Scuba and Snorkelling Experiences and Tours in Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of St. Marteen, a Dutch area hidden in the heart of the Windward Caribbean Antilles. It has a curious history, since it shares territory with the French area of St. Martin. Its strategic location allows you to travel through two countries in the blink of an eye.

This particular division comes from the treaty between Holland and France in 1648, which turned the island into two micro countries. Local life is very interesting, as some people live on one side, but work on the other. Both are popular for the diversity of water activities that can be practiced, including diving and snorkeling.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are two popular activities in Philipsburg. If this is your first time on the island, I suggest you identify the best areas to dive.

St. Marteen offers a variety of dive sites, ideal for wreck diving, learning new water skills or exploring the rock formations of the sea.

Creole Rock

Creole Rock is one of the best places to snorkel or dive. In fact, many excursions from Philipsburg head to this area. If you go on your own, you can swim there, but you should take precautions. There are animals in the sea and you may encounter speeding boats. The safest and most comfortable way to get there is by ferry from Grand Case.

At the ferry terminal in Philipsburg, you can find more information about schedules.

Required level: intermediate, previous diving or snorkeling experience is recommended.Recommended if... you want to swim in the open sea without going too far from Philipsburg.

Friars Beach

At Friars Beach you can dive and snorkel in challenging but safe waters, which invite you to get out of your comfort zone. Also, the nightlife on this beach is very interesting. You can take advantage of the theme parties that are held almost every day.

The best time to visit is during the summer, that is, from June to September. Additionally, this island is twenty-five minutes from Philipsburg.

Level required: intermediate.Recommended if... you have an adventurous profile and want to explore a little-known gem.

Orient Beach and Maho Beach

Orient Beach is a beach with crystal clear waters, near Friers Beach. Here you can go snorkeling or scuba diving. It is important to watch out for surfers and boats, as they pass by the area every few minutes.

Nearby is Maho Beach, where there are always floating beds and snorkeling tubes. Airplanes take off in this area, so be careful with your eyes, as they expel intense wind and heat.

Level required: intermediate.Recommended if... you have a little experience and want to venture into new aquatic challenges.

Simpson Bay

Simpson Bay is located twenty-five minutes from Philipsburg. It is a bay with the right conditions for snorkeling and kayaking. You can find guided excursions from 50 €, which will take you to explore the sea in a relaxed way.

It is an area full of fish and corals, and even children can join the adventure.

Level required: ideal for beginners.Recommended if... you are looking for a plan to relax in Philipsburg, while exploring the underwater life of the Caribbean West Indies.

The Maze or Mike's Maze

If you want to have fun diving or snorkeling, The Maze is definitely your best option. It is an area where manta rays, lobsters, colorful fish and sea turtles abound.

You may also encounter sharks, but it is important to remain calm and follow a safety protocol. From The Maze you can swim to Teigland to see sunken ships and eagle rays.

Required level: it takes place in open water, so it is important to have an intermediate level. You can participate if you are a beginner, but you must be accompanied by a guide.Recommended if... you want to explore deep water for the first time, but don't have much diving experience.

Prickly Pear Cays

Prickly Pear Cays is a deserted island, although in recent years it has started to move, thanks to the tourist life. If you want to explore the secrets of the sea, you should definitely plan a getaway to this particular marine reserve. This beach offers some of the best things to do in St. Maarten, including diving and snorkeling experiences.

The best way to get there is by small plane, the trip takes about twenty minutes. Prices range from 135 to 420 €, it is an expensive experience, but well worth it. There are also tours that take you to get to know this island of the Antilles.

Level required: for experts only.Recommended if... you are looking for a private option. It is advisable to go in a group or as a couple, as it is far from Philipsburg.

Cole Bay

The best panoramic views and pictures of the Caribbean Sea can be taken during your water adventure at Cole Bay. It is a bay with clear and calm waters, the best thing is that some tours allow you to swim with sharks. You can choose the diving modality, or stay as an observer practicing snorkeling.

