Sea Trek Helmet Diving — Underwater Walking Tour Past Wrecks and Cannons at Fort Amsterdam
Walk the seafloor near Philipsburg's historic fort, past shipwrecks, cannons, a sunken submarine, and a helicopter.
Why Go
Sea Trek takes helmet diving and adds historical underwater scenery that most Caribbean experiences cannot match. The walking route near Fort Amsterdam passes deliberately placed wrecks, colonial-era cannons, a sunken submarine, and a sunken helicopter — all sitting on the sandy bottom at about 20 feet, surrounded by tropical fish. The 2.5-hour format from Bobby's Marina alternates between helmet walking and snorkeling, giving you both perspectives on the same reef.
The Experience
The trip starts at Bobby's Marina in central Philipsburg with a short boat ride to an underwater platform near Fort Amsterdam. Groups split time between two activities: approximately 30 minutes of helmet walking on the seafloor and 30 minutes of snorkeling over the same area, with relaxation time on the boat between. During the helmet portion, you descend a ladder, and the continuous air supply lets you breathe normally while keeping your hair and glasses dry. The underwater path passes a curated collection of attractions — shipwrecks colonized by coral, historical cannons from the colonial period, a sunken submarine structure, and a helicopter frame. Tropical fish swim at arm's length throughout. The snorkeling session gives a top-down view of the same reef from the surface. Total duration runs about 2.5 hours including transit.
What to Try
The combination format is the value proposition here — 30 minutes walking underwater plus 30 minutes snorkeling gives two completely different vantage points on the same marine environment. The underwater artifacts and wrecks are positioned for easy viewing during the walk, making this feel more like an underwater exhibit tour than a nature dive. For families, the non-swimming accessibility and Bobby's Marina departure make logistics simple.
Insider Tip
Bobby's Marina is walking distance from the cruise port, making this one of the easiest excursions for ship passengers to book independently rather than through the cruise line. The Fort Amsterdam site is on the sheltered south coast, so conditions are calm. Bring underwater camera housing if you have it — the wreck and cannon scenes photograph well. The alternating walk-and-snorkel format means even impatient kids stay engaged.
The Practical Stuff
Departs from Bobby's Marina, Philipsburg. Premium pricing for the 2.5-hour experience. Ages 8 and up. No swimming required for the helmet portion. All equipment provided. Book in advance — group sizes are limited per session. The entire experience runs approximately 2.5 hours.
Pair It With
- Aziana Guide — Upscale Philipsburg restaurant for lunch after your underwater tour
- The Greenhouse Guide — Boardwalk restaurant near Bobby's Marina for casual post-activity dining