My friends Bryony and Jack recently returned from a family holiday in Fiji, where they had the chance to try out a sea-scooter. It quickly became one of the highlights of their trip. They’re the kind of people who are always in or around the water—whether surfing the waves at Whiritoa or unwinding at Waimama Beach, which is perfect for swimming and rock exploring. So, it was no surprise when they raved about their sea-scooter experience. They loved the freedom it gave them to dive in and explore places they wouldn’t normally reach. I couldn’t help but feel a little envious. As much as I love sailing, I’ve never considered myself a water baby—but something like a sea-scooter might just change that.
The sea-scooter origins date back to the ingenuity of Bernd Boettger, a German engineer who, in 1968, developed the first-ever water scooter to escape East Germany across the Baltic Sea. His early prototype laid the foundation for today’s Seabob range.
Cayago, the manufacturers of the Seabob, have recently unveiled their latest model, the F9, at the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show. From what I’ve seen, it’s designed to be intuitive and easy to use, even for complete beginners. Curious, I looked into what people had to say about the Seabob. It quickly became clear that this isn’t just a gadget for extreme sports enthusiasts—it caters to a wide range of users, from novices like me to seasoned water adventurers. Seabob provides easy-to-follow guides, explaining everything clearly, and its adjustable speed and depth settings make it accessible for all ages. Safety is also a key feature: if you let go of the throttle, the engine stops, and the Seabob automatically floats to the surface. That kind of built-in reassurance would definitely give me peace of mind, knowing that if I ever felt out of my depth—literally—the Seabob would have my back.
Bryony and Jack described their experience as “gliding” through the water. Seabobs have even been used for swimming with fish. You can zip through the water at high speed or cruise at a more relaxed pace, covering far more ground than you would while snorkelling.
The new Seabob F9 comes with two models—F9 and F9S. While F9 model is great for a relaxed ride, the F9S model adds an extra burst of speed, making the ride more dynamic. The Seabob’s electric propulsion system ensures smooth and quiet operation, so it doesn’t disrupt marine life.
For those who don’t always have the time or experience for scuba diving but still want to explore deeper waters, the Seabob F9 could be a game-changer. With a maximum operating depth of 40 metres, and speeds of up to 20 km/h both on the surface and underwater, it offers seasoned divers an exciting new way to explore, while also making underwater adventure more accessible for beginners.
Available through Ray White Marine NZ at Wynyard Quarter, and City of Sails Marine Yacht Brokers in Auckland.
