Aquafari is the answer for travelers who want to see a Caribbean reef up close but do not want to snorkel or learn to dive. You ride a small self-propelled underwater scooter with a bell-shaped glass container over your head. The bell is supplied with air from a scuba tank mounted on the front of the scooter, so you breathe naturally, keep your hair and glasses dry and look straight out at the reef. A professional Aquafari diver leads the group through clear water, past coral and tropical fish, and no diving experience is required. The experience runs about an hour and a half in total, which includes a briefing of around thirty minutes on the scooter controls and safety before you enter the water. It is a genuine novelty, close to a walk through an aquarium that you steer yourself, and the numbers back it up: it has more than a thousand reviews and a rating of about 4.8 out of 5, which puts it among the most popular things to do on the whole island.
What it feels like
After the briefing you are fitted with the air bell and taken down to a shallow depth, where the scooter does the work and you steer with simple controls. Because the bell holds air, you do not need to clear a mask, equalize your ears the way a diver does or hold a mouthpiece, which is what makes it approachable for nervous swimmers and people who have never dived.
You stay seated and upright, so the sensation is closer to gliding through a bright blue room than swimming. A wetsuit is not required, so bring a swimsuit and a towel, and use the lockers for your belongings. Mobile tickets are accepted and confirmation is instant.
Who it suits
Couples, friends and families with older children who are comfortable in the water will get the most from it. It is also a good fit for anyone with a fear of breathing through a snorkel tube, since you simply breathe normally. Minimum ages, health restrictions and weight or height limits apply to this kind of equipment, so check the conditions when you reserve and tell the operator about ear, heart or breathing problems.
It is a poor choice if you hate having your head enclosed, and nobody should expect the freedom of snorkeling, because the group moves together at the guide pace and photographs are better taken by the crew than by you.
Planning and value
Free cancellation is typically offered up to 24 hours before the start time, which helps if the sea or the weather turns. Choose a morning slot if you can, when the water tends to be calmest and the light is good, and avoid a heavy meal beforehand. The meeting point comes with your confirmation, so work out the drive from your hotel in advance.
It pairs well with a relaxed beach afternoon, and it is a different kind of marine day than the Sea Aquarium or the turtle swim, so it can sit in the same week without repeating itself. Expect a mid-to-high price for roughly ninety minutes, which most reviewers consider fair for the novelty and the safety standard.
What to expect
The experience
A guided underwater scooter ride with a glass air bell, led by a professional diver after a safety briefing of about thirty minutes.
Best time
Pick a morning slot when the sea is calmest and the light is clear; the experience runs year-round, but windy days can affect conditions.
How long
About an hour and a half in total, including the briefing, the ride and changing time.
Tips
Bring a swimsuit and towel, use the lockers, skip a heavy meal beforehand and tell the crew about any ear, heart or breathing issues.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Non-divers and nervous swimmers who still want to see the reef up close.
- Families
- Works for older children who swim comfortably; check the minimum age and size limits when you reserve.
- Couples
- A shared novelty with calm water, clear views and no need for diving skills.
- Pair with
- A beach afternoon, the Sea Aquarium or the west-coast turtle swim on a different day.
- Time needed
- Allow half a morning including travel and changing.
Good questions
Do I need to know how to dive or snorkel?+
No diving experience is required. The glass bell is supplied with air from a tank on the scooter, so you breathe normally.
How long does the Aquafari experience last?+
About an hour and a half in total, including a briefing of roughly thirty minutes on the controls and safety.
Do I need a wetsuit?+
A wetsuit is not required. Bring a swimsuit and a towel and use the lockers provided.
Can I cancel if the weather turns?+
Free cancellation is typically offered up to 24 hours before the start time. Operators also reschedule or refund when the sea is unsafe.
Is it suitable for children?+
Often yes for older children who are confident in the water, but minimum ages and size limits apply. Confirm them when you reserve.
