The best thing about earning your PADI Scuba Certification in Sint Maarten with The Scuba Shop SXM is that you will do this on our beautiful, warm water dive sites. Already a certified scuba diver? You are able to earn you PADI Advanced Open Water Certification and some PADI Specialty Certifications on many of our regular dive trips. Some of our favourites are Peak Performance Buoyancy, Dive Against Debris, Fish Identification, Underwater Digital Imaging (camera provided) and Boat Diver. We also offer a dedicated schedule for other PADI Specialty Courses such as Rescue Diver, Search & Recovery Diver, Self-reliant Diver, Drift Diver and SMB Diver. Earn you PADI Master Scuba Diver certification with us or go Pro and become a PADI Divemaster.
Mermaid diving is a world with one foot in reality and the other in fantasy. The PADI Mermaid Program is designed to be a rewarding and fun experience, suited to anyone with an interest in mermaid diving and basic swimming abilities.
Whether you are starting your journey or seeking advanced expertise, The Scuba Shop SXM provides expert instruction, personal guidance, and a supportive environment to help divers grow their confidence and skills.
Become a PADI Open Water Diver in 3 easy steps.
1) Learn dive theory at your own pace with PADI eLearning. Gain the knowledge and fundamentals needed to confidently progress to the in-water portion of your training.
2) The next step is to learn and practice scuba skills in our on-property swimming pool and learn to use your scuba gear under the guidance on one of our PADI Instructors. Throughout the day you will build your confidence before your open water dives.
3) Practice your scuba skills during 4 dives in our beautiful, warm Caribbean sea with your PADI Instructor, earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification while watching the fish go about their daily lives.
Steps 2 and 3 can be done here on Sint Maarten over 3 days. It is also possible to complete Step 2, confined water pool skills, with a dive shop in your home town and just spend 2 days diving here in Sint Maarten after a quick review of skills learned.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about expanding your scuba skills and confidence in the water. You'll complete two required dives—deep diving and underwater navigation—then choose three additional specialty dives based on the local environment and what excites you most, for a total of five dives. Our instructors are there to guide you while you build your confidence and knowledge, all while enjoying our amazing warm water dive sites. The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification gives you the ability to see more, dive deeper, and go to all the best dive sites.
The PADI Rescue Diver course will change the way you dive - in the best possible way. You will learn to recognize and address stress in divers, respond to emergency situations, and administer first aid and CPR, making you more confident and capable in handling challenging dive scenarios. The PADI eLearning makes it easy to complete the knowledge development at your own pace. With one of our PADI Instructors you will then practice handling scenarios through role-playing with the other students in your class, gaining confidence and having serious fun along the way. In water sessions takes place in both our on-property swimming pool as well as in the ocean off of our dive boat.
We offer many PADI Specialty Diver courses to enhance your dive skills and enjoyment under water. Many of these courses start with eLearning and can be done on our regular scheduled fun dives, and some need a dedicated schedule. Some of the PADI Specialty certifications you can earn with us are:
The PADI Master Scuba Diver rating places you in an elite group of respected divers who have earned this rating through both significant experience and scuba training. Fewer than two percent of divers ever achieve this rating. When you flash your Master Scuba Diver card, people know that you've spent time underwater in a variety of environments and had your share of dive adventures.
The path starts with earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification, followed by PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver and five (5) PADI Specialty Diver certifications. You will also need a minimum of 50 logged dives (all of your course dives count).
Ready to embark on a career in scuba diving? After earning your PADI Rescue Diver certification and 40 logged dives you are ready to start your PADI Divemaster course during which you will learn how to lead underwater tours, assist with scuba classes and inspire others to care about the ocean. Hone your skills and be the diver everyone admires.
PADI Divemaster is the most popular and most recognized professional scuba certification in the world.
Mermaid diving is a world with one foot in reality and the other in fantasy. Mermaid lore originated centuries ago, yet even today, the myths tickle our imaginations. Water lovers, young and old, fantasize about living as mermaids – but unlike most such fantasies, this one we can make real – well, almost real. Mermaid equipment and costuming let us bridge fiction and fact, opening the door to this mystical culture through mermaid diving.
The PADI Mermaid Program is designed to be a rewarding and fun experience, suited to anyone with an interest in mermaid diving and basic swimming abilities. Although this experience shares techniques and equipment used in scuba and freediving, mermaid diving (or ‘mermaiding’) is its own form of diving. The PADI Mermaid Program is designed for non-divers and divers alike, as you don’t need any prior knowledge to enroll.
At The Scuba Shop, our mission is to make diving in St. Maarten accessible, enjoyable, and unforgettable for every visitor. From diving with us at The Scuba Shop SXM aboard the Mermaid's Tale, or helping you select a different dive shop, we ensure your dive experience is tailored to your needs. The island’s waters are rich with sharks, turtles, rays, and vibrant reefs, offering something new on every dive. Whether you want to try scuba for the first time, complete a PADI course, or add a conservation element to your dives, we provide the resources, instruction, and guidance to make it happen. With options ranging from quick single-tank dives to advanced specialty training, every diver can find the perfect fit.
