The Ultimate Undersea Adventure
(And My Dream Job Application)
Since I first learned to swim, I’ve been fascinated by the water and marine life. At 13, I dreamed of working with sea creatures, maybe as a marine biologist. But let’s just say I wasn’t exactly Finding Nemo’s Mr. Ray when it came to science, I was more of a Dory. The next best thing? Working at an aquarium. And if I could have worked for Disney, even better. The Seas (now with Nemo & Friends) would have been the ultimate dream job. But, alas, that dream never materialised.
So when my wife and daughter got me the EPCOT DiveQuest experience, I was bursting at the gills. This was something I had wanted to do for years, and finally, I was getting the chance to dive into the giant aquarium I had admired from the outside (and more recently, sprinted around as my daughter discovered the wonders of the sea).
Behind the Scenes: The Magic Before the Dive
Before taking the plunge, there’s an exclusive backstage tour that offers an inside look at what goes into maintaining The Seas pavilion. Seeing the sheer amount of care, preparation, and attention that goes into looking after the marine life was incredible. The number of dedicated staff ensuring the well being of each creature was truly out of this world (or at least, out of the ocean). It’s one thing to enjoy an attraction, but seeing what goes on behind the scenes added a whole new level of appreciation.
After the tour, it was time to suit up. All gear is provided, and they make the process seamless. They even have shower and changing facilities stocked with shampoo and conditioner (because Disney thinks of everything). The dive masters were fantastic from start to finish, making sure everyone was comfortable and well prepared. There was a reassuring sense of professionalism, mixed with that signature Disney magic.
The Dive: Trading the Ocean for Disney’s Blue Lagoon
I’ve done my fair share of diving in Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica, the UK, Cape Verde, and Canada. But this was my first time diving in a controlled tank environment. Apart from my first training dive in a pool while on holiday in Mexico, all my previous experiences had been in the open ocean.
I was surprised by how much the water felt like the ocean (not sure why, again, not a scientist). The temperature is kept around a comfortable 77 degrees, and the saltwater gives it that authentic ocean feel. Then there was the size, above and below the water, the tank was much bigger than I expected. The clarity was unlike anything I had ever seen, and the complete lack of current was a strange sensation at first. However, I adjusted quickly.
Unlike in the wild, where fish tend to scatter at the first sign of a human, these residents barely batted an eye (or fin). Of course, there are strict rules about not touching the marine life, but I had plenty of fun swimming alongside a school of fish and a sea turtle (who I’m pretty sure is related to Crush). Two of my favourite marine animals are eagle ays and green sea turtles, and I was lucky enough to dive with both here. Seeing these creatures up close, much closer than most ocean dives allow, was breathtaking.
And then there was the audience. I knew people could watch from the pavilion, hey, I have done it myself for years, but I didn’t anticipate how much it would feel like being part of the attraction. It gave me a whole new appreciation for why Hank in Finding Dory wanted to escape from the aquarium. Having dozens of eyes on me was surreal, but it all melted away when I saw my family at the glass. My daughter was ecstatic, waving wildly as I swam over. Pressing my hand against the glass for a high-five and blowing her a kiss became an instant core memory. She then proceeded to follow me around the tank, completely captivated. That moment alone made this one of the best experiences of my life.
A Dive Worth Repeating (And a Job Offer?)
Despite my diving experience, I found adjusting my buoyancy without the open current inside a tank trickier than expected. The environment was so different from the ocean, but after a few minutes, I got the hang of it. And let’s not forget the resident hammerhead shark, who I almost butted heads with, quite literally.
Everything is provided, including unlimited air (so if you’re an air hog, no worries, they’ll swap tanks mid-dive if needed). The actual dive time is around 40 minutes, though my group was lucky enough to stay in for over 50 minutes due to its smaller size.
Cameras aren’t allowed during the dive, but your family and friends can watch and film from the second floor of SeaBase. Plus, Disney provides a complimentary PhotoPass picture of you in your dive gear.
Would I do this again? 100%, without question. If Disney ever reads this, I will more than happily come back for another dive. Or, better yet, if you need someone to clean the tank, I’m your guy. Just give me a wetsuit and a squeegee (and some air), and I’ll be there faster than you can say Mine! Mine! Mine!
EPCOT DiveQuest wasn’t just an unforgettable dive, it was a full-circle moment for a kid who once dreamed of working with the sea. And thanks to my wife and daughter, I got to live that dream, even if just for a little while.
Important Details for Future Divers
If you’re a certified diver and a Disney fan, this experience is an absolute must. Here’s everything you need to know:
Cost: from $229 per person
Requirements: You must be SCUBA-certified and at least 10 years old
Duration: About 2.5 hours, including a 40-minute dive
Included: All equipment, a backstage tour, a PhotoPass download, and an unforgettable experience
Marine Life: Expect to see sandbar sharks, spotted eagle rays, guitarfish, black tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, and tons of tropical fish
Family Viewing: Friends and family can watch from the second floor of SeaBase
Conservation: A portion of the proceeds supports Disney’s conservation efforts
So, if you’re looking for an incredible dive, a unique perspective on The Seas pavilion, or the chance to ask a turtle how old he is, DiveQuest delivers in every possible way. And if you happen to see a guy in the tank scrubbing the glass one day, well… you’ll know that dream job did finally came true.
Have you experienced EPCOT DiveQuest or are you thinking about taking the plunge? Drop your thoughts in the comments, we’d love to hear what you think!