BEST UNDERWATER SCOOTER 2023

The CellBee underwater sea scooter is probably the cutest of all. However, don’t let its cute design fool you – this underwater scooter packs quite a punch with a 360 W high-power motor. The runtime is shorter at 45 mins maximum at low speed,  but with the 2.7mph top speed, it’s just enough for a 20 min enjoyable cruise through the sea. It can be controlled through a proprietary app and it also features a parental remote for the maximum safety of your kids.

BRAND: CellBee
WEIGHT: 5.9 lbs (2.6 kg)
MAX SPEED: 2.7mph (4.3kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 45 minutes

The Yamaha Jetpod Pro is by no means a children’s toy, as it can reach a top speed of 5.3 mph with a very impressive runtime of 65 minutes. The Jetpod Pro throttle allows you to choose between three different speeds very easily when underwater. Additionally, it has positive buoyancy, so it will always bounce back to you.

BRAND: Yamaha
WEIGHT: 8.36 lbs (3.7 kg)
MAX SPEED: 5.3 mph (8.5 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 65 minutes

Another great product from Sublue, the Whiteshark Tini can be upgraded to one of the fastest underwater scooters. The Tini goes up to 3.1 mph, but if you want to go faster, you can upgrade to three Tini units thanks to its innovative modular design. With the 2 gear speed option and 3 Tini units, you can reach speeds of 5.59 mph. It comes with wireless control and a camera mount, so let your creativity flow on your next diving adventure.

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.1 mph (4.9 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 20 m (65 ft)
RUN TIME: 45 minutes

The Sublue Navbow underwater scooter is a true joy to have. With up to 60mins of battery life, 4.47mph maximum speed, and three different speeds to choose from, this underwater scooter is the best companion for deep dives. It features an OLED display so you can keep track of the speed, battery life, hand operation time, and operating time.

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 20 lbs (9.34 kg)
MAX SPEED: 4.47 mph (7.19 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 40m (131ft)
RUN TIME: 60 minutes

The Yamaha RDS300 is an underwater scooter designed for cruising. It goes up to 3mph at a max depth of 100ft. But what’s truly remarkable is the 1.5 hours run time with normal use. This is more than twice what other underwater scooters have, however it comes at the cost of its speed. It also has a built-in camera mount so you can record all of your underwater adventures. 

BRAND: Yamaha
WEIGHT: 18 lbs (8. 2 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3 mph (4. 8 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 1.5 hours

The Mahaishangmao underwater Scuba scooter packs quite a powerful motor with a 500 W DC electric motor and can reach a top speed of 4 mph. The buoyancy can be adjusted for up to 30 m underwater. Because of its lightweight frame, it can be operated with a single hand without losing control over it.

BRAND: Mahaishangmao
WEIGHT: 1.6 lbs ( 3.7 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.1 mph (4.9 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 40- 60 minutes

With its unique modular design, this flexible underwater DPV can be adapted to your diving needs. Use one unit (with either one hand or two) to reach speeds of up to 3.9 miles per hour or combine two scuba scooters to propel you at double the velocity. These scuba and snorkel scooters can run up to 100 minutes before needing to be recharged, although switching batteries underwater is a breeze.

BRAND: Aquarobotman
WEIGHT: 7.9 pounds (3.6 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.9 mph (6.2 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 50m (164 ft)
RUN TIME: 100 minutes

This Sublue underwater scooter is one of the smallest dive scooters for sale. While Sublue’s DPV is incredibly stylish, its powerful dual propellers should not be underestimated. It can travel up to 3.3 miles per hour and reach depths of 40 meters. Sublue have also made scootering underwater simple. The high-quality lithium battery is 100% rechargeable and easily replaceable.

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 7.7 pounds (3.5 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.3 mph (5.3 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 40m (131 ft)
RUN TIME: 30 minutes

TYPE

Most underwater scooters used for recreational dive purposes are tow-behind scooters. They feature a pair of handles for the diver to hold onto; a motor; and some form of propulsion device. However, wet subs are also available. These tend to be much larger and are often used in military operations to transport and deploy special operations forces.

SIZE

One of the first things you’ll notice about an underwater scooter for sale is its size. A DPV’s size impacts not only its portability but also its performance. Naturally, larger DPVs are capable of housing more powerful motors and propellers. Broadly speaking, a larger scooter will go deeper and faster than their smaller counterparts. However, smaller scooters are often compact enough to fit in your backpack. This portability makes them ideal for remote dive locations.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life varies significantly between different underwater scooter models. They can offer anywhere from 30 minutes to around four hours of continuous use before you need to recharge the batteries. The battery life can determine the best underwater scooter for you, depending on how long you generally stay underwater. You can, however, purchase extra batteries to take with you if you plan on doing longer underwater excursions. Most sea scooters are designed so that you can replace the batteries safely underwater.

