St Maarten Liveaboards

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Note: The above “Price Per Day” was correct at the time of producing this article, as was the exchange rate used to convert the GBP cost to US Dollars and Euros. For an up-to-date cost for your chosen liveaboard, please visit the booking page.

St. Maarten | St. Martin Liveaboard Discounted Deals

Liveaboard Diving in St Maarten and St Martin, Warm Caribbean Reefs, Wrecks and Easy Conditions

Island hopping to Saba and St Kitts with sharks, turtles and bright coral, perfect for your first liveaboard and experienced divers

Why choose St Maarten for a liveaboard

  • Easy, safe and fun. Most sites are shallow, around 18 metres or less. That means longer bottom times, gentler profiles and great light for photos.
  • Packed with colour. Sponges, gorgonians and healthy coral gardens, plus 11 wrecks including Proselyte Reef.
  • Real variety in one trip. Many itineraries link St Maarten, Saba and St Kitts, so you get reefs, wrecks, pinnacles and walls in a single week.
  • Wildlife you care about. Turtles, nurse and Caribbean reef sharks, barracuda, tarpon and seahorses. Humpbacks and large dolphins pass offshore from February to June.
  • Protected parks. Strong marine park rules keep fish life high, over 700 recorded species in the area.

Where you will dive

  • St Maarten, Dutch side: Shallow reefs and wrecks with bright sponges and soft coral. Highlights include Charlie’s Shoal for turtles, rays and big grouper, and Big Mama’s Reef for regular Caribbean reef sharks. Average depths are friendly for Open Water divers.
  • St Martin, French side: Rock mazes with ledges, overhangs and tunnels. Nurse sharks rest under the shelves, and there is plenty of macro around the rocks.
  • Saba: A tiny island rising from deep water. Seamounts and pinnacles bring blue-water fish and pelagics. Named sites include Twilight Zone, Third Encounter, Louis’ Ladder, Hot Springs and Man of War Shoals. You also find fringing and true coral reefs.
  • St Kitts: Calm eastern sites, lava flows now covered in coral and sponge. Look for Sandy Point, St Peters, Coconut Tree Reef, Black Coral Reef and Brimstone Hill Shallow.

A typical liveaboard week

  • Caribbean Explorer II runs an 8 day, 7 night cruise with about 25 dives, subject to conditions.
  • Pickup at Bobby’s Marina, Philipsburg on St Maarten, then three days on Saba, a night crossing and three days on St Kitts. Day 7 often includes an island tour and dinner ashore.
  • The boat is about 35 metres, sleeps up to 18 guests in 9 en-suite, air-conditioned cabins.

New to liveaboards

  • Simple routine. Briefing, buddy checks, dive. Then eat, rest and repeat. Up to four dives a day if conditions allow.
  • Less faff. Your kit stays set up on the dive deck. The crew handle fills and logistics.
  • Guided for comfort. Leaders match sites to the day’s conditions and to your experience.

Who this suits

  • Beginners and newly certified divers. Shallow, clear sites with gentle entries build confidence fast.
  • Intermediate and experienced divers. Saba’s pinnacles, sharky reefs and deeper wrecks keep things exciting.
  • Underwater photographers. Bright shallow reefs, turtles and sharks, plus structure and sponges for colour.

Conditions and best time to go

  • Year round diving: Winter air about 28 °C, water about 26 °C. Summer air about 32 °C, water about 29 °C.
  • Rainy or hurricane season: May to November. Trips usually run, but plans may change with weather. To avoid the hurricanes, choose an liveaboard itinerary from late November to April.

Getting there and departures

  • Fly into Princess Juliana International Airport in Simpson Bay, St Maarten. Transfers across the island are short.
  • Most cruises depart from Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, St Maarten. Check your ticket for exact times.

Practical tips

  • Bring your diver certification cards and consider your logbook for memories. Open Water certification is fine for most sites.
  • Money and language. US Dollars work on St Maarten, but St Martin and Saba, St Kitts uses Eastern Caribbean Dollars. English, French and Dutch are common.
  • Power. St Maarten and St Kitts use 220 to 240 V at 60 Hz with Type C plugs. Saba uses 110 V at 60 Hz with Type A or B. Bring the right adapters and any needed transformer.
  • Marine parks. Budget for park fees and follow local rules.
  • Entry and health. Check visa rules for your passport, most short stays for EU, USA, Canada and Australia do not need a visa. Arrange travel and dive insurance, and speak to your doctor about any vaccinations at least eight weeks before travel.

Why a St Maarten liveaboard is worth it

  • You dive more, with less travel time. Wake near the sites and catch the best light and calm seas.
  • You get three islands in one shot. Reefs, wrecks and pinnacles without repacking bags.
  • You get warm water and bright reefs. Ideal for your first liveaboard, and still thrilling for seasoned divers.

If you want easy dives in warm waters, with colourful reefs and a mix of wrecks and pinnacles, St Maarten liveaboards deliver. Add Saba and St Kitts, and you will come home with a full logbook and a big smile.