In case you are a diving fanatic, brace your self for an underwater journey of a lifetime within the island of Saint Martin. There’s a plethora of dive websites in St. Maarten and St. Martin that cater to each novice and skilled divers. With clear waters, vibrant marine life, and quite a few shipwrecks, St. Martin is a diver’s paradise. The island boasts crystal clear waters, an abundance of marine life and thrilling shipwrecks ready to be explored.
The diving business in St. Maarten and St. Martin dates to the Nineteen Seventies when the primary dive outlets opened on the island. Since then, the island has turn into a well-liked vacation spot for divers from world wide. The island’s heat waters and various marine life make it a super vacation spot for each leisure and technical diving. Whether or not you’re all in favour of exploring shipwrecks, coral reefs, or underwater caves, St. Maarten has one thing for everybody.
Key Takeaways
- St. Maarten is a well-liked vacation spot for divers of all ranges.
- The island presents a wide range of dive websites, together with shipwrecks, coral reefs, and underwater caves.
- With heat waters and various marine life, St. Maarten is a superb vacation spot for each leisure and technical diving.
Historical past of Diving in St. Maarten and St. Martin
St. Maarten/ St. Martin has a wealthy historical past of diving that dates to the Fifties when the island was first found as a vacationer vacation spot. Since then, it has turn into a well-liked spot for divers from everywhere in the world.
Within the early days, a lot of the diving was achieved utilizing rudimentary tools, corresponding to snorkels and flippers. Nevertheless, as the recognition of the game grew, so did the expertise used within the sport. At the moment, divers have entry to the newest tools and expertise, making diving in St. Maarten an unforgettable expertise.
One of the crucial notable occasions within the historical past of diving in St. Maarten was the sinking of the HMS Proselyte in 1801. The ship was carrying a load of silver and gold when it ran aground on a reef off the coast of St. Maarten. At the moment, the wreck of the HMS Proselyte is without doubt one of the hottest dive websites in St. Maarten, attracting divers from everywhere in the world.
One other vital occasion within the island’s historical past of diving was the institution of the St. Maarten Marine Park in 1997. The park was created to guard the island’s coral reefs and marine life and has since turn into one the highest dive spots in St. Maarten/ St. Martin for divers and snorkelers alike.
Diving Situations in St. Maarten and St. Martin
In case you are planning a diving journey to St. Maarten or St. Martin, it is very important know what the diving situations are. A number of the key components to bear in mind are water temperature, visibility, currents, and marine life.
Water Temperature
The water temperature in Saint Martin ranges from 78°F (25.5°C) within the winter months to 84°F (29°C) in the summertime months. Which means that you’ll probably be comfy diving in a 3mm wetsuit year-round. Nevertheless, should you are inclined to get chilly simply, you might wish to go for a thicker wetsuit within the winter.
Visibility
St. Maarten’s waters are principally clear and visibility can go so far as 100ft (30m) on a great day. Nevertheless, visibility can differ relying on climate situations and placement. Most dive websites are shallow, round 60 toes (18m), thus guaranteeing good visibility when diving and snorkelling.
Water Currents
Water currents could be gentle to reasonable, however this is dependent upon the place you’re diving and the time of the yr. Some dive websites, such because the Proselyte Reef, have stronger currents and are solely appropriate for skilled divers.
Marine Life
St. Maarten is house to a various vary of marine life, together with colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and even sharks. Nevertheless, some species, such because the Nassau grouper, are protected and can’t be hunted or caught.
Wrecks
St. Maarten can be identified for its shipwrecks, which give distinctive alternatives for wreck diving. A number of the hottest wrecks embrace the HMS Proselyte, the Carib Cargo, and the Tugboat.
Greatest Time to Dive in St. Maarten and St. Martin
The island of Saint Martin has wonderful diving situations all all year long. However there are some durations when the water is hotter, when the seas are calmer and when visibility is at its greatest.
The height vacationer season, which can be the dry season in St. Maarten/ St. Martin is from December to April. Throughout this time, the climate is usually sunny and heat, with low humidity. The water temperature can be hotter and ranges from 78°F to 82°F (26°C to twenty-eight°C). That is the very best time to go to if you wish to benefit from nearly excellent calm seas and clear visibility.
Throughout the off-season from Could to November, St. Maarten experiences its wet season, which additionally coincides with hurricane season. Whereas hurricanes hardly ever hit St. Maarten immediately, they will trigger tough seas and poor visibility. Nevertheless, diving throughout the wet season can nonetheless be gratifying, because the water temperature remains to be heat, and the marine life is extra lively. Simply remember to test the climate forecast earlier than you go.
Nevertheless, if you wish to keep away from the crowds and get the very best offers on lodging and diving packages, take into account going to St. Maarten throughout the off-season. There can be much less individuals round and also you would possibly even get fortunate and have the dive websites all to your self.
In case your intention is to see marine life and you don’t thoughts the occasional rain bathe, go throughout the wet season from Could to November.
