Scuba in Europe’s largest swimming pool
by Amy
Posted on Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 at 12:30 pm CET
Last weekend we visited NEMO 33, a swimming pool in Brussels with a maximum depth of 33 meters. The pool holds 2,500,000 liters of clear water and is a great place to practice skills or just have a relaxing dive.
The pool is open for scuba divers a few times during the week. We went last Friday for the lunchtime dive. After checking in, visitors can relax in the bar area before the changing rooms open (about 15 minutes before the dive is scheduled).
The ladies dressing room – no privacyTIP: If you sign up for membership with NEMO 33, you receive a discount on the cost of the dive. Registration is free and should be done online before you visit the pool. For afternoon dives, you save 50% (€10 instead of €20). Evening and weekend dives are also discounted.
At 12:30 we met the dive masters by the pool for the briefing. The first 10-15 minutes of the “dive” are spent snorkeling or freediving.
Entry to the pool; rental wetsuits and tanks in the backgroundThe only personal gear allowed in the pool are masks, snorkels, and closed-foot fins. Personal regulators can only be used if they are integrated with a dive computer. Dive computers and cameras are also allowed. All other gear is included in the price of the dive. Our rental BCDs and regulators were in good condition. NEMO 33 also provides masks, fins and wetsuits for those who do not bring their own.
Rental fins and masksArthur tried out his new dive computer while I played around with our camera. We only descended to 10 meters as the deeper area was crowded with divers and bubbles. TIP: Get in the water fast and descend to your maximum depth quickly, before it gets too crowded.
Looking down 33 metersWe practiced our bouyancy and finning. Arthur did a few skills, including mask removal, fin pivot and regulator retrieval. He took at least one photo too.
Amy in the warm waterWe had a good time and will definitely go there again. For just €10 each it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon. The reception area also serves as a lounge / bar, where snacks and drinks are served. There are observation windows in the lounge where non-divers can watch the action in the water.
Last weekend we visited NEMO 33, a swimming pool in Brussels with a maximum depth of 33 meters. The pool holds 2,500,000 liters of clear water and is a great place to practice skills or just have a relaxing dive.
The pool is open for scuba divers a few times during the week. We went last Friday for the lunchtime dive. After checking in, visitors can relax in the bar area before the changing rooms open (about 15 minutes before the dive is scheduled).
The ladies dressing room – no privacy
TIP: If you sign up for membership with NEMO 33, you receive a discount on the cost of the dive. Registration is free and should be done online before you visit the pool. For afternoon dives, you save 50% (€10 instead of €20). Evening and weekend dives are also discounted.
At 12:30 we met the dive masters by the pool for the briefing. The first 10-15 minutes of the “dive” are spent snorkeling or freediving.
Entry to the pool; rental wetsuits and tanks in the background
The only personal gear allowed in the pool are masks, snorkels, and closed-foot fins. Personal regulators can only be used if they are integrated with a dive computer. Dive computers and cameras are also allowed. All other gear is included in the price of the dive. Our rental BCDs and regulators were in good condition. NEMO 33 also provides masks, fins and wetsuits for those who do not bring their own.
Rental fins and masks
Arthur tried out his new dive computer while I played around with our camera. We only descended to 10 meters as the deeper area was crowded with divers and bubbles. TIP: Get in the water fast and descend to your maximum depth quickly, before it gets too crowded.
Looking down 33 meters
We practiced our bouyancy and finning. Arthur did a few skills, including mask removal, fin pivot and regulator retrieval. He took at least one photo too.
Amy in the warm water
We had a good time and will definitely go there again. For just €10 each it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon. The reception area also serves as a lounge / bar, where snacks and drinks are served. There are observation windows in the lounge where non-divers can watch the action in the water.
5:27 am
I made a general information post about Nemo 33 myself a while back.
I would love to visit it some day.