When most people think of scuba diving or freediving, they picture crystal-clear blue water under a blazing sun — a quintessentially summery outdoor pursuit. Taiwan, however, sits squarely in the Western Pacific typhoon belt, and the northeast monsoon lashes the north every winter, frequently shutting the door on ocean access when the weather turns. But does bad weather really mean there's no option for water activities at all?
DiveCube is located right in the heart of Taichung, making it extremely easy to get to.
The Dive-Pool Hotel — DiveCube
In Taichung, central Taiwan, there is a dive-pool hotel called DiveCube, home to a diving pool that plunges 21 meters deep. Five years and NT$200 million went into building it, making it Asia's first integrated complex combining diving, hotel accommodation, and dining. Since opening, it has drawn a stream of coverage from domestic and international media, and has become the go-to scuba diving and freediving training base for central Taiwan. Whenever a typhoon rolls in or the Northeast Coast diving season wraps up, divers flock to DiveCube to pick up unfinished training or simply enjoy a diving experience.
What Makes DiveCube Special
DiveCube is a four-story building whose pool section offers depths of 1.3 m, 3 m, 7 m, 11 m, and 21 m, letting divers plan sessions according to their training goals. Beyond being Asia's deepest dive pool, it has several other features that keep divers coming back.
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Year-round temperature-controlled water — no wetsuit required
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Asia's only, and the world's third, deep-water dive pool
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The world's first indoor sunken-ship wreck diving experience
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H2 underwater scooter experience available
The soaring lobby makes a grand first impression.
DiveCube also offers hotel rooms and restaurant services, catering to every guest's needs. If you're a Taiwanese resident planning a two-day, one-night trip to Taichung, you can stay at DiveCube and fit in a diving session while you're at it. An increasing number of visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia are choosing DiveCube as a destination to earn their scuba diving or freediving certification — getting their first dive cert while enjoying a comfortable stay and exploring Taichung.
A spacious and relaxed dining area.
During breaks, you can sit down with friends and debrief on the dive you just finished.
The comfortable dining environment makes the whole diving experience even more enjoyable and convenient.
A full-length window next to the restaurant lets you watch other divers in action.
Dive gear is also available for purchase in-store.
You don't need to bring your own equipment to DiveCube — everything, from light recreational gear to full scuba kit, is provided. All you need to bring is a good mood and a sense of adventure.
Neatly organized gear is available for visiting divers to use freely.
Professional filling equipment is on hand, with smaller cylinders available for easier handling.
The spacious pool is divided into multiple depth zones, so you can train according to your plan.
Many divers choose DiveCube for training precisely because the pool's various depth zones allow for different training programs. The excellent visibility and current-free environment make it a safer option than heading outdoors. The crystal-clear water has also made DiveCube a top choice for underwater photographers and underwater wedding photo shoots that book out the entire venue.
Geared up and ready to go in!
A specially designed underwater cave diving experience awaits below.
The wreck's upper and lower decks give off a wonderfully mysterious atmosphere.
A secret space at the top of the wreck waits to be discovered — don't miss it.
Descending to 21 m, you can experience the sensation of weightlessness and being enveloped by darkness.
Many people assume DiveCube is just a swimming pool, and wonder whether the entry fee is better spent on a bit more to visit Xiaoliuqiu or the Northeast Coast instead. But DiveCube's year-round temperature-controlled water and high comfort level make it the top choice for beginner training or specialty course work. If you're into underwater photography, the exceptional visibility will help you capture the shots you've always dreamed of.
A quick chat with friends before jumping in about how to approach the shots makes the whole experience even more fun.
The H2 Underwater Scooter
Beyond experiencing DiveCube itself, we had heard the facility offered rides on the H2 underwater scooter — and there was no way we were leaving without trying it.
Taking a look at the H2's design: it's nothing like the bulky, torpedo-shaped scooters you typically see. The H2 is styled after the streamlined silhouette of an aircraft, finished in white, and looks genuinely premium. At 14 kg it's a manageable weight, and its underwater buoyancy is 16.8 kg, meaning the unit is positively buoyant. If you let go in an emergency, it simply floats back up to the surface on its own. The body also has pre-drilled mounting points for an action camera, accommodating both forward-facing and selfie-style shots for more creative compositions.
The H2 underwater scooter really does look like a miniature aircraft.
Operating the H2 is straightforward. Slip both hands through the handles and grip the body naturally. The left-hand grip is the activation switch; the right-hand grip lets you toggle through three speed settings. Once you activate with the left hand, the central panel lights up and displays the remaining battery level.
If anything goes wrong during use, simply release your left hand and the unit stops immediately — making the H2 a very safe piece of kit.
Before using it, make sure to get a proper briefing from the on-site instructor.
According to official specifications, the H2 reaches a top speed of 9 km/h with a runtime of up to 100 minutes. One slight limitation: the recommended maximum depth is 20 m. Weighing up the operating speed and overall specs, the H2 is clearly positioned as an entry-level underwater scooter — perfectly suited to a wide range of water activities. For freedivers looking to try something different underwater, the relatively compact and lightweight H2 is a solid choice.
The instructor shared a tip: let the wing break the surface to capture a shot that looks just like a shark's dorsal fin.
The streamlined body greatly improves maneuverability underwater, and users can get the hang of it after just a basic briefing. If you've had freediving training, can hold your breath for extended periods, and can equalize hands-free, you can attempt dramatic vertical ascents and descents for stunning footage. One thing to bear in mind: the water discharge exits near the chest and abdomen, so anyone wearing a bikini should take note — a rashguard or dive skin is recommended to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions (laughs).
The intuitive controls mean just about anyone can get comfortable with it quickly.
Thanks to its simplicity and ease of use, the H2 is not only a hit with general visitors in the pool — it is also being adopted for shore-based rescue operations overseas, boosting the chances of reaching drowning victims in time. Here's hoping we'll see more of these high-tech rescue devices on Taiwan's beaches in the future.
The manufacturer also supplies a handy carry bag. Detach the wings, pack it up, and you can take it to dive sites all over the world — a product clearly designed with the wandering ocean lover in mind.
The convenient carry bag means you can take it wherever you go.
As a scuba diver, I'm genuinely hoping for a chance to take the H2 out into open water and see how it performs against a current. Stay tuned! We've also heard that H2 will be hosting demo events and underwater scooter competitions at venues across northern, central, and southern Taiwan — keep an eye on their fan page for announcements.
Come to DiveCube and feel the rush of gliding through the water with the H2!
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