🇸🇮Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba in Sint Maarten

Caribbean Sea

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Tropical Northwestern Atlantic

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Eastern Caribbean

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Carib Cargo (Wreck)

The Carib Cargo, also known as the Carib Ghost, is a RoRo wreck located off the coast of Philipsburg. This vessel was damaged by Hurricane Luis in 1995 and subsequently moored for a year before being displaced by Hurricane Bertha in 1996. Today, it serves as a notable dive site in St. Maarten. Divers can explore the wreck and encounter various marine life, including schools of Trevally, French Grunts, and Yellow Snapper. There is also a possibility of spotting Stingrays, Reef Sharks, and Green Turtles, along with Spiny Lobsters residing in and around the wreck. The site is accessible via shore entry.

17.9939, -63.0704

Charly shoal

Charly Shoal is situated in Simpson Bay and features a break in the rock formation with an average depth of 15 meters. The area is surrounded by sandy banks and is home to various barrel sponges. It serves as a habitat for a range of Caribbean fish, as well as reef sharks and turtles. At the end of the dive route, divers can explore a small wreck.

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Coralita

Coralita is situated directly across from Philispburg within the Dutch reserve's golden triangle. The dive site begins at a depth of 12 meters (40 feet) and extends to approximately 18 meters (60 feet). The underwater landscape is characterized by a mix of hard and soft corals. Divers may encounter various species of turtles and sharks while exploring this site.

17.9897, -63.0566

Cow and calf

Cow and Calf is a dive site located in front of Guana Bay beach, characterized by its remote location in the Atlantic Ocean. The dive begins at a depth of 60 feet, featuring unique rock formations and expansive fields of gorgonians. During the winter months, divers may hear the songs of migrating Humpback whales while exploring this site.

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Fish Bowl

Fish Bowl is a circular reef characterized by a diverse array of marine life, including Honeycomb Trunk Fish, Scrawled File Fish, and large schools of Bi-coloured Damsel Fish. Divers can explore a notable swim-through located towards the end of the site, where encounters with Barracudas and Reef Sharks are possible. The site is accessible via shore entry, making it convenient for divers to access the underwater features directly.

17.9881, -63.0503

Frenchmen's Reef

Frenchmen's Reef is situated at the exit of Simpson Bay, characterized by a rocky rise surrounded by sandy areas. The dive site features depths ranging from 4 to 8 meters, making it suitable for exploration. Marine life commonly observed here includes stingrays, turtles, lobsters, and a variety of Caribbean fish, providing a rich experience of the local ecosystem.

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Fusheng (Wreck)

The Fu-Sheng wreck is located on the western side of St. Maarten, resting upside down at a depth of approximately 27 meters (90 feet) near the drop-off. This Taiwanese trading vessel measures 80 meters (250 feet) in length and 10 meters (30 feet) in width. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including large pelagic species, lobsters, rays, and sharks. The site is also home to slipper lobsters, making it a notable location for observing diverse underwater fauna.

18.0450, -63.1461

Gregory

Gregory is a dive site featuring a 33-meter-long transport barge that rests upside down on a sandy bottom at a depth of 15 meters, located south of Long Bay. The wreck is situated near a small drop-off where divers can observe turtles and schools of sergeant majors. This site is particularly notable for sightings of barracudas, eagle rays, and turtles. Inside the wreck, divers may encounter slipper lobsters and lobsters, adding to the site's ecological interest.

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Hens and chiks

Hens and Chicks is located between Sint Maarten and Saint Barth, featuring a depth of approximately 60 feet. The site is characterized by hard coral formations and is known for its abundance of pelagic fish. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including frequent sightings of sharks due to the site's reputation for being 'sharkey.' The entry to this dive site is from the shore.

18.0094, -63.0084

HMS Proselyte

The HMS Proselyte dive site is located near Philipsburg and is part of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. This site is historically significant as it is named after the H.M.S. Proselyte, which ran aground in a shallow area in September 1801. Divers can explore remnants such as old cannons, ballast stones, and anchors scattered across the site. Additionally, the area is home to a variety of fish species that inhabit the small wall, providing an engaging underwater experience.

17.9897, -63.0592

Indigo Bay

Indigo Bay features the wreck of a small boat that was previously used for sand transportation, resting at a depth of 5 meters just off the beach. This site is ideal for discovery and training purposes. The wreck is home to various reef fish, stingrays, starfish, and moray eels. Adjacent to the wreck, there is a natural reef that includes cannons, adding to the site's ecological diversity.

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Isabella reef

Isabella Reef is a coral reef situated at depths ranging from 22 to 29 meters. The site features a small wreck that contributes to its name and is characterized by the presence of barrel sponges and various coral species. Marine life commonly observed here includes jacks, gray sharks, and hawksbill turtles. This location is frequently utilized for deep diving training sessions.

