REVIEW · SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Siargao: Unique Seascooter Exploration in Coral Gardens
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by eMotion Siargao · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Flying underwater in Siargao feels wild. This powered seascooter session lets you explore Siargao’s Coral Garden like a fast, guided-by-your-own-hands snorkel—without needing prior experience. I especially love how the controls are taught up front and how the action-camera and phone mounts help you actually record the experience. The one thing to consider is that you don’t have a guide in the water, so you’ll need to follow the rules and manage your time and battery yourself.
You’ll start and finish right where you check in, at eMotion Siargao (eSkate, Seascooters, eBikes) at the entrance of Jacking Horse homestay. It’s a private group setup, taught in English, and you’re limited to about one hour (or until the battery runs out). That structure keeps it focused and fun, but it also means you should plan to make the most of your single session.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Powered snorkeling without a guide: what you do in Siargao’s Coral Garden
- Finding eMotion Siargao at Jacking Horse homestay
- One hour of scooter time: controls, pacing, and reef rules
- A smart pacing tip for first-timers
- Your included gear: mask, snorkel, reef shoes, and camera mounts
- Reef shoes are worth it
- Price and value for $15: what’s included and what you must bring
- Who this seascooter experience suits in Surigao del Norte
- Should you book this seascooter session in Siargao?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for the seascooter experience?
- How long does the experience last?
- Do I need a guide in the water?
- Is the seascooter easy to operate if I have no experience?
- What snorkeling gear is included?
- Do I need to bring a GoPro or camera?
- Is a waiver required?
- Is there a deposit?
- Who is the activity not suitable for?
Key things to know before you go

- Flying underwater, with easy control basics: you move forward by pushing two buttons at the same time.
- Self-guided reef time: you explore on your own in the Coral Garden area, with a safety tutorial first.
- Built-in camera options: mount a GoPro or similar action camera, plus a phone with a waterproof case.
- Included snorkeling comfort: mask and snorkel are provided, and reef/beach shoes are included.
- Time is the limit: plan for up to one hour, depending on battery.
Powered snorkeling without a guide: what you do in Siargao’s Coral Garden

This is snorkeling with a motor strapped to your day. The whole point is that you get the feeling of flying underwater while you explore the Coral Garden. That powered push is what makes it different from slow, fin-by-fin snorkeling: you can cover more reef area and move quickly between coral views.
You’re not going out with a guide telling you where to look. Instead, you arrive, get set up, learn the controls safely, and then your session becomes self-guided. For me, that’s the key tradeoff. It gives you freedom to go at your own pace, but you also need to stay focused, stay within your comfort zone, and respect the reef rules—especially the instruction not to touch marine life or plants.
The session also has a built-in “wrap-up moment.” You come back when your battery is empty or after a maximum of one hour. So you’re not spending half the day figuring out logistics or regrouping. It’s more like a timed adventure: gear up, learn fast, explore hard, return.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Surigao Del Norte.
Finding eMotion Siargao at Jacking Horse homestay

Meeting point details matter for a short, one-hour experience, and this one is straightforward. Look for eMotion Siargao (they also run eSkate, Seascooters, and eBikes) at the entrance of Jacking Horse homestay. The session ends back at the same meeting spot, so you won’t be doing any complicated transport at the end.
Before you go into the water, you’ll complete a quick waiver. You should also expect a hands-on introduction on how to operate the seascooter safely and effectively. The good news: the activity is designed for people with no previous experience to operate the scooter. That matters in Siargao, where a lot of reef time can be intimidating if you’re worried about equipment or getting tangled.
One more practical detail: there’s a 1000 pesos deposit required. It’s refunded at the end of the experience. Plan to have the right cash on hand so you don’t end up scrambling mid-day.
One hour of scooter time: controls, pacing, and reef rules

Your in-water time has two parts: learning the basics and then using that freedom to explore.
First, you’ll be shown how to operate the seascooter safely. The control is simple: you only need to push two buttons simultaneously to move forward. That’s a big deal for new users because it keeps the mental load low. You can focus on staying relaxed and watching where you’re going instead of trying to remember a complicated sequence.
Then you start your snorkeling session in the clear water around the Coral Garden. Because it’s self-guided, you’ll choose how far you go and what you look at. For safety, your session has a hard boundary: return when your battery is empty or after one hour at most.
A few reef rules are non-negotiable:
- Don’t touch marine life.
- Don’t touch plants.
Even if the water looks calm and you feel confident, treat that reef as something to observe, not handle. It’s part of keeping the experience responsible and keeping you out of trouble.
A smart pacing tip for first-timers
If you’re new to snorkeling plus a powered scooter, start with smaller moves. Get comfortable with steering and breathing, then gradually expand your exploration. Think of it like warming up on a bike before you go faster. Your battery limit makes this even more important, because you’ll want time left for the parts you enjoy most.
Your included gear: mask, snorkel, reef shoes, and camera mounts

