Frequently Asked Questions

1.)   How do you carry your belongings down to the lodge without them getting wet?

 


Since Jules’ Undersea Lodge has been open, we have been sponsored by Underwater Kinetics, located in California.  UK is a leading manufacturer of high-quality waterproof suitcases and lights.  Mr. Fred Fischer is our contact person and the C.T.O. of Underwater Kinetics.  The cases we use to transfer your belongings to the lodge also carry down your dinner and breakfast.  In addition, UK provides the underwater flashlights that you will use should you decide to take a night dive from the lodge.  UK’s generosity as one of our sponsors helps us make a lifetime dream come true for our diving guests.  Thank you Mr. Fischer and Underwater Kinetics.  A special thanks to Jennifer Pangelinan, S.O.M. at UK for all her assistance.

 

2.)   Do you have to be a certified diver to go to Jules’?

 

No, approximately 20% of our guests are not certified divers.  We offer a three-hour-maximum resort course to our non-certified guests so that they may safely and legally spend the night in our lodge.  (Note: Guests taking the resort course are sometimes required to get a doctor’s release beforehand.)

 

Below is a testimonial from one of our more recent non-certified guests who happens to be 70 years young.                   

 

I would like to tell you of my experience with Jules’ Undersea Lodge:

 

My two children Tracey and Jim wanted to surprise me with an experience that I would remember for a long time to celebrate my birthday.  They wanted to give me something that I hadn’t experienced in the past nor would I expect to experience in the future……”something I would remember for a long time”  

 

Jules’ Undersea Lodge was something that they thought would be just the thing to fill the bill.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t a thing I was especially happy about when I heard what my birthday gift was….nor did I think it was something that I could comfortably do.  I am or, I guess I should say, was a certified diver but, that was a long time ago and I have to tell you that I lost a lot of sleep worrying whether I would be able to do it.  I truly believed that I couldn’t do it!!!  The dive down worried me but the stay in the lodge terrified me.  I’ve had panic attacks in the past and I’ve suffered from mild claustrophobic episodes so, of course the overnight stay in a diving habitat terrified me.

 

I would like to say now that I had absolutely no problem with it.  It was really a pleasurable time spent and so relaxing that I wish I had known beforehand.  I certainly would have gotten lots more sleep instead of worrying myself the way I did.

 

I’d like to go on record now to thank my kids for their wonderful gift, and the staff of Jules’ Undersea Lodge for making my all too short stay a wonderful one.  The staff did a great job making the diving enjoyable and making me feel comfortable with the procedures.  They prepared a wonderful dinner for us under the sea and the whole experience is one of the most memorable of my life.  Thank you Jules’ people for a wonderful time.  I really enjoyed my time with you all.

 

One of the questions asked of me by all my friends was, ”would you do it again?”   My answer…..in a heart beat.  I have a grandson who is nine and when he’s ten who knows… we may do it again together.

 

Isabel Mulholland, Coral Gables, Florida
 

3.)  Can you get Open Water Certified at Jules’ Undersea Lodge?

 

Yes!!  We offer one-on-one instruction/certification when you decide to get certified.  Whether you sign up as an individual or a whole family there will be no other students in your class.  Please have a look at our Learn to Dive page on this website.

 

4.) What do you see when you dive in Jules’ lagoon?

 

 

Jules’ is located in a mangrove setting where the aquatic life is always changing.  Our lagoon has been home to juvenile Goliath Grouper and Nurse Sharks, our Lobster habitat is always full, and Snapper and Parrot Fish are always around.  In the winter you may spot Sea Horses and Puffer Fish, and juvenile Barracuda are always loitering near the dock pilings.  Manatee are occasional visitors.   (Note: We are not able to promise you that all of these animals will be there when you visit as we let our wildlife come and go as it pleases)

 

 

 

 5.) What is there to do at Jules’?

 

We have a variety of underwater and lab experiences to offer the interested diver: 

  • THE HABITAT SPECIALTY PROGRAM: 

This specialty involves an after-dinner presentation/discussion on the history and technology of living and working under the sea.  The discussion is followed by an optional night dive for those willing and able.   This specialty can be a NAUI or PADI certification.

