Unique Water Experience with SXM AquaVibes

Clear Caribbean waters.
A beautiful white sand beach.
Adrenaline rushing as you grab your underwater scooter.
Big breath and woohoo! You dive into the sea.
You hold your breath to explore the underwater world, feeling like a mermaid.
Wandered by the feeling of freedom, you speed through the salty water.
As you feel the need to breathe again, you come back to the surface.
The sun is shining bright, warming up your skin.
Blues and greens before you, and the calmness of the shore.
Your heart is still beating fast. You smile, thinking how wonderful this water experience is.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting the team of SXM Aqua Vibes and trying three of their activities: transparent paddle, Sea Nxt and Waydoo Subnado. Don’t worry if some of these names don’t sound familiar to you, we’re here to tell you all about it. But trust us, by the end of this blog post you’ll want to try all of their activities! 

So before getting into the nitty-gritty of each activity, we want to introduce SXM Aqua Vibes. Back in February, we met with Cindy, who’s part of the team and passionate about water sports. Together with her brother, who shares the same passion, they started their water sports business in December 2024. Cindy herself has been jet-skiing for 15 years, so she definitely knows a lot about the industry!

They’re based in Grand-Case, right by the restaurant inside the Grand Case Beach Club hotel, in Saint-Martin. Amongst their services, they offer: snorkeling gear, transparent paddle boards, Waydoo, Sea Nxt and their “precious gem”, the sunset paddle with drinks. As you can see, it’s an innovative water activities company in Saint-Martin that offers a wide variety of options to have fun in the water.

What we loved from the beginning is not only Cindy’s professionalism, but her care and kindness towards her clients. She perfectly explains how everything works so that even those who fear trying, they can feel safe and out of danger. 

In this article we will cover each one of the 3 activities we tried. We will explain how they work and what kind of experience you can get from them. And of course, the pictures will speak for themselves!

Exploring Crystal-Clear Waters on a Transparent Paddleboard

We started with the most known activity out of the 3. Most of you already know what a paddleboard is and have probably already tried it too. For those who don’t know it yet, let me explain it very quickly. This water sport involves standing up (or sitting down) on a board and moving through the water with a paddle. Other than being fun, it’s a great activity for cardiovascular health and it’s a way to enjoy beautiful landscapes from another perspective. Plus in this case, the board is completely see-through, meaning every animal, coral, etc. underwater will be visible for you. Isn’t this amazing?

While talking to Cindy on the beach, we spotted an area where the water was remarkably clear. So after she explained to us the basics of how it works, we headed there directly. The board itself is very comfortable, you only need to remember not to step on the sides as the material could break. Slowly but surely we moved to the light green/blue area of the beach and guess what? On the way there, I suddenly felt my heart stop for a few milliseconds. A magnificent ray was swimming below my board and I could see it perfectly! It was such a magical feeling that it’s hard to describe with words.

Paddling is pretty easy, especially if you’ve tried other sports like kayaking before. Basically you can either stand up or sit down on the paddle. If you’re a beginner I’d recommend sitting down, crossing your legs or put them over each side of the board. The last one is less comfortable but you’ll get the fresh feeling of the water. If you’re experienced or want to go a step further, then I’d advise standing up and working on your balance. Personally, since it was my first time, I began by crossing my legs and once I gained confidence I stood up. I found it pretty cool to play with the small movement of the waves while finding my body balance!

Overall, my favorite part was the feeling of “floating” over the water and observing the marine life below. Saint-Martin is known for its light sand beaches, so being able to watch all sorts of fish, rays and even turtles below your board is an incomparable experience. This time we stayed around the area of the GCBC’s beach (right side), but I can imagine how incredible it must be to paddleboard in the area of Pinel Island and the Marine Park.

Since it’s a fairly easy water sport, it’s perfect whether you’re looking for a family experience, a couple activity or a solo moment. On the other hand, you can adapt to your skill level, whether that’s beginner or expert, by simply looking for the right area (calm or wavy), and by adapting your position (sitting down or standing up). If I can give you a last piece of advice, if you get sunburnt easily I would recommend either going early in the morning (we started at 9) or later in the afternoon, to enjoy the sunset. Those who’ve been to Saint-Martin already know how the sun hits around midday!

