With a depth of 33 metres, the Nemo 33 diving pool in Brussels was once the deepest in the world and is now second only to Deep Dive in Dubai. The pool was conceived by diver and adventurer John Beernaerts, who wanted a facility to practice his passion without having to travel to faraway destinations.
Deernaerts designed the pool in 1996, though it wasn't until 2004 that Nemo 33 opened. The pool allows divers to train in a safe environment with experienced diving instructors. The structure itself boasts some impressive statistics: 2.5 million litres of highly-filtered spring water fill the pool, which has caves and platforms to simulate a real deep-sea diving experience.
Credit: Facebook / Nemo 33
The pool offers a number of different packages including scuba diving and free diving. Those who are already qualified can make use of the facility without an instructor.
For the uninitiated, there is a crucial difference between scuba diving and free diving – the former with an oxygen tank whilst free divers descend to the depths without breathing apparatus. All the same, both styles require controlled breathing. Scuba divers must be at least 12 years old.
Credit: Timmeke Gheysen
Alongside the diving facility, Nemo 33 also has a swimming pool that is open Monday through Sunday. Swimming lessons are available for children from 4 months to four years. The pool is open to the public and also offers water aerobic classes including with aquabikes. More information about the Aquafitness classes can be found on their website.
The facility also has event spaces and a restaurant that overlooks the diving pool. There is also an underwater studio used for reporting or TV filming teams.
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Thanks to the unusual depth of the pool, it is sometimes used for scientific and medical experiments, such as testing underwater equipment.
Equipment can be hired or bought at the shop on-site, which offers a wide range of diving, snorkelling and swimming gear.
