We caught up with Sub Sea Systems about the Aquaticar, the world’s first underwater theme park ride UNDER THE SEA
have to admit that I’m somewhat petrified of rollercoasters and rides in general. I’ll never forget riding Colossus at Thorpe Park many years ago and being left traumatised by the whole experience. Needless to say, I’ve not been tempted by any rides since. However, when I first heard about an underwater experience, I was completely fascinated (so long as there were no unexpected upside-down loops). Headquartered in California, Sub Sea Systems designs immersive and interactive products and programs for the marine tourism industry. It’s the company behind Aquaticar: Legend of the Glowing Guardian, the world’s first underwater theme-park ride, which opened at Aquarabia in Qiddiya City on 23 April 2026. Aquarabia is the Middle East’s largest water theme park, and Aquaticar is at the heart of it. With products and programmes that range from the water’s surface to the ocean floor, Sub Sea’s creations include SeaTREK diving helmets, a DIVEBELL XR Transport Ride, SolarCat electric catamarans, DIVR virtual reality snorkelling and the Kaimana underwater gaming arena. These products and experiences can be found nearly anywhere there’s water, including cruise line destinations,
aquariums and water theme parks in more than 25 countries on five continents. Sub Sea Systems is a family-owned business and Hannah de Bie, VP of marketing and communications, is second generation. “My dad started the company in 1985,” she begins. “My mum and two brothers also work with the company. My older brother, Kyle Mayfield, is VP of engineering and production and I have to give major credit to him. Aquaticar is his passion project. He poured his heart, sweat, blood and tears into it!” The company also has a product called SeaTREK, which is a helmet diving system that takes guests on guided underwater walking tours at destinations all over the world (over 3.5 million people since its inception in 1999). “That experience is truly unique, as most of our guests are non-divers and many do not even know how to swim. It can be a profound experience for some, to be completely submerged, walking underwater. However, it’s a solo experience. You are in the helmet with no one to talk to or share your excitement. We wanted to develop an underwater experience that people could emotionally share together, side-by-side. This was the spark for Aquaticar.” The Aquaticar ride lasts around five minutes and takes guests down a sloped entry, to a
Words Oliver Webb
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