Dive Review of Ocean Explorers in
St. Maarten/Dutch

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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		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
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
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
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.

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Dive Review of Ocean Explorers in St. Maarten/Dutch

Ocean Explorers, Sep, 2006,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Ocean Explorers in
St. Maarten/Dutch