Scuba Diving in Saint Martin

DIVE CONDITIONS

Water Temperature:  79-82 degrees F

Water Visibility: 100-120 feet

When to Go:  St Martin is a year-round diving destination.

Diving Difficulty:  Suitable for beginners through advanced divers.

TOP DIVE SITES IN SAINT MARTIN

Saint Martin caters to the diving enthusiast! Listed are some of the very best that this island can offer divers:

• Fishbowl is located within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park and one of the most celebrated dives in St Martin. This stunning reef has an average depth of 60 feet and 100 feet of visibility. Divers can explore this circular-shaped reef and boasts an abundance of marine life such as honeycomb trunk fish, blue tang, spiny lobsters, file fish and bi-colored damsel fish. Barracuda and reef sharks swim around divers as they move through two large arch swim-throughs and incredible natural formations.
• Big Momma is the number one site for shark diving. This dive is located next to the Fishbowl where divers descend into clear waters. Divers can kneel in the sand and watch 6–10-foot nurse sharks weave around them and the coral landscape. This shallow site has an average depth of 40 feet and visibility of 65 feet and is suitable for beginners as well as advanced divers.
• Mike’s Maze is located within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. This shallow site at a maximum depth of 50 feet is a perfect site for beginners to practice newly acquired skills. This labyrinth of a reef allows divers to explore small overhangs and caves where green and hawksbill turtles love to hide. Reef sharks can also be found here patrolling the reef.
• Proselyte Reef is the most popular wreck in St Martin with exceptional visibility. This frigate vessel was once a Dutch Royal Navy ship until the 1770s crew mutinied. The ship was handed over to the British until it ran a ground in Man of War Shoals in 1801. Now laying in 50 feet of water on her starboard side in the sandy bottom, divers can explore around the wreck where hawksbill turtles and giant porcupine fish are often found. Nurse sharks and Caribbean lobsters, and reef sharks can be found hiding under the ledges. Guns, barrel hoops, cannons, cannonballs, ballast bars and anchors are scattered around the wreck encrusted in corals. The canyon drop off is a perfect place to spot triggerfish, stingrays, lobsters, conch, crabs, and barracuda.
• Carib Cargo (Carib Ghost) has an incredible story behind its final resting place in Man of War Shoals Marine Park. First, the ship was severely damaged during Hurricane Luis in 1995. One year later, Hurricane Bertha filled the ship with enough water that it began to sink in the harbor. Locals were asked to move the ship to a different location to be sunk as an artificial reef. The location was lost for years until local diving shops finally found the location in 2021, hence the name Carib Ghost. Divers can explore this 200-foot cargo ship in its final resting place at 65 feet under the water. The years under the water have attracted an abundance of marine life. The ship is completely encrusted with colorful corals. Divers with a wreck certification can penetrate this wreck. With clear visibility, divers can explore the bathroom as well as the wheelhouse. In the area around the ship, divers can expect to spot stingrays, spotted eagle rays and reef sharks.
• Teigland was purposely sunk in 1993 to create an artificial reef in Man of War Shoal Marine Park. This 90-foot barge was supposed to sit upright on the underwater ledge. Due to some intense water surge from Hurricane Luis, Teigland was found 100 feet away in 70 feet of water. Divers will enjoy spotting the golden tail moray eels that make this ship home. Explore the wreck or the beautiful marine life surrounding it such as spotted, Caribbean and slipper lobsters as well as octopus and southern eagle rays.
• The Porpoise is a stunning tug-boat wreck suitable for intermediate and advanced divers. This dive is considered one of only two deep dives on the Dutch side of the island. Found in 90 feet of water, this boat was scuttled for the purpose of an artificial reef. This site hosts a variety of sea life. Around the wreck, divers can expect to see garden eels and southern stingrays. Within the engine room of the boat, divers will spot schools of soldierfish and moray eels. Spiny lobsters are waiting for divers under the wreck. If lucky, divers might spot a hammerhead shark gliding by.
• Fuh Sheng is a 120 feet long Taiwanese fishing vessel and the second of the two deep dives in St Martin. Fuh Sheng sank in 1995 at a maximum depth of 115 feet and is still intact. Divers will enjoy the exceptional visibility and can spot the ship from the surface of the water. This wreck hosts an abundance of marine life such as clinging and arrow crabs, lobsters, and moray eels. Stingrays and garden eels can be found resting on the sandy bottom surrounding the wreck. Schools of trumpet fish, angel fish, blow fish, reef sharks, sergeant majors and creole wrasse can be spotted during this dive.
• Circus is located on the northern edge of Tinamarre Island. The underwater playground features several mysterious caves and tunnels as well as a 65-foot sea wall. While enjoying the Circus’ unique topography, divers will spot lobsters, sergeant majors and wild dolphins.
• Moon Hole is a less frequently visited dive site due to its weather dependency and located further from the shore than the other sites in St Martin. Because of the lesser number of visitors, the reef is pristine and full of color. The crater or Moon Hole is a colorful experience that divers can enjoy from 20-60 feet. Damsel fish and basket stars can be found here as well as Christmas trees and feather duster worms in assorted colors and sizes. At the surface of this site, divers will marvel at the massive colony of elkhorn coral.
• Little Bay is a shore dive. Divers snorkel from this stunning white sandy beach following the rocks until a suitable depth is found. A surface marker is necessary to alert boats to a diver’s location. This is a perfect dive for beginners with the maximum depth of this site at 20 feet. Beautiful maze corals can be found scattered around the rocky bottom. Southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays can be found here as well as green and hawksbill turtles.
• Dawn Beach is a white sandy beach dive located in front of the Westing Hotel. The reef is accessed by snorkeling until the colorful, vibrant reef is located. The average depth of this dive is 45 feet and runs parallel to the beach. Divers can expect to find the color changing Caribbean reef squid as well as the stoplight parrotfish, red glass-eye snappers, and yellow-striped goat fish.
• Long Bay Reef runs parallel to Long Bay. This fringing reef reaches a depth of 60 feet. Divers must take a short boat ride to reach this site that is famous with the locals. Divers will explore small caverns and crevices where huge barrel sponges, colorful maze and star corals can be spotted. Within the crevices, divers can find lizard fish, tile fish, pufferfish, coral crabs, and octopus can be found. Long Bay Reef is a perfect night dive.
• Creole Rock is perfect for both snorkelers and divers. The shallow depth and rock formation protection from wind and currents make this a perfect dive for beginners. Divers can spot sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, sea anemones, barracuda, and lionfish. During the dive, dolphins often make an appearance. Creole Rock is a perfect night dive where octopus can be found.
• Gregory Wreck is in Simpson Bay on the Dutch side of St Martin. Gregory Wreck can be found in 55 feet of water. The barge sank and flipped over. Divers can explore the flora and fauna as well as the incredible marine life. Knife fish, snappers, scorpionfish, spider crabs and barracuda can be found here.
• The Bridge was previously known as Simpson’s Bay Bridge. The remains of the bridge lie 50 feet under the water along with several yachts that were purposely sunk. The artificial reef is home to starfish, urchins, eels, sea turtles and stingrays. Hurricane Irma sunk a floating bar which adds to the excitement of this dive. The collections of reefs here provide a coral nursery which helps to repair damaged coral reefs.
• La Renee is located between the northern coast of St Martin and Tinamarre Island. Divers descend 140 feet encountering barracudas and large trevallies. Sharks love this area and turtles can often be encountered here.
• Japanese Garden can be found in the French Nature Reserve on the southern coast of Tintamarre Island. Divers will swim above the reef garden at a depth of 60 feet. Hard and soft corals between pristine sand gives the appearance of a garden. Divers will enjoy the canyons which are home to tropical fish, stingrays, spotted moray eels, turtles, and nurse sharks.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN SAINT MARTIN

