St Maarten: Underwater Sculpture Park Snorkel Tour with Creators

Summary

Snorkel above st maarten’s sea sculptures guided by those who built them

You’ll float above 300 hauntingly beautiful underwater sculptures in Little Bay with one of the park’s original creators as your guide. Expect easy gear pickup near the cruise port, quick boat transfer across turquoise water, insider stories about St Maarten’s culture—and maybe even spot a turtle or two before heading back sun-soaked and smiling.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was nervous about the whole “snorkeling over art” thing. My mask always fogs up and I’m not exactly graceful in fins. But as soon as we met at Bobby’s Marina—right by these two blue statues, easy to spot—I relaxed a bit. Our guide, Alex (who actually helped build the sculpture park), handed out gear and cracked a joke about how even he gets tangled sometimes. The boat ride from Great Bay to Little Bay was only ten minutes but felt longer in a good way—salty breeze, pelicans flapping overhead, and that weirdly comforting smell of sunscreen mixed with diesel.

Once we dropped anchor, Alex slid into the water first and waved us in. I hesitated on the edge—cold shock on my legs—but then you look down and there they are: rows of faces, hands, even a giant conch shell set into the sand below. There’s something eerie but kind of peaceful about floating over all these sculptures at fifteen feet deep while tiny fish dart around your ankles. Alex pointed out one piece shaped like a drum and told us it honors St Maarten’s music traditions; I tried to pronounce the local name for it and he just grinned—probably butchered it. At one point I got distracted watching a parrotfish nibble at an ear and almost drifted into someone else’s float.

The best part? Alex swam alongside us the whole time, sharing stories about how they lowered each statue into place (apparently it took a lot of rope and some “creative language,” his words). He also spotted a turtle for us—everyone squealed through their snorkels—and took photos if you wanted (I caved and bought mine later; my hair looked wild). We were back on land before I realized how much time had passed, sun-warmed and salt-sticky but not rushed at all.

I still think about that moment floating quietly above all those silent faces—like being let in on a secret part of St Maarten most people never see. If you’re curious or just want to try something different near Philipsburg, this underwater sculpture park snorkel tour is worth getting your hair wet for.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkel at underwater sculpture park

• Walk to meeting point near cruise terminal
• Take 10-minute boat ride to Little Bay
• Receive snorkel gear and safety floats
• Snorkel above 300 underwater sculptures
• Listen to guide's stories and marine life info
• Return to boat and head back to shore

Top questions

How do I get to the meeting point for the snorkel tour?

The meeting point is at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, marked by two blue sculptures. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

Is snorkeling gear provided on this underwater sculpture park tour?

Yes, all snorkel equipment and safety floats are included with your booking.

How long does the boat ride take from Great Bay to Little Bay?

The boat ride takes around 10 minutes each way.

Who leads the snorkel tour at Under SXM?

The tour is led by guides who are also creators or builders of the underwater sculpture park.

Can non-swimmers join this St Maarten snorkel tour?

No, it is not recommended for non-swimmers.

Are digital underwater photos available during the tour?

Yes, professional digital photos can be purchased onboard after your swim.

How deep are the sculptures at Under SXM?

The sculptures are set at about 15 feet below the surface—you float above them while snorkeling.

Will I be back in time for my cruise departure?

Yes, tours are timed so guests return promptly; it’s designed for cruise schedules.

What’s included

Your day includes all snorkeling equipment and safety floats, an expert guide who helped create St Maarten’s underwater sculpture park, a quick scenic boat ride from Great Bay to Little Bay, digital photo purchase options onboard if you want proof you braved it (hair included), plus an easy meeting point just steps from Philipsburg’s cruise terminal so you’re never rushed getting back ashore.