Snorkeling with the Futuristic Sea NXT Underwater Scooter

I’m not gonna pretend I always knew what a Sea Nxt is, because let’s face it, I would be lying. I had a vague idea what an underwater scooter looked like, but in my mind it was a lot more complicated. So to be honest, I was very surprised when Cindy showed us her Sea Nxt. It’s actually a very sophisticated, minimalistic device as big as a person’s torso. And it makes sense once I’ll explain how it’s used!

This underwater scooter weighs 23 kg and includes a battery that lasts up to 80 minutes (on ECO mode). It has four modes: Shark, Sport, Cruise and Eco, the first one being the fastest mode (up to 21 km/h). It allows you to dive as deep as 40 metres, you only have to be careful and avoid touching the ground or the sand with it. In order to use it, you need to put the weight of your torso over the device and grab each handle on the sides with your hands.

As you can see, it’s an awesome device if you want to experience snorkeling in a modern way. On one hand, it’s highly durable, light and eco-friendly, so it’s perfect for those who want to practice water sports without polluting the sea. On the other hand, it’s different from traditional snorkeling since it allows you to swim faster, making it also easier to dive deeper in less time without suffering from holding your breath. I have to add that the adrenaline from swimming faster is quite thrilling and you literally feel like a fish or a mermaid!

As for our experience, as always we had the advice from Cindy, who explained very clearly how we’re supposed to use it. Being my first time using this kind of device, I started by using it on the surface without putting my head in the water. Very soon I felt comfortable with it, so Cindy gave me a snorkeling mask and I began diving underwater. I can tell you I was pure joy and excitement! Feelings of freedom, lightness and adventure filled my body immediately, while I dove next to fishes in the light blue water.

Something I loved about the Sea Nxt is that it feels very safe, since you can control the speed and the direction anytime. You do so by pointing in the right direction and adapting your body to it (it might sound complicated but it’s very natural when you’re in the water). It’s very easy to use, which makes it accessible to everyone (except for kids, for obvious safety reasons). Its surface also feels soft and comfortable, making the overall experience amazing. If you like exploring the sea life, but don’t enjoy swimming or want to make it more fun, then the Sea Nxt underwater scooter is the right choice for you.

In order to make the most out of this experience, I’d advise you to let go of any fear or doubt and flow with it. Once you start using it, you’ll realise how comfy and easy it is. So all your attention should focus on breathing enough air to dive deep and explore all the underwater life in the Caribbean. Remember you can come back to the surface anytime, so no need to panic. Relax and enjoy the landscape and the speed!

Discovering the underwater world with the Waydoo Subnado

You might be wondering, what the heck is a Waydoo Subnado? First of all, Waydoo is the brand that makes these devices, and Subnado is the device that we tried. But what is it exactly? Very simple, it’s another type of underwater scooter. The main difference is that it’s built in a way that can be adapted to many different activities.

The Subnado is a light and versatile device, measuring 38 cm long and 6 cm wide. With a light weight of 1.4 kg, it’s very easy to handle. It includes a battery that lasts up to 56 mins, and it’s obviously waterproof. Although it has 3 speed modes, it’s slower than the Sea Nxt (max. speed 1.4 m/s), but it can dive deeper, up to 60 m. Something interesting about it is that it’s kids friendly, since it’s designed in a way that avoids childrens’ fingers from being injured.

So how does it work exactly? As we said, it’s a versatile device. You can use it in many different ways, for instance I (Sara) attached a single device to my hand and let it pull my body towards where I pointed. Instead, Ludo installed two devices, one on each leg, and propelled himself by using two controllers with his hands. Other than these two usages, the Subnado can also be attached on your arms or even mount it under a kayak or paddleboard for effortless gliding on the water or paddling less. This usage is perfect for those who get easily tired and just want to enjoy the fun of water activities without ending up exhausted.

