Dive Site: Little Bay

About Little Bay

Little Bay, situated in St. Maarten, offers an easily accessible dive and snorkel site, distinguishing itself with a unique underwater sculpture park located directly off the beach. The site features a designated trail leading to a 'sea museum' adorned with statues, which are complemented by various coral-encrusted objects and small wrecks like a submarine and a helicopter. The topography is characterized by its very shallow depth profile, ranging from 0 to 6 meters, making it an ideal location for beginners and snorkelers. The calm, sheltered conditions within the bay ensure a relaxed environment for exploration. Beyond the sculpture trail, divers can also find Boulder Brain Corals and Maze Corals scattered across the rocky seafloor, particularly along the left side of the bay near the shore and extending towards the point. Marine life at Little Bay is varied despite its shallow nature, with frequent sightings of green turtles, octopuses, and Southern Stingrays. The seagrass beds are often frequented by stingrays, and schools of sergeant majors are abundant, especially around the Tiki Hut platform. The site's year-round warmth and protected status contribute to a consistent presence of species. Diving here typically involves an easy shore entry, or via ladders from the Tiki Hut platform, following a marked trail around the sculptures and natural rock formations. The shallow depth requires careful buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the environment, but it also allows for extended bottom times and a leisurely pace, focusing on macro life and the unique artistic installations.

Dive site facts: Little Bay

Depth

0–6 m

Typical dive

3–6 m, ~45 min

Current

None

Visibility

15 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Shore / Ladder

Level

Beginner / Snorkeler

Dive type

Sculpture park, reef, wreck

Region / port

St. Maarten

Coordinates

18.0198° N, 63.0748° W

Conditions & Currents

This site is renowned for its flat calm conditions and absence of significant currents, owing to its sheltered location within Little Bay. Entry and exit are typically easy shore access, or via ladders from the floating Tiki Hut platform, with no notable surge to contend with. Visibility averages around 15 meters, providing clear views of the underwater sculptures and marine life. Water temperatures remain consistently warm, between 26-29°C, with no mention of thermoclines in this shallow area. While boat traffic can occur, especially around the Tiki Hut area, designated buoy lines mark the snorkeling and diving zones to ensure safety. These serene conditions make it ideal for novice divers and provide a stress-free environment for focusing on buoyancy and observation.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green Turtle

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Southern Stingray

occasional

Spotted Eagle Ray

occasional

Sergeant Major

common

Boulder Brain Coral

common

Maze Coral

common

Spiny Lobster

occasional

Moray Eel

occasional

Scrawled Filefish

occasional

Crabs

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Entry is typically from the beach on the left side of Little Bay or via ladders from the floating Tiki Hut platform. Once submerged, follow the marked underwater trail that leads past the various sculptures and coral-encrusted objects. The dive remains very shallow, generally between 3 to 6 meters, allowing for extended bottom times. Explore the 'sea museum' with its statues, helicopter, and submarine wreck, keeping an eye on the natural rocky formations and seagrass beds for marine life. Divers can explore along the rocks near the shore, which host a variety of corals and fish. The turn point is flexible, often dictated by air consumption or personal interest in exploring the art installations. Given the shallow depth, the safety stop can be performed virtually anywhere, often near the sculptures or on ascent towards the entry point, maintaining careful buoyancy throughout.

Underwater photography

Little Bay is excellent for wide-angle photography, capturing the unique underwater sculptures and the wide expanse of the shallow, clear bay. A wide-angle lens will best frame the statues, submarine, and helicopter, especially with snorkelers or divers in the shot to add a sense of scale. For macro enthusiasts, explore the corals along the rocky points and seagrass beds, where you might find smaller critters like seahorses, lobsters, or nudibranchs. Due to the very shallow depths (0-6m), natural light is abundant, but a single strobe can help pop colors and reduce backscatter. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the silty bottom or accidentally finning near the sculptures and marine life. Be mindful of other visitors, as the site can be busy, and practice respectful subject etiquette.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Carib Cargo

  A popular wreck dive with shore access, known for schooling fish.

• Lucy's Barge

  A boat-access wreck and reef site off Philipsburg.

• HMS Proselyte

  A shallow historic wreck reef with cannons and abundant fish life.

• Mike's Maze

  A shallow marine park reef featuring swim-throughs and healthy corals.

• Gregory

  A sunken transport barge, attracting barracudas, eagle rays, and turtles.

Getting there & logistics

Access to St. Maarten is primarily through Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Little Bay is easily reached by shore, or for those visiting the Tiki Hut area, a day pass includes a round trip boat transfer from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg. Many dive operators are located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, offering excursions to various sites. The island does not require specific dive permits for most recreational diving, but a marine park fee of approximately $3 may apply for sites within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park. Little Bay is typically integrated into day trips for beginners or snorkelers, often as one of several shallow, relaxed dives on an itinerary.

Safety & environment

For diving in St. Maarten, the nearest recompression chamber is approximately 10 km away. Divers should always carry appropriate dive insurance, such as a DAN card, to cover potential evacuation and medical expenses, especially considering the island's relatively small size. At Little Bay, key hazards include boat traffic within the bay, though the dive areas are typically marked by buoys. Divers should stay within designated trails and follow operator instructions, as the site is a managed underwater attraction. The shallow depths necessitate excellent buoyancy control to prevent accidental fin kicks to the sculptures or stirring up the seabed. Given its popularity, maintaining awareness of other divers and snorkelers is important in this busy beach setting.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Little Bay FAQ

Liveaboards diving Little Bay

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

Caribbean Explorer II

St. Maarten

18 guests

$249/day