Scuba diving holidays in Sint Maarten-Saint Martin

Visitors to the beautiful island of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin pass back and forth between two countries without even realising it as the boundary is almost imperceptible. This is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Sint Maarten is owned by the Dutch and St Martin is owned by the French, and this amicable arrangement has worked for over 350 years. Each side has fortunately managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture, but with a Caribbean twist, which is what makes this small island so unique.

Of course, Sint Maarten/St Martin boasts the beauty of any other Caribbean island, with its crystal clear waters and pristine white sandy beaches. The island may be small, covering just 37 square miles, but there are 37 beaches and plenty to do here. Scuba diving is just one of the options, and there are some interesting and varied dives sites to explore. Moderate depths mean that diving is easy and relaxed here, so it is perfect for beginners who want to build their confidence whilst seeing some spectacular underwater scenery. Marine life is abundant and you are likely to see hundreds of different fish species, from colourful tropical fish, to barracuda and tarpon, as well as stingrays, manta and eagle rays, nurse and reef sharks, flying gurnard, moray eels, lobsters, endangered green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, and many other interesting marine creatures. This diverse underwater world is incredible.

The coral reef systems around the island are also a sight to behold, and they are in pristine condition. A variety of hard and soft corals, sponges and sea fans can be observed clearly as the water visibility is excellent for scuba diving. There is also a good variety of man-made reefs and mysterious wrecks to explore around the island, one of the most popular being Proselyte Reef, named after the HMS Proselyte, a British man-of-war that sank a mile offshore in 1801. The ship is covered in vibrant corals and inhabited by a myriad of marine life. Cannons and foot anchors are also still recognizable, making it an unforgettable dive as you discover a piece of maritime history. Other sites worth visiting include Tugboat Annie, Lucy's Barge, Frenchman's Reef, Pelican Rock, Green Cay and Creole Rock, to name just a few.

There are numerous dive centres in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin to cater for divers' requirements, whether you are a novice looking for equipment and training or an experienced diver looking for new challenges and advice on the best dive sites around the island. An exciting combination of cave, reef, wreck, shark and night dives make scuba diving in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss.