Weekend Getaway to St Maarten

      Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

      BP
      Blue Planet Scuba
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      146 reviews
      Apr 27 - May 1, 2024
      Group size: 8 - 14
      Weekend Getaway to St Maarten
      Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

      Blue Planet Scuba
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      • Twitter verified
      146 reviews

      Apr 27 - May 1, 2024
      Group size: 8 - 14

      About this trip

      Join Blue Planet for a long weekend of fish-filled diving in St Maarten. Escape the city and enjoy the hidden jewel of the Leeward Islands. Between the unique underwater (PADI Mermaid!) and topside adventures, this is one trip you won't forget!

      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 divers on their way to nearby Saba 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. The island has a shallow shelf surrounding it, making most dive sites less than 75ft, perfect for new and experienced divers!

      The Diving

      Minimum dive certification/experience: 

      The island offers both reef and wreck diving sites, suitable for entry-level divers and ideal for open water certification training. Additionally, advanced sites offer new experiences for even the most seasoned diver. 


      St Maarten's Man of War Shoal Marine Park is nearly 8,000 acres of protected reefs, historical wrecks, seagrass meadows, and open sands. SXM is a Fish ID dream! You’ll see many of the common Caribbean fishes like Ocean Surgeon Fish, Tangs, and Barracuda galore with some big life, like Spotted Eagle Rays, Caribbean Reef Sharks, and Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles! 


      New Citizen Science

      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.


      Interested in completing your PADI Open Water Diver certification dives? Or another PADI course like Advanced Open Water Diver or a specialty? Or maybe a PADI Mermaid course? We can do all of those things! Contact us for details.

      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 relaxing is nice, too. St. Maarten boasts over 37 beaches on its 37 square miles. 


      For those that 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-dive beverages are sure to be a hit. Where else in the world 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 anytime Saturday, April 27th through your favorite airline. Some non-stop options run from Dulles International (IAD) through United. Be sure to keep no-fly times after diving in mind when booking your return trip home; depart any time after 11 AM on Wednesday, May 1st. Please email or call the shop before booking your flight!  


      Extend your trip and join the Sirens & Sunsets mermaid travel, May 1st - 5th. 

      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 $250 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
        At the Simpson Bay Resort Villas
      • 6 boat dives
        3 days of 2-tank boat dives
      • Fish ID presentation
        Highlighting the most common species you'll see in St Maarten
      • Dive Against Debris
        Help the local SXM Coastal Cleanup remove marine debris from Hurricane Irma

      What’s not included

      • International flights
        International flights to St Maarten
      • Airport transfers
        From the SXM airport to the hotel
      • Scuba equipment
        Only tanks and weights included; rental gear available
      • Tips
        Tips for the boat's amazing crew
      • Other meals
        Lunch, dinner and additional food and drinks not mentioned above

      Available Packages

      Junior Suite - Double Occupancy
      Sold Out

      Double occupancy in a Junior Suite with 2 full beds. Kick back and take in the ocean views from your furnished balcony. The private bathroom has a shower/tub combination with a rainfall shower head, as well as a hair dryer and a makeup/shaving mirror. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and the LCD TV offers free movies. There's also a  private kitchenette equipped with a mini fridge, a microwave, and a coffee/tea maker. 


      Want to bring a non-diving friend? Just use the discount code NONDIVER when signing them up!

      $1,050
      Deposit: $500
      Junior Suite - Single Occupancy
      Sold Out

      Single occupancy in a Junior Suite with a king bed. Kick back and take in the ocean views from your furnished balcony. The private bathroom has a shower/tub combination with a rainfall shower head, as well as a hair dryer and a makeup/shaving mirror. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and the LCD TV offers free movies. There's also a  private kitchenette equipped with a mini fridge, a microwave, and a coffee/tea maker. 


      Want to bring a non-diving friend? Just use the discount code NONDIVER when signing them up!

      $1,675
      Deposit: $500

      Available options



      Itinerary

      Saturday, April 27th
      Arrive on St Maarten + Reef Fish ID

      Arrive at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), transfer to The Villas at Simpson Bay and check in. Head down to the beach or the pool and start relaxing!


      We'll meet up for dinner and the Fish ID presentation!

      Your Organizer


      BP
      Blue Planet Scuba
      146 reviews
      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.

      Reviews

      JK
      Had a great time with a packed dive trip.
      By John K for Scuba and Freediving in Grenada on Apr 24, 2024
      Great group of people and nice relaxed diving. Fully enjoyed the trip and thanks to Anthony for ensuring everything ran smoothly.
      By Richard H for Scuba and Freediving in Grenada on Apr 16, 2024
      Another great trip with Blue Planet. Everything was seamlessly planned ahead of time, from setting up accommodations to arranging things with the dive shop (shout out to Eco Dive!) to communication about all the details. Anthony was a fantastic trip leader. He thought of everything (finding places for the group to meet for meals, making reservations, arranging taxis, talking to the dive shop about schedules etc. He took care of all the small bumps associated with travel and just made everything smooth and comfortable. Plus, he’s just fun :) The diving in Grenada was beautiful and the island was lovely and welcoming. Five stars for sure! Can’t wait for my next trip.
      By Virginia L for Scuba and Freediving in Grenada on Apr 15, 2024
      Glad you had such a good time on the trip! Always fun to have you on a trip and can't wait for our next one together.
      By Anthony White on Apr 16, 2024
      AW
      The weather in Cozumel was lovely. The scuba instructor, Andrea Williams, was exceptional. The resort was tailored more to local families and tourists who appreciate that level of comfort.
      By Adrienne W for March Certification Weekend in Cozumel on Apr 05, 2024
      Thank you, Adrienne! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the trip. We hope to see you on another dive adventure soon!
      By Blue Planet Scuba on Apr 13, 2024
      BP
      Heather & Jonas were excellent trip leaders making sure everyone was well taken care of. The Galapagos Aggressor had a super crew and the diving was challenging and stunning! We saw hammerheads, penguins, seals, sea lions & dolphins! I really appreciated the personal touches like our matching jackets and a cake for my birthday. I would highly recommend this trip.
      By Catherine W for Explore the Galapagos on Mar 02, 2024
      Thanks, Catherine! What better way to celebrate your birthday?!? We're so glad you enjoyed the trip and let us share experiencing this special destination with you. Looking forward to the next one!
      By Blue Planet Scuba on Apr 13, 2024
      BP
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