The Florida Hotel So Deep Underwater You Have To Scuba Dive To Check In

Imagine a hotel where check-in begins with a scuba dive – 21 feet beneath the surface of the Emerald Lagoon. Welcome to Jules’ Undersea Lab in Key Largo, Florida, formerly known as Jules’ Undersea Lodge. It remains the only underwater habitat in the United States offering overnight stays, now reimagined as part of a marine science program where guests sleep surrounded by tropical fish and swaying seagrass.

As the part of the MarineLab Undersea Park & Museum, this reimagined habitat blends cozy overnight accommodations with immersive marine science programming. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or chasing a bucket-list dream, the overnight stay offers a surreal escape: two bedrooms, a common living area, and panoramic underwater views – all accessible only by scuba.

It’s not just a hotel; it’s an adventure that begins with a splash and ends with stories you’ll tell for a lifetime.

1. From Research Lab to Underwater Hotel

Back in the 1970s, the structure now known as Jules’ Undersea Lodge began its journey as La Chalupa, an underwater research habitat stationed off the coast of Puerto Rico. Designed for marine scientists, it allowed extended stays beneath the ocean’s surface, enabling groundbreaking studies of marine ecosystems. When its research chapter closed, a new vision emerged – one that would bring the underwater world to adventurous travelers.

In 1986, La Chalupa was relocated to the Emerald Lagoon in Key Largo, Florida, and reborn as Jules’ Undersea Lodge, named in tribute to Jules Verne, author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It became the first underwater hotel in the United States, offering guests the rare chance to sleep surrounded by tropical fish and coral gardens.

Today, as part of the MarineLab Undersea Park & Museum, the habitat continues to welcome overnight guests as part of structured educational programs, blending its scientific legacy with immersive marine learning.

2. The Check-In Process: Scuba Certification Required

Getting to your room at Jules’ Undersea Lab isn’t as simple as walking through a lobby door. Guests must be scuba-certified or complete a three-hour Discover Scuba course offered on-site before they can check in. The journey begins at the surface of the Emerald Lagoon, where you gear up with tanks, masks, and fins.

You descend 21 feet through warm, clear water, following your guide past curious fish and waving sea fans. The entrance is through a moon pool – an opening in the floor of the lodge that stays dry due to air pressure inside. You literally swim up into your hotel room from below.

It sounds intimidating, but the dive is short and shallow, perfect for beginners. Staff members are patient and experienced, ensuring even nervous first-timers feel comfortable making the plunge into this underwater world.

3. Inside Your Underwater Room

Once you surface inside the lodge, you’ll find yourself in a surprisingly cozy 600-square-foot living space. There are two private bedrooms, each with comfortable beds where you can drift off to sleep while fish swim past your window. The common area features a fully stocked kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and hot water for coffee or tea.

Yes, there’s Wi-Fi down here, along with educational materials, books, and games to enrich your stay. But the real entertainment comes from the large 42-inch round windows that offer panoramic views of the lagoon’s vibrant marine ecosystem. Natural light filters through during the day, creating a peaceful underwater glow.

The lodge maintains comfortable air pressure and temperature, so you’re not cold or uncomfortable. It feels more like a quirky apartment than a cramped submarine, proving that underwater living can actually be quite pleasant and homey.

4. Living Among the Fish: Your Marine Neighbors

Waking up to angelfish peering through your bedroom window is an experience you won’t find at any traditional hotel. The Emerald Lagoon surrounding Jules’ Undersea Lab is home to dozens of marine species, from curious parrotfish nibbling on algae to sleek barracudas patrolling the waters. Throughout your stay, you’ll feel like you’re living inside a reverse aquarium – you’re the one in the tank while the fish watch you.

At night, the underwater lights attract even more marine visitors, creating a mesmerizing natural show. Guests often report feeling surprisingly relaxed watching the gentle movements of sea life just inches away through the thick acrylic windows. Some fish become regular visitors, almost like underwater pets checking in on the strange humans below.

This constant connection with ocean life makes the lodge more than just accommodation, it’s an immersive marine education experience that changes how you see the underwater world.