High Dive Websites in St. Maarten and St. Martin
There are a lot of dive websites in St. Maarten/ St. Martin, however they’re a handful that stand out. The record of web sites that visiting divers ought to intention to discover are:
- The Bridge
- The Fishbowl
- Proselyte Reef
- La Renee
- Mullet Bay
- Circus at Tintamarre
- The Gregory
- The Maze
- Basse Espagnole
- Shark Resort
The Bridge
The Bridge is a well-liked dive web site positioned on the western aspect of the island, near the Simpson Bay Lagoon. This web site will get its identify from the stays of an previous bridge which is house to many species of sea life. Divers can discover the world across the bridge and see a wide range of fish, in addition to angelfish, parrotfish, and snapper.
The Fishbowl
The Fishbowl is one other in style dive web site in St. Maarten/ St. Martin. This web site is positioned on the jap aspect of the island and is thought for its 60-foot-deep waters. There have been many sightings of various marine life on the web site corresponding to barracuda, groupers, moray eels, Caribbean Reef sharks and nurse sharks.
Proselyte Reef
Proselyte Reef is a superb dive web site for inexperienced persons and skilled divers alike. The reef is positioned simply off the coast of Philipsburg and is seen because the premier dive web site in St. Maarten/ St. Martin. The location, which is called after the H.M.S Proselyte boat has varied depths that vary from fifteen to fifty toes.
La Renee
La Renee is one other in style dive web site positioned on the St. Martin aspect of the island. Beneficial for skilled divers, it’s a shipwreck of the former tugboat La Renee that sits in 130 toes of water. This web site is greatest identified for its unique colleges of fish corresponding to sting rays, eagle rays, sharks, barracudas, and trevallies.
Mullet Bay
Mullet Bay is a well-liked seashore for browsing, snorkelling and diving in St. Maarten. Despite the fact that it is without doubt one of the most stunning seashores within the island, additionally it is a wonderful dive web site for inexperienced persons. The bay is on the western aspect of the island and is thought for its calm waters and plentiful marine life.
Circus at Tintamarre
Circus at Tintamarre is a singular dive web site positioned simply off the coast of St. Maarten. This web site is thought for its mysterious caves, intriguing tunnels and a sea wall that goes as far down as 65 toes. These distinctive underwater formations are house to sea life that won’t be discovered at different dive websites. Divers can stand up near dolphins, glassfish, and sergeant majors.
The Gregory
The Gregory is a shipwreck of a barge that sank in 2006 and now rests 55 toes under the floor. It’s well-known dive web site that may be discovered on the jap aspect of the island. The wreck is an fascinating web site as a result of it lies in a flipped over place. This distinctive place has allowed many various kinds of marine life in St. Martin to thrive.
The Maze
The Maze is a superb dive web site for skilled divers. This web site is positioned on the western aspect of the island and is thought for its massive coral formations and plentiful marine life. Divers can discover the world round The Maze and see a wide range of fish, together with reef sharks, barracuda, and snapper.
Basse Espagnole
Basse Espagnole is a well known reef with stunning coral formations and plentiful coral life, positioned on the jap aspect of the island in St. Martin. The reef could also be a bit tough to entry, particularly if the climate just isn’t at its greatest. Divers who attain the positioning efficiently can be handled to corals, sponges, barracudas, and turtles.
Shark Resort
Shark Resort is a kind of dive websites in St. Maarten, the place the identify says all of it. It’s an exhilarating dive web site the place divers can spot Caribbean Reef sharks. The location was as soon as a feeding web site for sharks, and these massive creatures are nonetheless there to this present day. Along with sharks, you will note a number of grouper species, parrotfish, barracudas, lobsters, mackerel, and sting rays.
Marine Life
The island of Saint Martin is house to a various vary of marine life, making it a well-liked vacation spot for scuba diving and snorkeling fans. Listed below are a number of the marine creatures you may anticipate to see throughout your underwater journey within the island:
Reef Fish
Saint Martin’s coral reefs are teeming with colourful reef fish, together with angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, and triggerfish. You too can spot colleges of snappers, grunts, and groupers darting out and in of the coral formations. Hold a watch out for the elusive frogfish, which is expertly camouflaged and could be tough to identify.
Turtles
Inexperienced and hawksbill turtles are generally discovered within the waters surrounding St. Maarten and St. Martin. These majestic but swish creatures can usually be seen swimming via the coral reefs and resting on the ocean ground. In case you are fortunate, you might even get to witness a turtle nesting on one of many island’s seashores.
Sharks
Shark sightings are the norm at lots of the dive websites in St. Maarten and St. Martin. The most typical sharks which have been noticed over time are Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks. Skilled divers even have the choice to enterprise out to deeper waters to come across bigger species corresponding to tiger sharks and hammerheads.
Rays
St. Maarten’s waters are house to a number of species of rays, together with noticed eagle rays, southern stingrays, and manta rays. These swish creatures can usually be seen gliding via the water or alongside the sand, their wings flapping gently. Generally they might make their manner near the shore.
