Dive Coaster
Roller coaster model
title: "Dive Coaster" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["types-of-roller-coaster", "dive-coasters-manufactured-by-bolliger-&-mabillard"] description: "Roller coaster model" topic_path: "general/types-of-roller-coaster" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dive_Coaster" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Roller coaster model ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox attraction model"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Dive Coaster |
| logo | |
| logo_width | |
| image | Griffon First Drop.jpg |
| imagedimensions | 250px |
| caption | Griffon, Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
| status | in production |
| first_produced | 1998 |
| No. of installations | 18 |
| manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| manufacturer2 | |
| designer | |
| height_ft | |
| height_m | |
| drop_ft | |
| drop_m | |
| length_ft | |
| length_m | |
| speed_mph | |
| speed_km/h | |
| capacity | |
| vehicle_type | Floorless or normal seats located above the track |
| riders_per_vehicle | |
| rows | 2/3 |
| riders_per_row | 6/7/8/10 |
| participants_per_group | |
| audience_capacity | |
| restraint | Over-the-shoulder/Vest restraint |
| rcdb_number | 6803 |
| :: |
::callout[type=note] the roller coaster model ::
| name = Dive Coaster | logo = | logo_width = | image = Griffon First Drop.jpg | imagedimensions = 250px | caption = Griffon, Busch Gardens Williamsburg | status = in production | first_produced = 1998 | No. of installations= 18 | manufacturer = Bolliger & Mabillard | manufacturer2 = | designer = | height_ft = | height_m = | drop_ft = | drop_m = | length_ft = | length_m = | speed_mph = | speed_km/h = | gforce = | capacity = | vehicle_type = Floorless or normal seats located above the track | vehicles = | riders_per_vehicle = | rows =2/3 | riders_per_row = 6/7/8/10 | participants_per_group= | audience_capacity = | duration = | restraint = Over-the-shoulder/Vest restraint | custom_label_1 = | custom_value_1 = |rcdb_number = 6803
The Dive Coaster is a steel roller coaster model developed and engineered by Bolliger & Mabillard. The design features one or more near-vertical drops that are approximately 90 degrees, which provide a moment of free-falling for passengers. The experience is enhanced by unique trains that seat up to ten riders per row, spanning only two or three rows total. Unlike traditional train design, this distinguishing aspect gives all passengers virtually the same experience throughout the course of the ride. Another defining characteristic of Dive Coasters is the holding brake at the top of the lift hill that holds the train momentarily right as it enters the first drop, suspending some passengers with a view looking straight down and releasing suddenly moments later.
Development of the Dive Coaster began between 1994 and 1995 with Oblivion at Alton Towers opening on 14 March 1998, making it the world's first Dive Coaster. The trains for this type of coaster are relatively short consisting of two to three cars. B&M also uses floorless trains on this model to enhance the experience.
As of 6 September 2025, eighteen Dive Coasters have been built, with the newest being Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America. Yukon Striker at Canada's Wonderland is currently the world's tallest, longest, and fastest Dive Coaster, featuring a height of 68 m, a length of 1,105 m, and a maximum speed of 130 km/h.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Baron_1889.jpg" caption="[[Baron 1898]], a themed dive coaster at [[Efteling]] in [[The Netherlands"] ::
History
According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Dive Coaster began between 1994 and 1995. On 14 March 1998, the world's first Dive Coaster, Oblivion, opened at Alton Towers. Though Oblivion is classified as a Dive Coaster, it does not have a true vertical drop as the drop angle is only 87-degrees. In 2007, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that Griffon would be the first ever Dive Coaster to feature floorless trains and SheiKra would have its trains replaced with floorless ones. In 2011, the first 'mini' Dive Coaster opened at Heide Park Resort, named Krake. Unlike other Dive Coasters, Krake has smaller trains consisting of three rows of six riders. On 30 July 2022, Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger opened at Six Flags Fiesta Texas as the first B&M Dive Coaster to feature a beyond vertical 95-degree drop and 7-across seating. On 31 May 2025, Wrath of Rakshasa opened at Six Flags Great America and broke the record for the steepest beyond vertical 96-degree drop and the most inversions on any dive coaster with five in total.
Design
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/SheiKra_(Busch_Gardens_Africa)_04.jpg" caption="An example of a floorless Dive Coaster train on [[SheiKra"] ::
The design of a Dive Coaster can vary slightly from one to another. Depending on the amusement park's request, one row on the train can seat anywhere from 6 to 10 riders. Stadium seating is also used to give every rider a clear view. Next, compared to standard Bolliger & Mabillard 4 abreast cars, because of the extra weight of each train on a Dive Coaster, the size of the track must be larger than other B&M models (such as the Hyper Coaster) to support the weight. At the top of the primary vertical drop, a braking system holds the train for 3 to 5 seconds, giving riders a view of the drop ahead before being released into the drop.
In the station, Dive Coasters that use non-floorless trains simply use a standard station. With Dive Coasters that use floorless trains, in order to allow riders to load and unload the train, a movable floor is necessary. Because the front row has nothing in front of it to stop riders from walking over the edge of the station, a gate is placed in front of the train to prevent this from happening. Once all the over-the-shoulder restraints are locked, the gate opens and the floor separates into several pieces and moves underneath the station. When the next train enters the station, the gate is closed and the floors are brought back up where the next riders board.
Installations
Bolliger & Mabillard has built eighteen Dive Coasters as of 2025.
::data[format=table]
Similar coasters
In 2018, Golden Horse, a Chinese amusement ride manufacturer infamous for creating knock-off coasters and rides, installed a Dive Coaster at Great Xingdong Tourist World. The trains contain four cars, each seating 6 riders per row, compared to B&M dive coasters, which have two or three cars per train.
On 18 May 2018, HangTime, a Gerstlauer roller coaster, opened at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, marketing as "the first dive coaster on the West Coast".
References
References
- (November 16, 2012). "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla". YouTube.
- "Splashdown Bolliger & Mabillard".
- "Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Roller Coaster Review". About.com.
- (2007-02-02). "SheiKra to have new floorless trains installed". COASTER-net.
- "Bolliger & Mabillard Dive Machine". Roller Coaster Database.
- Staff, NBC 5 Chicago. (May 24, 2025). "Six Flags Great America sets opening date for new, record-breaking ‘Wrath of Rakshasa' coaster". NBC 5 Chicago.
- (December 11, 2008). "Scott & Carol Present: Getting On Track With B&M". NewsPlusNotes.
- (March 21, 2007). "Coaster opens May 25". Daily Press.
- (August 16, 2009). "Griffon (HD)". SeanFlaharty.
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- Ellen Creager. (September 4, 2015). "Cedar Point's ride would be area's only dive coaster". Detroit Free Press.
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- {{Cite RCDB
- "Vertical Roller Coaster - Great Xingdong Tourist World (Puding, Anshun, Guizhou, China)".
- "HangTime {{!}} First Dive Coaster On the West Coast {{!}} Knott's Berry Farm".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::