The best snorkeling spots in St Maarten

Whether you are on the French or Dutch sides, there are incredible places to go snorkeling in St Maarten. Here are the most impressive sites on each side of the Island.

Saint Martin is well known for its beautiful beaches, lush mountains, clear water, and diverse marine life. It is a bucket list destination for many scuba divers and snorkelers. However, this place has a unique feature: you can visit two countries on a single tour without Leaving The Island.

The area of the Island St Martin, which is 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), has been divided between the French and Dutch Since the 1600s. . The Dutch side is well known as Saint Martin that is a constituent country of the Netherland and the French side is known as Saint Martin. This place is a French Overseas territory.

You can travel to two countries in a single trip because there is no physical border between these two sides. These sides are trendy for snorkeling spots. No matter what side you select for Snorkeling, there are always plenty of excellent snorkeling spots to explore; the following are the best places in these Caribbean Paradise.

The best smoking spots in St Maarten on the Dutch side

Here are a few famous snorkeling Spots in St Martin on the Dutch side:

Mullet Bay beach

The Sandy coastline features transparent and Opaque water and a wide variety of Marine life. This Bay is located near Maho beach, the most famous Beach on the Island. It is the best alternative for snorkelers seeking a peaceful and quiet location in the Simpson bay area.

The best snorkeling Spots on Mullet Bay beach are on the northern end near the rocks. Although the water here is usually quiet, the wind may bring stronger currents into the water with them. Therefore, staying closer to the Shore while snorkeling and wearing a flotation device like a snorkeling vest or a life jacket is suggested. That is an extra benefit for your safety and comfort. (See our recommended products here to learn more about flotation devices.)

The snorkeling spots on the Beach are acceptable and a quarter, but the facilities here are minimal, including a beach bar, umbrella rentals, and parking.

Cupecoy Beach

When you go further north, there is a beach called Cupecoy Beach. It is a fantastic spot that is surrounded by limestone cliffs. This place is very magical and beautiful. This place is among the best snorkeling sites near the limestone Caves. You can enjoy colorful fishes swimming around the onshore reef.

Cupecoy Beach Reef and the calm waters are suitable for beginners, but it could be boring for experienced and expert snorkelers. This Beach is West facing and well known for its gorgeous sunset, unique colorful fishes, and limestone Caves. When you stick around until the evening at this Beach, you may be able to enjoy the magical and brilliant display of colors in the sky that is no less than a magical fantasy world.

Most snorkelers get to the Beach via the Sapphire Beach Club, but the expert swimmers can travel along the Shoreline from Mullet Bay. However, it is strongly recommended that you stick around the Shore and keep in mind the changing currents of the water with the wind for your safety.

One more thing about this Beach I would like to tell you is this Beach is clothing optional. That means it is not necessary to wear clothes on the Beach. You may see nude swimmers and sunbathers here at this spot. Very few amenities are present at the Beach, so you should plan accordingly.

Little Bay Beach

This wonderful Bay is well known for its clear underwater view and diverse sea life. Snorkelers may have the chance to watch sea life, such as octopuses, tropical fishes, and eels.

Going to this Beach would be an adventurous trip because it has many coral reefs and 6 shipwrecks, and some 16 century Cannon in the Bay, making it exciting. In addition to Snorkeling, The Tourist can Hike up to Fort Amsterdam for the fantastic views and rent paddle boards to explore more of the Bay.

The best snorkeling Spots in St Martin on the french side

Here are some best snorkeling Spots in St Martin on the French side

Creole Rock

In the north of Grand case, there is a Small Island called creole rock. This is an uninhabited area. Expert swimmers can get there only by swimming, but most take a boat ride from the Grand case or book a guided tour due to the more traffic in that area.

The sea around the creole rock is enriched with marine life, including angelfish parrots, fish stingrays, and sea Turtles. Booking the best snorkeling excursion will help you to find more reefs However, you must be cautious because this area is enriched with fire, Coral, and sea urchins.

Since this rock is home to many birds, tourists cannot go above the tideline. Unluckily The heavy boat traffic has caused so much distress to the reef And The Marine ecosystem. So when you go there for Snorkeling, make sure not to disturb their natural ecosystem and practice good snorkel etiquette.

Pinel Island

This Island is located near Orient way, a fantastic destination for snorkelers of all levels. This Island is famous for its protected reserve nature, and it is enriched with the wildlife on the land and Marian life in the sea. While Snorkeling, the snorkelers can enjoy watching sea Turtles, hermit crabs, stingrays, iguanas, and reefs.

You can get access to this Island via a 5-minute ferry ride from Cul de Sac or book your tourist guides like this six-hour snorkeling and beach tour to help you thoroughly. There are several bars and restaurants on the Island where you can rent a place, paddle boards, beach chairs, and other stuff. We strongly suggest bringing your snorkeling gear set with you. You can buy a snorkeling gear set online or on Amazon( see our recommendations for a snorkeling gear set).

Tintamarre Island

It is located a couple of miles Offshore from Orient Bay. It is a stunning place to snorkel and a fantastic spot to relax on the white Sandy Beach. You can relax here on this inhabited Island by swimming in calm waters and viewing sea life such as sea Turtles, tropical fish, and stingrays.

