St Maarten: Scuba Diving Tour for Certified Divers & Wrecks

Summary

Caribbean wreck dives reef life turtles sharks in St Maarten

You’ll slip into St Maarten’s clear waters with a small group and local guide, exploring vibrant reefs or historic wrecks like the Proselyte. Expect close-up moments with turtles or lobsters, plus all your scuba gear included and drinks waiting after your dives. If you love that hush underwater feeling—you’ll get it here.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to drop backward off a boat into the Caribbean, mask fogging a little, heart thumping? That’s how my morning started in St Maarten. Our dive guide, Jeroen—who somehow remembered everyone’s name—checked our gear and cracked a joke about “finding Nemo’s Dutch cousin.” The sun was already fierce, but under the surface it all went blue and quiet, except for my own bubbles and the distant click of someone’s tank.

The first site was a reef—soft corals swaying, those tiny purple fish darting everywhere. I nearly missed a turtle gliding by until someone tapped their tank (thanks, Sophie). The water tasted just faintly salty through the reg, and even though I’ve done plenty of dives before, there’s something about the light down there that makes everything feel new. Our group was small—maybe 8 of us—and nobody rushed. Jeroen pointed out a lobster wedged so deep in a crevice I almost thought he was joking.

Second dive was supposed to be the Proselyte wreck if weather held. It did. There’s this moment when you see the outline of an old ship appear out of nowhere—kind of eerie, honestly. Fish everywhere, sponges growing over what used to be cannons (I think?). Someone tried to sign “shark” underwater but I only caught the tail end—pun intended. Back on board after, we passed around juice and sodas and compared notes on what we’d seen. My hair felt crunchy from salt and sun, but I didn’t care; I still think about that silent world sometimes when things get noisy up here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Two tank scuba dive tour

• Meet your expert diving guide
• Explore one reef dive
• Explore one wreck dive or second reef
• Observe marine life including turtles and sharks

Top questions

Do I need to be PADI certified for this St Maarten scuba diving tour?

Yes, you must have at least Open Water certification and bring your card at check-in.

How many people are on each dive trip?

The tour is limited to 12 people per group for a more personal experience.

What kind of dive sites will we visit?

You’ll do either one reef and one wreck dive or two reef dives depending on conditions; possible sites include the Proselyte wreck.

Is scuba gear provided on this day trip?

Yes, all necessary scuba equipment is included in your booking.

Are drinks included during the trip?

You’ll get water, juice, or soda after your dives are finished.

Can beginners join this St Maarten diving tour?

No, you must be certified; newly certified divers are welcome as long as they meet requirements.

How recent should my last dive be before joining?

Your last dive should have been within the past 12 months; otherwise ask about a refresher course first.

Is hotel pickup included for this scuba tour?

No hotel pickup is listed; public transport options are available nearby instead.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary scuba gear set up by staff before boarding, two guided dives at selected reefs or wrecks around St Maarten with an experienced local guide leading each group underwater, plus cold water, juice or soda served back on board between dives before returning to shore together.