Hawaii is home to countless tourist attractions, and many of them are underwater. Exploring the sea is fun and exciting, but people who aren’t certified to dive may find the experience limiting with snorkeling. SNUBA®, fortunately, offers a more immersive alternative.

What Is SNUBA?

SNUBA is a portmanteau of the words snorkeling and scuba diving and a cross of these two popular underwater activities. It allows you to do a deep dive into the ocean, sans the heavy equipment, bulky suit, strict certifications, and experience.

Instead, you only have to wear a diving mask, regulator, weight belt, harness, and fins, then you’re ready to go anywhere down below, even as deep as 20 feet. Your air supply is left above water, floating on a small support raft that follows you.

The idea for SNUBA came from Michael Stafford in 1985. He realized there was an untapped market for people who want to scuba dive but lacked the certification that comes with it. He devised a surface-based air delivery system using a lengthy hose that lets snorkelers and non-divers breathe with ease while exploring the underwater.   

Why Go on a SNUBA Trip?

Snorkeling is a well-loved tourist attraction activity in Hawaii, and SNUBA often comes as an added alternative to it. Below are a few reasons to level up.  

• Easy: SNUBA is straightforward to learn. Before going underwater, trained staff will give a 15-minute briefing on expectations, safety protocols, hand signals, and other necessary skills. If you already have snorkeling experience, it will be easy for you.   

• Safe: Not all tourist attraction companies in Hawaii can offer SNUBA; they have to be certified as a SNUBA Recreational Center with trained guides onboard. These SNUBA guides will be with you throughout the entire dive, so you’ll know you’re in good hands.

• Fun: SNUBA lets you explore deeper under the sea without having to resurface every few minutes, like in snorkeling. Likewise, you’ll have fewer worries and more fun compared to scuba diving.

Try SNUBA diving with Sea Maui. Headquartered in Lahaina, HI, they offer whale watching tours, sailing and snorkeling trips, and sunset dinner cruises to tourists and locals around the island of Maui. View their excursion offerings online, or get in touch at (808) 732-6284 with any questions.