St. Martin / Sint Maarten divides into two sub-areas, Sint Maarten and Saint Martin, together offering a broad mix of reef dives, wrecks, walls, drop-offs, and snorkel-friendly shallows. Reefs dominate the site list, ranging from very shallow coral formations to deeper drop-offs and canyon structures. Wrecks add variety: the deep, advanced La René sits at the far end of the skill spectrum, while the Tug Boat and Porpoise suit less experienced wreck divers. Sites like Mike's Maze reward intermediate divers with swim-throughs and arches. Marine life is rich and observation-backed across the region, with French Angelfish, Whiptail Stingray, Nurse Shark, and Great Barracuda appearing consistently. The water stays warm year-round, and the best conditions cluster from late November through April, ahead of the quieter summer months.
2 areas
33Reefs, wrecks and a rich fish community across two distinct sub-areas, with warm water and mostly beginner-friendly diving year-round.
21Reefs and purpose-sunk wrecks for all levels, with Nurse Shark, Indian Lionfish and angelfish regularly observed across three distinct coastal zones.
Monthly water temperature across St. Martin / Sint Maarten's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature remains warm throughout the year, rising toward its peak in late summer and early autumn before easing slightly through winter. The best-rated diving months run from December through April, when conditions are generally calmer and visibility is at its most reliable. The summer and early autumn months see a quieter period, likely reflecting increased weather variability typical of the season.
27 operators
Water temperature around St. Martin / Sint Maarten ranges from about 27°C in January to 30°C in September, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 27–30°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in St. Martin / Sint Maarten year-round.
Fin maps 54 sites in St. Martin / Sint Maarten (51 scuba diving sites and 13 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 2 areas.
Across St. Martin / Sint Maarten's dive sites, January, February, March, April, May and December are most often reported as the best months to visit.
The region has a strong, observation-backed species list. French Angelfish and Queen Angelfish are seen across the majority of sites, alongside Wrasses, Groupers, and Caribbean Ocean Surgeonfish. Nurse Shark and Great Barracuda are commonly encountered on the reefs, and Whiptail Stingray appearances are very frequently reported. Indian Lionfish, Spotted Moray, Porcupinefish, and Caribbean Spiny Lobster round out a diverse cast of reef inhabitants.
A large proportion of the sites are rated for beginners, including shallow reefs such as Banc Médée, Rocher Creole, and Ilet Requin, as well as the accessible Tug Boat wreck. Most of these sites are reached by boat and feature mild conditions. Intermediate and advanced sites like Mike's Maze, the Porpoise, and the deep La René wreck provide progression for more experienced divers visiting the same area.
Sint Maarten, the larger sub-area by site count, is home to a cluster of sites within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, including Coralita, Charly Shoal, and HMS Proselyte. Saint Martin's sites include the shallow Rocher Creole and Ilet Requin in Grand Case Bay, as well as the Tug Boat wreck and the Chico series of reef and canyon dives. Both sides are boat-access focused and share the same warm, consistently inhabited reefs.
There are numerous operators active across the island, covering both the Sint Maarten and Saint Martin sides. Named operators include The Scuba Shop, Ocean Explorers Dive Center, Scuba Zen, The Dive Shop, Friendly Island Divers, Bubble Shop, Blue Odyssey Diving, and Rhino Mini-Speed Boat Snorkeling Tours SXM. The range of operators means most skill levels and interests, from snorkelling tours to advanced wreck diving, can be catered for locally.
