Page 437 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles
P. 437
How the Dutch and French finally partitioned the island makes for crystal clear waters, great visibility, and lots of diversity. There are
a great story. Supposedly, the two groups held a contest. Starting a variety of diving sites consisting of wrecks, coral reefs, lava flows
at Oysterpond on the east coast, they would walk westwards -- the and rock formations. These sites are encrusted with vibrant sponges
French along the northern edge, the Dutch along the southern -- and and brightly colored coral. With deep wrecks on the Dutch Side and
where they met they would draw a dividing line across the island. The prolific reefs on the French Side of the island there is lots to see. St
French set off, having fortified themselves with wine, the Dutch with Maarten and St Martin sea safaris take scuba divers to the turquoise
gin. The ill effects of the gin, however, caused the Dutchmen to stop waters of the Caribbean Sea, home to a huge variety of marine life.
along the way to sleep off their drunk; consequently, the French were As each dive site is well endowed with fish, divers will discover tiny
able to cover a much greater distance. In truth, though, the French coral shrimp and nudibrancs, Hawksbill turtles, sergeant majors, blue
had a large navy just off shore at the time the treaty was being negoti- tangs, surgeonfish, blue and brown chromis, trumpetfish, filefish and
ated, and they were able to win concessions by threat of force. The trunkfish. Big Mama’s Reef is a spectacular reef submerged in 12 me-
treaty was signed on top of Mount Concordia in 1648, but despite the ters of water. It surrounds a large, sandy area and harbors numerous
reputation for peaceful cohabitation, the border was to change anoth- large fish and Caribbean reef sharks.
er 16 times until 1815 when the Treaty of Paris fixed the boundaries The St. Maarten Marine Park surrounds the entire Dutch side from
for good. Oyster Pond to Cupecoy Bay, stretching from the coastal waters and
The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery onto the island, and the beaches to the 200 foot depth range. The area embodies some of
hundreds of African men, women, and children were imported for the last pristine marine locations on the island, where excellent diving
this purpose. The French finally abolished slavery on July 12, 1848 and breeding grounds for birds, fish and other marine life can be en-
-- a date now celebrated as Schoelcher Day. The Dutch slaves were countered. The Marine Park is divided into different zones, some with
emancipated 15 years later. Following the end of slavery, the island restrictions on certain activities. The Marine Park features some 28
entered a serious depression that lasted until 1939, when the island dive sites that include natural and man-made reefs as well a few ship
was declared a duty-free port. The Dutch began developing a tourist wrecks. Proselyte reef is a wonderful example of a historical wreck
industry in the 1950’s, but the French didn’t take advantage of this with artifacts. Within the conservation zone lie pristine coral reefs,
opportunity until the 1970’s. St.Martin continued its large-scale con- particularly around the four islets Molly Beday, Pelican Rock, Cow
struction projects throughout the 1980’s, but now most of the devel- and calf and Hen and chicks. Pelican Rock is recognized by Bird Life
opment has been completed, and great care has been taken to preserve International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for resident and mi-
the island’s natural resources. gratory birds including the Audubon’s Shearwater and the national
SCUBA DIVING ST. MARTIN Brown pelican.
Diving in St Maarten and St Martin is typically shallow, 60 feet or
less, and prefect for a relaxing dive holiday. Scuba divers will discover