If you really want to visit this Island, you should plan accordingly as this Island is an uninhabited island book your guided excursion or you can charter a catamaran or speedboat. and there is a lack of facilities on this Island.

Happy Bay Beach

This Beach is the perfect gateway for those who really appreciate nature and its beauty. However, if you really want to find the best snorkeling sport, visit Happy Bay Beach. It is famous not only for Snorkeling but for the different varieties of fish along the edge of the Beach.

If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet area, go to happy Bay early in the morning and leave by early afternoon. There is more traffic as the days go on. You can get to the Beach within the 10-minute walk from friar’s Bay. It is advised to bring all the things you need to Sandy beach because there are no facilities or amenities on this secluded Beach.

Tips for Snorkeling in Saint Martin and St Martin beach

You can snorkel in St Maarten, possibly all Year, but the best time to visit these places is between November and May. The peak season for The Tourist coming here is from mid-December to mid-April. just because you can enjoy the best weather at this time of the Year, you will also experience the most crowded Beach and extravagant prices of the things and services.

All thanks to the tropical climate, St Martin have relatively consistent temperature throughout the Year. The average annual temperature of this Island is 81 Fahrenheit / 27-degree centigrade, and the temperature of water ranges from 79 to 82 Fahrenheit / 26 to 28-degree centigrade. And if we talk about rain showers, they are most likely in the season from May to November, and hurricanes are also possible from June to November.

Even during the rainy season, showers are not too much strong and short-lived; that is why you can possibly enjoy outdoor activity in all the months of the Year. You need to keep in mind that hotels and restaurants are operated seasonally as their price varies differently throughout the Year, so you have to take care of this thing while planning to go to St Martin for Snorkeling.

Selection based on your interest, a French side or the Dutch side?

Both sides of the Island are stunning destinations with amazing snorkeling spots. On the French side, it has more strong European influences, and it offers more peace but fewer tourists. This site of St Martin is famous for its nudity. Because there are nude beaches spread all around this french side, nudity is generally more common and acceptable on the french side. While the dutch side tends to be lively with more water currents to the Caribbean, and it has more tourists than the french side.

While staying on the french side, you can explore French culture, cuisine, and language staying outside of Europe. This Beach is more Peaceful and less crowded; as a whole, this area is less developed than the dutch side of St Martin. The official currency of this site is Euro, but in some places, they can accept US dollars.

The Dutch side of the Island is multicultural and has more of a Caribbean Vibe. This place is full of Dutch Vibes, but as it is multicultural, people there speak both languages Dutch and English, but only 5% of the population speak the Dutch language.

Due to the casinos and nightclubs, Saint Martin is considered to be more developed, and it has better nightlife. This place is very close to the airport and very famous among Cruise ship passengers. The official currency of that place is the Netherlands Antilles florin( NAF), but like the French side of St Martin, the US dollar is also acceptable in this region or Beach.

As a whole, if you think about choosing the place to stay in Saint Martin / St Martin, it would be a very simple decision. It’s just about your interest and taste. If you want to live in a more attractive place with an amazing night lifestyle, you can choose the Dutch side of the Island, but if you are looking for quiet locations with peaceful and more private beaches and incredible nature, you can go for the French side of the Island.

Best places to stay in St. Marteen

There are many fantastic places to stay for snorkelers on both the French and Dutch sides of the Island. On the French side, you can stay at Grand Case Beach Club, which is a very popular choice. On the Beach, you can get easy access to Creole rock, Friars Bay beach, and Happy Bay. This is a 3-star hotel with the best values in the area, and it includes complimentary water sports equipment and gear sets. If you want to rent a place in St Martin, you can also select this waterfront Bangalow in Cul-de-Sac just near Pinel Island.

If you want to stay on the Dutch side, our best recommendation would be the Morgan Resort SPA & village in Simpsons Bay. This is also a 3-star reserve and is very close to the famous Beach and top snorkeling sites that include Cupecoy Beach & Mullet Bay Beach.

Best snorkeling tours in St Maarten

When you plan to go somewhere for Snorkeling, it is very stressful to do research about the places around that Beach. If you want to cover multiple outing points in a single tour, it is suggested you should book a guided snorkeling tour. It is very helpful for you because it allows you to see many places in a single tour.
There is a full-day snorkeling tour on Viator that departs from Philipsburg and combines several of the Other top snorkeling sites, such as Tintmarre Island creole rock and grand case.

There is another top choice among visitors to Saint Martin, which is 6 hours Speed Boat snorkeling tour. This tour includes stops at Pinel Island creole rock Tintamarre Island and Mullet Bay.
If you are looking for an exclusive tour for you or your family group, you can consider this private catamaran charter. The tours on Viator include all the equipment for Snorkeling, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding that allows you to enjoy Saint Martins’s coastline without any restrictions and stress.

Reference

1. Formalities” St Martin tourist office https://www.st-martin.org/us/travel-easy/practical-guide/formalities/

2. Chepkemoi, Joyce. “What Languages Are Spoken In Sint Maarten?” WorldAtlas, 29 Sept. 2017 https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-sint-maarten.html

3. “Diving in Sint Maarten.” PADI https://www.padi.com/diving-in/sint-maarten/

4. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Saint Martin.” https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Martin-island-West-Indies ↩

5. Saint Martin (Island) Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Martin_(island)