Personal submersibles have become much more intriguing in recent years, with new models ranging from underwater lounges to research submarines that explore previously unfathomable depths. Experiencing the ocean in a personal submarine is like accessing another world from the comfort of your living room. Today, the underwater world is officially open to adventurers. The new generation of submersibles has moved beyond a narrow sphere with limited visibility and opted for shapes more akin to torpedoes, large acrylic domes so transparent it feels like you can touch the passing fish, and amenities such as leather seats, joystick controls, and high-end sound systems.
Here we present five of the best personal submarines:
U-Boat Worx Nemo
Owned and operated submarines start at around six hundred thousand dollars, approximately half the price of other submarines on the market. Available in one or two-seat models, Nemo is compact, occupying roughly the same space as two jet skis, making it suitable for yachts as small as 100 feet while weighing 5500 lbs., allowing it to be towed. Options include a sonar, a manipulator arm, and a navigation package providing GPS coordinates to the helmsman.
DeepFlight Super Falcon 3S Luxury Submarine
The DeepFlight Super Falcon 3S is the newest addition to the DeepFlight range of personal submarines. Designed for three people – a pilot and two passengers – it offers an incredible underwater journey designed to simulate a “submarine flight” experience. High-level flexibility allows pilots to tailor the trip to passengers’ desires, from a leisurely tour around a wreck to an exhilarating flight, including inside-out loops. The diving depth is 100 meters. The cabin is a pressurized hull that ensures passengers remain safe from the ocean’s external pressure. Communication lines are always open between the submarine and surface team and between the pilot and passengers.
SEAmagine Ocean Pearl
Powerful enough for challenging missions yet compact enough for intimate exploration, SEAmagine’s Ocean Pearl is a two-person mini-submarine designed to fit on the aft deck of a superyacht. Its large sphere provides 360-degree views. With a depth rating of around 1,200 feet and six hours of battery life on a single charge, the Ocean Pearl is designed for multiple dives per day without needing to be taken out of the water. It has underwater tools, including GPS and surface tracking equipment for precise positioning.
SEAmagine Aurora 100
The Aurora-100 series are mid-sized submarines weighing between 9,600 kg and 13,700 kg, featuring an ultra-large cabin providing spacious multi-seat interiors. The submarine is rated for depths of 3,300 feet and can stay underwater for up to eight hours.
Project Neptune
Project Neptune is a collaboration between Triton Submarines and the British car manufacturer Aston Martin. Both companies have jointly developed a luxury submarine for three people that can remain underwater for eight hours at a depth of 1,640 feet. The custom interior features a combination of hand-stitched leather and carbon fiber trims.