5. What Guests Are Saying: Real Reviews from Underwater Visitors

Jules’ Undersea Lodge once operated as the only underwater hotel in the United States, and Reddit users couldn’t get enough of its surreal charm. One guest described the experience of scuba diving into your room through a moon pool as “gloomy but unforgettable,” with tropical fish gliding past the windows like living wallpaper.

Another Redditor raved about the novelty of underwater pizza delivery, calling it a bucket-list adventure. Even with limited visibility, guests reported seeing parrotfish, stone crabs, and other reef life, all while relaxing inside a submerged habitat. Dive masters like Riky earned praise for being calm, personable, and reassuring – especially for first-time divers.

Today, Jules has evolved into Jules’ Undersea Lab, part of the MarineLab Undersea Park & Museum, and the reviews on Google are just as glowing. One recent visitor called it “the coolest experience I’ve had underwater,” marveling at the science behind ambient pressure habitats.

Another completed their son’s open water certification there and praised the staff’s organization and friendliness. Guests continue to be wowed by the underwater suite, describing it as cozy, quirky, and unforgettable.

One reviewer even learned to use air bubbles in the corners of their eyes instead of a mask, taught by a man attempting a world record for underwater living. Past visitors have included NASA astronauts, adding a layer of off-Earth mystique to the experience.

Whether you came for the hotel or return for the science, Jules remains a one-of-a-kind dive into the deep.

6. Who Should Book This Underwater Adventure

Jules’ Undersea Lab offers overnight educational stays for those bold enough to scuba dive 21 feet below the surface to reach the habitat. This experience is tailor-made for adventurous couples seeking a honeymoon or anniversary story that’s truly unforgettable, and for marine enthusiasts who want more than just a surface-level dive.

Families with older, water-confident kids can also share in the wonder, creating memories that rival any theme park. The lodge draws travelers who value authenticity over opulence, who crave rare experiences more than thread counts. If you’re the kind of person who collects stories instead of souvenirs, this is your kind of place.

But if your idea of a getaway includes spa treatments, room service, or plush robes, you might want to look elsewhere. This is underwater glamping – cozy, quirky, and absolutely extraordinary. It’s for those who know that the best adventures often begin with a splash and end with a story worth retelling.

7. Practical Tips: What to Know Before You Go

As of September 1, 2025, this legendary underwater hotel shifted its focus from leisure to learning, offering immersive marine science programs alongside its iconic overnight experience. Guests still scuba dive 21 feet below the surface to sleep surrounded by tropical fish, but the experience now includes guided marine science tours, snorkeling with biologists, and hands-on educational programming.

Advance booking is essential, as sessions are limited to small groups and fill up fast. If you’re not scuba-certified, the on-site Discover Scuba course will prepare you for the dive. Pack light – everything must fit into waterproof containers – and bring casual clothes for the cozy 75°F interior.

A waterproof camera is a must to capture the surreal underwater views. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a curious learner, this reimagined habitat offers a rare chance to live, learn, and sleep beneath the sea. Dive in now and experience the next chapter of this aquatic icon.

8. Why This Underwater Hotel Is Worth Every Splash

Jules’ Undersea Lab continues to captivate travelers, especially after its transformation into an educational marine habitat, because it offers something no other place in America can: a genuine underwater living and learning experience. It blends the thrill of sleeping 21 feet beneath the ocean with immersive marine science programming. You’re not just visiting the sea – you’re part of it, surrounded by tropical fish and the gentle sway of seagrass, with the rhythm of the ocean pulsing through your stay.

This isn’t about luxury linens or spa menus; it’s about creating a story you’ll tell for years. Guests still descend into the habitat via scuba dive, and while the lodge’s focus has shifted toward education, the magic of underwater living remains. Every visitor emerges with a deeper appreciation for marine life and a wild tale of adventure. The experience proves that unforgettable travel isn’t always about comfort, it’s about pushing boundaries and connecting with the world in extraordinary ways.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or chasing a bucket-list dream, this reimagined undersea escape delivers an experience that begins with a splash and ends with you forever changed beneath the sea.