Lobsters and Crabs
Lobsters and crabs are additionally frequent sights in Saint Martin. Slipper lobsters and spiny lobsters can usually be discovered hiding in crevices within the coral, whereas hermit crabs scuttle alongside the ocean ground. Hold a watch out for the brilliant blue and purple colours of the Sally Lightfoot crab, a typical sight on the island’s rocky shores.
Diving Tools Rental in St. Maarten and St. Martin
In case you are planning to go diving in St. Maarten or St. Martin, you’ll have to hire tools. Fortuitously, there are a number of dive outlets on the island that provide rental gear for each scuba diving and snorkeling.
One of the crucial in style dive outlets in St. Maarten is The Scuba Store. The Scuba Store is the approved agent for Scubapro, AquaLung, and different prime manufacturers. They provide a variety of rental tools, together with tanks, BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, and extra. Additionally they have an incredible number of snorkeling tools, together with masks, snorkels, and fins. You possibly can hire a top quality masks, snorkel, and fin set for $10 per day or $30 per week.
One other nice possibility for diving tools leases in St. Maarten is Ocean Explorers Dive Heart. The middle is an entire dive store stocked with first-class high quality tools for hire or on the market at affordable costs. They provide a complete vary of providers, together with guided dives, certification programs, and tools restore.
Diving Programs in St. Maarten and St. Martin
If you wish to discover ways to dive in St. Maarten or St. Martin, there are many choices out there for diving programs. There are programs for all ability ranges from newbie to skilled. Two of the skilled dive facilities in St. Maarten which supply course are Dive Sint Maarten and St Maarten Dive Adventures. Programs embrace PADI Open Water Diver, Superior Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver.
In the event you’re new to diving, the PADI Open Water Diver course is a superb place to begin. This course teaches you the fundamentals of diving, together with security procedures, diving tools, and underwater communication. The course usually takes round three days to finish and consists of each idea and sensible periods.
For individuals who have already accomplished their Open Water Diver course, the PADI Superior Open Water Diver course is a good way to enhance your abilities. This course consists of 5 dives, together with a deep dive and a navigation dive. Additionally, you will have the choice to decide on three different dives based mostly in your pursuits.
If wish to turn into knowledgeable diver, the PADI Divemaster course is step one. This course teaches you the abilities and data required to turn into a dive skilled. You’ll study dive idea, diving tools, and the best way to help with programs and information licensed divers.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Listed below are a couple of solutions to questions on dive websites in St. Maarten and St. Martin:
What are some good dive websites for inexperienced persons in St. Maarten?
In the event you’re new to scuba diving, St. Maarten has some nice dive websites which can be excellent for inexperienced persons. Among the finest choices is Little Bay, which has calm waters and loads of marine life to see. One other nice web site is Proselyte Reef, which is a shallow dive and residential to a wide range of fish and coral.
That are the very best dive websites in St. Maarten?
St. Maarten has quite a few dive websites to select from, every with its personal distinctive options and marine life. A number of the greatest websites embrace the wreck of the HMS Proselyte, the Carib Cargo wreck, and the Massive Mama dive web site, which is thought for its shark sightings.
Is there a map of dive websites in St. Maarten?
Sure, there are a number of maps out there that present the areas of the dive websites in St. Maarten. You could find these maps at native dive outlets or on the web sites of dive operators within the space.
Are there any scuba diving choices for cruise ship passengers in St. Maarten?
Sure, there are a number of dive outlets in St. Maarten that provide scuba diving excursions for cruise ship passengers. These excursions usually embrace transportation to and from the cruise port and all mandatory scuba gear.
What are some really helpful dive outlets in St. Maarten?
There are a number of respected dive outlets in St. Maarten, together with Dive Adventures, Octopus Diving, and Scuba Enjoyable Dive Heart. It’s vital to decide on a dive store with skilled instructors and a great security file.
Are you able to go shore diving in St. Maarten?
Sure, there are a number of areas in St. Maarten the place you may go shore diving, together with Little Bay and Simpson Bay. Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that shore diving could be tougher than boat diving, and it’s really helpful for skilled divers solely.
Be taught Extra in regards to the Dive Websites in St. Maarten and St. Martin
For extra details about diving and the dive websites in St. Maarten/ St. Martin, please go to the next hyperlinks:
Dive In: 12 Dive Websites in St. Maarten in 2023
Bluewater Dive Journey: Diving in St. Maarten – St. Martin
Nature Basis St. Maarten: Marine Park Map and Native Dive Websites
PADI: Diving in St. Maarten
The Scuba Store: Diving St Maarten and St Martin
Simple Dive 24: Diving in St. Maarten
Guido Leurs: First Shark Tagged at SXM
Nature Basis St. Maarten: Man of Struggle Shoal Marine Park
Celeb Cruises: Greatest Scuba Diving in St. Maarten
Picture: Liona Toussaint through Unsplash
