St. Maarten - Little Bay or Orient Beach?

[pandabebe]

Hello! Will be in St. Maarten for a day. Which beach is better for snorkeling - Little Bay or Orient Beach? I've heard great reviews about both beaches but unfortunately will only have time to go to one. I love to snorkel and I'm looking for great marine life.

[Zeno]

Orient Beach is not that great for snorkeling - although one can see some fish if you snorkel in front of Pedro's (one of the restaurants on the beach. I have never snorkeled at Little Bay - so I cannot comment about it.

[gtaylor]

I'd agree that Divi has some fine snorkeling, especially off to the left of the beach, but Orient also offers some decent snorkeling if the conditions are good, i.e. not too strong a weather front moving through.

 

We often enjoy snorkeling the three reefs that go out to the right at about a 45 degree angle from the Pedro's/Orient border.