Branson’s Necker Nymph

Want to take your underwater exploration to a whole new level? Try the Necker Nymph, a three-person, open-cockpit aero submarine (yes, really). First you can glide on the water’s surface before a trained pilot operates a joystick to help the Nymph dive smoothly and safely down under the water.

And that’s where things get really interesting, as the Nymph offers the extroardinary experience of underwater ‘flight’, taking passengers to a maximum of 30 metres below the surface, for up to 2 hours. In fact, it’s like diving but without any of the effort. On the Nymph you can sit down, and what’s more (and our favourite thing about it), like all DeepFlight subs, Necker Nymph has near-zero environmental impact. Its positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed while you uncover ancient shipwrecks, fly side-by-side with dolphins, or spy-hop with whales.

You can hire the Nymph either when chartering Necker Belle, a luxury, 105ft catamaran, or when staying on Necker Island. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights’ exclusive hire, the sub is available at a weekly rate of US $25,000.

More reasons to love the Necker Nymph:

“Research suggests that the more people engage with nature, the more inspired they are to protect the planet” Tony Juniper  – a campaigner, writer, sustainability adviser and a well-known British environmentalist.

NOTES:

Designed and built by renowned engineer, Graham Hawkes, of Hawkes Ocean Technologies, Necker Nymph represents a new class of high-performance, positively buoyant vehicles which safely extend the overall capabilities of scuba, while offering the unique experience of underwater flight. Unlike all conventional subs which use ballast to sink in the water, Necker Nymph uses downward ‘lift’ on the wings to fly down to depth.

Available either when chartering Necker Belle, the luxury 105 foot catamaran, or when staying on Necker Island, underwater flight on Necker Nymph takes exploration to another level. Gliding on the water’s surface like an aeroplane on a runway, one of the three pilots will operate the joystick to smoothly dive down, and the thrilling experience begins. Uncover ancient shipwrecks, fly side-by-side with dolphins, or spyhop with whales; the options are endless. With the flexibility to glide peacefully over glorious reefs or bank adventurously, the sub is hydrobatic. Individual “wind shields” remove the pressure of slipstream, enabling comfortable speed and ranges previously unthinkable without enclosing the pilots. The open cockpits allow panoramic viewing for occupants, creating a uniquely open experience. Dives can last up to two hours.

Guests follow standard SCUBA procedures and will be trained/accompanied by a certified Necker Nymph pilot. Importantly, like all DeepFlight subs, Necker Nymph has near-zero environmental impact. Its positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed.

Ultra-lightweight and compact, this newest DeepFlight sub was designed specifically for Necker Belle, but can also be launched from shore. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights’ exclusive hire, the sub is available at a weekly rate of US$ 25,000. The sub may at times be berthed on Necker Island, so if planning a visit, make sure to ask if she’s available!