One of the most incredible pools that I have ever seen is sadly a thing of the past, but there’s no reason why we can’t take a look back at the engineering marvel that was Seagaia Ocean Dome. This amazing indoor pool and artificial beach was located in Miyazaki, Japan.

Unfortunately the park was closed back in 2007 and ultimately demolished in 2017. Your opportunity to visit this one of a kind experience is long gone, but it’s lasting effect as one of the most phenomenal wave riding waterparks in the world has not yet faded from memory.

This mammoth structure was the artificial wave equivalent of Pipeline, which was capable of producing powerful waves. And, based on video clips from the time, it would be on par with modern-day BSR Surf Resort in Waco, TX in terms of the fun it delivered to wave riding enthusiasts.

The Polynesia-themed Ocean Dome, which was part of the Sheraton Seagaia Resort opened in 1993 and had the world’s largest retractable roof, which opened and closed according to weather conditions.

The artificial beach featured 12,000 square meters of simulated sandy beach, crushed from 600 tons of stones; and an “ocean” six times the size of an Olympic pool, filled with 13,500 tons of unsalted, chlorinated water kept hot at 82 degrees.

At one time Ocean Dome was considered a destination for world travelers receiving an annual 1.25 million visitors a year. There was even an “active” volcano that erupted every 15 minutes and spewed fire once an hour. The structure was once listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest indoor pool in the world.

Ocean Dome was closed in 2007 for renovations to the resort and was later purchased by Ripplewood, an American private-equity fund. Sadly the park was never to be reopened and wound up being demolished in 2017.

Largest Indoor Waterpark In The World: Tropical Islands Resort

While a thing of the past, the project is reminiscent of Tropical Islands Resort an indoor pool boasting Europe’s largest tropical holiday and current title holder for the world record Ocean Dome used to hold.

Can’t get to Germany? That’s okay, you can still check out Kalahari the largest indoor waterpark in the United States located in the Poconos in Pennsylvania featuring a wave pool, lazy river, wave coaster, and funnel ride.

Know of some incredible indoor waterparks we should check out? Tell us your favorite ones in the comments below.

The world’s tallest building and the world’s largest mall are already located in Dubai. The world famous city now has the distinction of having the world’s deepest swimming pool.

Deep Dive Dubai debuted on July 7, barely ten days after Guinness World Records designated it the world’s deepest dive pool.

The new indoor pool has a depth of about 200 feet and a capacity of nearly 3.7 million gallons of water. It also has a large underwater attraction that looks like a “sunken city” that divers can explore on their own or with a guide.

Explore a Sunken City in Deep Dive Dubai

Dubai’s new vertical diving pool contains the vestiges of a forgotten sunken city, with graffiti, collapsing structures, and a big photo of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall. There’s an arcade featuring a classic Pac-Man game, foosball, and a pool table, as well as an apartment complex and library.

Guinness World Records has certified the pool as the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving. It holds the equivalent of six Olympic swimming pools. According to Deep Dive Dubai, it is 15 meters deeper than any other dive site.

According to the firm, the facility, which is shaped like an oyster in honor of the UAE’s pearl diving legacy, is also the region’s largest underwater film studio.

Beginners can dive to a depth of 40 feet, while certified divers can explore the entire pool with or without a guide. Certified divers can also “free dive” while attached to a fixed ascent line, which means diving without a tank and relying solely on their own air. There are also courses offered to educate a variety of new talents.

Bookings are only accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Will Smith, an actor and rapper, documented his visit in an Instagram post that has received over 3 million likes in just four days.

Deep Dive Dubai’s pool is 196 feet deep and contains 3.7 million gallons of freshwater, roughly the same equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools. Scuba diving and freediving are two ways for swimmers to explore the pool. The pool also boasts 56 underwater cameras monitoring the sunken city.

The pool breaks the world record of 147 feet set by Poland’s Deepspot pool. According to the website, due to the scale of the underwater city, numerous dives are required to thoroughly explore it.

The new Deep Dive Dubai pool is regulated at a pleasant 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which should make exploring the depths of the pool a comfortable experience for divers. The sheer magnitude of this new attraction, has captured the world’s imagination and is creating a long waiting list of visitors eager to try out the new pool.

Featured Photo Credit: Antonie Robertson/ The National

Frogs can be a major hassle especially if you own a swimming pool. Amphibians love water and your swimming pool looks like a natural watering hole to ol’ kermit and his pals.

Odds are good that at some point you may have removed your skimmer bucket only to be confronted with the dreadful sight of a few dead frogs. You might have also been fortunate enough to scoop one of these critters from the water before it drowned.

It isn’t simply frogs who are affected. Mice, moles, chipmunks, turtles, lizards, and other animals are frequently seen in swimming pools for one simple reason: animals, like humans, are drawn to water. Your backyard pool is a man-made oasis for your family, but also resembles a natural pond to innocent unsuspecting creatures.

