We have been staying at the Divi Little Bay resort for more than a decade and always take the opportunity to snorkel off the beach along the rocks towards the platform where excursions bring tourists to snorkel. Our experiences have always been nice with a good assortment of fish in pretty calm waters. This year, our experience was outstanding. We have never seen Sea Turtles here before, but we saw 4 this time, 2 of them swimming within feet of where we were. We also saw 2 other firsts, several Star Fish and even a Sting Ray. It was our best snorkeling experience in St. Maarten. I would strongly recommend the snorkeling off of Little Bay beach.

While staying a the Divi Little Bay Resort I found the snorkeling to be wonderful. At the left end of the beach (which is a public beach), I observed and photographed green turtles, caribbean whiptail stingray, cushion sea stars, spotted eagle ray and numerous fish species. Sometimes the turtles were feeding only within 10 feet deep water. Further out along the rocks, you will see a sunken helicopter, cannons, ship bell, sunken submarine and a cone and fuselage of a jet that are staged for divers. I used my own snorkeling gear, however it can be rented from a vendor at the Divi Resort. You can rent chairs and umbrellas if you are not staying at the resort

This was a great spot to go snorkeling! Within about 30 seconds of getting in the water I found a small green sea turtle (plus two more later). The spot was a little hard to find - you want to enter at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and park just before the security gate. If you’re coming from the east you will have to pass the road, make a U-turn and make a left turn into the resort as the right turn is very sharp. You can walk down to the beach and snorkel out on the left hand side. Water was clear and calm.

Taxi from the cruise ship to this beach costs $12 per couple, one way. The ride takes about 10 minutes and this beach is located on the Dutch side of the island. When you’re ready to go back to the cruise ship, head to the taxi stand beside the gift shop and it’ll be another $12 per couple to get you back to the ship. I felt the price was fair and reasonable, and the taxi service was good. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the gorgeous landscaping! Hibiscus flowers and opuntias in bloom, some really cool lilys, and other flowers I don’t know the name. Stunning tall palm trees. You feel like you’re somewhere rich and beautiful. This beach is on a resort called Divi so the atmosphere is beautiful, and not crowded or loud. There are lots of options for souvenir shopping, restrooms, drinks, etc. Thank goodness this is not a party beach with music. This is a place where calm people come to relax. I appreciated that so much. Cruise passengers can to rent beach chairs if desired but we brought our own beach blanket to lay on the sand and it was fine. Snorkeling is not bad, and it’s accessible from the shore, but sadly the reef is mostly rocks and slowly regrowing some coral. But we saw a family of cuttlefish and lots of little tropical fish with blue and yellow colours. Some urchins too! If you want to see tropical fish you’ll find them here, just not the prettiest reef/plant life. We also saw pelicans, and lots of pretty seashells. No seaweed at all. I really loved the $10 pina coladas at the beach bar toward the center of the beach… very tasty and well made with good quality ingredients. My husband agreed these are some of the best we ever had. Souvenirs in the gift shops are priced fairly, and if you go across the street you can see great bay, and some iguanas basking on the rocks. I really liked this place and would gladly return! My only issue… the beautiful Parrots being kept in captivity. They are being ignored and screaming to be let out. I can’t blame them for screaming - Parrots are intelligent beings and they live a long life… Imagine living 50 years in a cage while the other birds outside your window are flying freely. How tragic!! I don’t support animals ever being exploited for human entertainment. This resort is of high quality… I was truly surprised to see captive parrots at a resort of this caliber. I hope you’ll do the right thing and consider sending them to a sanctuary, and no longer exploiting any birds or animals for human entertainment.