When most people think of scuba diving or freediving, they picture crystal-blue water under a blazing sun — a quintessentially summer outdoor sport. Taiwan, however, sits squarely in the Western Pacific typhoon belt, and the northeast monsoon batters the north every winter, regularly cutting off access to the sea. But when the weather turns, does that mean there's simply no way to enjoy water activities?
DiveCube is located right in the heart of Taichung City, making it extremely convenient to reach
The Dive-Pool Hotel — DiveCube
In Taichung, central Taiwan, stands a dive-pool hotel called DiveCube, featuring a pool that plunges to a remarkable depth of 21 metres. Five years and NT$200 million in investment went into building it, making it Asia's first mixed-use venue combining diving, hotel accommodation, and dining. Since opening, it has attracted extensive coverage from domestic and international media, and has become a hub for scuba diving and freediving training in central Taiwan. Whenever a typhoon strikes or the Northeast Coast diving season winds down, divers flock to DiveCube to continue whatever training or dive experiences they haven't yet completed.
Features of DiveCube
DiveCube is a four-storey building, and its pool section offers depths of 1.3 m, 3 m, 7 m, 11 m, and 21 m — allowing divers to plan their sessions according to their training programme. Beyond being Asia's deepest pool, it boasts several other features that keep divers coming back for more.
-
Year-round temperature-controlled water — no wetsuit required!
-
The only deep-water dive pool in Asia, and the third in the world
-
The world's first indoor wreck-diving experience
-
Underwater wing thruster H2 experiences available
The soaring lobby is impressively grand
DiveCube also provides accommodation and restaurant services to meet all guests' needs. If you're a Taiwanese resident planning a two-day, one-night trip to Taichung, you can check in at DiveCube and squeeze in a diving experience at the same time. A growing number of overseas visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia are also choosing DiveCube as a destination to obtain their scuba diving or freediving certification — earning their very first dive card while enjoying comfortable surroundings and exploring Taichung.
Spacious dining area
During breaks, you can relax and chat with friends about how the dive went
A comfortable dining environment makes the whole diving experience even more relaxed and enjoyable
A floor-to-ceiling window next to the restaurant lets you watch other divers in action
Diving equipment is also available for purchase in-store
At DiveCube, you don't need to bring your own gear — everything is provided, from lightweight to full-configuration equipment. Just show up with a relaxed and happy attitude and enjoy a stress-free diving experience.
Neatly organised equipment is freely available for visiting divers
Professional filling equipment supplies compact scuba tanks for easier handling
The generous pool area is divided into multiple depth zones so training can be planned accordingly
Many divers choose DiveCube for training, with multiple depth zones catering to different training programmes. The pool's excellent visibility and current-free conditions offer a higher safety margin than training in open water. The crystal-clear water is also a top choice for underwater photographers and underwater wedding shoot bookings.
Geared up and ready to dive!
A special cave diving feature is available underwater
The wreck, with its upper and lower decks, gives off a wonderfully mysterious atmosphere
There's a secret space at the top of the wreck just waiting to be explored — don't miss it
Descending to 21 m, you can experience weightlessness and the sensation of being enveloped by darkness
Some people think of DiveCube as just a swimming pool and wonder whether the entry fee is worth it compared to spending a little more to dive at Xiaoliuqiu or the Northeast Coast. But DiveCube's year-round temperature control and high level of comfort make it the ideal venue for beginner training or speciality courses. If you're into underwater photography, the exceptional clarity will let you capture the kind of shots you've always dreamed of.
Chatting with friends about your shot plan before entering the water makes the whole trip even more fun
H2 Underwater Wing Thruster
In addition to experiencing DiveCube itself, we'd heard that the facility offers the H2 underwater wing thruster — so of course we had to find out what it feels like to rocket through the water with one.
Let's start with the design. Unlike the bulky, torpedo-style underwater scooters you usually see, the H2 is styled after the streamlined profile of an aircraft, and the white colour scheme gives it a premium look. At 14 kg it's a manageable weight, and with 16.8 kg of positive buoyancy underwater, the H2 will float back to the surface on its own if you let go in an emergency. The body also has pre-drilled mounting points for an action camera, supporting both forward-facing and selfie configurations to add versatility to your shots.
The H2 underwater wing thruster looks just like a miniature aircraft
The H2 is remarkably straightforward to operate. Slip both hands through the handles and grip the body naturally — the left hand activates the power switch, while the right hand toggles through three speed settings. Once the left hand activates the unit, the central display lights up and shows the remaining battery level.
Should anything go wrong during use, simply release your left hand and the thruster stops immediately, making the H2's safety credentials very strong.
Before using the H2, always get a briefing from the resident instructor
According to official specifications, the H2 reaches a top speed of 9 km/h with up to 100 minutes of runtime. The one caveat worth noting is a recommended maximum depth of 20 m. Taking the operating speed and overall specs into account, the H2 is clearly positioned as an entry-level underwater thruster — well 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 so it resembles a shark's dorsal fin — a uniquely dramatic shot
The streamlined form greatly enhances underwater manoeuvrability, and users can get comfortable with it after just a brief orientation. If you have freediving training under your belt — meaning you can hold your breath for extended periods and equalise hands-free — you can attempt impressive vertical dives to capture stunning footage. One thing to be aware of: the water discharge port is positioned at chest and abdomen level, so female riders in bikinis should take extra care. We'd recommend wearing a rash guard to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions (laughs).
Its simple controls mean virtually anyone can pick it up quickly
Thanks to its ease of use, the H2 isn't just a pool toy — it has also been introduced overseas for coastal rescue operations, helping to increase survival rates for drowning victims. We hope to see more high-tech rescue equipment like this on Taiwan's beaches in the future.
The manufacturer even supplies a convenient carry bag: simply detach the wings, pack it up, and take it to dive sites around the world. It's a product designed with the adventurous ocean-lover firmly in mind.
The convenient carry bag lets you take it wherever you go
As a scuba diver, I'm itching for the chance to take the H2 out into the open ocean and see how it performs against a current — stay tuned for that! Word has it that H2 will be hosting demo events and underwater thruster races in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, so keep an eye on their fan page for announcements!
Come to DiveCube and experience the exhilarating freedom of the H2 underwater wing thruster!
Related links:
