Nemo 33 is a scuba-diving centre in Uccle, on the outskirts of Brussels. At one time noted as the world's deepest swimming pool, it contains structures and platforms located at various depths, several caves at around 10m, two large flat-bottomed areas at 5 and 10m and a large circular pit that descends to 33m (for Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent only).
The pool contains 2.5 million litres of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30-33°C. Underwater windows at various depths allow divers to look out, and visitors to look into the pool.
The Nemo 33 complex was designed by Belgian diver John Beernaerts as a multi-purpose diving instruction, recreational and film-production facility. Our Kent-based club Dive Matters decided to try it out.
WE MET AT DOVER and took the Norfolk Line car ferry to Dunkirk. The 90-minute crossing was followed by a two-hour drive to the complex. We had two dives planned for the day, with the first at 3pm. We would eat in the Thai restaurant on-site and dive again at 6pm, though this would push us for time to catch our pre-booked ferry back to the UK.
The complex has about 100 visitor parking spaces. You pay for dives in the lobby area, but it saves time to have done this in advance, as you need to be checked in at least an hour before entering the water, and have to show relevant certification etc.
All equipment is provided but you bring your own mask, computer, camera and swimming costume. You then wait in the restaurant/bar area for your allotted dive times, watching the divers already in the pool.
When your group is called you get changed, meet at the poolside for a safety briefing, and are then invited to do a 10-minute surface swim before kitting up for your 40-minute dive.
SO WHAT'S IT LIKE? I appreciated being able to dive to some depth in a totally controlled environment, and to venture into caves with no chance of getting lost or running out of air.
Forty minutes might sound a long time to spend in what is after all a pool, but with the different levels, platforms, swim-throughs and caves, it passes surprisingly quickly.
There are practice areas in which you can try out skills if you wish, but I think the main attraction is being able to say that you've dived to 33m in a swimming pool, and to be able to see people in the restaurant, or even watch TV through the window in passing.
I did find it quite crowded with at least two groups in the pool, which meant 40-50 divers at any one time, though the late dive was much better, with only about 20 of us in the water.
In the caves you can remove your mask and regulator and breathe normally. Unwittingly I tried to release my camera housing to deal with a problem, not realising that we were still under pressure, which made it impossible to open!
The circular pit offers a great view, especially if you're one of the first divers above it, because a compass is etched into its base. Although the depth is 33m, some of our computers registered between 34.3 and 34.9m at the centre.
Costs with four people in one car were as follows: return ferry fare and taxes, £35 per car; fuel about £40; two dives 42 euros each (about £35); restaurant meal £20 each - which works out at just over £73 per head.
The only mild criticisms would be the slowness of sorting out our entrance fees as a group rather than as individuals, the lack of leaflets in English and slow restaurant service - but the food was worth waiting for!
So we enjoyed our time at Nemo 33, so much so that we're planning to return in January - though by taking a coach, we expect it to be a more relaxing all-round experience.
Mark Horton
www.nemo33.com
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