Buying guide for best sea scooters
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Some call it the closest experience you can have to flying. It is a leisurely activity that is absolutely invigorating, providing all the thrills of a daredevil pursuit without the risk. If you'd like to partake in an adventure that is truly like no other, gliding effortlessly through the water, you may want to consider purchasing a sea scooter.
The best sea scooter is lightweight and easily portable. It has a reliable, long-lasting battery and fits within your budget. If you enjoy documenting your underwater excursions, your sea scooter needs to have a camera mount so you can shoot those breathtaking underwater videos.
Which sea scooter is best?
Best sea scooter for action cameras
Product Specifications
Run Time: 30 minutes | Depth Rating: 130 feet | Speed: 5 feet per second | Recharge Time: 60 minutes | Weight: 7.72 pounds
Scooting around underwater is exhilarating, but it’s even more fun when you can share the excitement with others. While this sea scooter is only suitable for one person, it has an action camera mount on the front that lets you attach an underwater recording device to capture beautiful scenes.
It’s available in six color choices and has two handles for easy mobility, balance and maneuverability. The dual motors are powerful enough to propel you forward at a maximum speed of 5 feet per second while diving to a maximum depth of 130 feet.
The battery lasts for 30 minutes, which isn’t as long as others. However, there are several accessories, such as an additional battery pack and charger, that extend the life and the fun.
Best sea scooter for fast speeds
Product Specifications
Run Time: 40 minutes | Depth Rating: 100 feet | Speed: 5 miles per hour | Recharge Time: 3 hours | Weight: 13.2 pounds
Taking it slow to get a good view of everything around you is educational, but sometimes, you just want to crank up the speed and pretend you’re a dolphin. This is the sea scooter for the job, as it reaches a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour.
It doesn’t go as deep as other models, as it’s limited to 100 feet, but the dual motors are designed for powerful, smooth propulsion. A button on the right-hand grip allows you to change the speed from 4.3 miles per hour to 5 miles per hour, and the built-in OLED screen shows you which gear you’re in.
The Seawing is neutrally buoyant, meaning you can remain underwater at relatively the same depth with minimal effort. If you want to capture your adventures, it has a mount for an action camera.
Best sea scooter for beginners
Product Specifications
Run Time: 1.5 hours | Depth Rating: 15 feet | Speed: 2 miles per hour | Recharge Time: 3 hours | Weight: 15 pounds
It’s daunting to jump into the deep end, kick a sea scooter into gear and hold on for dear life. If you’ve never had the thrilling pleasure to do so, the Seal sea scooter from Yamaha is an excellent starting point.
It’s good for beginners, as it doesn’t go as fast as the others, reaching a maximum speed of only 2 miles per hour. And you needn’t fear the deep abyss, as it’s only rated for a depth of 15 feet. The slow speed and shallow depth combination make it an excellent learning gadget.
The Seal has positive buoyancy despite weighing 15 pounds. This means it will float, but it requires a bit of muscle to push it under the surface and keep it there.
Best sea scooter for deep dives
Product Specifications
Run Time: 45 minutes | Depth Rating: 164 feet | Speed: 4 miles per hour | Recharge Time: 1.5 hours | Weight: 2.2 pounds
Many treasures can be found at the bottom of a lake or ocean, but they can be difficult to reach. That’s where this sea scooter comes in handy, as it has a maximum depth rating of 164 feet – more than enough for treasure hunting.
The sea scooter has a mount on the front where you can easily affix an underwater LED light to see where you’re going. The mount is the same one used by action cameras, so you can record your dives as you seek out valuables.
The dual thrusters provide 26 pounds of force, which is enough to push you through the water at a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour. The removable battery lasts 45 minutes and requires about 90 minutes to fully recharge. The sea scooter has positive buoyancy, so there shouldn’t be any problem returning to the surface.
Best sea scooter for underwater photography
Product Specifications
Run Time: 60 minutes | Depth Rating: 130 feet | Speed: 4 miles per hour | Recharge Time: 2 hours | Weight: 7.8 pounds
This is a sea scooter to consider if you want to capture stunning videos and underwater photos. In addition to the action camera mount (which is also compatible with LED underwater lights), it comes with a mobile phone mount for extra videos and still footage.
The dual thrusters exert 17 pounds of force, letting you reach a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour and a depth of 130 feet. A button on the side lets you change gears, and if you prefer, you can cruise along at 2.6 miles per hour.
Stable and easy to handle for underwater recording, the sea scooter achieves neutral buoyancy when you attach the floater, which helps keep it going straight while reducing drag.
Key considerations
Safety
Safety should always come first. There is enough to be concerned about when partaking in an underwater activity, so you don't want to worry about being injured by your sea scooter as well. Be sure to purchase a model with fully encased propellers so there is no danger of injury from the blades. Also, you will want a sea scooter with automatic shutoff so you won't lose your ride in the event that you lose your grip.
Intended use
Beyond safety, the most important aspect of purchasing a sea scooter is knowing how you intend to use it. Do you just want a fun toy to play with in a swimming pool? That’s a very different sea scooter than one that can descend over 100 feet.
After you've decided where and how your sea scooter will be used, move on to the next section to see a list of potential features so you can decide which ones you want your model to have.
Features
Maximum depth
If you just want to ride around a pool or stay near the water’s surface, any sea scooter model can do that. If you want to go deeper than 15 feet, however, you need a specific type of sea scooter.
