Surface Marker Buoy PVC 1.3m (Orange)
Surface Marker Buoy Nylon 1.4m (Orange)
Open SMB 25/122 cm with Weights
About Scuba Surface Markers & SMBs
Open, semi-closed and closed SMBs from Tecline, Mares, Scubatech and Big Blue, plus the XDEEP Closed DSMB 90cm, signal tubes and a diver down flag. A closed buoy keeps its gas when it lies flat on the surface, and a taller tube is easier for a skipper to spot. Send it up on a reel or spool.
How to choose a surface marker buoy
A surface marker buoy tells the boat where you are when you ascend, and it is part of safe drift diving and safety stops in open water. Most SMBs here cost about R1,265 to R1,950, and simple ones start from about R150. Choose one you can deploy calmly.
Types and length
- Open-bottom SMBs fill from your alternate air source or a regulator hose, while closed or sealed SMBs inflate by mouth or from a low-pressure inflator.
- Length matters: 1.3 to 1.8 m is typical, and a taller buoy is easier for a boat to see in chop.
- Bright orange, red or yellow with a reflective strip is best.
- A reel or spool, with 20 to 40 m of line, lets you deploy it from depth.
Deploying it
Practise a deployment in shallow water before you rely on one. Pair the buoy with a reel or spool and a clip, and carry it on a D-ring. A lift bag is a different tool, for raising objects, and shouldn't be used as an SMB. Brands here include Tecline, Mares, Scubapro, Cressi, Scubatech and OMS. Our dive accessories have the rest of the small kit.
Questions we get asked
Do I need a surface marker buoy?
On drift or boat dives, yes, since it tells the boat where you are. Many dive operators require one.
What is the difference between an open and a closed SMB?
An open-bottom SMB fills from your alternate air source and an open end lets air escape. A closed SMB inflates by mouth or inflator and holds the air in.
What length of line do I need?
Enough to reach the surface from where you deploy, usually 20 to 40 m on a spool for recreational depths.