Explore Sint Maarten

A tiny in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico, is split into the Dutch and French side. St Maarten, which is the Dutch portion of the island, is the focus of this article. It’s the perfect island getaway, and offers pristine, warm diving all year round thanks to its tropical climate. 

There are around 17 dive sites around the south and southeast sides of the island. Sites usually don’t exceed 18 meters (60 feet), meaning diving is easy and perfect for beginners. Tourism isn’t bustling, so it’s great for those that enjoy uncrowded dive sites, even in the high season. Sites include beautiful reefs, lots of wrecks and encrusted rocky spots explore. With around shipwrecks to discover, wreck lovers will be kept very busy. 

Many of the exceptional reefs around St Maarten are rocky structures covered in coral and sponges. Volcanic activity created a lot of the rock formations underwater, which are now teeming with colorful life. Some older reefs suffered hurricane damage, however, they’ve shown great recovery in recent years with new coral taking over the old. 

With sufficient dive centers and dive resorts to choose from in this small island, there’s plenty of availability. Furthermore, some operators travel by boat to nearby islands, like Anguilla, St Barts and Saba. A few liveaboards visit the island, though not many actually depart from it. 

Furthermore, it’s a great place to take an open water certification, or for more advanced dive courses, a wreck specialty would be suitable thanks to abundant shipwrecks here.

Upcoming Events

Try Scuba

Try Scuba

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You’ll be in protected water and well supervised by your instructor, so you can enjoy those unforgettable first breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you’ll receive your SSI Try Scuba certification card and will undoubtedly want to dive again. Countless diving adventures await you, and this course is where it all begins. Get started today!

Atabey Dive Center, 2 rue du président JF kennedy, 97150, SAINT-MARTIN, MAF
July 27, 2026 +179 More
$113.87
€100.00
Basic Freediver

Basic Freediver

During this introductory program, you’ll learn everything you need to safely freedive with a buddy in a pool or protected environment to a depth of 5 meters. The online training is combined with in-water practice sessions to help you acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge. Upon completion of the program, you will earn your SSI Basic Freediver certification.

Atabey Dive Center, 2 rue du président JF kennedy, 97150, SAINT-MARTIN, MAF
July 26, 2026 +239 More
$170.80
€150.00
Basic Freediving

Basic Freediving

During this introductory program, you’ll learn everything you need to safely freedive with a buddy in a pool or protected environment to a depth of 5 meters. The online training is combined with in-water practice sessions to help you acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge. Upon completion of the program, you will earn your SSI Basic Freediver certification.

Atabey Dive Center, 2 rue du président JF kennedy, 97150, SAINT-MARTIN, MAF
July 26, 2026 +9 More
$170.80
€150.00
Find Courses & Events

Dive Activity

Diving in Sint Maarten

The majority of dive sites here are colorful reefs and wrecks with some breathtaking topography thrown into the mix. Boat diving is the most common practice, though there are a few shore diving opportunities at shallow reef sites. 

The beautiful reefs all around the island are normally shallow and very easy with mild to zero current, promising a relaxing dive for divers of all levels of experience. 

For shipwreck enthusiasts, there are around ten wrecks to explore, and are all taken over by nature, encrusted by corals and sponges and home to an array of tropical fish species. The most famous wreck is the HMS Proselyte, which sank in 1801 and is now located in the Proselyte Reef.

Dive Centers

Friendly Island Divers

Friendly Island Divers

26 Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, 0000 Pointe Blanche, Sint Maarten (dutch)

Dive Sites

BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Teigland/ Cable Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Teigland/ Cable Reef (★4.5)

The Teigland is an old ship deliberately sunk here. First she sat on a ledge but then she rolled over and now is lying next to a beautiful reef at about 70 feet deep
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Shark Hotel <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Shark Hotel (★4.5)

There is a good chance to spot reef sharks here! At 60 feet there’s a beautiful reef with lots of ledges and ridges to explore. Located right next to Fishbowl.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Fish Bowl <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Fish Bowl (★4.5)

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.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
HMS Proselyte <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

HMS Proselyte (★4.4)

Proselyte Reef, just outside Philipsburg, is the signature dive site within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. Site is named after the H.M.S. Proselyte that struck the shallow area in September 1801.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Coralita <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Coralita (★4.5)

