In the heart of Dubai, where ambition meets innovation, Deep Dive Dubai has emerged as a global sensation, redefining adventure tourism with its record-breaking 60-meter-deep swimming pool—the world’s deepest, as verified by Guinness World Records. In 2024, this aquatic marvel welcomed over 100,000 visitors, a testament to its allure for divers, thrill-seekers, and curious tourists alike. Projections for 2025 anticipate a 15% surge in visitors, fueled by Dubai’s relentless drive to cement its status as a premier global destination. Yet, as the pool’s popularity soars, questions about its environmental footprint have surfaced, prompting plans for sustainable upgrades that reflect the emirate’s broader green ambitions.

Opened in 2021, Deep Dive Dubai is no ordinary pool. Spanning 15 million liters—equivalent to six Olympic-sized pools—it houses a meticulously crafted underwater city, complete with sunken cars, motorbikes, and arcade games, inspired by the UAE’s pearl-diving heritage. This immersive setting, described by director Jarrod Jablonski as a “unique underwater classroom,” caters to all skill levels, from beginners taking their first scuba plunge to certified divers exploring depths up to 30 meters. Social media has amplified its appeal, with influencers and newly engaged couples flocking to capture surreal underwater moments, further driving its global fame. The facility’s advanced technology even allows divers to listen to whale sounds or their favorite music, blending adventure with sensory delight.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Dubai’s tourism sector, a cornerstone of its economy, welcomed 18.7 million international visitors in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year, with Deep Dive Dubai emerging as a standout attraction. The emirate’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing reported 5.31 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with Western Europe (22%) and South Asia (14%) leading the influx. Deep Dive Dubai’s visitor count of over 100,000 in 2024 reflects its role in this tourism boom, drawing a diverse crowd eager to experience its one-of-a-kind underwater city. Industry experts project a 15% rise in visitors for 2025, driven by expanded marketing and new freediving courses like the AIDA Level 1 and 2 programs, tailored for beginners and seasoned snorkelers.

Yet, the pool’s success comes with challenges. Maintaining 15 million liters of water at pristine conditions requires significant energy for filtration and temperature control, raising concerns among environmentalists about its sustainability. Critics argue that such resource-intensive attractions clash with Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable tourism, especially following the UAE’s hosting of COP28 in 2023. In response, Deep Dive Dubai has announced plans for solar-powered upgrades to its filtration systems, aligning with the emirate’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 75% of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by mid-century. These upgrades, expected to roll out in 2026, could set a precedent for balancing tourism innovation with environmental responsibility.

As Dubai continues to break records—its International Airport handled 92 million passengers in 2024, the highest ever—the success of Deep Dive Dubai underscores the emirate’s knack for turning audacious ideas into global draws. But its future hinges on harmonizing spectacle with sustainability. For now, as divers descend into the depths of this underwater city, they embody Dubai’s relentless pursuit of the extraordinary, even as the city grapples with the costs of its own ambition.

Photo credits: Deep Dive Dubai. 

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.