British tycoon Richard Branson, best known for being the helmsman of Virgin Group Ltd. — which serves as an umbrella for roughly 400 global businesses in the lifestyle, travel and entertainment sectors – has been doing a lot of wackadoodle things with his $2.5 billion dollars lately.  Or perhaps the more accurate term is “pioneering”. Either way, he’s seen as a visionary who somehow has a knack for making his money grow while having a bloody good time doing it.

The 59-year-old, who will be running in this Sunday’s London Marathon, is the very same gent who is providing well-heeled, adventure seekers the opportunity to purchase $200,000 sub-orbital space science missions and flights as well as actual orbital human spaceflights in the near future through his Virgin Galactic endeavor. As his website says, “We believe that the advent of space-based solar power, space-based server farms, transcontinental passenger and freight travel via space and a range of other transformational applications are all achievable in a relatively short time frame.”

Now, the proud owner of his own personal 74 acre Caribbean island has just taken a custom DeepFlight aero submarine for a spin with Nate Berkus and Oprah Winfrey’s viewers. Dubbed the Necker Nymph, the eco-friendly, battery powered and totally silent three person winged craft soars 130 feet below the water’s surface while its on-board passengers ride in an open cockpit sporting full scuba gear. Those who want to experience the real deal can do so when they rent Branson’s island or charter his luxury 105 foot catamaran called Necker Belle!

Via Huffington Post