Located opposite Philispburg, in the golden triangle of the Dutch reserve. This dive site starts at 12 meters (40 feet) and ends around 18 meters (60 feet).
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Lucy&#039;s Barge (Wreck) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Lucy's Barge (Wreck) (★4.5)

A barge lying at about 55 – 60 feet deep. She sank in 1991 and is badly broken up by storm damage, but you can still recognize the engine block and the propeller.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Carib Cargo (Wreck) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Carib Cargo (Wreck) (★4.5)

Wreck of the Carib Cargo / RoRo / Carib Ghost. Damaged by Hurricane Luis in 1995 the boat has been moored in front of Philipsburg for one year until Hurricane Bertha took it off it's mooring line in 1996. Found some time later, today, it is on of the best wreck dives on St Maarten.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
One step beyond <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

One step beyond (★4.5)

One Step Beyond` is one of the best reef dives around the island. Two `pinnacles` with colorful corals and great aquatic life in 90 feet of clear blue water!
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Moon hole <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

Moon hole (★4.1)

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.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Little Bay <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Little Bay (★4.2)

With a maximum depth of 20ft (6m), this site is perfect for beginners . This spot is just on the front at the beach and he have a sea museum with the statues.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Pelican rock <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Pelican rock (★4.6)

Pelican Rock is on the Eastern Shore of the island on the Atlantic Coast. When weather permits this is one of the more pristine dive sites on St. Maarten.
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
The Bridge <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

The Bridge (★4.5)

The Bridge is a site near the Dutch entrance to the Simpson Bay lagoon that hosts several yacht wrecks as well as the remains of an old bridge. The remains of the bridge have been completely taken over by sea life and this is what makes the dive worthwhile!
BUBBLE SHOP, 97150 Saint-Martin
Porpoise <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Porpoise (★4.7)

The Porpoise is a sunken tugboat that sits upright in approximately seventy feet. It is located opposite Maho Beach, directly opposite the airstrip. Wreck Depth: 80-90ft.
Mares
Mike's Maze <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Mike's Maze (★4.5)

Mike’s Maze is one of the prettiest and shallowest sites within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. It starts at approximately 40 feet (12 m) and boasts healthy coral formations and numerous maze-like swim throughs.
Aqualung
Hens and chiks <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★0.0)</span>

Hens and chiks (★0.0)

Hens and Chicks is an Atlantic dive site between Sint Maarten and Saint Barth , that has a reputation as being very sharkey. It lies in 60 feet of water.

The best Months to Dive in Sint Maarten

Like its French counterpart Saint Martin, St Maarten experiences amazing diving all year, and has similar seasons. The low seasons are around May to July, and September to November. The higher seasons are July to August, and December to April. 

The air temperature is stable all year, with an average of 27°C/80.6°F, which can climb to 32°C/89.6°F. The two seasons are the dry and winter periods. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the winter, from May to November. There isn’t much of a definite rainy reason. 

The water temperature is stable all year, fluctuating between 26°C-29°C/79°F-84°F in the warmer months, which are around January and February, down to 22°C-24°C/72°F-75°F in colder August. Visibility is usually excellent year round, reaching 30 meters/98 feet or more depending on the site. 

The hurricane season runs from June to November, though the island isn’t inside the worst of the hurricane area.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Sint Maarten

A wealth of vibrant marine life and underwater habitats can be discovered all around St Maarten, from diverse hard and soft coral species, sea fans, gorgonians, hydroids, sponges and lava rocks, to critters both big and small, from frogfish, seahorses and hundreds of reef fish, to moray eels, blue tangs, lobsters, schooling fish, trumpetfish, barracuda, tarpon, stingrays and even eagle rays, reef and nurse sharks, to only name a few.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
475 Sightings
J
33
F
52
M
80
A
46
M
38
J
61
J
26
A
29
S
12
O
21
N
37
D
40
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
290 Sightings
J
21
F
29
M
35
A
17
M
27
J
30
J
34
A
17
S
6
O
13
N
38
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
159 Sightings
J
10
F
6
M
23
A
8
M
26
J
25
J
18
A
6
S
7
O
10
N
11
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
153 Sightings
J
11
F
7
M
27
A
21
M
18
J
14
J
14
A
4
S
1
O
2
N
27
D
7
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
90 Sightings
J
9
F
4
M
9
A
10
M
12
J
8
J
1
A
11
S
2
O
0
N
16
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
67 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
6
A
2
M
7
J
7
J
2
A
5
S
2
O
3
N
15
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
41 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
6
M
3
J
9
J
0
A
2
S
3
O
5
N
9
D
3
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
26 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
9
J
6
J
1
A
2
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
486 Sightings
J
40
F
33
M
53
A
35
M
36
J
55
J
25
A
38
S
15
O
32
N
67
D
57
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
474 Sightings
J
42
F
38
M
66
A
45
M
38
J
52
J
21
A
35
S
11
O
23
N
50
D
53

