ABOUT US

At Friendly Island Divers, we believe every dive should be safe, personal, and unforgettable. Our passion is sharing the beauty of Sint Maarten’s underwater world while creating an atmosphere that feels both professional and genuinely friendly.

Our story

It all started back in 2021 when Natalie came to the island as a dive instructor from the States while Sietse arrived around the same time to work in maritime salvage from the Netherlands.

When Sietse signed up for his Open Water course, little did he know that his entire life just changed. Natalie was his Open Water Instructor and they became fast friends until they inevitably started their romantic relationship a year later.

Not only did they fall in love with each other, but they also fell in love with the island. After a year of traveling and diving all around the world, they decided they wanted to start their own dive center in their favorite place. And just like that, Friendly Island Divers was born.

Now husband and wife, and IDC staff instructor and Open Water Instructor, their goal is to provide the highest quality dive training and experience in Sint Maarten, combining modern safety standards with warm island hospitality.

And then they took it a step further; What happens if we hire our friends to dive with us? And they did just that. They hired one of their best friends to run the dive center alongside them, because when staff enjoys diving together, you can’t have a bad day.

THE TEAM

Natalie Batzel

Natalie is the warm and welcoming heart of Friendly Island Divers. She makes every guest feel at home, ensuring your dive experience is smooth and enjoyable.

Sietse van der Peet

Sietse is a skilled instructor with a passion for adventure. With patience and expertise, he builds confidence in every diver.

Dagmar van den Bercken

Dagmar combines professionalism with a calm, friendly approach. She always creates a safe and relaxed atmosphere, no matter your level.

Fish

Woof bark woof woof bark! Bark baaaark bark woof bark woof woof bark baaaaark! Bark woof bark bark — good dive, much happy!