St Maarten Discover Scuba: Shallow Reef Dive for Beginners

Glide through calm Caribbean waters with a friendly PADI guide by your side

Discover Scuba is a beginner dive in St Maarten led by a PADI instructor on a shallow artificial reef at Divi dive site, reaching a maximum depth of 25 feet. You explore a helicopter wreck, search for octopuses and stingrays, and observe tropical fish in calm, clear water. The activity lasts three hours and departs from either Simpson Bay Resort or Divi Little Bay depending on where you are on the island. All scuba gear, beverages and professional guidance are included. Minimum age is 12 years, and you must be a strong swimmer in good health.

The experience

You're arriving in St Maarten with a free afternoon, or you're docked at port and want to get underwater without certification classes. This dive skips the classroom and puts you straight into the water with a trained PADI instructor who walks you through the basics as you descend. The site is Divi's shallow artificial reef (a helicopter wreck sitting in about 25 feet of water) chosen specifically because the calm conditions and low depth give you room to get comfortable with your equipment before you move around and explore.

The wreck itself is the anchor of the dive. You'll search the rocks and sandy areas around it for octopuses hiding in crevices and stingrays settled on the bottom, then watch the common tropical fish that hang around the structure year-round. Lionfish and other less common species show up too. The whole experience is built around what you can actually do at that depth and pace, not what looks impressive on video. All your gear (wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask, fins) comes with you. The operator provides water, juice and soda throughout the three hours.

Departures run from two locations: Simpson Bay Resort in the Cole Bay and Simpson Bay area at 1:00pm, or Divi Little Bay in the Philipsburg, Oyster Pond, Dawn Beach, Orient and Little Bay area at 1:15pm. Pick the one closest to where you're staying. You'll need to arrive 30 minutes early to complete a health questionnaire: some pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart issues may prevent you from diving, so check PADI's medical form before you book. You must be at least 12 years old and a strong swimmer. Diving within 24 hours of flying is not recommended.

What’s included

• All scuba gear including wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask and fins.
• professional PADI instructor.
• water, juice and soda throughout the dive.
• three-hour activity with 30-minute arrival window.

Options for this experience

2 options

Simpson Bay Resort - check-in at 1:00pmGuide in English · 13:30Check-in is at 1pm for the tour, which departs from Simpson Bay Resort at 1:30pm.

Divi Little Bay - check-in at 1:15pmGuide in English · 13:30The tour leaves from Divi Resort Little Bay at 2pm, with check-in at 1:15pm. This spot is well suited to cruise ship passengers.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 13:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Aqua Mania Adventures

Is this one for you?Book the Simpson Bay Resort departure at 1:00pm if you're staying in the Cole Bay or Simpson Bay area, or the Divi Little Bay departure at 1:15pm if you're based in Philipsburg or the eastern beaches. Each timing fits the geography of the island so you're not traveling far before you get in the water.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will I actually see on the Divi shallow reef dive?

The dive centers on a helicopter wreck in about 25 feet of water, surrounded by rocks and sandy patches. You'll look for octopuses hiding in crevices, stingrays resting on the sand, and the tropical fish that live around the structure. Lionfish and other less common species appear regularly too.

Do I need scuba certification to do this dive?

No. Discover Scuba is designed for beginners with no certification. A PADI instructor teaches you the basics in the water and stays with you throughout the dive, so you learn as you go on the shallow reef.

Which departure location should I choose?

Simpson Bay Resort departs at 1:00pm and serves the Cole Bay and Simpson Bay area. Divi Little Bay departs at 1:15pm and serves Philipsburg, Oyster Pond, Dawn Beach, Orient and Little Bay. Pick whichever is closer to where you're staying on the island.

What's included in the three-hour dive?

All scuba gear (wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask, fins), a professional PADI guide, water, juice and soda are included. You'll need to arrive 30 minutes before your departure time to complete a health questionnaire.

Can I dive if I flew in today?

Diving within 24 hours of flying is not recommended due to decompression concerns. If you arrived today, wait until tomorrow to book this dive.

What health conditions might prevent me from diving?

Pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart conditions and spinal injuries may prevent you from diving. You'll complete a health questionnaire before the dive, and PADI provides a medical form you can review beforehand with your doctor if you have any concerns.