What is SNUBA®
and why you’ll love it.
Ever wondered what it is actually like to breathe underwater without a scuba certification? SNUBA® is the answer and it is easier than you think.
SNUBA® gives you the freedom to explore Bonaire’s underwater world, go below the surface without the training and heavy equipment of scuba diving. Our certified guide will stay with you from start to finish, so you can focus on exploring Bonaire’s reef at your own pace.
How does SNUBA® work?
So, what is SNUBA® in practice? Four simple steps to breathing underwater.
The raft floats above you
An air-tank sits on a small raft on the surface. All gear stays there, so you can move freely underwater.
You breathe through a regulator
You will be connected to a 20-foot airline to the air supply that has been placed on your raft. You breathe normally, just like on the surface. No special technique needed.
You practice at surface first
Before you descend, together with our certified guide you practice breathing from the regulator at the surface. In this way we make sure everything feels comfortable before you go down.
Explore Bonaire’s reef with your guide
Our certified SNUBA® guide will stay with you the whole time. You go at your own pace, your own level.
SNUBA® vs snorkeling vs scuba diving
| Snorkeling | SNUBA® | Scuba diving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certification needed | No | No | Yes |
| Breathe underwater | No | Yes | Yes |
| Heavy gear on back | No | No | Yes |
| Maximum depth | Surface only | 20 feet / 6 meters | 30+ meters |
| Certified guide with you | No | Yes always | Depends |
| Minimum age | Any age | 8 years | 10–12 years |
| Prior experience needed | None needed | None needed | Course required |
| Training time | None | 5-minute briefing & practice | Days |
| Best designed for | First-timers who want to stay at surface | First-timers who want to get closer to the reef | Certified divers seeking depth |
Convinced? Book your SNUBA® Bonaire excursion today.
Book your SNUBA® excursionIs SNUBA® safe?
Yes. SNUBA® was designed specifically for beginners, people with no diving experience. Only swimming experience is required, so you have to feel comfortable in the water.
Safety is built into every step of our Bonaire SNUBA® tour. You’ll never dive alone, our certified SNUBA® guide stays with you the entire time, monitoring you, your air supply and your pace. In this way you can focus entirely on the beautiful reef of Bonaire, so you have the best experience.
Before you descend, you’ll practice breathing through the regulator at the surface together with your guide. In this way you know exactly what to expect underwater. When you are ready, our guide will lead you step by step underwater.
Our team follows the safety standards set by SNUBA® International, the global organization behind the SNUBA® concept.
Is SNUBA® worth it?
For most of our first-time visitors to Bonaire’s reef: yes. Why? With SNUBA® you experience significantly more of the underwater world than snorkeling. You are swimming among the reef, not looking down at it from above. This at a fraction of the time and cost of a scuba certification course.
Besides that, Bonaire is ranked among the best diving destinations in the world. With SNUBA® you get to see it in just a few hours. Making it the perfect way to experience Bonaire’s underwater world during a short cruise stop or a quick island visit.
And it is not just for first-timers. Many of our guests come back to SNUBA® Bonaire, simply because it is such an easy way to enjoy the reef and everything it has to offer.
Meet Heidi and Patrick, the faces behind SNUBA® Bonaire
What our guests say.
“I was nervous at first — I had never done anything like this. But our guide was incredibly patient and by the time I took my first breath underwater I forgot all about being nervous. Absolutely magical.”
Rotterdam, Netherlands · TripAdvisor
“We brought our 10-year-old son and he absolutely loved it. He was braver than both of us! The whole experience was so well organized and our guide made everyone feel completely comfortable.”
Texas, USA · TripAdvisor
How much does SNUBA® cost?
Our SNUBA® tour includes a 4-hour catamaran trip with drinks and snacks all equipment and a certified guide that stays with you the entire time of your trip.
Frequently asked questions
About the participants
SNUBA® is designed for almost everyone. From complete beginners with no diving experience and first-time snorkelers, to families with kids aged 8 and up. However, swimming experience and feeling comfortable in the water are required.
Guests must be at least 8 years old.
SNUBA® is not recommended for guests with certain medical conditions, including pregnancy, heart conditions, lung disease or epilepsy. Other conditions may require physician clearance before you book. If you have any concerns, please contact us before booking. We are happy to assist you.
Ready to SNUBA®?
You now have the answer to “What is SNUBA®?” How it works and why so many first-timers and returning guests love it. The only thing left is to experience it yourself, aboard our Mushi Mushi catamaran. Book now at our $95 introduction price, available until December 20, 2026.