If you are a novice, be careful about purchasing a model that can go deep. You need professional training to learn how to safely descend deeper into the water and then ascend back to the surface.
Charging time and battery life
There are two factors to consider regarding the battery. The first is charging time. If you’re not a planner and tend to do things at the last minute, you will likely need a battery that can charge relatively quickly. If you like to map out your adventures in advance, however, a lengthy charging time may not be a big deal to you.
The second factor, battery life, is crucial. In the best-case scenario, if your battery runs out of juice, it will simply bring an end to your festivities. In the worst-case scenario, it could leave you stranded. Think about what you want to do with your sea scooter. Then, find a model with the features – including battery life – that will allow you to comfortably do that.
Note that advertised battery times are for optimal conditions. If you're cruising around at top speed and carrying a lot of gear, you might only get half of the stated battery life.
Buoyancy
Ideally, your sea scooter would give you some control over buoyancy. But most models don’t have that feature, so you'll need to compromise. The less buoyant a model is, the easier it will sink, which can be good if you’re doing deep dives. However, if you’ll be staying near the surface, you will want a sea scooter that’s buoyant enough to keep you there.
Speed
Unless you’re purchasing a high-end model, your sea scooter will likely only travel 2, 3 or maybe 4 miles per hour. If you want a little choice, look for a model with different speed settings so you can slow down and explore.
Camera mount
Chances are good that you want the ability to take underwater photos and videos on your sea scooter. In that case, you will want a model with a camera mount.
Weight
The weight of your sea scooter shouldn't be too much of an issue while it’s in the water (unless your battery dies and you have to drag it back to shore). When you’re carrying your sea scooter on land, however, you will appreciate a lighter model. Just don't make the mistake of going too far and sacrificing durability for a lighter weight.
Color and design
Many sea scooters look similar, with the only distinctions being small variances in shape and color. Unfortunately, in order to get a model that does everything you want it to, you may have to settle for a color that’s not your favorite.
Additionally, at the higher end of the price spectrum, you will find models with drastically different designs. The key is to get the features you need without getting too hung up on style.
Sea scooter prices
Sea scooters range in price from just over $200 to $1,500. The main differences in models are the maximum depth and maximum speed the units can reach.
Inexpensive
In the $200 to $300 range, you can expect to travel around 2 miles per hour for about an hour (under optimum conditions) and go 15 to 30 feet deep.
Mid-range
When you move up to the $300 to $500 range, the models may run a little longer, and they can travel at least twice as deep. Most still won't reach speeds greater than 3 miles per hour.
Expensive
Once you get to the realm of sea scooters that cost $500 and up, you can find machines that reach a depth of 100 feet or more. At the upper end, you may find models that run for close to two hours (under optimum conditions) and reach speeds of 6 miles per hour or greater.
Tips
Although sea scooters are designed to be safe and easy to use, there are a number of factors to keep in mind to prevent unfortunate incidents from occurring. Here are some of the most important safety tips.
- Inspect your sea scooter before every outing. The fact that it worked last time doesn't mean it will work this time.
- Replace old batteries. Batteries tend to last about four years. Pay attention to a battery that starts to lose its charge quickly so you don't get stranded halfway through your adventure.
- Use the buddy system. Never venture out into the water alone, and never travel out of sight of your buddy.
- Know your environment. Be aware of other divers, boats, potential hazards, seaweed and marine life.
- Remember how to descend and ascend. A sea scooter makes it easy to break the rules accidentally; do not forget your training.
- Don't push your limits. Know what you are capable of, and stay well within those parameters.
How we analyzed
There are many factors to consider when comparing sea scooters. Some are purpose-built for specific activities; others lean toward the recreational side. That said, we looked at some universal elements to determine which sea scooters are the best overall.
We examined data for close to 20 sea scooters. To arrive at our top selections, we considered maximum speed, thrust, depth rating and battery life. Other important factors that contribute to an excellent experience include any mounts for accessories such as action cameras, how long the battery takes to recharge, ease of operation and how much effort is required to keep the sea scooter steady underwater.
FAQ
Q. Who might want to use a sea scooter?
A. Divers, snorkelers and swimmers can all enjoy sea scooters. The purpose isn't fast joyriding; a scooter allows you to travel through water without fatiguing so you can better enjoy your activity. It also lets you travel with more gear than you would be able to comfortably carry without the device. Sea scooters can also be used by rescue divers to help broaden their scope of coverage.
Q. How do I steer a sea scooter?
A. Steering a sea scooter is easy. In fact, it may be a little too easy for beginners. All it takes is a slight shift of your body weight (comparable to leaning) to steer. It’s best practice to get some professional sea scooter training before you do anything too advanced with your sea scooter.
Q. How should I store my sea scooter if I will not be using it for an extended period?
A. Before putting your sea scooter away, give it a thorough inspection to make sure everything is in optimum working condition with no visible problems, such as damage or leaks. Then, give the unit a good cleaning to remove any lingering salt or chemicals.
After drying it, store your sea scooter in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. Every two to three months, give the battery a charge, or put the battery on a trickle charger so it will be ready to use when you need it next.
Q. Could I outrun a shark on a sea scooter?
A. Definitely not. A great white shark can swim about 25 miles per hour. Most sea scooters don’t go faster than 4 or 6 miles per hour.
