The Safest Thrill: Debunking Myths About Submarine Adventures in Barbados
Debunking Myths About Submarine Adventures in Barbados
Trade Barbados’ blazing sun for the cool, silent wonder of an underwater universe. Glide past coral gardens as sea turtles cruise beside you. Sounds dreamy, right? Yet for many, the idea of a submarine adventure results in hesitation. Images of cramped metal tubes, Hollywood disasters, or claustrophobia might surface.
It’s time to dive deeper than the myths. We’ll debunk common fears and reveal the truth: modern submarine tours in Barbados aren’t just breathtaking, they’re engineered to be safe, reliable, and surprisingly affordable.
In this blog, we'll look at some common myths and debunk them together. Let's dive in!
Myth #1: Submarines Are Danger-Prone As Depicted in the Movies
Reality: Tour Submarines are Engineering Wonders Conceived for Safety
Ignore Hollywood visions of deep-sea catastrophes. The Barbados submarines, particularly those owned and operated by Atlantis Submarines (the world's largest excursion submarine operator), are built and designed with the security of travellers as their primary concern. Important facts:
Certified and Classed: These vessels are built to the highest international safety standards and certified annually by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Every system has multiple redundancies.
Proven Track Record: Atlantis Submarines has operated worldwide for over 40 years, with hundreds of thousands of dives. All vessels return to shore for preventative maintenance and prepare for the next day’s dives. The Barbados operation has done this for over 38 years of operation.
Shallow and Controlled Dives: Reefs are dived at relatively shallow depths (usually 100-150 feet / 30-45 metres) on well-mapped, familiar reef systems.
Constant Surface Support: Each dive is closely monitored by a dedicated support boat on the surface, with a continuous verbal communication system between the Pilot and Surface Officer. There are established procedures to respond to all perceived emergencies.
Myth #2: What if the Air Runs Out or You Get Stuck Underwater?
Reality: Multiple, Redundant Life Support & Safety Systems
Air supply fears or getting trapped are real, but easily dispelled by the advanced engineering of the submarines:
Plenty of Air Supply: Submarines have much more breathable air (round-the-clock recycled and oxygen-added) than is needed during the diving time, generally sufficient for 24+ hours. A standard tour is approximately 40-45 minutes underwater.
Backup Systems: Redundant independent backups are used in safety-critical systems like power, ballast control, air cleaning, and communications. Single system failure does not pose a threat to safety.
Emergency Surfacing: To quickly return to the ocean surface in the unlikely event of a primary system failure, the submarine features fail-safe systems that enable the jettisoning of ballast and the rapid addition of positive buoyancy to its air ballast system. Crews undergo training on emergency response.
Easy Exit: Easily accessible hatches that can be opened from the inside or outside once on the surface permit quick escape. The support boat is always close by.
Myth #3: It Must Be Claustrophobic and Uncomfortable
Reality: Spacious, Comfortable, and Surprisingly Relaxing
Recent tourist submarines are crafted with passenger comfort and a feeling of openness in mind:
Roomy Personal Space: Seats facing large portholes guarantee everyone enjoys a wonderful, unobstructed view.
Climate-Controlled: The inside is fully air-conditioned and dehumidified, creating a comfortable environment, regardless of balmy heat above or cold water below the surface.
Smooth & Stable: Electric driving offers a quiet and smooth ride. Changing depths or duration underwater does not affect the passengers.
Accessibility: Not accessible to everyone due to ladder climbing down into the submarine, but most people can manage. It's much less physically challenging than diving or snorkelling. Get advice from the operator in terms of specific needs.
Myth #4: You'll Get Seasick Down There (Like on a Boat!)
Reality: Submarine tours in Barbados use specially designed submersibles that operate below the waves.
Once submerged, you're in incredibly calm, stable water. No rocking, rolling, or choppy movement like you feel on a surface boat. The ride is very smooth, so it's even comfortable for most people who get seasick on a boat.
Quiet and Smooth Ride: Electric drive delivers a quiet, vibration-free, and smooth movement while moving underwater. Experience an absolute lack of waves and surface rolling once below 30’ underwater.
Comfort for Everyone: Suitable even for most passengers prone to seasickness on traditional vessels. The tour is designed for stability. All you have to do is focus on the fish, not your stomach.
Engineered for Positive Buoyancy: Unlike boats that sit on the ever-moving surface, submarines are usually neutrally buoyant and suspended in water. This balance minimises motion entirely, resulting in a level and stable ride. So, you will face no sudden tilts, no sway, and no seasickness-inducing bobbing. Atlantis Submarines' subs are designed and operated in a state of positive buoyancy. This adds a layer of safety without compromising comfort, ensuring the sub’s predisposition to surface without crew input.
Why Submarine Tours are a Premier Barbados Experience?
Beyond debunking myths, here's why a submarine adventure and the Barbados day tours stand out among the myriad activities to do in Barbados:
Accessibility for All: No swimming ability, age restrictions (children as young as approx. 3-4 ft tall are welcome), or special physical fitness is required. It makes the deep-sea experience accessible to all.
Unrivalled Views: Experience all depths without concerns of decompression sickness or dangerous predators. The submersible does not pose a threat to marine life, so fish and turtles venture close to the viewports for views to which divers and snorkelers are not privy.
Eco-Friendly Exploration: Submarine tours offer a sustainable way to explore marine life without disrupting delicate ecosystems. With zero contact with coral and quiet electric operation, this is one of the most sustainable ways to experience the ocean.
Planning Your Safe & Spectacular Underwater Journey
What to expect:
Location: Departs Shallow Draught (near Bridgetown Cruise Terminal) and West Coast (Mighty Grynner Highway)
Duration: Allow about 1.5 - 2 hours total (transfer boat to submarine, actual dive itself, and back)
What to Bring: Camera (flash not needed!)
What to Wear: Comfortable clothing, enclosed shoes (preferably no slippers)
Booking: Highly recommended, particularly during peak season and by cruise ship travellers. Simple to book online or through a tour agent
In Conclusion
Don't be discouraged by disinformation about one of the globe's most off-beat and trouble-free vacations. Atlantis Submarines Barbados provides a thrilling underwater adventure, with safety always coming first, based on decades of established experience.
See rich coral reefs, stately sea creatures, and ancient shipwrecks, all in unprecedented comfort and security.
Reserve your unforgettable submarine tour now with Atlantis Submarines Barbados. Discover dive times, locations, and book your place for an underwater experience you'll never forget.
Atlantis Submarines Barbados is located in the Shallow Draught Bridgetown, Barbados and the tour is operated on Freshwater Bay Reef which ironically gets its name due to rain water ending up on the reef.
Our tagline sums it up: 'Experience a unique underwater adventure in a real Submarine!' Atlantis Submarines specializes in making the underwater world accessible to those who don't dive by taking them underwater in a fully air-conditioned cabin. Being aboard a real, untethered, free-moving submarine in the natural marine environment can be done in only a few places in the world.
June 5th 2023, The Shallow-draught, Bridgetown, Barbados- Under the theme “Living Sustainably…Reduce Plastics Pollution to Protect our Blue Economy”., Atlantis Submarines and the Ministry of Environment reestablished its long-standing partnership focused on environmental education, for World Environment day.
The Atlantis Submarines is one of the most popular activities to do in Barbados. It is the most comfortable way to experience underwater marine life without needing any special equipment or instructions of any kind.
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