Why is it important to try and keep frogs and other animals out of your pool?

Wildlife in your swimming pool is typically bad news for the health of your water chemistry. Salmonella and other harmful pathogens can be carried by amphibians such as frogs and many other reptiles. Other animals may have hazardous bacteria on or in them, especially if they relieve themselves (take a poo) in panic or just to obey nature’s call while looking for a way out of the pool. It’s very common for animals to get trapped in a swimming pool and if this has been a recurring problem for you, read on for some helpful hints on how to mitigate the issue of animals finding their way into your pool.

Animals Think Pools Looks Like Ponds

First off, it’s important to understand that animals like frogs need to be near water to survive. It’s unfortunate that they can’t really make a distinction between a safe, natural pond and a chemically treated manufactured swimming pool. Many other creatures may fall into your pool by accident or purposefully jump in without realizing what they’ve done. Once that happens, it’s usually too late unless you happen to notice a struggling animal in the pool.

Unfortunately animals will have a hard time finding their way out of pools once they’ve fallen in. Without an obvious exit, wildlife will just paddle around in the water til they’ve exhausted themselves while desperately attempting to escape the water. It’s sad, but eventually they get drawn into your filter system and wind up drowning.

Small animals, particularly amphibians like frogs and salamanders, can quickly become poisonous from the treatments used in most pools because their skin is very absorbent and easily pulls hazardous chemicals into their bodies. Imagine a sponge for harmful chemicals swimming around in your water. That’s a delightful thought.

Dead animals of any kind, of course, are breeding grounds for undesirable bacteria. There’s a reason we’re naturally revolted by the sight and smell of decay: it’s never a good idea to hang out with the dead. Any dead animal should be immediately removed from the pool and the water should be chemically treated as soon as possible before allowing swimmers to return to the water.

If at all possible, you should keep these critters out of your pool and skimmer bucket. It’s just a major hassle for some homeowners to effectively keep animals from accidentally dying in the pool.

When it comes to keeping frogs out of your pool, basically homeowners have a few alternatives. Let’s look at a few of them, ranging from proactive prevention to in-pool escape measures…

Turn off the lights at night

If you keep your pool lights on all night, you might as well put up a sign that says “Open For Dinner, Taking Reservations”. It’s common knowledge that lights attract insects, which in turn is bound to attract a large number of frogs to your swimming pool – especially if you keep the lights on at night.

Give them an escape route

Frog logs are a gadget that allows small creatures, such as amphibians and other animals, to effortlessly exit your pool on their own. Relatively inexpensive to purchase, you simply hang one over the pool’s edge to allow the slimy rascals to escape the water instead of making it their final resting place. Adding one of these ramps to your pool will not keep frogs out, but it will reduce the amount of dead ones you have to scoop out. Don’t have a frog log? No problem, dangle a bodyboard halfway over the edge of the pool to aid your amphibious companions in their escape.

Cover the pool with a cover

Here’s an obvious one. A pool cover protects the pool but also acts as a protective barrier to keep small animals from getting in the swimming pool. It has numerous advantages, one of which is that it keeps frogs out.

There are two types of safety covers: solid vinyl and mesh safety covers. A safety cover provides good peace of mind by preventing children and dogs from accidentally slipping below and becoming trapped. Metal anchors secure the cover in place on each of them.

The majority of coverings can hold up to 200 pounds of weight. This should be more than adequate in helping prevent frogs from getting into the pool. If you don’t have a cover and need a quick fix, a tarp would suffice. Weigh it down with a couple of strategically placed rocks.

Keep your yard trimmed, weed-free, and debris-free

Frogs like to linger around in long grass, so keep your lawn maintained. Whack away the weed patches while you’re at it, because otherwise the varmints would use them as hideouts.

You’ll also want to get rid of any stacked wood or large boulders, as these make excellent hiding spots. Your amphibious friends enjoy to hide in shrubs, ferns, and leaf piles, so make sure you remove those as well.

Keep The Water Circulating

Frogs generally dislike flowing water. This is because frogs can only deposit their eggs when the water is still. Naturally, they prefer motionless water. So, to thwart their intentions of using your pool is a hangout, invest in a water feature that adds an element of moving water.

Heat Your Pool

Because frogs receive oxygen through their skin, they prefer water that is highly oxygenated. In cold water, there is significantly more oxygen than in warm water. Frogs prefer cooler water because it contains more oxygen and is therefore more appealing to them. Heating your pool essentially cooks any tadpole eggs before they can form and creates an inhospitable environment for frogs.

Finally, keep your pool clean. Nothing says natural watering hole for frogs like a pool teeming with algae. Your pool might as well put a large sign on it that reads, “FROG HOTEL” at that point. You need to come up with a strategy to make it less appealing. Keeping your pool sparkling blue and clear is one recipe to dealing with less maintenance. You won’t have to scoop up disgusting dead frogs, which is better for you and much better for your water chemistry.