The gear list here is built around keeping you ready fast. You get:
- Mask and snorkel
- Life jacket if needed
- Beach/reef shoes
- A safety and operation tutorial
- Action camera mounting system
- Phone mounting system
That last part is the secret sauce. The action camera mount is set up for a GoPro or similar, so you can film without holding the camera. You also get a phone mounting system with a waterproof case, which is ideal if you’d rather use your phone but still want stable footage.
You’ll still need to bring swimwear and sign the waiver. GoPro or camera isn’t included, and videos aren’t provided either, so bring your own device if you want the footage. The mount system does the work of keeping it attached; you bring the camera.
Reef shoes are worth it
You might think you can just go barefoot, but reef shoes help you manage the slippery, wet “walk in and out” part. Since you’re self-guided, you don’t want to lose time or comfort at the start because your feet are unhappy.
Price and value for $15: what’s included and what you must bring

At $15 per person for about an hour, this can be good value if you want a powered, high-fun snorkeling experience without paying for a full guided tour. The price covers the seascooter use, snorkeling equipment, and the safety tutorial—plus the camera mounting systems.
What makes it feel like value isn’t just the price tag. It’s that you’re paying for:
- time in the water (up to one hour)
- equipment to snorkel comfortably
- training to operate the scooter
- the setup to record it
What it does not cover is also important. Liability insurance isn’t included, and your GoPro or camera isn’t included. There’s also the deposit (1000 pesos) that you’ll get back at the end.
So if you’re coming with your own camera and you’re comfortable bringing the right cash for the deposit, this price can make sense. If you don’t swim well, you may be at the wrong activity entirely, because this isn’t described as suitable for non-swimmers.
Finally, it’s listed as reserve now and pay later, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That’s useful when you’re building a flexible Siargao itinerary and weather might affect your day.
Who this seascooter experience suits in Surigao del Norte

This is a fun choice if you want independence in the water and you like action-photo setups. It’s also a good fit for people who don’t want a slow, fin-and-look snorkeling style.
Based on the stated requirements, it’s not suitable for:
- Children under 10 years
- People with back problems
- Non-swimmers
- People prone to seasickness
It’s also specifically built for people who do not need experience to operate the underwater scooter. So even if you’re nervous about motors or gadgets, you’re not expected to arrive already knowing how it works.
In practical terms, the best match is:
- someone who can swim confidently with a snorkel
- someone comfortable being in the water without a guide beside them
- someone who wants to film and move quickly through the coral area
If you’re the kind of person who needs constant reassurance in the water, this might feel a little too self-directed. On the other hand, if you like the idea of having freedom after you get trained, you’ll likely love the setup.
Should you book this seascooter session in Siargao?

Yes—if you’re a confident swimmer, you want a powered snorkeling experience in the Coral Garden, and you’re excited to record your time with the included mounts. The $15 price point becomes especially appealing because you’re getting the scooter, snorkeling gear, and the hardware to capture it.
Hold off or choose a different water activity if you’re prone to seasickness, you have back issues, or you’re not a strong swimmer. Also, if you know you’ll struggle with “self-guided” freedom, you might find it stressful to manage pacing and safety on your own.
If your goal is one hour of movement, coral views, and fun footage without spending all day coordinating—this is a strong Siargao pick.
FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the seascooter experience?
You’ll meet at eMotion Siargao at the entrance of Jacking Horse homestay. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
It’s scheduled for 1 hour, or until the seascooter battery runs out.
Do I need a guide in the water?
No. This is a self-guided seascooter experience. You’ll get a safety and operation tutorial before you start.
Is the seascooter easy to operate if I have no experience?
Yes. No experience is needed. You only need to push two buttons simultaneously to move forward.
What snorkeling gear is included?
Mask and snorkel are included, along with beach/reef shoes. A life jacket is included if you need it.
Do I need to bring a GoPro or camera?
You’ll need to bring your own action camera or phone. A GoPro or similar camera is not included, but there are mounts for an action camera and a phone (with a waterproof case).
Is a waiver required?
Yes. You must sign a waiver before starting.
Is there a deposit?
Yes. A 1000 pesos deposit is required and is refunded at the end of the experience.
Who is the activity not suitable for?
It’s not suitable for children under 10, people with back problems, non-swimmers, or people prone to seasickness.










