Xisle Boat Charters

ST. MAARTEN | ST. MARTIN ANGUILLA | ST. BARTHS

Private Charters • Speed Boat and Catamaran Excursions Fishing Charters • Watersports Excursions

Opal Bldg., Red Plum Tree Drive, Cole Bay Email: info@stmaarten-boatcharters.com Phone Number: +1 721-520-2055, US: +1 954-304-4991 Website: www.stmaarten-boatcharters.com

SUPERB SNORKELING

Sea life abounds at several sites around the island.

BY / DEBBY LIND-STEYN

The crystal-clear waters surrounding St. Maarten/St. Martin are home to a variety of sea life, including turtles, rays, tropical fish and colorful corals. Let’s take a look at some of the top snorkeling spots to visit.

Starting on the south end of the island, off beautiful Little Bay Peninsula, an unusual collection of artificial reefs were created by sinking a helicopter and a large airplane. Corals have formed and reef fish now populate the site snorkelers can enjoy. Spot lionfish, barracuda and the everinquisitive yellowtail snapper.

Moving up to Simpson Bay, the rocky reef break is home to many colorful reef fish, eels and barracuda. Just off the beach by Simpson Bay Resort, the calm, protected bay waters make for enjoyable snorkeling.

Next stop: Baie Rouge. The famous “hole in the wall” is a swim-through, and the soft corals have regrown beautifully in this area. As you enter the water from Baie Rouge Beach, head right around the rocky outcrop. Enjoy the snorkeling and an exhilarating swim through the gap.

While not specifically a snorkeling area, La Samanna Bay at Long Beach has a white-sand bottom that highlights the gorgeous turquoise water for which the Caribbean is so famous. Here we often see stingrays nestled in the sand and inquisitive Bermuda chubs. The occasional barracuda slowly swims by and hangs out in the shade of a boat.

Creole Rock on the north side of St. Maarten is your first entry to the Reserve Naturelle. The patient dedication of the Reserve Team has seen the restoration of corals and sea life around Creole Rock, Pinel Island, Tintamarre Island and Green Cay. Creole Rock serves as a nursery, so many varieties of reef fish can be seen in their juvenile stages. Creole Rock is shaped like the head of an Indian chief and is quite a large area to snorkel and scuba dive. This site and Tintamarre are only accessible by boat.

If you are fortunate enough to charter a boat, the snorkel sites around Tintamarre and Pinel are great for exploring. The corals are well formed, and turtles are plentiful. Ensure your boat trip abides by the Reserve rules to protect the sea life by picking up moorings instead of anchoring.

For a fun and safe snorkel experience, bring along reef-safe sunscreen and swim shirts. Keep your fins off the bottom and don’t take or touch sea life. Mask and snorkel rentals are common at many beaches. You also may rent gear from your hotel or may choose to buy your own.

Take a few minutes to make sure your gear is working and fits properly, and ask your guide where to go and what you will see.

Then, relax and enjoy floating in turquoise-blue waters. There are such great wonders to see under the water. Place your face in the water and see what is hanging around.

Exciting new developments on island are an underwater snorkel museum with statues and the reopening of Reef-It Snorkel Park in Great Bay.