Divers Say This Underwater Scooter That Reaches 200 Feet Deep ‘Feels Like Flying'

Travel + Leisure

3 days ago

One aquatic accessory has become increasingly prevalent in the world of scuba diving and snorkeling: A scooter. No, not the kind with two wheels and a kickstand—an underwater scooter, which is a pint-sized, motorized device that can propel divers, snorkelers, and swimmers through the water.
Underwater scooters, also called diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs), were first developed for military use during World War II. Now, these speedy gadgets have found a new purpose as a fun beach accessory for scuba diving and snorkeling trips. Those who have used these underwater scooters say they felt like they were 'flying' as they achieved Michael Phelps-level speeds without even having to kick their feet—and one of the most highly-rated and travel-friendly options, the Lefeet P1, can be purchased directly from Amazon.
The Lefeet P1 Underwater Scooter is an especially travel-friendly DPV, thanks to its compactness and portability. The main scooter component only weighs five pounds and measures just over 12 inches long and three inches wide, making it slightly larger than a Coke bottle. Its powerful lithium battery clears most airline battery restrictions, so you can even pack the scooter in your carry-on bag the next time you go on a diving trip.
Built to take you up to 200 feet below sea level, this seascooter is made of a special corrosion-resistant aluminum that can handle repeated exposure to salt water. It's equipped with a 500-watt brushless motor that the brand says is designed for 'higher speed, greater torque, lower noise, and longer lifespan compared to traditional brushed motors.'
To use it, grip onto the two handles with both of your hands, and power it on via the remote controller on the left handle. Once you're done using it for the day, simply remove the battery and plug the charging adapter into a USB-C charging cable; once all four of the battery charging lights are illuminated and no longer flashing, you'll know it's fully charged and ready to go for another underwater adventure.
In a 2024 forum thread on Scubaboard, a worldwide online community for diving enthusiasts, one diver pointed out that the Lefeet P1 Underwater Scooter is especially useful for shore diving, as it doesn't 'conk out' when seaweed gets into the propeller. 'Considering the amount of seaweed I dive in, that's pretty important,' they added. While mostly used for recreation, Lefeet scooters are also a good tool to have on hand for a water emergency, as they can help you get back to shore (or your boat) at a top speed of roughly 4.5 mph.
One diver took to the review section of the P1 model on the Lefeet website, awarding it five stars after using it to hunt for shark teeth off the coast of Venice, Florida. 'The Lefeet P1 allowed me to hunt further (and safer) from the boat than others on the charter, to stay at the hunting location longer (since my return didn't take as long as an unassisted swimmer), and to return to the boat consuming less air (both underwater and on the surface),' they wrote. 'I will be taking my P1 to Belize next year.'
Another Lefeet shopper echoed these sentiments about the power, writing that it 'packs quite a bit of thrust in such a small package,' adding that the 'battery lasts quite a while' and that using it 'feels like you are flying underwater.' Lastly, a diver who bought the upgraded version of the Lefeet P1, the P1XR, shared that it's allowed them to continue diving after suffering life-changing injuries caused by a car accident. 'I've been a Divemaster nearly 20 years, and I have always stressed the inclusivity of diving,' they wrote. 'Recently I became an adaptive diver (T3 tetraplegic) through a road traffic collision and wondered if I would ever dive again. Thanks to the versatility and compactness of the P1XR I can dive again and it tows me AND MY BUDDY through the water on hour-long dives and even into wrecks!'
This underwater scooter is also designed with a built-in camera mount, but you can also buy extra mounts for your legs, a stand-up paddleboard, or a diving tank on Amazon. The lithium battery takes about two and a half hours to fully charge, and can run continuously for about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the speed mode and the conditions of the water it's being used in. If you're wanting a longer range and faster speed, however, you can upgrade to a 160Wh battery over on the Lefeet website, which ramps up the top speed to 6mph.
In addition to the Lefeet P1, you can choose from hundreds of other underwater scooters at Amazon. Ahead, we picked out five more best-selling and highly rated seascooters for different budgets, starting at $360.
At the time of publishing, the price started at $1,199.
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