Explore the SSS Islands
The SSS Islands of the Leeward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles are made up of St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten. These islands lie in the warm, clear, marine life abundant waters of the Caribbean Sea. These three islands are the less frequented and so less crowded of the islands, providing divers with a relaxing diving getaway. There are also numerous liveaboards which visit this region. Each island has their own handful of dive centres which cater to a wide array of divers; from those wanting to take dive courses and start their diving journey, to shipwreck lovers, to those wanting to spot the avid marine life, all the up to technical divers. The waters here are protected which has allowed the marine environments here to remain in pristine condition and attract a high abundance of marine life. The three islands have a few things in common such as; they are all volcanic islands which means there are some impressive lava flows underwater, they all have some thrilling wreck dive sites and the reefs are flourishing. The three islands though also have their own unique elements; St Maarten has many shallow shore dives which are ideal for beginners, Saba Island has the highest chance of spotting Sharks and St Eustatius holds the largest wreck of the Caribbean. The climate of these islands is warm and tropical, with air temperatures ranging between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius and the water temperatures ranging between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius which makes for a warm and pleasant diving experience any time of the year. The marine life here can be seen all year round as well with some of the highlight species including Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks, Rays and so much more. If divers are looking for a colourful, relaxing and also thrilling diving getaway, this region is the place to go.
Places to Explore
Sint Maarten (Netherlands)
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.
Sint Eustatius
St Eustatius is a small volcanic island which is one of the three SSS Islands of the Leeward Islands of the Netherlands Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea. The island has one large central volcano, surrounded by rainforests and volcanic beaches. This is still a somewhat undiscovered diving destination meaning that the versatile underwater environments are still in pristine condition for divers to enjoy. The rocky topography includes impressive lava flows, reefs, there are shipwrecks and so much more. There is a wide selection of marine life to be spotted in the many dive sites around this island and the two dive centres here are experts in spotting the best species of the area. The warm waters and lack of crowds help to amplify the diving experience here.
Saba
The volcanic island of Saba is somewhat off the beaten track, untouched by tourism and uncrossed, where pristine warm water with crystal visibility hosts incredible marine life protected by the Saba Marine Park, with healthy reefs and tropical fish abound. This Dutch Caribbean island rises from great depths the sea floor, and as a result of volcanic activity, many dive sites around the coastline boast dramatic topography and underwater formations, including exciting walls, large pinnacles, seemingly endless drop-offs, and even underwater lava flows and hot springs.
Top Dive Sites Map
Diving in the SSS Islands
The SSS Islands of the Leeward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles are made up of St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten. These islands lie in the warm, clear, marine life abundant waters of the Caribbean Sea. These three islands are the less frequented and so less crowded of the islands, providing divers with a relaxing diving getaway. There are also numerous liveaboards which visit this region. Each island has their own handful of dive centres which cater to a wide array of divers; from those wanting to take dive courses and start their diving journey, to shipwreck lovers, to those wanting to spot the avid marine life, all the up to technical divers. The waters here are protected which has allowed the marine environments here to remain in pristine condition and attract a high abundance of marine life. The three islands have a few things in common such as; they are all volcanic islands which means there are some impressive lava flows underwater, they all have some thrilling wreck dive sites and the reefs are flourishing. The three islands though also have their own unique elements; St Maarten has many shallow shore dives which are ideal for beginners, Saba Island has the highest chance of spotting Sharks and St Eustatius holds the largest wreck of the Caribbean. The climate of these islands is warm and tropical, with air temperatures ranging between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius and the water temperatures ranging between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius which makes for a warm and pleasant diving experience any time of the year. The marine life here can be seen all year round as well with some of the highlight species including Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks, Rays and so much more. If divers are looking for a colourful, relaxing and also thrilling diving getaway, this region is the place to go.
The best Months to Dive in the SSS Islands
The SSS Islands offer year-round diving opportunities, thanks to their tropical climate. Water temperatures range from 78°F/25°C in winter to 84°F/29°C in summer, providing comfortable conditions for divers throughout the year. Visibility generally remains high, often exceeding 80 feet/24 meters, making it ideal for underwater exploration.
While diving is possible all year, the best conditions are typically found from March to September. During this period, calmer seas and minimal wind ensure safer and more enjoyable dives. However, the islands experience stronger winds and currents from October to February, which may reduce visibility and make some dive sites less accessible. It is advisable to plan accordingly and consult local dive operators for current conditions.
Statistics
Historical data and trends