Dive into Urbanologie's picks for the best underwater destinations on offer around the globe - just for U!

Under, Norway 

A restaurant called Under, which is slated to open near the Norwegian village of Båly, is to become Europe’s first underwater restaurant upon opening in the North Atlantic Ocean in 2018. Situated on the country’s southern coast, the structure that houses the restaurant (with an emphasis on local cuisine) straddles both the land and the sea — the entrance being at the water’s edge with the dining area installed on the ocean floor. The restaurant itself is comprised of three levels with the dining room located on the lowest level with a panoramic window with views of the seabed and abundant marine life.

Subsix, The Maldives

Within the Per Aquum Resort in the Maldives (six metres beneath the waterline and 500 metres out in the ocean), lies the Subsix bar. The hotspot’s interior (designed by Poole Associates) is in keeping with the concept of the ocean themed restaurant and is complete with seating that resembles sea anemones, a clam shaped bar (in the centre of the room) and a ceiling which appears as if thousands of tiny seashells hang from it. The lighting changes from white during the day, to lavender during dinner and blue during night, ensuring you can see the marine life at it's fullest at all times. Spot over 90 coral reef species through the viewing windows including, moray eels and parrotfish, as you grab lunch (available from noon until 3pm) dishes include 'sea bass fillet with Jaffna prawn, squash and peas' and the 'lobster medallion served with avocado, tomato medley and blackberry balsamic essence'. The bar offers an array of cocktails, wines and spirits such as the 'Pimm and Proper' made with 'Pimms, orange vodka, ginger beer, cranberry juice and mint' and the 'Tropical Smash' with 'white rum, dark rum, gold rum, pineapple and orange juice'.

The Manta Resort, Zanzibar

One form of accommodation at the resort on the isolated Pemba Island is known as the secluded “underwater room” a floating home with three decks (floating 250 metres away from the shore line). The bedroom is submerged four metres underwater while the top deck can be used for stargazing in the evening and the middle deck is used for lounging and dining. You can watch from your own bedroom as shoals of fish glide past the windows along with squid and octopi. The underwater room is available from $1500 per night and the resort provides water sports equipment (including snorkels and kayaks). Food is served when you decide and the menus include a lot of fresh seafood and freshly made juices from locally grown fruit (menus can also be personally accomodated to your taste), as well as being treated to a day in the spa.

Ithaa, The Maldives

Within the Conrad hotel and resort is the world’s first and only all glass underwater restaurant. Ithaa is possibly the snuggest restaurant you will ever dine in (with room for just 14 diners), in which you will gaze out at coral gardens and even sharks as you dine. The restaurant’s simplistic (though clearly robust) design is the setting for Head Chef Benjamin Rendell (previously at the Savoy Grill in London) to serve up contemporary European cuisine as a six-course set dinner menu. Expect dishes such as 'Maldivian lobster carpaccio served with reef fish tartare and poached quail egg' and 'Agnotti of duck with forest mushrooms and porcini ravioli'. Lunch includes a light four-course menu and for drinks, choose from the wide array of wines from the resorts own wine cellar (the largest in the region), along with a choice of Champagnes and spirits. The resort has also opened the world's first all-glass underwater hotel suite - which cost $15 million to build - it sits 16.4 feet below sea level on the ocean floor, with king-sized bedroom, living area and bathroom. With its clear and curved, acrylic dome-shaped ceiling and all-glass walls, the suite features 180-degree, all-encompassing views of surrounding marine life. Completely submerged in sea, it has the feel of a larger-than-life aquarium.

Atlantis, Dubai

Atlantis, the palm resort in Dubai is not just home to one underwater hangout, but two. The underwater suites (aptly named Poseidon and Neptune) are spacious, romantic rooms that offer viewing windows to underwater sights in both the master bedroom and the bathroom. The nearby aquarium is home to 65,000 marine mammals and many of them, including sting rays and dolphinfish can be seen from the viewing windows in the suites. If that isn’t enough you can also view the marine life in the underwater Ossiano restaurant. The sleek, delicate interior of the restaurant boasts crystal chandeliers, marble walls and sleek pillars that resemble sea shells. Listen to live music each night as you dine on food created by Head Chef Sascha Triemer (previously at the Mandarin Oriental and The Dorchester Hotel), who serves up fresh seafood everyday, including 'Arctic King crab' and 'shellfish risotto served with parsley mussels and lobster jus'. Seasoned sommeliers are on hand to help pick out the best wines for your individual tastes and dishes, and there is an array of signature cocktails using subtle ingredients like date juice, fresh figs, aromatic basil and hibiscus.

Al Mahara, Dubai

Translated from Arabic as 'the oyster shell', this underwater restaurant is located on the ground floor in Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel. You are shown through to a private elevator dedicated just for access to the restaurant resembling a submarine before you arrive at the main dining area where tables are situated around a 700,000 gallon aquarium. If you’re not just there for the food, ask for the brochure that includes information on all the marine life featured in the aquarium, including information on George, (a fish that’s been there for fifteen years), whale sharks and rays. The Head Chef, Renald Epie (previously at Citrus Etoile in Paris) creates dishes including 'lobster thermidor served with baby spinach and pommery emulsion' and 'duo of spring chicken spaghetti with coconut sauce and a crustacean bisque'. As well as an extensive wine menu (served in wine glasses that are one foot long in depth) Al Mahara also serves a choice of classic cocktails including strawberry daiquiri’s and cosmopolitans.

Havufen Fushi, Maldives

In this Indian Ocean paradise each spacious room has a private plunge pool, surround sound systems, palm-thatched roofs, and a stunning location (either on the beach, by the lagoon or over the ocean). There is a futuristic underwater spa, ocean expeditions with the resident marine biologist and sunset cruises to spot dolphins - as well as plenty of drinking and dining options. A wine cellar lies under the ocean in the middle of the island (boasting 6000 wines) and UMbar serves up a huge variety of cocktails, including 'UMbar`s Zest', a reduction of 'fresh orange, grapefruit, martini rosso, and campari mixed with vodka'. Restaurant wise, Celsius has a diverse menu of international foods, including 'Maldivian yellow curry with reef fish', prawns, calamari, and scallops, and a 'chilled lobster and smoked salmon salad'. The other reaturtant, Salt, is perched above the water and serves its signature seafood menu inspired by the Indian Ocean. Fogliani’s offers pizzas from traditional wood-fired ovens in a casual al fresco setting and the aptly named RAW provides the best uncooked seafood around. Finally you can also chose a more bespoke setting by asking them to set up a table almost anywhere, allowing you to enjoy whichever aspect of the resort you want to.

Poseidon Resort, Fiji

Poseidon Mystery Island is a mile long underwater hotel in the middle of a 5,000 acre lagoon. Its clear waters are filled with a plethora of sea life, making this underwater resort (currently being developed) the ultimate marine-lovers getaway. It has all the comforts you would expect with a five star hotel - as well as relaxing in the spa, there are plenty of activities to choose from; explore the lagoon in a personal Triton submarine, or the seabed from a 1,000ft luxury submersible, and scuba-dive to get a more up close experience. There will also be a restaurant on the surface and below, as well as a dive shop, library/lounge, theatre and wedding chapel, not to mention the nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, pools and gym. Poseidon Mystery Island is expected to open soon, and an estimated 150,000 potential guests have already registered to stay at the resort.

Ideal For

Finding Nemo, dining with the fishes...