Indoor Scuba Diving Guide: The World’s Best Indoor Scuba Pools

Yes, this article is all about indoor scuba diving.

If you’re a diver, you might be curious: what’s so exciting about indoor scuba diving? And if you’re not yet a diver, maybe the idea of trying it out in a safe, local setting is appealing.

Either way, get ready—this article has some surprises, including something record-breaking that I’ll get to later.

Wondering if you should keep reading? Here’s a sneak peek:

• If you live somewhere cold, especially during winter months, this article is for you.
• If you want to learn what indoor diving involves to see if it’s a fun, convenient way to start your diving journey, you’re in the right place.
• If you’re already interested in indoor diving and just want to know where to try it, welcome!
• But if you’re just looking for a low-commitment alternative to regular diving trips, you might be interested…or not. You’ll have to decide!

However, if you’re an experienced diver and what you really want is to explore fish and coral reefs, you might want to skip this and head straight for the Caribbean.

And, if you’re hoping to try indoor scuba diving with Dressel Divers, this article isn’t a sales pitch—we’re here to share information only.

1. What is Indoor Scuba Diving?

Indoor scuba diving takes place in specially designed pools that are equipped for diving. These pools are usually deep and come with advanced filtration and climate control systems, maintaining optimal water conditions for scuba enthusiasts. Divers can explore simulated underwater settings like shipwrecks, underwater caves, or artificial reefs, making each dive engaging.

2. Features of Indoor Scuba Diving Pools Worldwide

Controlled Environment: Unlike open-water diving, indoor scuba takes place in freshwater pools where conditions like water temperature, depth, and decor can be precisely regulated. Visibility is always excellent, and there are no currents to worry about.

While indoor scuba diving may lack the biodiversity of the ocean, pools are typically decorated with features like sunken ships, caves, and obstacles to mimic a real underwater setting.

Accessibility: These indoor scuba diving pools are often located in urban areas, making them easy to access for city dwellers.

Training Opportunities: Many indoor scuba facilities are affiliated with renowned diving organizations, offering courses and certifications.

Enhanced Safety: These pools are equipped with additional safety measures that simply aren’t possible in open-water diving.

3. Why Become an Indoor Scuba Diver? Benefits of Indoor Scuba Diving

Imagine being able to scuba dive without leaving the city.

Take Michael’s story as an example. He lives in the urban jungle, surrounded by skyscrapers, strong WiFi, and great takeout sushi. His job? Something fancy like marketing, product design, or search engine optimization, which keeps him busy with emails, presentations, and bosses who love Sunday calls at noon. His life is fast-paced, yet he loves diving. But, with only two weeks off a year and no beach nearby, he’s left with little opportunity to scuba dive like he once did in Cozumel, where the vibrant fish and corals felt like a scene from a Pixar movie.

Michael begins to search for alternatives and stumbles upon indoor scuba diving. This option gives him the thrill of diving but with urban convenience.

With indoor scuba, he doesn’t have to worry about currents, long drives, or unpredictable waters after a storm. He can dive regularly and even prep for his next ocean trip while staying in a controlled environment close to home.

For busy urban professionals, indoor scuba offers a perfect solution:

• Consistent Access: The ability to practice indoor diving regularly.
• Underwater Adventures: From simulated wrecks to underwater caves and artificial reefs, with constantly changing scenery, Michael never gets bored.
• Stress Relief: Michael can enjoy the tranquility of the underwater world weekly, using indoor scuba diving to disconnect and recharge.
• Physical and Mental Exercise: Diving combines cardiovascular and strength training with mental stimulation.
• Skill Building: He can refine his scuba techniques and earn certifications in a warm pool, even during winter.
• Convenience: Indoor scuba diving fits into his schedule, with everything in a controlled setting, supervised by professionals. No flights, no luggage, and his equipment waits for him in a locker by the pool.

4. The Largest Indoor Scuba Diving Pools in the World

Deep Dive Dubai

Deep Dive Dubai is a unique indoor scuba diving attraction and a marvel of engineering. This is the world’s deepest indoor scuba diving pool, reaching a depth of 60 meters (197 feet) and holding over 14 million liters (3.7 million gallons) of water—equivalent to about six Olympic-sized pools. Opened in 2021, this indoor  diving experience has quickly become a hotspot for both experienced divers and those new to the sport.

Capacity: Up to 40 divers can explore the pool at once.
Water Temperature: A comfortable 30°C (86°F) is maintained year-round.
Sunken City Theme: This pool is designed to resemble a submerged city, complete with ruins, tunnels, and rooms filled with intricate details, creating a thrilling environment for divers.

What Can You Do at Deep Dive Dubai?

