**Please note, in this post there is no detailed information of the dive sites individually. More info coming soon. Here you can find information where to anchor, how to moor and register your boat with SXM Nature Foundation.
Little did we know that Sint Maarten happens to be one of THE dive spots in the Caribbean when we wet sail towards the Dutch island. Surprise was a pleasant one. Here I am sharing you some of the diving spots around the South of the island, and process to get the access to the dive sites.
The island is shared with French St Marten. Following info is in regards of diving in the Dutch side off the island. If you want to read about diving in the French side, click HERE.
Sint Maarten is a fun mix of great cruising, nature, outdoor activities and conveniences such as grocery shop selections, services, and entertainment in Caribbean environment.
And when it comes to Diving, there are plenty of different dives to choose!
We did all the dives around the area from 40ft monohull.
March – April time , the water temperature was around 27-29 C°, visibility stayed overall good the whole time. At its best it was 25 meters.
Marine reserve area
17°59.3’N 63°3.3’W
Anchor:
Closest over night stay spot is in the bay of Philipsburg, known as Groot Baai. You can Anchor in the bay just west of the entrance channel, in front of the town. Alternatively, just a 3.5 nm:s away is Simpsons Bay, where anchoring is possible, and popular. From Simpsons Bay you can also access into the Simpsons Lagoon. through the Bridge. Bridge opening hrs you can find HERE. The Lagoon option offers you a choice with more protected anchorage or multiple dockage options in marinas.
Philipsburg / Groot Baai offers quieter overnight stay as the town is mainly known as the main cruise ship port, and cruisers tend to rather anchor in the Simpsons Bay. The anchorage is within easy and short ride to the beach, but luckily the town noises didn’t reach to bug us.* Light show from the casinos and shopping centres is guaranteed! Port has customs and immigration offices, gas station and a small chandlery within an easy access.
Great protection from E, N, EN, SE and NW winds. When the swell is southerly, this anchorage becomes a little rolly. You can anchor anywhere in between 5-2 meters depth when in the bay. Great holding, sandy bottom.
In Simpsons Bay, you can anchor to the East side of the Bay, just South of the entrance channel to the bridge, or to the North/North East side of the Bay. I highly recommend the most Eastest point you can find! There is a little dockage in front of the hotels, and nest to Buccaneers Beach Bar, close by tour boats. You ideally want to find a spot close there, however, Simpsons Bay on the busy season can be filled with cruisers and finding a spot between boats can be tricky.
Good protection from E, N, EN and NW wind if you find a spot tucked into the most Eastern corner of the bay. The more open anchorage in the North side of the Bay doesn’t have much protection from the strong E winds coming across the Lagoon. Anchorage can get really swelly with S swell.
You can anchor anywhere in between 8 and 2 meters. Holding is overall good, occasional spots in the bay tend to drag, so make sure you let some extra chain down if you can! Be careful and have your eyes open for wrecks and reefs in the bay, most of them have been marked in the charts, however, a little extra carefulness in the Bay and in the Lagoon doesn’t hurt.
Moor:
You can literally sail to the dive sites, crab a well maintained mooring ball, and dive directly from your boat, if your vessel meets the Nature Foundation requirements. To do this, you will have to pay a annual fee to register your boat. In 2021 the fee was 250$ per vessel. Additionally every diver has to hold a dive tag, purchased from the same organisation. Personal tag is 15$ per year. You can find the registration process from Sint Marteen Nature Foundations website by clicking HERE. I was very happy supporting the foundation, that gives you an access to use their dive sites and moorings. They truly do a really good work reserving the marine areas and maintaining the moorings. An easy way is to visit the Nature Foundations office in Lac Baai, North side of the Bay next to Island Waterworld. You can make applications, payments and ask any questions there!
All moorings are easily accessible. The south of the island can get big swell from E and S, good conditions for the dives are desirable.
Dives:
Most of the sites are located East of the West cardinal mark, just South of Philipsburg. There are a couple of more West of the cardinal mark, a wreck and a reef dive. Each site has it’s own mooring. The sites vary from 15 meters to 30 meters. Detailed info of each dive site coming soon.
We had amazing dives! All sites are very different one to another. You find walls, wrecks, slopes, canyons and reef and plenty of marine life We saw Nurse, white tip reef sharks, lemon sharks, plenty of barracudas, nudibranches, angel fish everywhere, cuttle fish, octopis, turtles.. I could keep going..
The whole area is defiantly worth to discover!
*These notes are from 2021, when COVID19 had stopped majority of cruise ships operations. Town can be very different and louder know!
Sailing Divers 