Jules Undersea Lodge
Picture this: you are getting ready for a good night's sleep, but instead of walking into a regular hotel room, you are putting on some scuba gear. This isn't a dream, actually. It's what happens when you decide to stay at Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida. This spot is quite a bit different from anywhere else you might have stayed, sitting thirty feet down under the surface of the ocean. To get to your sleeping quarters, you really do have to swim there.
This isn't just some clever marketing idea, you know. The name itself, Jules' Undersea Lodge, really gives you a hint about what's in store. It's a place where the experience of simply getting to your room is a big part of the adventure. It feels like something straight out of a storybook, yet it is a real place where you can actually sleep with fish swimming past your window. It's pretty cool, in a way.
For those who are certified to go underwater with breathing equipment, this place offers a chance to see a world that most people only ever dream about. It’s a chance to truly disconnect and connect with the quiet beauty of the water all around you. It's a rather unique place, to be honest, where you can learn about the ocean and also just relax.
Table of Contents
- History and Beginnings of Jules' Undersea Lodge
- What Makes Jules' Undersea Lodge So Different?
- Life Beneath the Waves - Staying at Jules' Undersea Lodge
- Record-Breaking Stays at Jules' Undersea Lodge
- Exploring the Surroundings of Jules' Undersea Lodge
- Planning Your Visit to Jules' Undersea Lodge
History and Beginnings of Jules' Undersea Lodge
This special place, Jules' Undersea Lodge, actually has a rather interesting past. It wasn't always a hotel where people could come to stay for fun. No, in fact, it began its life as something quite different. Back in 1986, a scientist named Graham Hawkes put this structure together. It was originally built to be a place for underwater studies, a kind of laboratory where researchers could live and work beneath the waves. It was called the La Chalupa research laboratory at first, and it was used for important scientific work.
The idea for this whole setup, you know, the underwater living and all, was somewhat inspired by a very famous book. Jules Verne wrote a tale about a submarine and adventures under the sea, and that story gave some of the creative spark for this real-life structure. It's pretty cool to think about how a story can lead to something so real and so out of the ordinary. The lodge, in a way, brings a bit of that fictional wonder to life for people to experience.
How Did Jules' Undersea Lodge Come to Be?
So, the story goes that a fellow named Neil Monney got together with another person, Koblick. They got their hands on this La Chalupa structure from Puerto Rico. They then brought it all the way to Key Largo, Florida. Once it was there, they started changing it. They took what was once a place for serious scientific study and turned it into the very first hotel that exists entirely under the water. It was a big step, really, to convert a research habitat into a place where people could come and sleep.
This transformation made Jules' Undersea Lodge a one-of-a-kind spot in the United States. It gave people a chance to spend time in an underwater setting, which was something that just wasn't available anywhere else in the country. It stands on big supports that are pushed into the seabed, and the guests get to swim right underneath it. This whole setup, as a matter of fact, creates a truly unique environment for anyone who wants to visit.
What Makes Jules' Undersea Lodge So Different?
When you think about staying at a hotel, you probably picture walking through a lobby, maybe taking an elevator, and then using a key card to get into your room. At Jules' Undersea Lodge, things are quite a bit different. The main thing that sets it apart is how you actually get to your sleeping space. It's not just a short walk down a hallway, or anything like that. No, this is an experience that starts even before you open your room door.
This lodge is the only place in the whole wide world where the only way to get to your room is by going underwater with scuba gear. That's right, you have to put on your tanks and fins and swim down to it. This makes it a truly special kind of destination. It means that everyone who stays there shares a common bond, the experience of having swum to their beds. It’s a pretty cool story to tell, honestly, when you get back home.
Reaching Your Room at Jules' Undersea Lodge
So, how does one actually get inside this underwater hotel, you might be wondering? Well, it's pretty clever, actually. The lodge has what they call a "moon pool." This is a special opening at the bottom of the structure. When you're underwater, you swim up into this opening, and then you can take off your gear and climb out into the dry part of the lodge. It's a bit like entering a submarine from below, in a way. This system keeps the water out of the living spaces while still letting people come and go from the ocean.
Guests who are certified to go underwater are the only ones who can stay here. This is because getting to your room means you have to be comfortable and skilled with your scuba equipment. It's not a place for someone who's just learning how to breathe underwater. You really need to be able to handle yourself in the water. This ensures that everyone who visits can safely and easily get to their accommodations.
Life Beneath the Waves - Staying at Jules' Undersea Lodge
Once you have made your way into Jules' Undersea Lodge, you will find yourself in a very unique kind of living space. It’s not just a place to sleep, but a spot where you can truly feel connected to the watery world outside. The lodge was once a habitat for submarine research, so it has a history of being a place for serious work, but now it offers a chance for people to enjoy the calm and beauty of being under the sea. You get to see the pretty green water of the lagoon in the Florida Keys right from your window.
Staying here is definitely not like your usual vacation. The whole idea of being hidden away beneath the waves means it’s a getaway that stands out. It’s a chance to step away from the everyday world and experience something truly different. You are, in essence, living inside a big fish tank, with all the marine life going about their business just outside your window. It’s a rather peaceful feeling, in some respects, to be surrounded by the quiet of the ocean.
What Can You Expect Inside Jules' Undersea Lodge?
