Ocean Explorers Dive Center — Multi-Island Diving from Simpson Bay
PADI 5-Star IDC center with 30+ local sites plus multi-day expeditions to Saba and Statia.
Why Go
Ocean Explorers stands out from Simpson Bay's dive scene with a capability most competitors do not offer: multi-day dive trips to Saba and St. Eustatius. Those two volcanic islands sit within day-trip distance of St. Maarten and their underwater terrain — sheer walls, pinnacles, and pristine coral — ranks among the Caribbean's best. Closer to home, 30-plus sites around St. Maarten cover the standard wreck and reef roster, and the PADI 5-Star IDC rating means they train instructors alongside recreational divers.
The Experience
Daily boat dives depart from Simpson Bay to reef, wreck, and pinnacle sites selected for current conditions. Two-tank morning dives are the standard, with night dives on scheduled evenings. The wreck portfolio includes the usual St. Maarten sites — aircraft, vessels, and artificial reef structures — while reef dives hit walls with pelagic traffic and shallow gardens suited to newer divers. Nitrox is available for certified enriched air divers. The multi-day trips to Saba and Statia are the specialty offering: Saba's underwater pinnacles rise from deep water and attract large marine life, while Statia's reefs include historical shipwrecks. The course catalog covers the full PADI spectrum, and the IDC status means instructor candidates train here regularly. Equipment sales, rentals, and servicing round out the operation.
What to Try
The Saba trip is the signature experience — if you have the time and certification level, it delivers diving you cannot access from any other St. Maarten-based operator without a flight. For local diving, the night dive schedule is worth prioritizing because the Simpson Bay departure keeps boat time short in the dark. Technical diving support is available for qualified divers interested in deeper or extended-range profiles.
Insider Tip
Saba trips require minimum group sizes and advance booking — inquire early in your trip to secure a spot. The Welfare Road location in Simpson Bay is easy to find but not on the beach, so bring everything you need for the boat; there is no beach hangout at the shop. Morning dives leave early, often by 8 AM, so budget your commute accordingly.
The Practical Stuff
Open daily 8 AM to 5 PM. Located at 113 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay. Premium pricing for guided dives; Saba/Statia trips priced separately as multi-day packages. All equipment available for rental and purchase. Nitrox available. PADI courses from Discover Scuba through Instructor Development. Private charters on request.
Pair It With
- Cocky Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant Guide — Simpson Bay beach bar nearby for post-dive food and drinks
- Breedy's Pit Stop and Seafood Shack — Casual seafood on Welfare Road after returning from a morning dive