The MarineLab Undersea Laboratory is the world's longest continually -operated underwater research facility. Built by the Midshipman of the US Naval Academy as an exercise in ocean engineering, the Undersea Lab has survived hurricanes and never moved from its placement in the MRDF lagoon in 1985.

The habitat is available for research groups and is also used in our MarineLab education program. For more information on the structure of the habitat, click here. If you are interested in using the habitat as part of your research project, please call us at (800) 741-1139.

 

 

Jules' Undersea Lodge is owned by MRDF and operated as an underwater hotel by Key Largo Undersea Park, Inc. However, the lodge is still available as a research habitat for larger groups than can be accommodated in the MarineLab Undersea Lab.

From 1971 to 1976, MRDF developed, built and managed the government-sponsored Puerto Rico International Undersea Laboratory (PRINUL) program. This extensive research program was designed to demonstrate  the value of using undersea habitats to inventory marine resources.  Using the island of Puerto Rico as a mini-continent, the project was meant to be a model for a similar program for  North America.    Located on a 30-acre site, the Foundation operated the most advanced undersea laboratory in the world, the La Chalupa habitat.  Designed and managed by Ian Koblick, this habitat program achieved major accomplishments in the development of ocean research and saturation diving technology. In 1985, LaChalupa was extensively remodeled and is now enjoying a second career as the unique underwater hotel, Jules' Undersea Lodge. For more information on the hotel, please click here.