🇸🇦Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba in Saint Martin

Quick Facts

  • Best season: Year-round (varies by region)
  • Typical visibility: 10-30m depending on location
  • Entry types: Shore diving, Boat diving
  • Highlights: Explore Saint Martin's underwater world

Welcome to the ultimate guide for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving in Saint Martin. With 15 documented dive spots across 3 regions, Saint Martin offers diverse underwater experiences for all skill levels. From vibrant coral reefs to mysterious wrecks, from shallow snorkeling bays to deep freediving drops, discover what makes Saint Martin a must-visit destination for underwater enthusiasts. Our community-driven platform provides real-time conditions, detailed spot information, and local insights to help you plan your perfect diving adventure.

15
Dive Spots
3
Regions

Regions in Saint Martin (3)

Dive Spots in Saint Martin (15)

Banc Médée

Banc Médée is a shallow reef dive site with a maximum depth of 8 meters, situated directly across from Marigot. The site features various breaks in the reef, ranging from 4 to 8 meters deep. Divers can expect to encounter barracudas, stingrays, and turtles, along with a variety of reef fish. Lobsters are also present in the area, contributing to the site's biodiversity.

18.0939, -63.0985

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Basse Espagnole

Basse Espagnole is a dive site located northeast of Saint Martin, featuring a reef that rises to a depth of 4 meters. The site is characterized by challenging conditions due to wind and swell. Divers can explore a canyon that measures 200 meters in length and 10 meters in width, which leads to a cave populated by glassfish and schools of creole fish. The marine life also includes sponges, corals, barracudas, sharks, and turtles. Access to this site can be difficult due to varying weather conditions.

18.1258, -63.0056

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Caye verte

Caye Verte is a small islet situated within a nature reserve near Orient Bay beach in Saint-Martin. The dive site features depths ranging from 0 to 10 meters. It is known for its diverse pouting corals and is a habitat for various marine life, including fan gorgonians and stingrays. The area is protected and primarily utilized for scientific research.

18.0907, -63.0111

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Chico 1

Chico 1 features a series of small rocky canyons, with depths ranging from 12 to 21 meters. This dive site is suitable for divers of all experience levels and offers a chance to explore the diverse marine life of Tintamarre. Under the rocks, divers can find numerous lobsters, while barracudas, reef sharks, nurse sharks, turtles, and various Caribbean fish are also commonly observed in the area.

18.1087, -62.9879

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Chico 2

Chico 2 is situated on Tintamarre Island, approximately 30 minutes from Anse Marcel. This dive site features a coral garden that reaches a maximum depth of 23 meters. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including sleeper sharks, turtles, and rays, showcasing the diverse ecosystem of Saint Martin.

18.1130, -62.9797

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Chico 3

Chico 3 is a dive site characterized by depths ranging from 10 to 20 meters, making it suitable for multi-level diving. Divers can explore the drop-off or navigate through the Japanese Coral Garden. The site is notable for the presence of nurse sharks and gray reef sharks, as well as turtles that often rest within the Coral Garden.

18.1149, -62.9742

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Circus

Circus is situated on the northern side of Tintamarre Island and is known for its exposure to varying weather conditions. The dive site features a depth range of 15 to 20 meters, characterized by rocky formations, crevices, and caves. It is recognized as a habitat for nurse sharks, particularly during their breeding season, and is also known to host Caribbean hammerhead sharks.

18.1218, -62.9702

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fish spot

Fish Spot is situated across from Marigot Bay in the Anguilla Channel. The dive site features a reef with depths ranging from 12 meters to 18 meters. This location is known for its diverse marine life, including various species of Caribbean fish, such as the French, gray, and royal angelfish. The area is conducive to encounters with marine mammals and pelagic species commonly found in the waters around Saint-Martin.

