best scuba diving in st maarten
St. Maarten is a scuba diving paradise, with crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine life. From shallow reefs perfect for beginners to deep walls and wrecks for experienced divers, there’s something for everyone in St. Maarten’s underwater world.
Here are some of the best scuba diving spots on the island⁚
- Dawn Beach⁚ A shallow reef with calm waters, perfect for beginners and snorkelers.
- Simpson Bay⁚ A popular dive site with a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
- Little Bay⁚ A small bay with a beautiful coral reef and plenty of fish life.
- Creole Rock⁚ A large rock formation with swim-throughs and tunnels, home to a variety of marine life.
- Man of War Shoal⁚ A shallow reef with a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
- The Wrecks⁚ Several wrecks can be found off the coast of St. Maarten, including the SS Antilles, the SS Proselyte, and the SS L’Esperance.
Dawn Beach
Dawn Beach is a shallow reef with calm waters, making it a great place for beginners and snorkelers. The reef is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays.
Depth⁚ 10-30 feet (3-9 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild
Experience Level⁚ Beginner
What to See⁚ Colorful fish, sea turtles, rays, coral formations
Tips⁚
- Dawn Beach is a great place to see sea turtles. Be sure to look for them swimming in the shallows.
- The reef is also home to a variety of colorful fish, so be sure to bring your underwater camera.
- If you’re a beginner, be sure to take a guided tour so that you can learn more about the marine life and how to stay safe while diving.
Getting There⁚
Dawn Beach is located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. It is accessible by car or taxi. There is a parking lot at the beach.
Other Activities⁚
In addition to scuba diving, Dawn Beach is also a great place to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the beach.
Simpson Bay
Simpson Bay is a popular dive site with a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. The bay is also home to several wrecks, which makes it a great place for wreck diving.
Depth⁚ 20-80 feet (6-24 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild to moderate
Experience Level⁚ Intermediate
What to See⁚ Sea turtles, rays, sharks, wrecks, coral formations
Tips⁚
- Simpson Bay is a great place to see sea turtles. Be sure to look for them swimming in the shallows or resting on the sandy bottom.
- The bay is also home to a variety of rays, including stingrays and eagle rays. Be sure to keep an eye out for them gliding through the water.
- If you’re interested in wreck diving, Simpson Bay is a great place to explore several wrecks, including the SS L’Esperance and the SS Proselyte.
Getting There⁚
Simpson Bay is located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. It is accessible by car or taxi. There are several dive shops located in Simpson Bay, which offer guided tours and rentals.
Other Activities⁚
In addition to scuba diving, Simpson Bay is also a great place to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the beach.
Little Bay
Little Bay is a small bay with a beautiful coral reef and plenty of fish life. The bay is also home to several shipwrecks, which makes it a great place for wreck diving.
Depth⁚ 20-80 feet (6-24 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild to moderate
Experience Level⁚ Beginner to intermediate
What to See⁚ Coral formations, fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, shipwrecks
Tips⁚
- Little Bay is a great place for beginners to scuba dive. The waters are calm and the reef is shallow, making it easy to explore.
- The bay is also home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. Be sure to keep an eye out for them while you’re diving.
- If you’re interested in wreck diving, Little Bay is a great place to explore several shipwrecks, including the SS L’Esperance and the SS Proselyte.
Getting There⁚
Little Bay is located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. It is accessible by car or taxi. There are several dive shops located in Little Bay, which offer guided tours and rentals.
Other Activities⁚
In addition to scuba diving, Little Bay is also a great place to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the beach.
Creole Rock
Creole Rock is a large rock formation with swim-throughs and tunnels, home to a variety of marine life. The rock is located just off the coast of Simpson Bay, and it is a popular dive site for both beginners and experienced divers.
Depth⁚ 20-80 feet (6-24 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild to moderate
Experience Level⁚ Beginner to intermediate
What to See⁚ Coral formations, fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, swim-throughs, tunnels
Tips⁚
- Creole Rock is a great place for both beginners and experienced divers. The waters are calm and the reef is shallow, making it easy to explore.
- The rock is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. Be sure to keep an eye out for them while you’re diving.
- Creole Rock is also a great place to explore swim-throughs and tunnels. These features add an extra element of excitement to your dive.
Getting There⁚
Creole Rock is located just off the coast of Simpson Bay. It is accessible by boat from several dive shops in the area.
Other Activities⁚
In addition to scuba diving, Creole Rock is also a great place to snorkel and swim. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the nearby beach.
Man of War Shoal
Man of War Shoal is a shallow reef with a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. The reef is located just off the coast of Philipsburg, and it is a popular dive site for both beginners and experienced divers.
Depth⁚ 20-50 feet (6-15 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild to moderate
Experience Level⁚ Beginner to intermediate
What to See⁚ Coral formations, fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, lobsters, crabs, shrimp
Tips⁚
- Man of War Shoal is a great place for both beginners and experienced divers. The waters are calm and the reef is shallow, making it easy to explore.
- The reef is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. Be sure to keep an eye out for them while you’re diving.
- Man of War Shoal is also a great place to explore the underwater world at night. Night dives are a unique experience, and you’ll be able to see a different side of the reef.
Getting There⁚
Man of War Shoal is located just off the coast of Philipsburg. It is accessible by boat from several dive shops in the area.
Other Activities⁚
In addition to scuba diving, Man of War Shoal is also a great place to snorkel and swim. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the nearby beach.
The Wrecks
Several wrecks can be found off the coast of St. Maarten, including the SS Antilles, the SS Proselyte, and the SS L’Esperance. These wrecks are popular dive sites for experienced divers, and they offer a unique opportunity to explore the underwater world of St. Maarten.
SS Antilles⁚
The SS Antilles is a Dutch freighter that sank in 1977. The wreck is located in 60 feet (18 meters) of water, and it is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
SS Proselyte⁚
The SS Proselyte is a British passenger ship that sank in 1867. The wreck is located in 80 feet (24 meters) of water, and it is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
SS L’Esperance⁚
The SS L’Esperance is a French passenger ship that sank in 1984. The wreck is located in 100 feet (30 meters) of water, and it is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
Depth⁚ 60-100 feet (18-30 meters)
Visibility⁚ 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
Current⁚ Mild to moderate
Experience Level⁚ Experienced divers only
What to See⁚ Wrecks, coral formations, fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, lobsters, crabs, shrimp
Tips⁚
- The wrecks off the coast of St. Maarten are only suitable for experienced divers. The waters can be deep and the currents can be strong.
- Be sure to dive with a buddy and have a dive plan before you enter the water.
- The wrecks are home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks. Be sure to keep an eye out for them while you’re diving.
Getting There⁚
The wrecks off the coast of St. Maarten are accessible by boat from several dive shops in the area.