What is wrong with St. Maarten?

[unavox]

Is it a no dive place?

[Loves_Dogs]

We used Dive Safari in St Maarten, here is a link:

http://www.divestmaarten.com/

 

A few more helpful links:

http://www.caribdiveguide.com/St_Maarten.htm

 

http://www.scubalinx.com/caribbean/st_maarten/st_maarten_dive_centers.html

 

Safe diving and have a great cruise!

[gmcrow]

It simply isn't known for great diving. Our last dives there in December had vis of only 15-20 feet even though seas were calm. The reef we dove would have been a wonderful dive site though, in better conditions. Lots of swim thrus. Our dives there last year had vis of about 40 feet and we enjoyed the dives. Sealife included seahorses, octopus, turtles, and nurse sharks. I'd hardly rate that as a no dive place. pictures and reviews at http://www.cruisedivers.blogspot.com

[Pilot70D]

The diving around St. Maarten is mediocre at best particularly when compared to some of the better Caribbean dive locations, St. Lucia, Dominica, Aurba, Bonaire, Curacao to name a few.

 

We dove St. Maarten twice, the most recent being year before last. The water was warm. The visibility ranged from OK to good but St. Maarten doesn't have the spectacular coral that other locations have nor does it have the variety and abundance of marine life.

 

This last December we dove St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Barbados. We elected to not go diving while in St. Maarten. Another couple who dove with us on all four of these other destinations did go diving on St. Maarten and were very disappointed. The dive operator did a good job and was very professional but the underwater sights and conditions just weren't very good.

 

For us it boils down to this. If the choice was to go diving on St. Maarten or do no diving at all then we would dive St. Maarten. Given a choice however we choose to save the $200 and dive elsewhere.

 

Hope this is helpful. Stay warm and enjoy that next dive wherever it may take place.

[bruce-r]

Is it a no dive place?

 

It probably would be for me if for some reason I stopped there on a cruise, which would be unlikely because there are better places to diving in the Caribbean.

[TheVegasMan]

Take the ferry to Saba and dive there if time allows. The ferry leaves the Pelican Resort marina at 9:00 and returns about 5:00. I dove with Saba Deep and had a wonderful time. You place your lunch order with the restaurant next door before your first dive and they have it ready when you come back between the two dives.

 

http://www.stmaarten-activities.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=26

 

http://www.sabadeep.com/