Underwater tourism: A new Attraction on the Rise with 5 Star Underwater Resorts at Fiji and Dubai

Bruce Jones, president of Triton and U.S. Submarines Inc has said that “People have always
been fascinated with what’s underwater.” He is the one who is building underwater resort in Fiji. But Dubai, which is already becoming world’s greatest touring resort with every superstar being offered apartment in Dubai, being considered as second home to Hollywood and Bollywood superstar and world’s biggest Freeport, has announced the Water Discus, world’ first five star underwater resort.

The Dubai proposal will have 21 rooms at least 30 feet below the surface in a giant disc. A disc above the water will have recreational facilities – a spa, garden, and a swimming pool. Other discs will house a helipad and diving center and emergency flotation pods, with a central shaft connecting the upper and lower levels, making the complex look like a spaceship. The entire hotel can also be raised above the water in event of an evacuation or for repairs – and should tourism go south in Dubai, it can be towed somewhere else.

Dubai previously planned to build the $300 million Hydropolis – a 250-suite underwater resort. But that project collapsed during the economic downturn. This current proposal, backed by Dubai construction company Drydocks World, Swiss brokerage firm BIG Invest Consult, and designed by Poland’s Deep Ocean Technology, will cost between just $50 and $120 million. It's the first of many planned for the region.

Jones, however, is confident his Poseidon Undersea Resort will both be built first – within the
 next two years – and be better. Dubai, he said, is “one of the worst places to put an undersea resort,” because of the destruction of marine life. Even at the steep price, 120,000 people have signed up to be informed when reservations open, said Jones. With just 7,400 spots a year, he expects the resort to be sold out for years.

But, the ultra-wealthy don’t want to share the experience with other passengers. Private submarines are a growing luxury item for millionaires, both as independent vessels docked at private islands and as small submarines that can sit on the decks of yachts. Hawkes Ocean Technology, Triton Subs, and SEAmagine all sell personal submarines in the $1-3 million range for wealthy clients. Or you can purchase the $60 million 65-foot submersible yacht from Triton.

Graham Hawkes, the owner of Hawkes Ocean Technology, which has developed the ultra-light, mobile submarines for Richard Branson’s deep-sea explorations, has said he plans to make private submarines more affordable as the market grows – bringing the price down to just $250,000.