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Little Bay

Little Bay is a shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 20 feet (6 meters), making it suitable for novice divers. The entry point is conveniently located at the beach. The underwater landscape features Boulder Brain Corals and Maze Corals across the rocky substrate. Divers may encounter Southern Stingrays and the graceful Spotted Eagle Ray among the seagrass beds.

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Lucy's Barge (Wreck)

Lucy's Barge is a wreck located at a depth of approximately 55 to 60 feet. The barge sank in 1991 and has sustained significant damage from storms, yet divers can still identify the engine block and propeller. This site serves as a habitat for lobsters and moray eels, and divers may also encounter turtles among the surrounding soft corals. It is situated near another dive site known as the Proselyte.

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Mike's Maze

Mike's Maze is a shallow dive site located within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area, beginning at a depth of approximately 12 meters (40 feet). The site features healthy coral formations and a network of maze-like swim-throughs. Divers can expect to encounter various marine life, including sharks and turtles. The underwater rock formations provide a visually appealing backdrop, although navigating this area can be challenging due to its orientation.

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Molly Beday

Molly Beday is situated across from Oyster Pond and is characterized by its rocky formations and well-protected coral structures. The dive site features a depth range from 0 to 15 meters, allowing for exploration of the underwater landscape. The average dive duration is around 60 minutes. This location is known for sightings of eagle rays, making it a notable spot for divers interested in observing this species. However, it is infrequently visited due to varying weather conditions, which can affect accessibility.

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Moon hole

Moon Hole is situated further east from the shore compared to other dive sites, making it less frequented and preserving its vibrant reef ecosystem. This unique geological formation, resembling a crater, offers divers the opportunity to explore its distinct topography, which is unlike any other feature found in St. Maarten. The site is accessible via a shore entry, allowing divers to easily access the underwater landscape.

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Moonscape

Moonscape is characterized by its cratered reef structure, which begins at a depth of approximately 12 meters. The site is inhabited by various marine species, including Caribbean Stingrays, sleeper sharks, lobsters, and angel fish. Divers can explore a diverse array of hard and soft corals throughout the area.

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One step beyond

One Step Beyond is a notable dive site characterized by two pinnacles located in 27 meters (90 feet) of clear water. The site is rich in colorful corals and supports a diverse range of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter various fish species, as well as larger marine animals such as barracudas, sharks, and rays. The entry to this site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore its underwater features.

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Pelican rock

Pelican Rock is located on the eastern shore of St. Maarten, along the Atlantic Coast. This dive site features a depth starting at approximately 60 feet and is characterized by diverse coral formations and a variety of healthy fish species. A notable feature of this site is the pelican that can be seen perched at the top.

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Porpoise

The Porpoise is a sunken tugboat located at a depth of approximately 80 to 90 feet, situated directly across from Maho Beach and the airstrip. This wreck is often frequented by various marine species, including stingrays, eagle rays, and occasional grey sharks, as well as barracuda and other pelagic fish. The site is accessible via shore entry.

18.0291, -63.1283

Shark Hotel

Shark Hotel is a shore entry dive site located at coordinates 17.988800, -63.053600. Divers can expect to encounter reef sharks, particularly in the vicinity of a notable reef at a depth of 60 feet, which features various ledges and ridges. The site is named after a shark known as Big Mama, who was frequently spotted here. Additionally, the sandy areas adjacent to the reef provide opportunities to see sting rays.

17.9888, -63.0536

Teigland/ Cable Reef

Teigland, a deliberately sunk vessel, rests at a depth of approximately 70 feet. Initially positioned on a ledge, it has since rolled over and now lies adjacent to a vibrant reef. The wreck is fragmented, providing shelter for various marine life, including moray eels and lobsters. The surrounding reef is notable for its biodiversity, and divers may encounter spotted eagle rays during their exploration.

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The Bridge

The Bridge is located near the Dutch entrance to the Simpson Bay lagoon and features several yacht wrecks along with the remnants of an old bridge. The structure has become a habitat for various marine life, enhancing the diving experience. Divers can expect to encounter stingrays, turtles, eels, and a variety of tropical fish. The site is also known for sightings of reef sharks. The maximum depth ranges from 25 to 60 feet, making it accessible for divers with varying levels of experience.

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Tug boat

The Tug Boat site features the wreck of a tugboat that was sunk in the 2000s, resting at a depth of 6 meters on a sandbank. Surrounding the wreck is a turtle meadow, providing a unique habitat. This site is suitable for both scuba diving and freediving, making it accessible for beginners. Marine life around the wreck includes various species such as balloon fish, trumpet fish, and lobsters, along with occasional sightings of stingrays on the sandy bottom.

18.0375, -63.1046