Diving in St. Maarten

[scubagrl67]

Hi! I'm new at this forum. :friday

My husband and I have done a lot of scuba diving in many places, and we have an opportunity to travel to Sint Maarten this summer with our daughters (16 and 21). We have never been there before, and was wondering what your opinion was of the diving conditions and opportunities.

Would also appreciate any information about your experience just being there...topside stuff. We're not into gambling, so we'll be avoiding the casinos, but I'm more interested in what all is available during the day...the sites, the food, the people, etc., in addition to the quality of scuba diving.

Thanks very much in advance for your help!

scubagrl67

 

[johnny]

Hi,

i never dived in St Maarten but there is a volcanic island very close by called "Saba". You just jump on Twin Otter Plane and in 20minutes you are there, awesome diving there.

i remember ( back in 1999) one dive called the pinnicales, you drop down onto two pinnicales side by side about 5meters in width 10 meters apart, the top is at about 15/20 meters, the bottom is about 50m, yeap there is sharks if your lucky. The island is super relaxed, very steep everywhere, i just went there for the pinnicales and it was worth it.

just the plane ride and landing on the island is well worth it too, the runway is on a cliff.

enjoy

 

[Beaner]

Went to St. Maarten (stayed on Dutch side) in February 2004. Beautiful beaches & lovely scenery topside. Diving vis' was horrible, but there were a lot of puffers. Went to SABA to dive w/Big Mike/Little Mike & was quite disappointed compared to everyone's reviews!! They took us out in a small boat, not far from the pier & we saw puffers, a spotted sea snake (the only one I have ever seen) & the usual critters, but coral was dead!
We have heard good reviews about them before & since from friends who stayed in SABA, so not sure if we got ripped off because it was a day trip & cheaper to go close to shore.
If you don't gamble (we don't either), there is nothing to do but eat/drink at night!! Went to the French side for dinner since reviews are so high, but most menus did not appeal to my American taste buds. Be prepared for meals to take HOURS (very European style dining)!!
Do rent a car & drive around-the island has breathtaking vistas & beaches! Also, be sure to get some local made infused rum, served at most restaurants.

 

[scubagrl67]

Thanks for all your good input, Johnny & Beaner. I think we're going to look into going somewhere else other than Sint Maarten. We don't gamble, and the diving doesn't sound terribly great from all that I've since read, as well as from your input. Saba sounds great, but don't know that we'd be able to fly there as well. Thanks bunches! Will post another message if I need info on some other island that I know nothing about! scubagrl67:thankyou