While some manufacturers have employed lithium-ion batteries in underwater scooters, most still feature sealed lead-acid batteries. These need to be removed from their housing to be recharged and will need to be replaced every few years as their energy storage depreciates.

SPEED

Underwater scooters generally vary in speed from around 2-4.5 miles an hour. However, the fastest underwater scooter on this list can reach speeds of 5.5 miles per hour. On paper, this might not appear very fast. But it does allow you to travel much further (and see more) than you would by finning alone.

DEPTH RANGE

The depth rating of underwater scooters can also vary considerably, anywhere from a few feet to several hundred feet. Depth ratings will limit how deep you should explore on a dive and could restrict you to scooter snorkeling instead.

BUOYANCY

Manufacturers also consider the buoyancy of underwater scooters, ensuring they don’t pull you up or down. An underwater scooter must maintain neutral buoyancy, so you don’t have to work at keeping it (and you) below the water’s surface. Most high-end DPVs will have built-in buoyancy controls, such as attachments or removable weights so you can achieve neutral buoyancy at various depths.

PRICE

One of the most prominent factors to consider when purchasing an underwater scooter is price. They can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Professional models at the higher end of the price range may offer advanced features. But you can also find mid-range options that are ideal for recreational diving and stack up well in sea scooter reviews.

 

PARTS OF AN UNDERWATER SCOOTER

 

External Controls

The controls on underwater scooters are designed to be watertight and should be easy to access and manipulate. Most DPVs will have a main power switch and a regulator to control speed. Your DPVs should have these components integrated into its steering system.

Hull

Similarly, the hull needs to be watertight (and gas-tight), as this is where the battery and circuitry are housed to supply energy to the propeller. If the hull floods, it can damage the interior elements of the scooter and impact its buoyancy. Some hulls are lined with rubber or other such materials to help it withstand underwater conditions. Some may also have flood warning lights that highlight any malfunctions.

Propeller Protection

All underwater scooters must have protection (such as radial vents or mesh paneling) over their propellers for safety purposes. But if you’re purchasing an underwater scooter for a child, it’s worth finding one with a safe cover so they cannot accidentally insert their fingers into the blades.

1. What is the best underwater diver propulsion vehicle?

The best underwater DPV depends on your individual needs – how deep you plan on diving and the speeds you want to reach. In our opinion, the Yamaha 500Li is one of the best underwater scooters on the market for high-level recreational diving. It can reach depths of up to 130 feet and speeds of 4.3 miles per hour, with a run time of up to 90 minutes. It boasts a high-performance lithium-ion battery and an ergonomic design, as well as an integrated accessory mount. But its powerful motor results in a bulky device that’s not ideal for travel.

2. How does a sea scooter work

A sea scooter is a motorized device that propels you underwater. It can be used for a variety of under applications, including snorkeling and scuba diving. An underwater scooter can increase your range and speed during underwater excursions, helping you get from A to B with ease. When used in scuba diving, it prevents you from using unnecessary air so you can explore for longer and see more. Underwater scooters may be particularly useful in areas with strong currents. They can help you to move against the current and access protected areas without feeling exhausted.

3. How deep can the scooter dive?

The depth rating of underwater scooters varies between models. It can range from a few feet to several hundred feet (and beyond recreational diving limits). The depth rating is an important feature to look for when purchasing a scooter as it will limit how far you can explore. If you’re a recreational diver who wishes to explore a diverse range of dive sites, look for an underwater scooter with a depth rating up to 164 feet (50 meters). If you’re just after an underwater scooter for family fun in the water, then a depth rating of 15 feet (4.5 meters) will do the job.

4. How to use an underwater scooter

To use an underwater scooter, turn on the mains power switch, hold onto the handles, and manipulate the speed trigger to start propelling forward. When you release the trigger, the motor will cease so you can stop. Underwater scooters can be used to travel parallel to the water’s surface, to descend or ascend. But remember, you still need to keep an eye on your air levels and ascend safely, just as you would when scuba diving without a scooter.

5. How fast does an underwater scooter go?

Underwater scooters range in speed from around 2 to 5.5 miles an hour. The speed is dependent on the model and the power of its motor. While this might not appear very fast, it will enable you to cover much greater distances underwater and move seamlessly against swift currents. Bigger models tend to be faster and more powerful. They are ideal for dive destinations in your backyard. However, large underwater scooters are cumbersome for scuba divers who are traveling by plane.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!