Price: $150.00 per person and please book your Habitat Specialty while you're making your reservation to ensure instructor availability. 

Here are the youngest Habitat Specialist in Jules' Undersea Lodge to date:

 

Taylor Muller is our youngest H.S. at 10 years of age.  She visited Jules' with  her father Roger and sister Kelsey, at age 12 she is our second youngest H.S.,  in August of 2006.  Roger and his two girls live in New Jersey and you can tell by the way Kelsey and Taylor dove during their visit that Roger has the girls diving as much as his busy schedule allows.  They were excellent divers and we hope to have them diving with us again when they get a chance to get back to the Keys.

  • THE AQUANAUT SPECIALTY PROGRAM:

Please book at least 2 months in advance.

The Aquanaut Specialty Program is a 24 hour stay in the lodge.   Upon arrival, you will receive a systems briefing on both the lodge and its topside support systems by an experienced Aquanaut.  An after dinner presentation/discussion on the history and technology of living and working under the sea precedes the night dive.   A Jules' Undersea Lodge Aquanaut Certificate suitable for framing, will be provided on completion.  If you would like a NAUI or PADI Aquanaut Habitat Specialty certification add $100.00/per person and please book while making your reservation.

Price: The Aquanaut Specialty Program is $675.00 per person per night. All dive gear along with dinner, lunch and breakfast are included with your program.  There is a two person minimum reservation and a four person maximum reservation.  The Aquanaut Program starts at 1:00 pm and ends at 1:00 pm the following day.

  • EXCURSION TO MarineLab PROGRAM:

MarineLab is a working manned underwater lab which has been operational since 1984 for scientific and educational Aquanaut Missions.  You will experience the living conditions, equipment, instrumentation and lagoon critters that researchers and students are exposed to during Aquanaut Missions which have been held for up to a ten day duration.  These missions have included NOAA, NASA, U.S. NAVY, and many high schools, colleges and universities around the United States.

You may choose either an afternoon or an evening excursion as they can be very different and is approximately one hour long. 

Price:  Your Marine Lab Excursion is $150.00 per person and please book your excursion when you make your reservation to ensure availability. 

  • THE MANNED UNDERWATER LABORATORY SPECIALTY PROGRAM:

Requires the Aquanaut Specialty Program.

This program is for those ready to move beyond just living underwater.  We involve techniques used by Aquanauts and researchers when living under the sea.  You will be involved with submerged station atmospheric monitoring, surrounding environmental water quality monitoring, fish and invertebrate collection/identification and plankton collection/identification.  There will be a morning, afternoon and an evening dive incorporating these techniques.  Much of your time will be spent in the Marine Lab Habitat, although, your meals and sleeping will be inside Jules' Undersea Lodge. 

This experience is ideal for those who want to expand upon their undersea journey.  An after diner presentation/discussion in Jules' Undersea Lodge on the history and technology of living and working under the sea precedes the night dive. 

Price:   The Manned Underwater Laboratory Specialty Program is an additional $250.00 per person and can be either a NAUI or PADI  Specialty certification.   Please book your program when reserving your Aquanaut Specialty Program to insure availability.

Note:  All Programs should be booked while making the reservation to ensure availability.

     6.)  What do I need to bring with me?

The only things you will need to bring for your own comfort is a change of clothes, your personal toiletries and if you are a certified diver with preference to your own gear you may bring that with you.  However, we do have all dive gear available on property for you to use.   Our lodge supplies you with snacks and drinks but if you have anything you'd like to bring for yourself we will be happy to take that down for you. 

Please Note:  NO alcoholic beverages are allowed in Jules' Undersea Lodge.  We reserve the right to check your belongings.

     7.)  Are gratuities included in the price?

We do things the old fashioned way here at Jules' Undersea Lodge.  We DO NOT include gratuities in the price of your stay.  Gratuities are most appreciated by our Mission Directors and of course they are at your discretion. 

 
 

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