Required level: beginner to intermediate.Recommended if... you want to get to know the marine species of Philipsburg.

Tiki Hut at Divi Little Bay

Many dive and snorkel guides schedule their adventures at Tiki Hut, located in Divi Little Bay. It is a completely safe and fun area for beginners and experts alike. You can arrange an itinerary to suit your level and expectations, to spend a couple of hours swimming and exploring.

It is one of the closest bays to Philipsburg, being only nine minutes away.

Required level: suitable for all levels.Recommended if... you want to snorkel or dive in a safe environment.

Pinel Island

Pinel Island is a small island in St. Maarten located twenty minutes from Philipsburg. You must visit it, as it is one of the best kept secrets of the West Indies. Its peaceful waters allow you to swim with sea turtles, as well as discover the coral reefs.

Required level: beginner.Recommended if... you are looking for an easily accessible island where you can snorkel or dive on your own.

Green Cay

Green Cay is an island close to Pinel Island, ideal for snorkeling. You can get there in about twenty minutes, it is located in the St. Martin section. The seabed of this area offers beautiful corals, as well as a variety of species of the sea.

Required level: beginner.Recommended if... you want to take advantage of the crystal clear waters, to discover the secrets of the sea.

Mullet Bay

Mulley Bay is an ideal shore for divers, as it offers the necessary conditions for a dive. People who have little experience exploring the sea, can practice snorkeling.

Level required: intermediate.Recommended if... you want to enjoy an easy dive. Afterwards you can take advantage of the shower facilities in the area, or just have a local beer on the beach.

Happy Bay

It is a bay belonging to the French area of St. Martin. It is easy to access, since you can get there by ferry or walking along a comfortable path. It is a privileged site for snorkeling, since there is little tourist affluence and a long extension of corals to explore.

Level required: beginner.Recommended if... you are looking for an option out of the usual routes.

Scuba diving and snorkeling share many similarities with each other, as both allow you to explore the sea and its ecosystems. In Philipsburg you can find spaces for both water sports. Without a doubt, some of the best tours and excursions in St. Maarten include scuba diving and snorkeling experiences

To choose the best option, you should evaluate your experience and preferences. Snorkeling is an aquatic activity of observation, which is done at a few meters deep. Diving, on the other hand, immerses you in the depths of the sea, challenging your body and mind.

If you have little experience, I suggest you start with snorkeling. You will be able to visualize wonderful reef species and corals, without going too far from your comfort zone. To get into diving, you can take lessons or book a guided excursion.

The good news is that there are areas for all levels, ranging from beginners to experts. Note that in Philipsburg there are even areas where children can dive.

The price of these activities can vary, depending on the type of package you purchase. In general, diving and snorkeling are luxury attractions. You can find options from 50 €, however the most complete ones range from 100 to 200 €.

Generally, it includes guiding, basic training, accompaniment and wetsuit. The price can also vary depending on the duration. Some are designed for a couple of hours, while you can book diving and snorkeling practices for several days.

In addition to city tours, water sports are some of the best things to do in St. Maarten during your stay.

The best time to venture into the sea is from November to July. Undoubtedly, they are privileged islands that enjoy a good climate during eight consecutive months. During these dates you will find many people diving and snorkeling, due to the marine beauty.

Of course, I do not recommend scheduling your trip during hurricane season. Specifically from August to October, the rains and storms intensify, making the sea dangerous.

You can also schedule your trip around Christmas, to take advantage of St. Martin's activities in December.

I recommend taking sunscreen and touching it up every two hours, to avoid sunstroke. Additionally, the Caribbean Antilles offer an extremely hot tropical climate, but the sea breeze helps to cool down.

For this experience I recommend you to get up early in the morning, so you can enjoy the whole day underwater. On the other hand, during the night the sea has strong waves with high peaks. The best time of the day is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In the Caribbean there are dangerous nocturnal animals, another reason not to take this adventure at night. For example, you may encounter the Lionfish. This is an invasive species from the Indo-Pacific. It has 18 venomous spines and camouflages itself when there is not enough light.

