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Overview
The Underwater Scooter market size is forecast to reach USD 0.31 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 8.67% during 2024-2030. The increasing level of awareness and interest in water sports and activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, contributing to the demand for underwater scooters.
This growth is driven by technological advancements, increasing disposable incomes, and a growing interest in underwater adventures. Underwater tourism is a significant and expanding industry, with dive tourism alone valued between $20 billion and $30 billion. Additionally, coral reef tourism contributes an impressive $35.4 billion annually to global tourism revenues. This robust growth in underwater tourism highlights an increasing interest in aquatic exploration, which directly impacts the underwater scooter market. These compact, battery-powered devices allow users to move smoothly through the water, conserving energy and extending the duration of their underwater experiences.
Report Coverage
The report “Underwater Scooter Market– Forecast (2024-2030)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Underwater Scooter market.
By Type: Seascooter, Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV), Others
By Application: Recreational, Professional
By Distribution Channel: B2B (online/offline), B2C (online/offline)
By Geography: North America, Europe
Key Takeaways
• The European underwater scooter market was valued at $127.85 million in 2023 and is estimated to generate $194.4 million in revenue by the end of 2029 growing at a CAGR of 7.53% from 2024 to 2029. The tourism sector in Europe is robust, with a strong focus on recreational activities, including water sports. This drives demand for underwater scooters among tourists and water sports enthusiasts.
• The underwater scooter market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising popularity of water sports activities, particularly scuba diving. For example, Scuba diving is one of the fastest-growing water sports activities. According to the data from the 2023 Sports & Industry Association’s Topline Participation Report, 2.7 million Americans, less than 1% of the US population, scuba dived at least once in 2022, representing a 7.3% increase on the previous year. Also, casual divers’ participation rate rose by 12.1%. With a significant rise in participation rates among divers, there is a growing demand for underwater scooters that enhance the diving experience.
• Underwater scooters are expensive, which may limit their appeal to a broader audience. High upfront costs can deter potential buyers and restrict market growth. Also, strict regulations and safety standards in North America can pose challenges for manufacturers. Compliance with these regulations can increase costs and affect product availability.
By Type - Segment Analysis
Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) dominated the Underwater Scooter market in 2024. The increased popularity of recreational diving and underwater exploration has resulted in an increase in demand for deep-water vehicles. These vehicles provide divers with more range, longer bottom time, and lower energy consumption, improving the entire diving experience.
DPVs used in diving are heavier due to a bigger battery and stronger components intended to withstand higher pressure at depth. They are often used for technical diving, underwater cave exploration, adaptive diving, and large coral reef surveys. The growth of DPV technology intends to put even more advanced capabilities in the hands of divers. Upcoming versions are predicted to emphasize enhanced efficiency, environmental friendliness with electric models, and integration with dive computers and other digital instruments.
By Application - Segment Analysis
Recreational dominated the Underwater Scooter market in 2024. The increased interest in outdoor leisure activities is projected to drive the underwater scooter market in recreational applications. For instance, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) data show that the total recreational marine expenditures reached a high of $56.7 billion in 2021, up 12.7 percent from 2020. The 2023 NMMA study reveals recreational boating saw a 36% increase in annual economic activity from 2018’s $170 billion to $230 billion in 2023 and a 14% jump in recreational marine industry-related jobs from 691,000 in 2018 to 812,000 in 2023. As more people engage in recreational boating and related activities, the market for underwater scooters will likely expand, driven by the desire for innovative and enjoyable underwater experiences.
Additionally, an increase in first-time boat owners of new and pre-owned boats is fuelling development in the recreational underwater scooter sector, attracting a broader range of Americans. For example, according to NMMA statistics, more than 415,000 first-time boat buyers entered the market in 2020 and around 400,000 first-time boat buyers entered the market in 2021.
By Distribution Channel – Segment Analysis
Business–to–consumer (B2C) dominated the dominated the Underwater Scooter market in 2024. The Business–to–consumer (B2C) distribution channel holds a significant share of 90% of the underwater scooter market. B2C typically involves individual or small-quantity purchases. B2C distribution channels include direct sales to consumers on their websites, stores, or E-commerce platforms like Amazon, and eBay, which offer underwater scooters to individual buyers.
Factors such as product demonstrations and hands-on trials drive this segment's market growth. Physical stores specializing in diving and snorkeling equipment provide consumers with the opportunity to see and test underwater scooters before purchasing, thereby driving this segment's market growth. Stores often serve as community hubs for diving enthusiasts, creating opportunities for brand exposure and customer engagement.
By Geography - Segment Analysis
North America dominated the dominated the Underwater Scooter market in 2024. The increasing level of awareness and interest in water sports and activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, contributing to the demand for underwater scooters. According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the growth in the coastal and offshore tourism and recreation sector, which saw an increase of 8.1% or $16.5 billion, significantly contributed to the marine economy's expansion in 2022. This surge to $219.7 billion underscores the rising popularity of water-based activities and highlights a key growth factor for the underwater scooter market in the US. As more people engage in coastal and offshore recreation, the demand for innovative water sports equipment, including underwater scooters, is likely to rise, driven by this expanding market.
Drivers – Underwater Scooter Market
• Increasing Popularity of Water Sports and Underwater Exploration
The growing interest in water-based recreational activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling, has significantly boosted the demand for underwater scooters. These devices enhance the diving experience by allowing users to cover larger areas with less effort. For instance, the ASIWO TURBO underwater scooter, launched in China, is a lightweight and powerful device that revolutionizes diving, snorkeling, and swimming experiences.
• Technological Advancements Leading to Enhanced Performance
Rapid technological progress has led to the development of more efficient and user-friendly underwater scooters. Innovations include longer battery life, improved speed controls, and enhanced safety features, making these devices more appealing to consumers. The Lefeet P1 underwater scooter, for example, is compact yet powerful, allowing divers to conserve energy and capture smoother footage.
• Expansion of Marine Tourism and Coastal Activities
The global rise in marine tourism has increased the adoption of underwater scooters. Tourist destinations are incorporating these devices into their offerings to attract adventure enthusiasts, thereby driving market growth. Government initiatives promoting tourism in coastal regions further support this trend.
Challenges – Underwater Scooter Market
• Safety Concerns and Risk of Accidents
Safety issues related to underwater scooters, including the risk of accidents and injuries, pose significant challenges to market growth. Incidents involving personal safety and underwater accidents have raised concerns among potential users. For example, in 2018, a total of 47 accidents were reported in Japan involving water scooters.
• Environmental Impact and Regulatory Hurdles
The environmental hazards associated with underwater scooter debris and their impact on marine life have led to increased scrutiny and potential regulatory challenges. Concerns about pollution and harm to underwater ecosystems may result in stricter regulations, affecting market expansion.
Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Underwater Scooter market. In 2024, the Underwater Scooter market share has been consolidated by the major players accounting for 80.05% of the share. Major players in the Underwater Scooter market are Maytronics (Dolphin), Fluidra, Aiper, WYBOTICS CO., LTD. (WINNY), Betta among others.
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