Dive Site: Fuh Sheng

About Fuh Sheng

The Fuh Sheng is a captivating deep wreck dive located near Cupecoy Cay in St. Maarten. This 120-foot Taiwanese fishing vessel sank in 1995 and now lies on its port side, inviting experienced divers to explore its structure. The wreck is renowned for its exceptional visibility, often allowing divers to spot it from the surface on sunny days, despite its significant depth. This site is ideal for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth and the potential for penetration. The Fuh Sheng offers a unique opportunity to circumnavigate the vessel from bow to stern, revealing a variety of reef fish sheltering within its nooks and crannies. The surrounding sandy seabed is home to intriguing marine life, complementing the wreck's structure. The initial sinking of the Fuh Sheng involved an interesting struggle; an air pocket kept the bow afloat, necessitating a commercial diver to cut a hole for air release before it settled to the seafloor. This history adds to the allure of exploring the wreck, which has since become a vibrant artificial reef. The dive provides a fascinating glimpse into the island's underwater history and ecology. Diving the Fuh Sheng combines the thrill of wreck exploration with encounters with Caribbean marine species, making it a memorable experience. Its depth and layout ensure a challenging yet rewarding dive for those with appropriate certification and experience.

Dive site facts: Fuh Sheng

Depth

30-34 m

Typical dive

30-34 m, 30-40 min

Current

Moderate

Visibility

15-30 m

Water temperature

25-30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced Open Water Diver with wreck experience

Dive type

Wreck, deep

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

St. Maarten (Dutch side)

Coordinates

18.025, -63.135

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Fuh Sheng can vary, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers. While St. Maarten generally offers gentle conditions, specific dive sites like the Fuh Sheng, being an open ocean wreck, may experience moderate currents. Divers should be prepared for potential drift and maintain excellent buoyancy control, especially when exploring around or within the wreck. Visibility at the site is consistently good, often reaching up to 30 meters, contributing to a pleasant dive experience despite any prevailing currents. Water temperatures remain warm year-round, ranging from 25-27°C in winter and 28-30°C in summer, ensuring comfortable diving.

Marine life & sighting chances

Caribbean spiny lobster

common

Spotted moray eel

common

Arrow crab

common

Garden eel

common

Southern stingray

occasional

Reef shark

occasional

Barracuda

occasional

Jack

occasional

French angelfish

occasional

Trumpetfish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Fuh Sheng begins with a thrilling descent down the mooring line, which is typically attached to the bow of the wreck. As you descend, you'll witness the large fishing vessel emerge from the gorgeous dark blue water. Upon reaching the sandy bottom at approximately 30-34 meters, keep an eye out for hundreds of garden eels undulating from the sand. The dive usually involves circling the 120-foot vessel from bow to stern, exploring the deck area and what remains of the pilot/crew house. For certified wreck divers, brief penetration into the interior is possible to see features like the engine room. You'll then begin a slow ascent, taking time for a safety stop at 5 meters, often joined by curious jacks and barracudas, before surfacing.

Underwater photography

The Fuh Sheng wreck, with its significant depth and excellent visibility, offers fantastic opportunities for wide-angle photography. A wide-angle lens is essential to capture the entire structure of the 120-foot vessel and its artificial reef qualities. For interior shots or exploring crevices for macro subjects like crabs and eels, a focus light and strobes are highly recommended to bring out vibrant colors and detail. Be mindful of your buoyancy, especially if attempting wreck penetration, to avoid stirring up silt and to protect the delicate marine growth. Capture the dramatic outlines of the wreck against the deep blue, and don't miss the panoramic views of the garden eel colonies on the surrounding sand.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Carib Cargo

  Another significant wreck dive, suitable for all levels, offering internal exploration opportunities.

• HMS Proselyte

  A historic 19th-century frigate wreck covered in corals, popular for its rich marine life.

• Charlie's Shoal

  A vibrant fringing reef with calm waters, suitable for open water divers to spot turtles and rays.

• The Bridge

  An artificial reef created from old bridge wreckage and other installations, attracting diverse marine life.

• Big Mama's Reef

  Known for Caribbean reef shark encounters and vibrant reef ecosystems.

Getting there & logistics

Diving the Fuh Sheng typically involves day trips from operators based in St. Maarten. The primary international gateway is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Most dive excursions depart from marinas on the Dutch side of the island. Dive packages often combine wreck dives like Fuh Sheng with visits to shallower reefs or other wrecks. There are no specific permits required for individual divers, but operators will manage any necessary marine park fees. Trips are commonly integrated into longer dive itineraries ranging from single days to multi-day resort stays, or as part of a liveaboard itinerary that might also visit nearby islands like Saba or St. Kitts.

Safety & environment

Diving the Fuh Sheng, due to its depth, requires advanced certification and experience with deep and wreck diving. Always ensure you dive within your training limits and adhere to no-decompression limits. The nearest recompression chamber is in St. Maarten itself. Divers should have comprehensive dive insurance, such as DAN, which covers emergency evacuation and medical treatment, as local facilities may be limited for severe dive-related injuries. Always follow your dive guide's instructions, maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the wreck or disturbing marine life, and plan your gas consumption carefully for the intended depth and duration.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Fuh Sheng FAQ

Liveaboards diving Fuh Sheng

These liveaboards may visit Fuh Sheng on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Caribbean Explorer II

St. Maarten

18 guests

$224/day