• The Flying Dutchman is the world’s steepest zip line dropping more than 1000 feet in elevation. Zipping along the 2800 feet of cable, visitors will observe spectacular views of the island. A chairlift takes visitors to the top of Sentry Hill. Walking across a series of wooden walkways, the panoramic views show off the island as well as the neighboring islands of Anguilla, Saba, and St Barths.
• Topper’s Rhum is a 6000-foot distillery with a variety of flavors such as banana, vanilla, cinnamon, bacon, maple syrup and jalapeno lime. Guests can get an up-close look at the by hand process of bottling, labeling the rum and enjoy a full tour of the distillery.
• Mullet Bay is ranked one of the top beaches in St Martin. This long stretch of soft, white sand and clear calm blue water has protected coves which makes it a wonderful place to swim and surf.
• The Butterfly Farm gives visitors a close-up view of beautiful butterflies such as mimic-whites and the majestic, checkered swallowtails. The area is full of gorgeous gardens, tropical flora, and water features.
• Tijon Perfumerie produces fine perfumes, colognes, and skin care items in the onsite lab. Located on the French side of the island, visitors can attend a 90-minute perfume making class which allows participants to select a scent from their over 300 oils. Personal fragrances are crafted to take home. The personal formula is kept on file for any future purchases.
• Philipsburg is a Dutch city that is famous for its duty-free shopping. Shoppers can find great deals on discounted watches, jewelry, china, electronics, and liquor. Shops are located along Front Street and close to the cruise ship ports.
• Guavaberry Company uses the guavaberries that grow on the island with an infusion of sugarcane and the Caribbean’s favorite liquor. The Guavaberry Company has barrels of the drink. Visitors can sample both straight shooters and guavaberry coladas.
• Maho Beach is a popular tourist location. Tourists flock to this beach to witness the low flying planes from the airport located close by. Jet planes taking off can send ocean water flying in the air.

St Martin is an ideal destination for learning new scuba skills while enjoying colorful underwater environments. Scuba diving sites offer divers Caribbean reefs, wrecks, and corals. With many shallow dive sites, clear waters and preserved marine environments, diving here is very impressive. St Martin is a unique diving trip with endless things to see and an amazing underwater diving playground for all skill level divers.