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Overview

Sirens & Sunsets in St Maarten
Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
May 1 - 5, 2024
Blue Planet Scuba image
Blue Planet Scuba
$1,186
Deposit: $500

About your trip

Join Blue Planet & GalaxSea Mermaid (PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer and St Maarten local Jen Downey) for a long weekend of fin-tastic mermaid activities in St Maarten. Whether you're already a certified mer or have been waiting for the mer-fect opportunity to earn your PADI Mermaid certification, this is the trip for you! Learn or polish your skills in a supportive coaching environment on a beautiful Caribbean isle and take part in an exclusive ocean cleanup. 


Want more? Extend your stay and go Pro! Become a PADI Mermaid Instructor and share your passion for the underwater world with other humans. 

Sint Maarten

Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is the world’s smallest landmass shared by two countries, The Dutch and The French. The Friendly Island is often overlooked by travelers on their way to nearby Saba, St. Barth, and Sint Eustatius, but holds its own as a fish lover's paradise. Devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, the island is making a strong recovery. With more than 37 beaches, it's also a mermaid's paradise!

The Mermaiding

Become a mermaid! If you need a sign to get your PADI Mermaid certifications, this is it! Get certified in the calm waters of St Maarten. Then, use that certification to mer in different locations around the island.


Already certified? Join the pod for mer-activities! Hone your skills, learn new ones, and get coaching, photos, and videos in a safe and positive environment. Check out the itinerary below for all the de-tails!


Conservation:

Lend a fin in a Blue Planet exclusive Mermaid Against Debris where we will recover and remove debris from the ocean!


New!  

The Nature Foundation of St Maarten is currently working on a seagrass project, monitoring the health and abundance of endemic grasses and recording the spread of invasive grass. While diving or snorkeling, gather data and photos to report. 


Adventure

We will also visit beautiful and unique locations around the island via boat and experience what St Maarten has to offer a Blue Planet pod of mers!

PADI Mermaid Instructor

Ready to take your mer-game even further and start your own mer-journey? Become a PADI Mermaid Instructor! Add on to your trip and stay a few extra days (until May 10th) and we can help make all your professional mer-dreams come true! 


This course has prerequisites. Please get in touch with us for the de-tails!

Other activities

There’s plenty to keep you occupied top side as well. From history and art tours to parrot paradise, there's never a dull moment. We hear sitting on a beach and relaxing is nice, too. St. Maarten boasts over 37 beaches on its 37 square miles. 


For those who adore good eats, the island is a fusion of flavors from the Dutch, the French, and the Caribbean. With two rum distilleries and its very own brewery, your post-mer beverages are sure to be a hit. Where else can you enjoy world-class curry, fresh-baked croissants, and the best selection of Dutch cheeses within steps of each other?

The Villas at Simpson Bay Resort

Located mere steps from the marina, your suite with a view is the perfect place to regroup after a fantastic day of diving. Recently renovated after the devastating Hurricane Irma, the resort features top-notch restaurants, beach access, pools, a spa, and a swim-up bar! If you would rather have an adventure, the resort is centrally located and surrounded by amazing restaurants.   

Travel

Arrive on St Maarten (SXM) anytime Wednesday, May 1st through your favorite airline. Some non-stop options run from Dulles International (IAD) on United Airlines. Be sure to keep no-fly times after diving in mind when booking your return trip home; depart any time Sunday, May 5th. Please email or call us before booking your flight!  

Cancellation Policy

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a $150 cancellation fee and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 


Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information. 

What's included

4 nights accommodations

Double or single occupancy at The Villas at Simpson Bay

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast each morning

Mermaid coaching

Mermaid practice in both confined and open water with your PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer

Photo shoots

Topside and underwater photo shoots with digital photos and videos for you to keep

All-Day Island Boat Tour

This Round the Island trip takes us along St Maarten's coastline for swimming, snorkeling and mermaiding at some of the best beaches and bays

Yoga class

Private yoga class and breathwork training

Sunset cruise

Catch an incredible sunset while enjoying music, drinks, snacks and sightseeing on this sunset sail

Rum tour and tasting

We'll visit Jen's favorite rum distillery! Perfect spot to buy gifts for your frozen friends at home

Mermaid Against Debris

Keep our oceans clean while improving your mermaid skills under the supervision of an instructor.

What's not included

International flights

International flights to St Maarten

Airport transfers

From the SXM airport to the hotel

Mermaid equipment

BYOT: Bring your own tail & mer equipment. Rentals available.

Mermaid courses

PADI Mermaid, Advanced Mermaid and Instructor courses are available for additional fees.

Tips

Tips for the boat's amazing crews

Wednesday, May 1st

Wednesday, May 1st image

Arrive on St Maarten

Arrive at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), transfer to Simpson Bay Resort and check-in. 


Grab your tail and start your mer journey with the PADI Mermaid course. Two action-packed sessions to introduce you to swimming in a monofin and learning some of the mermaid skills used in performances, photography, and just plain fun!


Already certified? Come play with us; he more the mer-rier!

Thursday, May 2nd

Thursday, May 2nd image

Advanced Mermaid / Mermaid in Open Water

Earn your PADI Advanced Mermaid certification with 2 action-packed mermaid sessions, complete with yoga warm-up! 


Already certified? Join us in open water, complete with in-water photo sessions as well as land photo sessions to make your trans-mer-mation complete! 


Round out the day with a Topper's Rhum Tour, exploring the unique flavors only found in St Maarten. Dinner to follow at Toppers. 

Friday, May 3rd

Friday, May 3rd image

Santino around the island

On the Santino motor boat cruise, discover the hidden gems of Pinel, Tintamarre, and Creole Rock. We'll watch the coastline fly by and take in the breathtaking views of this Caribbean island with the wind in your hair.


Santino offers a comfortable ride and lots of shade, and you'll be introduced to the island’s marine life, beaches, and landscapes. 


Stops include Long Beach, Creole Rock for snorkeling, lunch at Grand Case’s Lolo BBQ’s, Tintamarre Island to spot sea turtles, and a relaxing time at Pinel Island. 


Captain Roy ensures a memorable experience.


*Advanced Mermaid required*

Saturday, May 4th

Saturday, May 4th image

Mermaid Conservation & Spirit of Soualiga Underwater Sculpture Park

Take your new certifications for a spin!


Mermaid Against Debris

Lend a fin in a Mermaid Against Debris activity and remove marine debris from the ocean in Little Bay. Take Citizen Science to the next level by sorting and reporting the debris found, data that is used to make changes in legislation worldwide!


The Spirit of Soualiga

With over 300 captivating artificial reef sculptures placed along a designated trail, this immersive experience offers guests an unforgettable adventure.


Admire the sculptures that celebrate the island's vibrant culture and history while providing a protected habitat for marine species to thrive – an extraordinary opportunity to witness the exciting life of a diverse aquatic ecosystem just beneath the surface.

Sunday, May 5th

Sunday, May 5th image

Relax and take in paradise

Enjoy the morning and soak up the last Caribbean rays. For those with later flights, additional island adventures are available.  

Location

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1. Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

About your organizer

Blue Planet is a different kind of scuba diving organization — aimed at providing the best education and experiences to divers in the Washington, DC area and beyond, while harnessing the excitement and adventure of scuba diving to help protect our fragile oceans.

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