Submerged floating tunnel (SFT) is an innovative transport structure across straits, large rivers, and waterways. Mooring cables occupy a critical role within the SFT system, necessitating their ability to endure the rigors of complex marine environmental forces, including waves, currents, and the impact of vehicular traffic. However, the high density and susceptibility to corrosion of traditional steel mooring cables have limited their application in SFT. In contrast, synthetic fiber materials, provide a new option for the mooring system of SFT due to their lightweight, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. In this study, a physical scale segment model with five different cable materials of SFT is designed and investigated. The dynamic response and tension performance of the SFT moored with traditional steel wire cable and chain is compared with the SFT moored with synthetic fiber (CFRP, nylon and aramid) cables under irregular wave in the wave-flow flume. The results show that the dynamic response and tension performance are related to the stiffness and structural damping of the cables. Among the cables made of five different materials, the model motion response is greatest under nylon mooring and smallest under chain mooring, the CFRP and steel slightly less than chain. While an inverse result is found in the tension responses, chain and steel systems exhibit a more significant tension response, then the CFRP system. This research holds important engineering implications for the design of structural materials for SFT located in complex marine environments.