Inside the lodge, you will find that it has two separate bedrooms. Each of these rooms has a double bed and also a single bunk bed above it. So, there is room for a few people to stay comfortably. The most striking thing about the rooms, though, is the large windows. These windows give you a fantastic view of the world outside. You can watch the fish and other sea creatures swimming by, right from your bed. It's a bit like having a living, moving aquarium as your wall.
The lodge also has some other things to make your stay pleasant. While the focus is on the underwater experience, you still have the comforts you would expect. The text mentions learning about the amenities, which suggests there are things to make your stay easy and enjoyable, even though you are thirty feet down. It’s a pretty well-thought-out setup, considering where it is.
Record-Breaking Stays at Jules' Undersea Lodge
This special underwater hotel has not only been a place for unique vacations but also a spot for some rather remarkable achievements. Because of its nature as an underwater habitat, it has been used for long-term stays that push the limits of human endurance under the sea. It's a place where people can truly test what it is like to live for extended periods in a submerged environment. This kind of use adds another layer to the history and importance of Jules' Undersea Lodge.
For a long time, this place has been a fascinating attraction, especially for people who are serious about marine science or just very interested in living underwater. It's not just a tourist spot; it's also a place that has helped us learn more about how people can live and work in the ocean. It provides a controlled setting for these kinds of long-duration experiments.
Who is Joseph Dituri and His Time at Jules' Undersea Lodge?
One person who really made headlines with his stay at Jules' Undersea Lodge is Joseph Dituri. He spent a truly impressive amount of time living underwater there. On May 13, it was his 74th day of living in the lodge. This was a really big deal because it meant he had broken a world record. The previous record for living underwater without needing to come up to the surface to adjust to normal pressure was 73 days, and that was set by two other professors back in 2014.
Joseph Dituri's stay was all about setting a new record for the longest time someone has lived underwater without depressurization. He was submerged beneath thirty feet of water for all that time. This kind of achievement really shows what is possible when people commit to living in such a unique environment. His time at Jules' Undersea Lodge brought a lot of attention to the lodge and its capabilities.
| Achievement | Longest time living underwater without depressurization |
|---|---|
| Location | Jules' Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida |
| Duration | 74 days (as of May 13) |
| Previous Record | 73 days (set in 2014 by two professors) |
Exploring the Surroundings of Jules' Undersea Lodge
Jules' Undersea Lodge is located within a larger area called the Key Largo Undersea Park. This park has a lot to offer besides just the lodge itself. The lodge is situated in a lagoon, which is a calm body of water, and this lagoon is home to a tropical mangrove habitat. Mangroves are special trees that grow in saltwater, and they create a really important environment for all sorts of marine life. You can take a tour around this lagoon, which is a very pleasant way to see the natural beauty of the area.
The lagoon at Key Largo Undersea Park is a place that welcomes all sorts of people who love the water. Whether you are someone who likes to swim with a snorkel, or you are training to become a scuba diver, or even if you are a professional diver, there is something for you here. It is used for both open water and confined water training, which means it is a good spot for different levels of skill.
Activities Around Jules' Undersea Lodge
Besides just staying at the lodge, there are other things you can do in the area. For example, you can explore the underwater world that feels a bit like the future. There is a marine archaeology exhibit, which is a display about things found from under the sea that tell us about history. You can also visit the MarineLab, which is another part of the park that focuses on marine science. These attractions give you a chance to learn more about the ocean and its past.
The park also offers specific programs for those interested in learning more about scuba diving. There is a one-day PADI specialty course that was put together by an instructor named Daniel Blezio. This course is only done in Jules' Lagoon, and it costs $225.00. It's a good way to get a special certification. There is also the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program, which is a perfect way to try out scuba diving without having to sign up for a full, long course. It lets you feel the excitement of breathing underwater with someone experienced right there with you.
Planning Your Visit to Jules' Undersea Lodge
If you are thinking about making a trip to Jules' Undersea Lodge, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, remember that you absolutely need to be certified to go scuba diving to even get into your room. This is a pretty basic requirement, as we have talked about. The lodge is truly an experience for those who are comfortable in the water and ready for a different kind of stay. It's a chance to truly immerse yourself in an underwater world.
The lodge is located off the coast of Key Largo in Florida, which is a beautiful part of the world to visit anyway. You can take a guided tour around Jules' Lagoon, and this tour includes a private visit to Jules' Undersea Lodge itself. This is a good way to learn about the sea life that lives there and also hear about the history of the place. Thousands of people have enjoyed these tours over the years, so it's a popular way to see the lodge without necessarily staying overnight.
Special Offers for Jules' Undersea Lodge Guests
Jules' Undersea Lodge sometimes has special deals for visitors. For instance, they are happy to give a 20% discount on their "Jules' Luxury Package" and their "Aquanaut Specialty Package." These packages are for people who want to do it all: go diving, have a meal, and sleep at five fathoms, which is about thirty feet down. To get this discount, you just need to say "sizzlin' summer" when you are making your plans. It's a nice little bonus for those looking to experience everything the lodge has to offer.
For people who work as professional divers, the lagoon is also a great spot to use as part of their training. They can use the calm waters for practice and even include Jules' Undersea Lodge in their plans for training sessions. The lagoon is good for both open water and enclosed water practice, so it is quite versatile for different kinds of instruction. It's a place that supports both casual visitors and those who are serious about their underwater skills.
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