Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Ocean Explorers in
St. Maarten/Dutch

Ocean Explorers, Sep, 2006,

by Michael Drumstas, Ma, USA . Report 2873.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments St Maarten is not considered a premier dive destination by many divers but there is plenty of fish life and coral to keep you interested for your dives. Ocean Explorers is owned and operated by Leroy French, NAUI #50,that alone should tell you something. He has been on St Maarten for 25+ years and knows a good portion of the U/W sites and critters. The dive boat is on the small side but that means good service and attention paid to each diver. We had a mix of fairly new ,to us , at the 500+ dive mark , and all were happy at the conclusion of the dives. Lots of healthy coral and an abundence of fish life on all sites. also spotted was some of the largest carribean lobster that I have ever seen. Diving was conducted in a group setting but Leroy let us wander and take photos away from the pack. We also had our bottom time extended as our air consumption is fairly good.Fishlife seen - scorpionfish, lots of southern rays, grunts, squirrel fish, morays-green and spotted, jackknife-fish, barracuda,angels and butterfly-fish.The usual host of Carribean fish but lots of them. The reef system seemed healthier than it did 6 years ago when we were here last. We stayed at the Divi resort and that also is in better shape than last time with a number of improvement in the condition of the rooms to the resort amenities. St Maatin is a great place to vacation as the island is reasonably priced when it comes to food and goods. The diving though not spectacular was fun and provided some good photo shots. Leroy
French is a great person to dive with as his demeanor is laid back but at the same time he makes sure that all on board have a safe dive. I would recommend his operation to all that visit St Maartin.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving extensively throughout Carribean, Mexico, Hawaii
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 85-87°F / 29-31°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Time and depth monitored but when observed to be good divers bottom time extended to surface with 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments There was not any rinse buckets on board as the boat was for 6-8 ppl.The surface intervals short as the dives were relatively shallow 40-70 fsw. Brought own water bottle to rinse between dives.
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 45 dive reviews of St. Maarten and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 

Want to assemble your own collection of St. Maarten reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.08 seconds