Low-crowding and site-position context.
Weather-permitting east-coast reef with a rocky ledge and coral.
Weather-permitting east-coast reef with a rocky ledge and coral.
Hens and chiks is a weather-permitting east-coast reef on the Atlantic edge between Sint Maarten and Saint Barth, with a rocky ledge, a sandy drop-off, a giant hole, and a shallow reef on the east side. Plan it as a boat dive for settled days only; the appeal is an exposed ledge, coral growth, overhangs, and a lively reef profile that can close out when surf builds.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18.3m+
Depth Note
Reported to lie in about 60 ft (18.3 m) of water.
Best Season
Year-round on settled east-coast days; calm windows are the real planning gate.
Typical Conditions
Weather-permitting reef with exposed ledges, coral growth, and a shallow reef finish; best when the east coast is calm.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Watch the rock tops and overhang on the entry side, keep buoyancy steady through the ledge, and skip the site if surge is building.
Access Restrictions
Expect weather windows to decide whether the dive runs; independent access should follow marine-park tag and mooring rules.
Legal Notes
When diving inside the marine park, buy the required dive tag and follow the mooring rules; private vessels need registration.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the site is better left to scuba divers on calm days.
Snorkeling
Not a casual snorkel stop; the exposed ledge and depth make it a scuba-first site.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Low-crowding and site-position context.
Marine-park mooring, registration, and site listing.
Site-specific dive-shop description and marine-life notes.
East-coast dive-site overview and dive-tag guidance.
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