12 Best Dive Sites in St. Maarten in 2023

The first dive site on our list can be found within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. This marine protected area (MPA) has been protecting up to 8,000 acres of ocean and marine space since 2010. This beautiful reef has an average depth of 60ft (18m) and visibility typically over 100ft(30m).

Things to See:

Jump on in and explore this circular-shaped reef. As the name implies, this site boasts an abundance of wildlife from Honeycomb Trunk Fish, Scrawled File Fish, and huge schools of Bi-coloured Damsel Fish. Follow your guide as they bring you to the large swim-through near the end. Here you can encounter Barracudas and Reef Sharks monitoring the reefs.

Located right next to Fishbowl, Big Momma is the number one place for shark diving in St. Maarten. The entire highlight of this dive is to descend into the crystal-clear waters, kneel in the sand and watch these 6-9ft (2-3m) majestic predators as they weave around you and the corals.

Things to See:

At an average depth of 40ft (12m), this dive site calls out to the adventurer looking for an adrenaline fix! Usually, adventure dives are more suitable for the advanced diver, but not in this case. Due to the easy depth and the expert experience of your guides, feel right at home next to these beautiful Reef Sharks.

Mike’s Maze is another site that can be found with the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. At a maximum depth of 50ft (15m), this site is perfect for beginners looking to get their bearings underwater, or for the advanced diver interested in learning more about natural navigation.

Things to See:

Explore this labyrinth of a reef and find many small overhangs, shallow caves, and great hiding spots for Green and Hawksbill Turtles. For the macro lover, look for juvenile Box Fish the size of a small marble, various Gobies parked out at their cleaning stations and a Flamingo Tongue grazing. For the divers interested in the bigger creatures, look out for the Reef Sharks patrolling the reefs!

By far the most popular wreck in St. Maarten, the Proselyte is waiting for your discovery at only 50ft(15m) beneath the surface. Originally a Dutch ship in the 1770s whose crew mutinied and then handed her over to the British, this ship was serving as a Frigate vessel between the islands when it hit the Man of War Shoal in 1801. This old wreck is now laying on her starboard side on the sandy bottom.

Things to See:

Most of the guns, ballast bars and anchors are scattered around the wreck on the bottom, disguising themselves for the coral reef as they have become almost completely encrusted in corals themselves. Explore the areas around the wreck and find Green and Hawksbill Turtles munching on some algae or a giant Porcupine Fish shying away under a piece of debris. Make sure to look under the ledges to find a Nurse Shark or Caribbean Reef Lobster!

First, there was Hurricane Luis in 1995 which severely damaged the boat. Then there was Hurricane Bertha only one year later which filled this vessel with enough water that it started to sink while in the harbor. But the story doesn’t stop there. Some locals were asked to move this ship and sink it somewhere else to create a reef. This was done, but soon the location was lost and it took the local dive shops years to find her again, hence the name Carib Ghost. Now in her final resting place, you can explore this 200ft (60m) cargo ship at a maximum depth of 65ft (19m).

Things to See:

Having been underwater for the last 26 years, this ship has attracted an abundance of life and is almost completely encrusted in colorful corals, fully supporting an artificial reef within the Man Of War Shoal Marine Park. If you have your wreck certification, feel free to penetrate this wreck to explore the bathroom and wheelhouse. In the surrounding sandy area, you can often see Southern Stingrays, Spotted Eagle Rays and even sometimes a Reef Shark cruising by!

Teigland is the name of an old 90ft (27m) barge found at this dive site. In 1993 she was purposely scuttled to create an artificial reef in the Man Of War Shoal Marine Park. Now resting in 70ft (21m) of water, this was not always her intended position. Originally, she was sent to sit upright on top the ledge, but after some intense surge action during Hurricane Luis, she was found 100ft (30m) away from the original position.

Things to See:

Spotted and Golden tail Moray Eels have taken residence int this partially intact wreck. Explore the wreck itself and you can often find Spotted, Caribbean Reef and Slipper Lobsters tucked away in the corners. Look out for clean shells to find an Octopus’ Garden and you find the beauty itself usually tucked away catching some shut-eye during the day. The surrounding reef is worth exploring too as you can often find Southern Stingrays and Spotted Eagle Rays gliding over it.

Considered one of the two only deep dives on the Dutch side, the Porpoise is a stunning tug-boat wreck found at 90ft (28m) and can only be visited by intermediate to advanced divers. Purposely scuttled and now leaning on her starboard side on the sandy bottom, this wreck is home to a great variety of marine life.