• Recreational, Technical, and Freediving: From beginner to expert, Deep Dive Dubai offers tailored indoor scuba diving experiences.
• Underwater Photography: Capture striking images of artificial marine life and the submerged cityscape.
• Scuba Courses: Earn PADI certifications across various levels.
• Special Events: Unique offerings include underwater parties, photo sessions, and even corporate events held below the surface.

Deepspot, Poland

Located in Mszczonów, Poland, close to Warsaw, Deepspot boasts a 45-meter (147-foot) deep indoor diving pool, holding around 8,000 cubic meters (2.1 million gallons) of water. This indoor scuba center provides an ideal environment for scuba divers and freedivers alike.

Ideal Conditions: The water temperature is kept between 32-34°C (89.6–93.2°F) year-round.
Diverse Settings: In addition to the main pool, Deepspot features various underwater structures, including caves, tunnels, and even a sunken airplane, enabling divers to practice different skills in a safe, controlled environment.

What Can You Do at Deepspot?

• Recreational Diving: Both certified divers and beginners can enjoy a range of activities within this indoor scuba environment.
• Technical Diving: Experienced divers have the chance to explore deeper technical dives.
• Freediving: Deepspot’s depth and warm water provide a perfect setting for practicing freediving.
• Underwater Photography: With clear water and unique structures, Deepspot is an ideal spot for capturing memorable underwater shots.

Blue Abyss, United Kingdom

Blue Abyss is an ambitious UK-based project set to revolutionize the world of deep diving. Planned to be the world’s deepest indoor scuba diving pool, Blue Abyss aims to surpass existing depths and offer an extreme environment not only for diving but also for scientific and industrial purposes. Currently at 50 meters (164 feet), it combines adventure with research, making it an exciting development in indoor scuba diving.

This collection of global indoor scuba diving destinations offers unique experiences for all levels, from recreational dives to advanced technical training, attracting divers from across the globe to explore the depths safely indoors.

5. Other Popular Indoor Scuba Diving Locations Around the World

Here are some of the most notable indoor scuba diving destinations worldwide:

Y-40 The Deep Joy, Italy
Key Features:

• Depth: At a maximum depth of 42.15 meters (138 feet), Y-40 is one of the world’s deepest pools, surpassing many other similar facilities.
• Thermal Water: The pool is filled with therapeutic thermal water, allowing divers to dive without a wetsuit and enjoy a pleasant temperature year-round.
• Variety of Depths: In addition to its deepest area, Y-40 offers multiple depth levels, making it perfect for both beginner and expert divers.
• Underwater Attractions: The pool features various underwater attractions, such as tunnels, platforms, courses for all levels, and a simulated shipwreck.

Nemo 33, Belgium
Located in Brussels, Belgium, Nemo 33 is an indoor scuba diving pool that has captivated divers from all over the world since it opened in 2004. Named after Jules Verne’s novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and the character Captain Nemo, the pool’s depth is 33 meters (108 feet).

Dive4Life, Germany
Dive4Life is a popular indoor diving center in Germany, especially known for its large pool and various water activities.
The main pool holds 3 million liters of water (about 792,516 gallons) and reaches a maximum depth of 20 meters (66 feet). It features a fascinating submerged city, complete with buildings, ruins, and other elements. The water temperature remains a constant 26°C (78.8°F) throughout the year, offering a unique diving experience, especially in the winter months.

Divecube, Taichung, Taiwan
Divecube is a state-of-the-art indoor diving facility with a depth of 21 meters (69 feet). It offers five different depth levels, including a shipwreck-themed tunnel. Visitors can also stay at its on-site hotel.

K-26 Diving Pool, South Korea
Located near Seoul, South Korea, K-26 is Asia’s deepest indoor diving pool, with a depth of 26 meters (85 feet). Situated by Lake Cheongpyeong in Gapyeong, it holds 2.6 million liters of water heated to 29°C (84°F). It features multiple training platforms, an air chamber, caves, and a simulated shipwreck for practicing buoyancy and advanced diving skills. One of the highlights is the breathtaking views of the lake from inside the pool, adding a scenic immersive element.

With controlled environments, maximum safety, and options for all levels, indoor scuba diving is perfect for improving techniques and enjoying simulated shipwrecks, caves, and artificial reefs. Monumental places like Deep Dive Dubai or Deepspot in Poland are just spectacular examples of indoor diving pools, but in reality, there are pools and indoor dive centers worldwide. You can practice scuba diving indoors any time of year, even just a couple of metro stops from your home! But if you want to see what lies beneath the Caribbean Sea, contact us.

The photo credits belong to their respective authors (Deep Dive Dubai, Deepspot, Dive4Life, Divecube, K26, and Y40). This article has been created for informational purposes only and not for commercial use.