St Maarten Diving in General?

[RJP]

A friend will be diving St Maarten while on a cruise, and is interested in "overall impressions" of St Maarten diving. Unsure of dive op, but arranged through Disney cruise line. They mention boat leaves out of "Bobby's Marina" if that give a clue to dive op or likely dive sites.

Thanks in advance - Ray

 

[tajkd]

Ray, I dove there a few times about 12 years ago. I found it just OK. Sandy bottom for the most part, reef life similar to many Caribbean islands. The coral was in pretty good shape and some sites were very nice according to my extensive notes (which you know well). I did see seahorses at Dawn Beach. That was cool. I was on the Dutch side also but in Oyster Bay. The sites we saw were on the west side but Bobby's can hit the southern sites. I dove Dawn Beach as a shore dive, Hens & Chicks, and the Maze (great dive). I would strongly suggest a short amazing flight to Saba to do their one day pinnacle dives. You fly from St Maarten in the morning, do two dives and back by late afternoon by a (low flying) flight. very safe and extremely fun! Saba dives imho were better than st maarten.

 

[RJP]

He's on a cruise itinerary, so Saba not in the cards.

 

[RJP]

Bump: Here are the dive op choices my friend is looking at. Appreciate any specific info folks might have:

Oceans Explorers Dive Center
Kim Sha Beach (15-20 minutes from cruise ship pier in Philipsburg)
Ocean Explorers Dive Center - Scuba Diving in St Maarten / St Martin Best Dives

Scuba Fun Dive Center
At Cruise Ship Pier
Check out the best prices for your PADI scuba dives in St Maarten/St Martin

Octopus Diving and Activity Center
Grand Case (about 25 minutes from cruise ship pier)
Octopus Diving - Scuba Dive and Snorkel in St Martin / St Maarten | Octopus Diving in St Martin | Scuba Dive & Snorkel St Martin / St Maarten

Dive Adventures
Divi Dive Shop (close to cruise ship pier)
St Maarten Dive Adventures | Cruiseship

 

[Jersey]

I've been diving with 2 of the above - Ocean Explorers and Dive Adventures. I prefer OE. Full disclosure, haven't been diving with OE since original owner sold, that said, I've had other friends down and hear the same quality and high standards set have been maintained. Small op, smaller boats, not catering to the cruise ship crowd.

With the exception of Octopus, the other 3 are on Dutch side and probably do many of the same sites. The HMS Proselyte is the 'named' dive site, 1770 ship, wrecked on Man o War shoals in 1801. Nothing left but big encrusted anchors, dive about 50-65 feet. Many of the closer sites are patch coral, small reef kind of stuff, couple boats/ships - RORO (roll on/roll off), tug, sail. Most dives in the 50-75 foot range. There are supposed to be deeper/better/diverse sites further off shore, I've never been out to them.

Pleasant diving, not as rich or diverse as some places, but you never know what will cruise by... Happy to check my log books for specific sites/depths/sightings etc if your friend wants more details. (OE sign and Frenchmans Reef)

 

[motorref]

I dived with Octopus last May and wouldn't hesitate to use them again; they can make arrangements to have a taxi meet you at the pier and take you back, but it's $20 each way.
I'll be in St Maarten next week and opted to try OE because we didn't want to rent a car or spend $$ n taxis everyday.
Shoot me a pm and I'll fill you in.
Kevn L

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