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
299 Sightings
J
17
F
22
M
53
A
26
M
25
J
42
J
17
A
30
S
7
O
17
N
23
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
254 Sightings
J
10
F
17
M
40
A
33
M
16
J
33
J
16
A
28
S
11
O
16
N
21
D
13
iStock-ShaneGross
Caribbean Reef Shark

Caribbean Reef Shark
244 Sightings
J
12
F
21
M
34
A
16
M
28
J
29
J
9
A
7
S
1
O
24
N
37
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
240 Sightings
J
18
F
16
M
21
A
19
M
18
J
24
J
18
A
17
S
11
O
26
N
35
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
164 Sightings
J
12
F
11
M
29
A
20
M
12
J
18
J
11
A
9
S
6
O
7
N
22
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
164 Sightings
J
16
F
12
M
31
A
24
M
8
J
10
J
16
A
10
S
5
O
7
N
12
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
153 Sightings
J
3
F
19
M
31
A
15
M
10
J
20
J
6
A
6
S
3
O
16
N
13
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
151 Sightings
J
7
F
8
M
22
A
18
M
8
J
16
J
4
A
13
S
11
O
13
N
20
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
142 Sightings
J
7
F
8
M
23
A
14
M
17
J
22
J
5
A
4
S
5
O
12
N
16
D
9
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
141 Sightings
J
9
F
16
M
10
A
19
M
18
J
13
J
18
A
10
S
4
O
5
N
8
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
139 Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
19
A
5
M
12
J
16
J
7
A
17
S
3
O
8
N
19
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
131 Sightings
J
5
F
7
M
27
A
5
M
9
J
21
J
7
A
13
S
7
O
12
N
16
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
127 Sightings
J
9
F
12
M
21
A
15
M
17
J
17
J
6
A
3
S
4
O
10
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
116 Sightings
J
6
F
6
M
23
A
11
M
13
J
18
J
0
A
8
S
9
O
5
N
13
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
98 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
13
A
10
M
6
J
8
J
10
A
13
S
6
O
7
N
6
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
89 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
11
A
4
M
3
J
21
J
0
A
7
S
2
O
9
N
18
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
83 Sightings
J
4
F
6
M
11
A
4
M
9
J
14
J
9
A
4
S
3
O
6
N
9
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
81 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
14
A
11
M
5
J
12
J
2
A
4
S
3
O
9
N
12
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
80 Sightings
J
2
F
10
M
10
A
12
M
9
J
15
J
6
A
2
S
3
O
6
N
2
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
73 Sightings
J
9
F
4
M
9
A
13
M
4
J
10
J
3
A
7
S
1
O
6
N
5
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
71 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
18
A
3
M
9
J
10
J
7
A
3
S
4
O
5
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
65 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
10
A
8
M
7
J
14
J
0
A
7
S
4
O
5
N
6
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
64 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
9
A
6
M
7
J
8
J
9
A
11
S
3
O
4
N
2
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
56 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
12
A
9
M
6
J
1
J
9
A
5
S
3
O
0
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
42 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
7
A
8
M
2
J
6
J
5
A
4
S
1
O
0
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
38 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
5
A
2
M
7
J
4
J
1
A
1
S
4
O
5
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
26 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
3
A
5
M
7
J
2
J
0
A
7
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
21 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
5
J
1
A
1
S
2
O
1
N
2
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
19 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
3
A
7
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
1
AdobeStock-_italo
Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish
18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
3
S
2
O
8
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
17 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
4
A
2
S
2
O
2
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock-bearacreative
Emperor

Emperor
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
2
J
6
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
4
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
13 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
2
M
2
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0