Many on St. Maarten might not be aware that there is a relatively significant Marine Mammal population in the waters surrounding St. Maarten, including numerous species of whales and dolphins. St. Maarten lies within the area of the Western Atlantic where various whale species come to give birth to their young. From February to May several hundreds of Humpback Whales migrate from the northern Atlantic to areas within the Caribbean to give birth and nurse their young before heading back up north”, read a statement from the Nature Foundation.

Particularly throughout the end of March and early April Bottlenose Dolphin can often be spotted near Creole Rock or in the channel between French St. Maarten and Anguilla. 

Numerous other species of whale and dolphin, including sperm whales and several types of dolphins, make their home in regional waters. 

Regulations

The public is prohibited from harassing, harming, pursuing, wounding, killing, capturing, or collecting marine species.

Viewing marine animals in their natural habitat can be an exciting experience—watching a group of dolphins leaping across the water, seeing a sea turtle nesting on a beach, or encountering a colony of seals basking in the sun. Although it can be tempting to try to get close to these marine animals, it’s always best to view them from a safe and respectful distance for their safety—and yours. Learning how to interact with and observe ocean animals can help you make the right decisions when you encounter them by water, land, or air.

Observe whales from a safe distance of at least 100 meters.

Keep at least 50 meters away from Dolphins.