Atlantis I, Atlantis II, Atlantis III, Atlantis IV, Atlantis V, Atlantis VI, Atlantis VII, Atlantis IX, Atlantis X, Atlantis XII, Atlantis XIV
In commission
1986-present
Completed
10
General characteristics Atlantis XII
Type
Tourism submarine
Length
65 feet (20 m)
Beam
13 feet (4.0 m)
Draught
8 feet (2.4 m)
Depth
150 feet (46 m)
Propulsion
DC battery-powered electric thrusters
Speed
2.5 knots (4.6 km/h) submerged
Test depth
150 feet (46 m)
Complement
48 to 64
Crew
3
Interior while submerged
Atlantis Submarines is a pioneer and world leader in passenger-carrying submarine technology and in the operation of passenger carrying submarines. Atlantis was established in 1985 to develop the world’s first tourist submarine. Since commencing operations, Atlantis has carried over 18 million passengers and completed over 580,000 dives in multiple international resort locations.
In the Caribbean, Atlantis operates submarines in Barbados, Cozumel, and Aruba.
In Hawaii, Atlantis operates four submarines on the islands of Oahu, Maui (temporarily closed) and the big island of Hawaii, as well as the “Majestic”, a sightseeing and evening cruise vessel in Oahu.
Dennis Hurd is the founder of Atlantis Submarines. Dennis launched his first battery-powered Atlantis Submarine in December 1985 off the coast of Grand Cayman. The high-tech nature of the vessel, the air-conditioned pressure-controlled cabin, and the underwater beauty of the reef made the attraction an instant hit. A professional engineer who once captained a 20-ton schooner from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas, Hurd came up with the idea of recreational submarines during his tenure at International Hydrodynamics (“Hyco”).
At the time, Hyco was the world leader in deep-sea manned submersibles and the developer of submersibles that could tend North Sea oil rigs to depths of 6,600 feet. In the 1970s, Hurd would often take clients down in these submarines to inspect drilling sites. The excitement from clients as they explored the sea was enough to make him think seriously about underwater tourism.
In 1983, he launched the world’s first tourist submarine company, Atlantis Submarines.
The first submarine, ‘Atlantis I’ was purpose built to carry 28 passengers on hour long trips to tour coral reefs in tropical resort locations enabling a way for all people to experience the underwater world previously the reserve of scuba divers. “Atlantis I” would dive to 150 feet in air-conditioned comfort. Precise maneuvering would tour guests close to the reefs, viewed from large viewports.
Following the success of ‘Atlantis I”, a second submarine was developed, which was displayed at the world exposition, EXPO’86, in Vancouver. The “Atlantis II” journeyed directly to Barbados. The official opening was held on February 1987.
The design and operational experience gained with “Atlantis I” and “Atlantis II” led to the development of “Atlantis III”, a much larger, 48-passenger submarine, which was launched in 1987 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. This was the first submarine to be certified by the US Coast Guard.
Subsequent 48-passenger submarines were launched in Kona, Maui, and Oahu on the Hawaiian Islands, and in Guam, Aruba, and Mexico during this period. In 1994, a 64-passenger submarine was designed and built for Oahu in Hawaii, which is, to this day, the largest tourist submarine in the world.
History
Atlantis VII
1985
Dennis Hurd and a group of investors develop plans for Atlantis I, the world’s first public-passenger submarine.
1986
”Atlantis I” is put into service and entertains her first passengers off the coast of the Cayman Islands, British West Indies. The “Atlantis II” 28-passenger submarine makes her public debut at EXPO 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The “Atlantis II” was later shipped directly to Barbados.
1987
A larger 48-passenger “Atlantis III” goes into operation off the coast of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in July 1987. This submarine would become the US Coast Guard’s benchmark for certifying public-passenger submarines in US territorial and coastal waters.
1988
Atlantis Submarines gains worldwide media attention with National Geographic and “Good Morning America”. Operations are launched in Kona, Hawaii featuring “Atlantis IV”. Operations are launched on Guam featuring “Atlantis V”.
