. And though there were no sightings of underwater life — aside from the free-diving homo sapiens holding their breath — I eventually fully embraced the Deep Dive Dubai. (My favorite thing I got to do was play foosball because while it was in an artificial setting, it wasn’t fake: my guide and I were legitimately playing to win.)

As my scuba diving experiences continue to expand and evolve, I am certain none of them will deliver a “slam dunk” quite like Deep Dive Dubai did.