SNUBA SXM — Underwater Diving Without the Certification
Surface-supported SNUBA diving from Bobby's Marina — a guided bridge between snorkeling and scuba, with no tank and no scuba certification or prior diving experience.
Why Go
SNUBA fills a gap that most visitors do not know exists. You breathe from a surface-supported air system connected to a hose and a raft above you, so you can explore a shallow reef without carrying a scuba tank and requiring no scuba certification or prior diving experience. It is still an underwater activity — every participant receives a briefing and is accompanied by a professional guide, who covers a safe, gradual descent and how to equalize pressure as you go. If snorkeling felt too surface-level and scuba feels too committed, this is the middle ground.
The Experience
Tours depart from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg. A short boat ride brings you to a shallow reef site. After a safety briefing on the boat, you gear up with a mask, fins, and a weighted belt. The breathing hose connects to a floating raft overhead, so your air supply stays on the surface while you explore. Guides remain with participants throughout the underwater experience and help them observe the marine environment encountered that day. Guests spend approximately 45 minutes underwater on average; actual time may vary by participant and operating conditions. Plan approximately 2–2.5 hours for check-in, briefing, practice, the boat trip and underwater tour. SNUBA is open to eligible guests age 8 and older. Participation remains subject to current age, medical, swimming and other participation requirements and guide approval.
What to Try
The guided SNUBA dive keeps things simple — no certification paperwork, no heavy gear. Companions who prefer not to dive can book as paid Snorkeling or Passenger guests, join the same departure, and snorkel alongside the SNUBA tour when capacity permits. The guide manages depth and pace throughout.
Insider Tip
Bobby's Marina is in central Philipsburg, so combining SNUBA with a morning or afternoon in town is easy. Bring an underwater camera if you have one; the guides will help position you for shots.
The Practical Stuff
Departs from Bobby's Marina, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Philipsburg. Premium pricing typical for guided underwater experiences. All equipment provided. The guided SNUBA experience requires no scuba certification or prior diving experience; every participant receives a briefing and is accompanied by a professional guide. SNUBA is open to eligible guests age 8 and older; participation remains subject to current age, medical, swimming and other participation requirements and guide approval — see https://snubasxm.com/important-information/ for current participation requirements. Guests spend approximately 45 minutes underwater on average; actual time may vary by participant and operating conditions. Plan approximately 2–2.5 hours total including check-in, briefing, practice, the boat trip and underwater tour. Book in advance at https://snubasxm.com/book-snuba/ — they run limited group sizes per session.
Pair It With
- Great Bay Express Guide — Same marina departure — combine a SNUBA morning with an afternoon ferry to St. Barths
- Aziana Guide — Upscale Philipsburg restaurant nearby for a post-dive lunch