300 sculptures under your feet sounds unreal. This Under SXM snorkel tour sends you from Great Bay to Little Bay on a quick ride, then lets you float over 300 underwater sculptures with the creators and owners of the park.

I love how the experience is guided by the park team themselves. You get stories about the design and build while you’re in the water, not just a quick lecture from the boat. I also like the practical setup: snorkeling gear and safety floats are included, and the crew is known for helping guests handle the boat-to-water routine with confidence.

The main drawback to plan around is visibility. If it’s cloudy, statues and fish can be harder to spot, and the tour is not recommended for non-swimmers.

Key things to know before you go

• Park-run experience: The tour is created and run by the park’s original designers, builders, and owner.
• Float above the art: Sculptures sit about 15 feet down, so you watch from a relaxed floating position.
• Cruise-day friendly: Meet just a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise terminal area.
• Gear and safety included: Snorkel equipment and safety floats are provided for you.
• Optional photo add-on: You can buy digital underwater photos onboard.
• Small group size: A maximum of 18 travelers keeps it easier in the water.

Under SXM turns snorkeling into a guided art-and-nature walk

Most snorkeling trips show you fish. Under SXM shows you fish plus a whole underwater gallery built on purpose. The big difference here is who runs it. You’re not just tagging along with a random operator. You’re snorkeling with the park people who actually designed and installed the reef-sculture system you’re seeing.

That matters because the stories feel grounded, not scripted. You’re watching 300 artificial reef sculptures while someone explains how they were made for sea life, what the layout is meant to encourage, and what you should look for. It turns a plain swim into an interpretive experience, even if you’re not the type who usually reads plaques.

You also get a simple format that works well for cruise schedules: about 2 hours total and a clear return to your starting point. That rhythm is part of the value of the tour.

The quick boat ride: short, scenic, and built for cruise timing

The trip begins with a short scenic boat ride from Great Bay to Little Bay, about 10 minutes. It’s long enough for the water scenery to set the tone, but short enough that you’re not burning precious excursion time waiting to arrive.

Onboard, expect a practical setup for carrying your stuff. One thing I like is the presence of enclosed totes for keeping belongings dry. Bring what you need for the water (and plan to leave jewelry, fragile items, and anything you can’t risk getting wet behind).

You’ll also get the basics from your guide before you go in. It’s not complicated, but it’s the kind of briefing that helps you relax instead of guessing. The park team’s focus is getting you safely into a comfortable floating position, then helping you learn what you’re seeing.

First stop at Under SXM: what it’s like floating over 300 sculptures

Once you’re at the snorkeling location, the main moment is your time at Under SXM, where the sculptures form a complex reef-like scene. The depth is about 15 feet, so you’re not going down to the bottom. You’re positioned above the artwork and marine life, which makes the experience feel calmer and easier to manage.

This is also where the “art” part becomes real. These are artificial reef sculptures that transform the seafloor into a gallery. You’re not looking at one statue and moving on. You’re surrounded by many pieces that change how you notice the underwater world. Instead of only scanning for fish, you end up watching how sea life behaves around structures.

If the sea cooperates, this is the sweet spot for photography too—especially if you plan to buy the optional digital underwater photos. If your water is cloudy, the statues and fish can be harder to see, so your expectations should stay flexible. Clear days make the sculptures easier to pick out; cloudy conditions push your attention more toward movement and color than exact details.

The guide factor: design, build, and sea-life spotting from the park team

The best part of this tour isn’t the sculptures alone. It’s the interpretation from the people who know the project from the ground up.

Because the guide is tied to the park’s original designers, builders, and owner, you’ll hear explanations that are specific rather than generic. You’ll likely get points about how the sculptures were installed, what they’re intended to do for the reef environment, and what to look for while you’re floating.

And yes, they help you look. That’s huge for snorkelers who don’t want to spend an hour drifting around wondering what they’re supposed to notice. With an expert guide in the water, you get sea-life encounters connected to the locations of the sculptures, not random luck.

I also appreciate the human side of this operation. Some staff, including people like Derek and Ashley, have been singled out for helping older guests with boat boarding and the water routine. If you’re worried about steps, balance, or comfort, that’s the kind of reassurance you want from a crew.

Gear and safety floats: the comfort advantage for most people

Snorkeling can feel intimidating if you’re not sure you’ll be comfortable with equipment or buoyancy. Here, the basics are handled for you: snorkeling gear and safety floats are included.

That means you can focus on breathing, staying relaxed, and watching the sculptures. It also means you don’t have to bring your own mask and snorkel from your hotel, which saves time and hassle.

One caution: the tour is not recommended for non-swimmers. Even with safety gear, being a non-swimmer changes the risk math. If you’re unsure where you stand, be honest when you book and talk to the operator so you don’t end up in a situation that stresses you out.

