Diving the wrecks in St Maarten

Diving the wrecks in St Maarten

Here you will find the best wreck dive sites in St Maarten — 0 spots with depth, level, current and the liveaboards that visit them.

Wreck diving in St Maarten — what to expect

St Maarten is where wreck stops being a plan on paper and becomes the dive you keep talking about.

Wreck diving means exploring sunken ships, planes and other man-made structures that have turned into artificial reefs. Expect metal architecture, history and often deeper profiles, with penetration reserved for trained divers. Here you will find the best wreck dive sites in St Maarten — 0 real spots with depth, level, current and access. Compare conditions, season and marine life, then pick the site that matches your certification and experience. Every listing links to the liveaboards and dive resorts in St Maarten that actually visit these sites.

Why divers fly to St Maarten

The most breathtaking wreck dive sites in St Maarten

Every wreck dive site in St Maarten worth planning a trip around — ranked by what you actually see underwater and how reliably it can be dived.

Depth, level, current, best season and the liveaboards that dive them: all 0 dive sites in one place.

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Editorial ranking

Top 15 wrecks worldwide

Our editorial top 15, based on how often each site appears in published best-of rankings, dive guides and operator reports.

From bucket-list classics to lesser-known gems, these sites cover the full range of experience levels and conditions.

Compare depth, current, access and the liveaboards that reach each site to plan your next underwater adventure.

© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
1

SS Thistlegorm

Egypt

1941 WWII cargo wreck, ~30 m, Red Sea, sunk by German bombers

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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
2

San Francisco Maru

Micronesia (chuuk/truk Lagoon)

117 m Japanese cargo ship sunk in 1944 Operation Hailstone, 64 m depth

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Liveaboards diving in St Maarten

Liveaboard diving in St Maarten means more dive sites per trip: these vessels run real, bookable departures with cabins for solo divers, buddy teams and small groups. Compare boat size, cabin layout, dive deck and nitrox, then check the cheapest price per day before you book. Every St Maarten dive safari below is confirmed with live availability and current operator pricing.

Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard diving in St Maarten – view trips, cabins and prices

Caribbean Explorer II

St. Maarten

$249
All liveaboards in St Maarten

Conditions & practicalities

Diving in St Maarten: seasons, conditions and logistics

0 dive sites in St Maarten — here is what the season data says about the best months, water temperature, visibility and currents, plus how divers usually get there and which fees to budget for.

Best months
Apr–Jul, Dec
Water temperature
26–29 °C
Visibility
22–32 m
Currents
Mild — Most reefs can be dived without drift skills; water only picks up around channels and exposed corners. Newly certified divers with decent buoyancy are comfortable here.
Getting there
Most divers fly into the nearest international airport and continue by transfer or domestic flight to the departure port; liveaboards usually leave the evening before day one.
Permits & fees
Marine park fees, port taxes and nitrox are rarely included in the trip price — budget a few hundred dollars extra and check the visa rules before booking.

FAQ

Diving in St Maarten FAQ

When is the best time to dive in St Maarten?
Diving conditions in St Maarten change throughout the year. Check our month-by-month best-time-to-dive guides to plan around peak visibility, weather and marine life encounters.
Do I need a liveaboard to dive in St Maarten?
A liveaboard gives you access to remote dive sites in St Maarten that day boats cannot reach, plus 3–5 dives per day in maximum comfort. For the best dives in St Maarten, a liveaboard is the recommended choice.
What certification do I need to dive in St Maarten?
Most St Maarten liveaboards require Open Water as a minimum, with Advanced Open Water and 30+ logged dives recommended for currents and deeper sites. Some expert routes require Tech or 100+ dives.
How much does a St Maarten liveaboard cost?
Liveaboard prices in St Maarten typically range from €1,500 to €6,000+ per week depending on vessel category, route length and season. Browse the boats below for live pricing.
Do I need a visa for St Maarten?
Visa requirements vary by your nationality. Always check the latest entry rules with the destination's official government source before booking flights.
Is diving in St Maarten safe for beginners?
Many St Maarten sites are beginner-friendly, but some routes feature strong currents or deep walls suited only to experienced divers. Check each vessel's recommended experience level.
Plan your trip

Ready to dive in St Maarten?

Explore the St Maarten destination guide or search liveaboards that visit these sites.

St Maarten destination guideLiveaboards in St Maarten