Scuba diving in St Maarten National Marine Park

St. Maarten National Marine Park

The St. Maarten Man of War Shoal National Marine Park is a sanctuary for whales, dolphins, numerous species of sharks, sea turtles, coral reefs and a wide array of fishes. Studies conducted by the team of Nature Foundation St Maarten indicate high levels of biodiversity in sealife and particularly high coral reef coverage within the park.

How can you help

Ocean Explorers supports our St. Maarten Man of War Shoal National Marine Park. The St. Maarten Nature Foundation welcomes, and depend on, the financial support of people like you. Income generated through donations or the sale of the Marine Park tags goes directly towards the management and maintenance of the marine protected area. You can help by improving your dive skills such as buoyancy, wreck diving, and learning more about marine life by taking a PADI Specialty Course such as PP Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, Fish Identification, etc.

You can help to continue our conservation effort by purchase a:

Marine Park Year Tag – US$ 15
Marine Park daily Tag -US$ 3

Responsibilities

To successfully maintain the integrity of the marine protected area island legislation prohibits:

• The feeding of animals
• The sinking of vessels or other objects
• Any type of fishing
• Harassing marine life
• Removing live or dead animals or plants
• Discharging of chemicals or waste
• Placing, moving or removing anchor buoys
• Anchoring or use of anchors.

Conservation Zone

In the Conservation Zone, there is an entire prohibition of water scooter use, fishing, sailing on vessels exceeding six meters, removal of dead or alive organisms.