1989
Operations in Oahu, Hawaii commence with “Atlantis VII”. Atlantis Hawaii works with the University of Hawaii's Sea Grant Program and the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources to build several structures off Waikiki to form the beginnings of an artificial reef designed to attract coral growth and protect marine life. The structures include concrete pyramid and ring-shaped structures, a decommissioned ship, and two airplanes.
1990
Operations are launched in Aruba with “Atlantis VI”.
1991
Atlantis Hawaii unveils the all new “Atlantis IX” and “Atlantis X” vessels for use in the Hawaiian Islands; Operations in Maui, Hawaii commence; and Honolulu becomes the first two-vessel operation.
1992
The 20,000th child participates in Atlantis Barbados’ Living Classroom experience. Atlantis Cayman launches their new “Atlantis XI”.
1994
Atlantis launches Mexico’s first passenger submarine “Atlantis XII” off the coast of Cancun. The state of the art, 64-passenger “Atlantis XIV” debuts off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.
1999
Atlantis’ operations in Cancun, Mexico are relocated to the island of Cozumel.
2000
Atlantis Hawaii purchases the 400-passenger “Navatek I” and begins offering evening dinner cruises off the Waikiki coast.
2005
Atlantis Submarines reaches two milestones including 20 years of operation and more than 10.5 million passengers. On December 14, 2005 Atlantis sank the 97ft “Carthaginian II” vessel off the coast of Lahaina on the island of Maui for use as an artificial reef.
2007
Atlantis Barbados celebrates 20 years in operation.
2008
Atlantis Hawaii celebrates the 20th anniversary of their first submarine dive in Hawaii.
2009
Atlantis Barbados becomes the first attraction in the world to achieve the double award from Green certifications and Green Globe, signaling our commitment to environmentally responsible operations.
2012
Atlantis Submarines Barbados celebrates 25 years in operation.
2015
Atlantis Submarines celebrates 30 years since the first launch of “Atlantis I”. The Atlantis fleet has carried more than 16 million passengers. Atlantis Aruba celebrates its 25th anniversary having carried one million passengers underwater since 1990.
2016
The ‘Majestic’ dinner cruise boat launches in Waikiki, Hawaii, replacing the ‘Navatek’.
2017
Our longest operating site, Atlantis Submarines Cayman, celebrates its 32nd year in December 2017, carrying over 1.3 million passengers and completing more than 58,000 dives. Worldwide, the Atlantis Submarines have carried over 16 million passengers and completed more than 530,000 dives.
2018
Atlantis Hawaii celebrates 30 years of operation in July 2018, carrying over 9 million passengers and completing more than 260,000 dives.
2019
By the end of 2019, over 17 million guests have experienced the submarine tour since 1985.
2020
The Covid-19 pandemic causes all Atlantis locations to temporarily shut down operations.
2021
Nearly all Atlantis sites restart operations following the Covid-19 pandemic.
2023
Atlantis Submarines International celebrates carrying over 18 million passengers worldwide.
2024
Wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui cause devastation for residents and the Atlantis operation in the town of Lahaina. The Atlantis operation is closed temporarily.
Atlantis Submarines has been sharing the magnificence of Hawaii's undersea world since 1988 using the environmentally safe submarines that are battery powered, emit no pollutants, and quietly move through the water, disturbing no one. It's the ultimate in sustainable tourism. At the Waikiki and Maui dive sites, they have taken on the responsibility of installing artificial reefs to create self-sustaining habitats for fish and marine life to flourish. Areas once barren of life are now vibrant. The Kona dive site is highlighted by a pristine 25-acre coral reef garden that is a natural safe haven for fish, plant life and organisms to thrive. Atlantis closely observes the abundance of activity at this treasured site but always leaves it untouched. As of 2024 Atlantis Hawaii is proud to have served over 9.9 million passengers in the islands since 1988.[2]
Atlantis Submarines ranked #2 in USA TODAY 10Best's 2024 Readers' Choice Award for Best Tour Company in Hawaii.[3]
