It is without a doubt that snorkeling in Saint-Martin will be an eye-opening experience! In the north of the Caribbean, this island is a small, picturesque island. A popular holiday destination for snorkelers, Saint-Martin offers great opportunities to explore the underwater world, with its 67km coastline and 35 beaches. Located off the main island, the creeks, beaches, and islets offer a variety of spots to explore: in transparent water, we encounter colorful fish swimming on the reef, and sometimes rays or turtles.
Where to go snorkeling in Saint Martin/Sint Maarten?
Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Saint-Martin is a small Caribbean island that is French in the north and Dutch in the south. There are more than fifteen excellent snorkeling spots on Saint-Martin, both on its main island and on the surrounding islets. Therefore, snorkeling in Saint-Martin is a must!
Snorkeling in Saint-Martin (French part) : the best spots
If you want to go snorkeling in Saint.-Martin, follow this guide! There are many snorkeling spots in the French part of the island. You will be able to observe many fish around preserved coral spats in Coconut Grove, on the east coast of Baie de l’Embouchure. And our Saint-Martin boat charter can take you there for a great session!
Our favorite snorkeling spots in Saint-Martin are Friar’s Bay and Happy Bay, near Grand Case. Both offer a nice variety of marine species and interesting bottoms. This is also the starting point for boat trips to Creole Rock, which rises a few hundred meters from the coast, its rocky cliffs licked by a crystal sea.
However, for the best snorkeling in Saint-Martin, head to the islands and islets in the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve, a 30km2 marine protected area. At Tintamarre, Îlet Pinel/Petite Clef, and Caye Verte, you can snorkel with turtles, rays, and a variety of reef fish.
The best snorkeling spots in Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
The Dutch part of Sint Maarten, which corresponds to the south of the island, also has a number of sites where you can indulge in the pleasure of snorkeling. West of Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, as well as Cupecoy Beach, are great snorkeling spots that combine relaxation on the sand with exploring the seabed.In Simpson Bay, you can explore several shipwrecks from the shore. Kim Sha beach, in the eastern extension of Simpson Bay beach, is another good place to get in the water.
Dawn Beach is the only snorkeling spot on the Dutch east coast.You may also enjoy snorkeling in Little Bay/Divi Bay, just 1km east of Indigo Bay/Cay Bay, which has been recognized as one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
What can you see underwater when snorkeling in Saint-Martin?
The underwater life in Saint-Martin echoes that of the Caribbean. Inhabiting waters around the island are coral, sponges and gorgonians, all helping to form a variety of reefs. You’ll find an abundance of fish like French angelfish, four-eyed butterfly fish, blue surgeon and comade carangue as well as hundreds of other species. Exploring further among corals and rocks might bring you face-to-face with morays, antennae or scorpion fish. To spot green turtles, stingrays or leopard rays head to the Nature Reserve St Martin; Îlet Pinel, Petite Clef and Tintamarre are the best spots for viewing them.
[…] explore. Popular dive sites include Sandy Island, Little Bay and Prickly Pear Cays. If you prefer snorkeling, you can head to Shoal Bay East, where you can see tropical fish, sea turtles and even manta […]