18.1238, -63.1220

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Ilet Requin

Ilet Requin is characterized by a rocky outcrop surrounded by sandy areas and turtle grass, with a maximum depth of 17 meters. This site is suitable for training and exploration, located just 2 minutes from Anse Marcel. The underwater environment is home to various tropical fish, sleeper sharks, lobsters, and nudibranchs, along with multiple coral species.

18.1209, -63.0450

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La rené (wreck)

La Renée is a wreck that has been intentionally sunk, resting on the ocean floor at a depth of 45 meters. The wreck is adorned with various corals and anemones, providing a habitat for diverse marine life. Divers can expect to encounter barracudas, trevallies, eagle rays, and sharks during their exploration of this site. Access to La Renée is via boat.

18.0821, -63.1478

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Le Remorqueur

Le Remorqueur is a wreck site featuring an 18-meter-long tugboat located at a depth of 15 meters. The wreck has become a habitat for diverse marine life, including sea breams, lobsters, porcupine fish, and stingrays. From January to May, there is a possibility of encountering dolphin families in the vicinity, adding to the site's ecological interest.

18.1212, -62.9877

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Le tombant des aviateurs

Le Tombant des Aviateurs is situated on Tintamarre Island, featuring a reef that begins at a depth of 4 meters and extends down to 17 meters. This site is known for its diverse coral species, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels. Marine life commonly observed here includes octopus, reef sharks, green turtles, and stingrays.

18.1192, -62.9883

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Pinel

Pinel is a small island situated opposite Cul de Sac and is part of the Saint-Martin nature reserve. This dive site is ideal for those interested in coral identification, as it offers a maximum depth of 8 meters. Divers and snorkelers can expect to encounter various marine life, including rays and turtles, while exploring the coral formations. The site is accessible via shore entry, making it convenient for both divers and snorkelers.

18.1031, -63.0158

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rocher creole

Rocher Creole is located approximately ten minutes from Anse Marcel and is suitable for beginner divers and snorkelers. The site features shallow waters where divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including barracudas, groupers, rays, and occasionally dolphins. This location is ideal for those starting their Open Water Diver training and offers opportunities for underwater photography and biological observation.

18.1175, -63.0565

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Sec Grand Case

Sec Grand Case is a coral reef situated in the bay of Grand Case, with depths ranging from 5 to 12 meters. The site is home to various marine species, including green turtles and both eagle and stingrays. It is accessible to divers of all experience levels. Night dives are particularly notable here due to the exceptional presence of turtles and rays, making it a unique experience.

18.1050, -63.0669

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is snorkeling good in Saint Martin for beginners?
Saint Martin offers various snorkeling spots suitable for different skill levels. Many locations feature calm, shallow waters perfect for beginners, while others provide more challenging conditions for experienced snorkelers. Check individual spot descriptions for difficulty ratings.
Where can I find easy shore entry freedives in Saint Martin?
Saint Martin has numerous shore-accessible freediving spots. Look for beaches, coves, and rocky points marked with "shore entry" in our dive map. Popular areas often feature gradual slopes and clear water, ideal for freediving practice.
What months have the calmest water and best visibility in Saint Martin?
Water conditions in Saint Martin vary by region and season. Generally, check local weather patterns and avoid monsoon or storm seasons. Our spot descriptions include seasonal visibility information to help you plan your trip.
Do I need a guide for diving in Saint Martin?
Guide requirements in Saint Martin depend on the specific location and your experience level. Some marine parks require guided dives, while many spots allow independent diving. Always check local regulations and consider hiring guides for unfamiliar or challenging sites.
What safety considerations should I know about when diving in Saint Martin?
Key safety considerations for Saint Martin include understanding local currents, boat traffic, and marine life. Always dive within your limits, check weather conditions, use proper signaling devices, and respect local regulations. Some areas may have specific hazards noted in spot descriptions.
What marine life can I expect to see in Saint Martin?
Saint Martin's waters host diverse marine ecosystems. Depending on the region and season, you might encounter tropical fish, coral reefs, larger pelagics, or unique endemic species. Check individual spot descriptions for specific marine life highlights.