Photos onboard: what you can buy and how to decide

This tour offers optional digital underwater photos you can purchase onboard. Since the photos are not included in the base price, the best move is to treat them as an add-on only if you think you’ll want memories captured on the spot.

If you like having someone else handle the camera work while you focus on snorkeling, this option can be worth it. If you’d rather keep control, you might prefer to rely on your own phone or camera (keeping in mind you’ll be dealing with water and the depth).

Either way, plan for the tour time. You have a short total window, so don’t let the photo add-on distract you from your actual water time.

Timing for cruise days: easy walking and built-in on-time focus

If you’re on a cruise, you’re probably thinking about two things: will you get back on time, and will you be stuck in a long transfer. This experience is designed to be easier than most.

Meeting is near Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. You’re looking for the two blue sculptures at the marina. The walk from the cruise ship terminal is about 10–15 minutes, so you’re not relying on a complicated pickup.

Also, the tour runs three times daily: 9:00am, 11:30am, and 2:30pm. That gives you options depending on your ship’s schedule.

Two practical points for your planning:

• There’s no road transportation included to the boat pick-up location in Philipsburg, so you need to handle getting to the meeting point on your own.
• Weather matters. The tour requires good conditions, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Price value: why $49 makes sense for a park-run experience

At $49 per person, this tour sits in the “worth it if you want a memorable experience” category. The value comes from three things.

First, you’re paying for a park-run experience. The creators and owners are involved, and that usually means fewer generic scripts and more real explanation. Second, you get the full snorkeling setup: gear plus safety floats. That adds value because you’re not shopping for rental equipment or paying extra onboard. Third, the format is short and cruise-friendly—so you’re buying time that stays fun, not waiting.

Could a basic snorkeling trip be cheaper? Sure. But if you care about understanding what you’re seeing, and you want a guided experience tied to a unique underwater attraction in St Maarten, this price is reasonable.

Who should book this Under SXM snorkel tour (and who should skip)

This tour is a good fit if you:

• Want something different from typical beach snorkeling
• Like learning in a straightforward way from real builders
• Appreciate cruise-friendly timing and not wandering around all day
• Prefer small group comfort (max 18 travelers)

It’s less of a fit if you:

• Are a non-swimmer (it’s not recommended)
• Get easily frustrated by reduced visibility in cloudy conditions
• Need a long, hands-on “explore the reef solo” style of snorkeling. This trip is structured, with guidance and a focus on the sculpture area.

If you’re traveling with kids, it can still work for the right ages, since most travelers can participate—but buoyancy and comfort are key. For anyone with mobility concerns around boat boarding, pay attention to how the crew helps guests during boarding since that’s the moment that can affect comfort the most.

How to get the most out of your hour in the water

Here’s how you make your snorkel time count without overthinking it:

• Stay calm in the water and float. The sculptures are around 15 feet down, so your job is watching from above, not rushing to swim hard.
• Keep your eyes moving between the structures and the spaces around them. Fish tend to use reef-like forms for cover and feeding zones.
• If visibility is cloudy, switch your focus. Instead of expecting perfect statue details, look for movement, flashes of color, and general shapes.
• If you buy the optional underwater photos, be ready for the moment so you’re not distracted while you’re enjoying the view.

Also, bring a positive attitude about conditions. This tour depends on good weather, and the water can change. If it’s not crystal clear, the experience can still be fun, especially because the sculpture shapes give you something stable to watch.

Should you book Under SXM?

Book it if you want a snorkeling tour that feels more like a guided encounter than a random swim. The big draw is the format: a short boat ride, gear and safety floats included, and an hour focused on 300 underwater sculptures explained by the park team.

Skip or rethink it if you’re not comfortable in the water, because it’s not recommended for non-swimmers. Also, if you’re the type who needs perfect visibility to enjoy marine life and details, plan for the fact that cloudy water can make sculptures and fish harder to see.

If you’re doing this as a cruise excursion, I’d call it a solid choice. You’re not stuck with long transportation, and the meeting point is walkable from Philipsburg’s cruise terminal area. In short: if you’re looking for value plus something genuinely different underwater, this one is worth your time.

FAQ

How long is the Under SXM snorkel tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours (approx.).

What does the tour cost?

It costs $49.00 per person.

Where is the meeting point, and how far is it from the cruise ship terminal?

You meet at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg at the two blue sculptures. It’s about a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety floats are provided.

How deep are the underwater sculptures?

The sculptures are about 15 feet below you.

Are underwater digital photos included?

No. Digital underwater photos are optional and can be purchased onboard.

What’s included in the tour besides snorkeling?

You get the guided snorkel experience, the quick scenic boat ride, and admission ticket included.

What is not included in the price?

Meals, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and private transportation are not included.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is it recommended for non-swimmers?

No. It is not recommended for non-swimmers.