Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten · Reef
Shark Hotel
Ledges and ridges at 18 m named for a reef shark, stingrays on the sand beside them
Area photo: Gillfoto from Juneau, Alaska, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Shark Hotel is a reef in the Man of War Shoal Marine Park where reefs flank sand channels and the reef at 18 m is cut with ledges and ridges. The site is named after Big Mama, a shark that used to be seen here, Caribbean reef sharks are the draw, and the sand beside the reef is a good place for stingrays. All fishing, including shark fishing, is banned in the park.
Where it is and how deep
17.9888° N, 63.0536° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
You descend from the mooring to the reef at 18 m (60 ft). The ground here is a run of reef flanked by sand channels, and the reef itself is cut with ledges and ridges. The name comes from one shark in particular, Big Mama, who used to be spotted here, and the ledges are where to look for Caribbean reef sharks: move slowly along the reef edge and check under each overhang rather than swimming over the top.
When the reef ends, turn onto the sandy area beside it. This is where stingrays settle, and there is a good chance of one half-buried on the bottom. Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezii) are a popular sight for divers off Sint Maarten, the Nature Foundation has tagged and tracked individuals since 2016, and all fishing, including shark fishing, is banned inside the marine park, but a sighting is not guaranteed. Work back along the reef towards the mooring and ascend for the safety stop under the boat.
Marine life and season
- Reef sharks
- Stingrays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime |
Season follows Sint Maarten: Conditions vary little through the year; Jun–Nov is hurricane season and Dec–Apr plus Jul–Aug are the crowded months.
Questions divers ask
Are there sharks at Shark Hotel?+
Caribbean reef sharks use the ledges and ridges of the reef, and the site is named after one, Big Mama, that used to be seen there. A sighting is not guaranteed. All fishing, including shark fishing, is banned in the marine park.
How deep is Shark Hotel?+
The reef with its ledges and ridges is at 18 m (60 ft), within Open Water limits.
Sources
- Shark Hotel — Scubago
- Shark Hotel dive site — PADI
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