First, Cindy helped us set up each device and made sure we understood how it functions. Out of the 3 activities, it was the only one that we did at the same time, so it felt more special. The device itself feels very light, so it’s easier to move it than the Sea Nxt. The speed difference wasn’t annoying, but I must say it felt more like “having a walk” in the sea. That’s why we think it’s perfect for people who don’t like higher speed, and just want to appreciate the details at a slower pace. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other, because both were interesting and fun, so the choice depends on you & your style.

As you can see in the pictures, Ludo looked like a sort of ironman. We had a good laugh and he loved his experience. Something we really enjoyed was being able to swim together, each one using their own device. So I think it’s a perfect choice if you want to share a good time with your partner, or you’re having a family day and want to make sure you’re there to accompany your kids.

To sum up, the Subnado was an easy and interesting device to use. You don’t need any previous knowledge, as soon as you start using it you’ll quickly get used to it. I must say however that I couldn’t manage to control it with just one hand, so I used both to make sure it went in the right direction. This wasn’t a problem, just a preference since I was trying to film with one hand and use the scooter with the other. It felt safe thanks to the bracelet that attaches it to your wrist. And as soon as you stop pressing the speed button, it will pause immediately. So overall, perfect for almost any age.

Choosing SXM AquaVibes for Your Water experience

SXM AquaVibes is a young family-owned business, but they have a rich experience in water sports. Their knowledge and professionalism can be felt from the beginning. From giving you specific explanations on each device, to solving any problem or doubt you might have. Their care and attention was a true pleasure that made the whole experience even better.

Their equipment is high-quality and new, meaning they take security very seriously. They know the characteristics of each device, so as a client you’ll feel you’re in good hands. Before each activity, Cindy briefs her clients with every important information to make sure that the whole experience is smooth. Throughout the activity, she’s always available to make sure all clients’ needs are satisfied. Moreover, since she knows every device well, she’s able to recommend a personalized experience based on your skill level.

For some activities like the Waydoo Subnado they can lend you snorkeling masks which are in perfect state and very clean. So overall you can feel that SXM AquaVibes pays attention to equipment, safety and customer care.

Needless to say, the location is absolutely perfect. With the stunning blues of the Caribbean, the calmness of the GCBC hotel and the sight of planes landing on the close-by airport of Grand-Case, any activity feels like a dream. If you feel adventurous you can go further than the beach area. But even if you stay close to the shore, you can spot animals (I saw the ray when I paddled next to the rocks at the end of the beach!).

Practical Information & How to Book

In short, SXM AquaVibes offers the following water activities: snorkeling gear, Sea Nxt (20 min., 40 min. or 1 hour), Waydoo for 1 or 2 people, on arms or legs (20 min. or 40 min.), transparent paddle with or without Waydoo (30 min. or 1 hour) and the sunset paddle with drinks. They also work with boat charters by renting specific devices to their clients.

They’re located inside the Grand-Case Beach Club hotel, right next to the bar / restaurant. And they’re open from 9 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Sunday.

For more information about pricing and availability, you can contact them directly on Instagram or Whatsapp. They’ll be more than happy to assist you!

The perfect water experience in Saint-Martin

If I had to sum up this experience in 3 words, I’d say: thrilling, fun and innovative. From beginning to end, everything was smooth. We truly appreciated the team’s expertise and the quality of their equipment. And of course, the beautiful landscape was just the cherry on top!

The great thing about SXM AquaVibes is that they offer different activities, so no matter if you’re traveling solo, as a family or as a couple, there’s something for you and your skill level. Whether you enjoy calmness or need more adrenaline, you can choose the gear or the activity that suits you best.

So if you’re looking to practice water sports, we encourage you to book with SXM AquaVibes. You won’t be disappointed and we’re sure you’ll make lots of fun memories of your time in Saint-Martin. Don’t forget to check their Instagram page for more info about bookings, prices & availability.

Happy traveling!