Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure (OSST)
In order to see the wonderful marine life in the Hawaiian islands, you need to get in the water and go under the sea to view the eco-system of the ocean. One of the most adventurous ways to see that is in a personal submarine scooter.
The scooters are single person devices that you enter by ducking your head under the water and up into a helmet that has created an air pocket for you to breathe. You do not need any snorkel gear or masks. You do need the ability to duck under the water and into the helmet which takes all of two seconds. All of this is made possible by the incredibly supportive and strong staff of the Oahu Submarine Scooter Team!
When you ride with the (OSST) you have partnered with one of the strongest swimming staffs I have ever seen in my life. This team is incredibly focused on safety and fun in the water on the scooter. When it is your turn, a scooter is guided to the side of the boat and you jump in the water. The guide with you will give you a quick refresher from the lesson on the boat and you will be in the scooter in no time at all. From there, the guide will help submerge the scooter under the sea and you will pull a lever to generate thrust. During this time the guide stays with you for assistance and direction. The guide did a great job to steer me toward the marine life and took the time to check in on my well being. At any time I felt that I could have ended the ride with their assistance and it was a comforting factor.
Once your ride has ended you have the opportunity to obtain a life jacket, snorkel gear and stay close to the boat for more marine viewing. The staff does a great job to check on you while you are in the water. It was also comforting to know that the snorkel gear is thoroughly cleaned with the cleaning solution prior to distribution. If you don’t want to snorkel you can sit on the boat and consume the chips and water that are on board for you. It is beneficial to get in the water as that can help prevent any sea sickness from the boat and you are on the water for a long time while people cycle through the activity. (All participants do not get in the water at the same time)
It is important to note that scooters need some water depth in order provide the great views. On November 27, 2019, the ride to the mooring was characterized as above normal wave height. This resulted in a great deal of motion on the boat when it was moored. The staff did a great job to help with the motion sickness and offer suggestions. The easiest is to get in the water, before motion sickness sets in.
Combining the talent of the staff with their physical strength and the type of adventure, I am glad that I did this activity. I would recommend it, but remember it could be a fun day in high waves if you take the necessary steps to minimize any motion sickness you experience.
Due to the fact that this is not an activity that lasts all day, the boat is not equipped with a rest room and their office does not maintain one either. The launch point for OSST is in a shopping plaza with a McDonald’s and Safeway. Surely you will need some provision from one of those locations, so hit up that restroom prior to departure. Then pace yourself throughout the day so you can make it back for your afternoon restroom relief. The boat does have fresh water on board, so you can rinse off and then use the local options to change your clothes.
The staff at OSST does an amazing job to keep you safe and have fun. Please take the time to say thank you with a gratuity at the end for the great service and environment they create!