On the beaches of Philipsburg you can find safety equipment for rent, to practice water sports on your own. However, it can be dangerous. The advantage of booking a guided tour is that you will be accompanied by professionals.

Most local guides do not recommend you to go outside the safe areas or to practice this sport unaccompanied. If you wish to dive or snorkel on your own, you should bring additional equipment, take precautions and be aware of the risks.

Additional equipment for unaccompanied water sports

If you decide to dive or snorkel on your own in Philipsburg, it is important to bring a complete safety kit.

• Pressure gauge, to know how deep you are.
• Scuba mask, this will allow you to see underwater.
• Scuba fins, they will prevent you from losing energy underwater.
• Scuba tank, it will provide you with the oxygen you need to breathe underwater.
• Wetsuit or snorkel jacket, to keep your body warm.
• Compass, it will help you to find your way easily.
• Flashlight, if you decide to dive at night or explore deep areas, it is a must-have item.
• Diving knife, it is indispensable in case you get tangled in a fishing net.

Precautions for practicing aquatic sports without company

The main precaution to practice scuba diving or snorkeling is not to do it alone. If you decide to venture out on your own, you must take into account:

• Do not stray too far from safe areas.
• Never dive or snorkel if you have a cold.
• Plan your dive.
• Check the functioning of your equipment.
• Remember that the maximum limit of immersion with safety equipment is 20 meters. In case you do not carry equipment, I recommend you not to exceed 6 meters.

Remember that when diving or snorkeling in a group or couple, everyone can help each other.

Risks of practicing water sports unaccompanied

• If you perform the dive and ascent poorly, you may suffer from lung problems, such as lung overexpansion.
• If you breathe badly underwater, you may hyperventilate and lose consciousness.
• If you get a cramp, you can quickly sink to the seabed.
• If you run out of air or become entangled with an object, you will need help. This is why it is essential to have a buddy.

In the Caribbean Sea there are many species you can explore. If you plan to dive or snorkel in Philipsburg, you can take advantage of getting to know the marine ecosystem of the region.

Parrotfish

The parrot fish or parrot fish is an endangered species, so you should not touch it. It is responsible for taking care of the coral reefs of the Caribbean.

Tang

The tang fish or surgeon fish is a very famous type of fish, since it is represented as Dorys in Finding Nemo. It is native to the Indian-Pacific Sea, but some communities can be found in the Caribbean Sea. There is also a yellow variation, whose blue eyes will captivate you.

Manta ray and eagle rays

This is a very striking marine animal, but it is important to be careful. They are friendly and hang around people while diving, but can get upset if you touch or step on them. The eagle ray is a spotted species, native to the Caribbean Sea. They tend to move in shallow water, so you are likely to encounter some in the bays.

Some species can be poisonous, so it is important to dive with a guide.

French angelfish and trumpetfish

The French angelfish is a peaceful species, which is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. However, you can find some herds off the coast of Philipsburg.

Also, the trumpetfish often lurks in the Caribbean Antilles. It receives this name because it has an elongated shape, which allows it to camouflage itself in marine ecosystems.

Corals

The coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea stand out for their striking colors. In Philipsburg you can find different species, especially if you take a snorkeling adventure. Generally, there are more corals in those areas where the waters are crystal clear and shallow.

You can also explore coral polyp formations, as well as stony corals. Additionally, some of the species you can find are the Deer Horn, Elkhorn and Brain Coral.

If you go to Philipsburg you can't miss this natural spectacle. In addition, the island also has mangroves, phanerogam meadows and saltwater lakes.

• Prepare yourself mentally and physically before diving. It is very important that your mind and body are relaxed, to avoid consuming oxygen prematurely.
• Philipsburg has about fifty dive sites, choose the options that fit your level of experience.
• Never dive before taking a plane. It is recommended to wait at least twenty-four hours to eliminate nitrogen from your body.
• If you encounter an animal, stay calm and move away slowly. Sudden movements may trigger an attack.
• Do not touch corals or marine animals, some may be poisonous.