SNUBA St Maarten
SNUBA St Maarten is a professionally guided underwater experience where eligible beginners age 8+ can breathe below the surface without scuba certification or carrying a heavy tank.
Guided by our certified SNUBA SXM team, you’ll take your first breaths underwater in the Caribbean Sea near Philipsburg while exploring the marine environment encountered that day.
What Is SNUBA?
SNUBA is a simple underwater system that lets you breathe comfortably below the surface without heavy dive gear or a scuba license. Learn what SNUBA is and how the guided experience works.
- Your air comes from a floating raft on the surface.
- A lightweight hose connects you to the raft.
- You wear a mask, fins and a small harness — that’s it.
- You stay close to your guide the entire time.
It feels like a mix between snorkeling and scuba diving: easy like snorkeling, immersive like a shallow scuba dive.
Comparing underwater activities? See how SNUBA differs from Sea Trek in St Maarten.
Things to Do in St Maarten: A Beginner-Friendly Underwater Excursion
Looking for things to do in St Maarten, Sint Maarten or St Martin that feel more special than a regular beach day? SNUBA SXM is a guided underwater excursion in Philipsburg for cruise visitors, hotel guests, resort guests, families and first-time ocean adventurers.
It is a relaxed snorkeling and scuba diving alternative: you breathe underwater, stay shallow with your guide, and do not need certification, heavy tanks or previous diving experience.
- Great for cruise port days and shore excursion planning.
- Easy for guests staying at hotels, resorts, villas and Airbnbs across SXM.
- A memorable St Maarten excursion for families, couples and kids 8+.
Why Choose SNUBA St Maarten?
- No scuba certification required — we specialize in eligible beginners age 8+, subject to current participation requirements and guide approval.
- Professionally guided — your certified SNUBA guide stays with you throughout the underwater experience.
- Shallow Caribbean experience — explore below the surface with a certified SNUBA guide in shallow water.
- Small groups — we keep it personal, calm and unhurried.
- Easy access — just a short ride from Philipsburg and the main hotel areas.
- Everything included — gear, guidance, safety briefing, and personalized attention from start to finish.
- Beginner-friendly St Maarten excursion — guided for first-timers, families, cruise guests and island visitors.
Who Is SNUBA For?
- First-time underwater adventurers who want more than snorkelling.
- Families with kids 8 years and older.
- Couples looking for a shared, memorable experience.
- Cruise guests with just one day in port.
- Island visitors staying in hotels, villas or Airbnb’s.
Eligible beginners age 8+ may participate, subject to current age, medical, swimming, and participation requirements and guide approval.
How Your SNUBA Adventure Works
- Check-in and friendly briefing
We welcome you, explain the gear and answer your questions in clear, simple language. - Practice in shallow water
You get used to breathing underwater in a designated shallow practice area with your guide right next to you. - Guided underwater tour
We take you on a relaxed underwater route, usually between 10–20 ft (3–6 m), always within easy reach of the surface. - Surface time and photos
After the dive, you can relax, talk about the experience and, if available, choose an underwater photo package. At SNUBA St Maarten, we are seldomly in a hurry.
Total time: around 2–2.5 hours from welcome to goodbye, depending on conditions and group size.
Choose Your SNUBA St Maarten Experience
I’m on a Cruise Ship
If you’re arriving by cruise ship, we focus on timing, proximity to the port and a smooth, stress-free schedule.
- Short travel time from the pier.
- Clear meeting instructions.
- Cruise guests must choose a departure that fits their ship’s all-aboard time and allows a suitable return margin.
I’m Staying on St Maarten
If you are staying on the island, you can choose the day and time that fits your holiday rhythm.
- Flexible morning and afternoon options.
- Easy to reach from major hotel and villa areas.
- Plenty of time to combine SNUBA with a beach or shopping day.
Read Current SNUBA SXM Guest Reviews
See current ratings and guest feedback from SNUBA SXM visitors before choosing your tour.
When you are ready to join us, book directly through SNUBA SXM. Follow SNUBA SXM on Facebook and SNUBA SXM on Instagram for current underwater stories and useful trip tips, explore our SNUBA SXM Pinterest profile for trip-planning ideas and first-party SNUBA visuals, or view the SNUBA SXM profile on UltimaTour. UltimaTour is presented as an additional zero-commission public profile; bookings continue through our own booking page.
FAQ – Quick Answers
How deep do we go?
Most of our SNUBA tours are between 10 and 20 feet (3–6 m), with the guide controlling a gradual, shallow-water experience.
Do I need previous dive or snorkel experience?
No previous dive or snorkel experience is required for eligible participants. We explain the equipment and procedures before entering the water; participation remains subject to current age, medical, swimming and participation requirements and guide approval.
Is SNUBA SXM safe?
SNUBA has an exceptional safety record, with no pattern of serious accidents identified across millions of guided participant experiences. You are connected to a surface air system and stay with your guide throughout the guided underwater experience. We operate in shallow water when conditions are suitable.
Can children join?
Eligible children age 8 and older may participate with a parent or guardian present, subject to current medical, swimming and participation requirements and guide approval.
How long does the experience take?
Plan for about 2–2.5 hours including check-in, briefing, practice and the underwater tour. Underwater time is generally about 30–45 minutes and varies with conditions, participant comfort and the group.
Where do we meet?
We meet at an easy-to-find location near Philipsburg. Full meeting instructions are provided with your booking, whether you are on a cruise or staying on the island.
Is SNUBA available worldwide?
There are many places on the planet you can enjoy SNUBA and each will have their own interesting stories, experiences and wildlife for you to enjoy. A list of all the SNUBA Operators worldwide, many similar to SNUBA St Maarten, can be found at snuba.com (new tab will be opened).
Ready to Plan Your SNUBA St Maarten Adventure?
Whether you’re visiting on a cruise ship or staying on St Maarten, we’d love to be the highlight of your trip.
Nederlandse bezoekers: lees wat SNUBA op Sint Maarten inhoudt
Visiteurs francophones : découvrez SNUBA à Saint-Martin
Compare SNUBA with Sea Trek, snorkeling and beginner scuba in St Maarten
Snorkeling with SNUBA SXM
Traveling with people who prefer to stay at the surface? SNUBA SXM welcomes snorkelers on compatible departures, so mixed SNUBA and snorkeling groups can enjoy one St Maarten water outing together.