Looking to learn to Scuba Dive? Get certified? Practice dives? Why not start with NEMO 33 in Brussels, the deepest swimming pool in the world? The 33 meter (105 feet) deep pool is designed for exactly that.
The pool was designed by diving expert John Beernaerts and architect Sebastian Morena-Vacca, who wanted to create a space in Belgium for divers to use as there wasn't one there before. Opened in 2004, it has become a tourist attraction as well as a teaching and practice facility.
The water is warm and has an automated filtering system. The pool has no chemicals, so there's no chlorine smell. There are 2 pools, 2 pits (5, 10 and 33 m), caves at -10m, three permanent belles of air under pressure (-9m, -7m, air renewed permanently); 250 anchoring points in the tank to: change the aspect of the swimming pool (for the amateurs), adapt it for film shooting, adapt it for scientists and technicians.
There are also heated changing rooms, separated for men and women, separate showers and separate toilets. The pool is filled with 2,500,000 liters of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30 °C (86 °F) and contains several simulated underwater caves at the 10 m depth level.
The diving pool is open to everyone from serious open water divers, deep sea advanced divers and beginners. Tourists, parties and more are welcome as well. Nemo 33 also features a restaurant, aquagym classes, hydrotherapy, deep sea diving, group packages and more.
To dive in the deepest pool you must be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an instructor.
The adjoining restaurant and bar peeks into the pool via windows:
NEMO 33 is open 365 days a year, go here for reservations or more info. (Unfortunately the website is not available in English, despite indicating that it is).
NEMO 33
Rue de Stalle 333 (Rond-point des Menhirs)
1180 Uccle (Bruxelles) - Belgique
Téléphone : +32-2-332.33.34
EMail : dive@nemo33.com
photos are courtesy of the NEMO site and underwater photographer Michel Braunstein