Things to See:

Beautiful Gorgonians extend from this wreck, along with colourful Tube Sponges in interesting shapes and sizes. Investigate the engine room to find schools of Soldierfish and some Spotted Moray Eels. Around the wreck you can spot some Garden Eels and some Southern Stingrays trying to go by unnoticed. Tucked underneath the wreck you can find some Spiny Lobsters curiously waving their antennae’s around. Occasionally you can find Barracuda ad Reef Sharks hanging around. Bonus sighting is the very rare (but totally possible) Greater Hammerhead Shark cruising by!

Fuh Sheng is the second of the two deeper dive sites. This 120ft (36m) long Taiwanese fishing vessel found her final resting place in 1995 on the sandy bottom. Descend onto the bow with a line, reaching a maximum depth of 114ft (34m). Circle this beautiful ship, reaching the stern at 90ft (27m) for your turn-around point.

Things to See:

The visibility at this site is world-class and you can expect to even see the wreck itself from the surface. With lots of places for critters to hide, this wreck hosts an abundance of life. Clinging Crabs and Lobsters have found homes in the debris, alongside Arrow Crabs and Moray Eels. In the sand surrounding the wreck, you can often find Southern Stingrays and Garden Eels. It is very common to watch Reef Sharks patrolling the bottoms. During your safety stop on the ascent, you can often see Sergeant Majors and Creole Wrasse putting on a show for you!

Located to the east and further from shore than the other sites, Moon Hole is less frequently visited and therefore a pristine reef in full color. Calm weather is a requirement for visiting this site, but when everything lines up, this dive site is a must!

Things to See:

This geological feature has boggled the locals since its discovery as its shape and topography are quite unlike anything else in St. Maarten. This crater, or ‘Moon Hole’ can be explored from 20ft (7m) to 60ft (18m) and will provide you with a colorful experience! A massive colony of old Elk Horn Coral sits like the jewel in the crown near the surface of this site. Within it, you can find Damsel Fish and Basket Stars. On the rocks below look for Christmas Tree Worms and Feather Duster Worms of all shapes and colors. Greater and Lesser Starlet corals decorate the hard surfaces adding to this colorful landscape.

Waltz onto this stunning white sandy beach at your own leisure to begin this beautiful shore dive. From the left side of Little Bay, snorkel out from the beach following the rocks until you find a suitable depth and descend! Be sure to tow a Surface Marker Buoy to alert the boat traffic of your location.

Things to See:

With a maximum depth of 20ft (6m), this site is perfect for beginners or for divers who want a later start to their day. Here you can find Boulder Brain Corals and Maze Corals scattered around the rocky bottom. In the seagrass, you can often find Southern Stingrays or the ethereal Spotted Eagle Ray cruising by looking for a tasty shellfish treat. You might also see a Green or Hawksbill Turtle munching on that same grass too. Spend some time looking for the smaller critters like Banded Coral Shrimp, Pederson’s Shrimp, Arrow Crabs and Jaw Fish.

Dawn Beach is yet another of the many beautiful white sandy beaches found in St. Maarten, with tranquil turquoise waters lapping on the shore. To get to this reef you need to snorkel directly in front of the Westin Hotel until you find the vibrant coral reef beneath you.

Things to See:

With an average depth of 45ft (14m), this reef runs parallel to the beach so it is very easy to navigate. Above the reef, you can find some Caribbean Reef Squid in their big families changing colors in the sunlight. Beneath them, you can find colorful Stoplight Parrotfish busily cleaning the reefs. Look for some red Glass Eye Snappers or Yellow-striped Goatfish.

Long Bay Reef is a fringing reef that runs parallel to Long Bay. Take a short boat ride out and jump on into this colorful reef. Reaching a maximum depth of 60ft (18m), explore this site with your guide as you come across small caverns and crevasses. This site is a favorite among locals as it boasts huge Barrel Sponges and colorful varieties of Brain, Maze and Starlet Corals.

Things to See:

Make sure to look between the cracks and crevices of this reef to find Coral Crabs, Clinging Crabs, Moray Eels, Pufferfish, Tilefish, Lizard Fish, and Octopus. You can often see some large Nassau Groupers perching at their favorite cleaning station, or some Yellow Tail Snappers patiently following around a school of juvenile fish. Often spotted at this site is the enchanting Lionfish hiding amongst the rocks. The bonus of this site is that it is also just as good at night! Request a night dive at this site for another truly remarkable experience.