Though this island of just under 75,000 people is best known for being the jumping off point for other nearby dive-focused islands—think Saba and St. Eustatius—don’t miss a chance to explore beneath the waves here as well. The island itself is split into a Dutch side (St. Maarten) and a French side (St. Martin), with over 80 nationalities represented, so a multi-cultural experience is nearly guaranteed.
The self-proclaimed “Friendly Island” has evolved a unique, vibrant culture of its own topside, with plenty to keep you busy between dives, from gourmet restaurants to 37 stunning beaches—but let’s dive into what makes the underwater world so worthwhile.
What makes diving in St. Maarten so good?
Two words: variety and simplicity. There are about 20 dive sites to choose from, mostly on the protected south and southeast sides of the island. And, even better, nearly all of them are accessible to beginners. Depths rarely exceed 60 feet (18 m); there are few currents; the visibility is generally good; and most importantly—there are a lot of fish. And lobsters. And turtles, sharks, and gigantic stingrays.
Underwater environments range from patchy reefs, to wrecks, to a cool sculpture park. Dive sites are all a short boat ride from shore—choose an established provider like Aqua Mania Adventures—and plan on a two-tank morning.
One of the nicest things about diving in St. Maarten is everything there is to do when you’re not diving. Gorgeous beaches, gourmet restaurants, shopping, casinos, other water sports—you name it and you can find it on this vacation haven.
St. Maarten is particularly ideal for couples, families, or groups wherein only some people are divers. While you’re busy blowing bubbles, your other half can be getting a massage, shopping, or just relaxing on the beach.
With all that in mind, here are our picks for the best diving in St. Maarten.
HMS Proselyte
Built in 1770 and wrecked in 1801 on its way from St. Kitts to St. Martin, the HMS Proselyte went down in about 60 feet (18 m) of water after striking the Man of War Shoal, which is now part of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. Established in 2010, the area protects 12 square miles off the south coast, and consists of stony coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and historical wrecks like the Proselyte.
Because this 32-gun frigate was made of wood, nothing remains of the boat—what you will find, however, are over a dozen cannons and three enormous anchors, which the sailors threw overboard in an attempt to keep the ship afloat. Today, they’re encrusted with hard corals and have become part of the surrounding reef.
Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, stingrays, barracuda, and lots of other reef fish darting among the slowly disintegrating metal and swaying sea fans.
Type: Reef (with wreck remnants)
Skill Level: Beginner
Access: Boat
The Bridge
Along with the remains of the old Simpson Bay Bridge, the Bridge dive site features the wreck of the party boat SV Nightingale, home to the popular bar JabJabs, that’s now home to a happy goby living in one of the old keg lines.
Just west of Simpson Bay you’ll find the Bridge dive site. Legend has it that an uber-wealthy mega-yacht owner wanted to bring his boat into protected Simpson Bay, but the drawbridge at the time couldn’t accommodate his ship. So, after some monetary encouragement (ahem) a new, bigger bridge was built. Afterward, the metal remains of the old bridge were dropped into about 50 feet (15 m) of water to create artificial habitat in 1995.
Today, the Bridge isn’t alone underwater as several other yachts have been sunk nearby to create more habitat. Popular floating bar JabJabs, on the SV Nightingale, sank during Hurricane Irma in 2017, but was subsequently salvaged and re-sunk near the bridge. Here, be sure to ask your dive guide to show you the old beer tap, now home to a small goby.
This site is absolutely bursting with life, including octopus frequently hiding in the mooring piling, dinner-table sized stingrays, reef sharks, and various tropical fish flitting in and out of the Bridge structure.
Type: Wreck
Skill Level: Beginner
Access: Boat
Underwater Sculpture Park
Right in front of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is the new Underwater Sculpture Park. In only around 20 feet (6 m) of water, the site is suitable for snorkelers as well.
Statues were placed in 2023, so they’ve not got any coral growth to speak of yet, but juvenile fish have started to populate the area, and the green moss sprouting from the statues creates an atmospheric feeling for the whole scene. Over 300 sculptures are based on local residents, and tableaus range from the everyday to the joyous, feather-laden costumes of Carnival.
Because it’s so shallow, the sculpture park makes for an ideal afternoon dive. Take your time and weave in and out of the statues, peeking at the bases for small fish and octopus.
Type: Artificial reef
Skill level: Beginner, snorkeling
Access: Boat or shore
Carib Cargo
Damaged by Hurricane Luis in 1995, Hurricane Bertha finally did in the Carib Cargo in 1996, when the 200-foot cargo ship came off its mooring line. Locals were asked to move the ship and sink it somewhere else to create a reef, but unfortunately the location was subsequently lost. It took the local dive shops years to find the ship again, hence the wreck’s alternate name, the “Carib Ghost.”
Today, it’s one of St. Maarten’s best wreck dives and, as the name suggests, was holding a whole lot of Carib beer when it sank. Drop down on the mooring line and make your way to the wreck, where you can start at the bottom in about 70 feet (21 m) of water and work your way up and around. And, though you won’t find any beer on the wreck today, you will find schools of trevally, snappers, lobsters, a resident turtle that dive guides have nicknamed Crush, and several curious reef sharks.
Those with wreck certification can penetrate the wreck to explore the bathroom or the wheelhouse. Keep an eye on the surrounding sand, as Southern stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and dolphins have been known to cruise by.
Type: Wreck
Skill level: Beginner
Access: Boat
Mike’s Maze
One of the shallowest—and loveliest—dive sites within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area is Mike’s Maze. Named for Mike Myers, who discovered this reef in the 1980s, this stony-coral labyrinth features lots of small overhangs, shallow caves, and swim-throughs among its winding architecture.
With a maximum depth of around 50 feet (15 m) the top of the reef is covered in swaying sea fans, and hides all manner of macro life, including flamingo tongues, tiny boxfish, gobies parked in their cleaning stations, pipefish, filefish, and big-eyed squirrelfish. Bigger residents appear as well, from gigantic porcupinefish to patrolling reef sharks and spiny lobsters peeking out from the cracks.
Follow your guide as you explore the maze and, if it’s near a full moon, relax and enjoy the gentle surge back-and-forth over this must-dive site.
Type: Reef
Skill level: Beginner
Access: Boat
About St. Maarten/Martin
With 37 white-sand beaches, a world-class dining scene, shopping, clubs, and every water sport you can imagine, it’s no wonder St. Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation destinations, for both overnight guests and cruise ships.
Split into two separate nations—St. Maarten, under the sovereignty of the Netherlands, and St. Martin, under the sovereignty of France—the entire island itself is only 34 square miles (87 square kilometers).
The recently refurbished Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side is a hub for the entire Caribbean, and both the arrival and departure point for visitors to either the French or Dutch side. It’s well-served by multiple airlines in the U.S., with regular direct flights from Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, and Miami.
Once you arrive, you’ll have to decide which side of the island to stay on. The Dutch side is much livelier, with casinos, shopping, restaurants, ATV land tours, and more. If you’re going to dive, the Dutch side makes for a far more convenient base, as most of the dive sites are off the south (Dutch) side.
If you venture to the French side (and you should) you’ll find a much slower pace, with idyllic beaches and fantastic food in everything from the casual beachfront lolos, or local food stands, to gourmet bistros that wouldn’t be out of place in Paris.
Take a moment to look at this.
