The best time to visit Sint Maarten is between January and April. The reason for this is because this is the time of year when the weather is exceptionally good in St. Maarten. Between the months of January to April, there are also excellent and inexpensive rates on hotels as well as the opportunity to enjoy some of the exciting festivals taking place on the island.
In Saint Martin, depending on the time of year there can be a higher number of tourists on the island or even a higher chance of hurricanes occurring on the island. When visiting St. Maarten, it is good to take into consideration the time of year you are deciding to visit.
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How many days do you need in St. Martin?
Tourists need at least three days to visit all the important places in St. Martin.
Day one in St. Maarten
Tourists can spend their first day getting to know the French and Dutch sides of St. Maarten with a local guided tour that shows the main attractions on both sides of the border by foot, bike, or bus. Tourists can try one of the island’s outdoor adventures such as a zipline, a guided all-terrain vehicle ride to some of the island’s most beloved beaches, or even enjoy the different restaurants, bars, and casinos in the evening in towns such as Philipsburg, Maho Bay, and Simpson Bay.
Day two in St. Maarten
Tourists can use their second day at sea on a small-group sailing excursion along the coastline, parasail above Orient Bay Beach, take a speedboat to Tintamarre and Pinel islands, or do some scuba diving in Simpson Bay. Couples can also take a romantic sunset cruise.
Day three in St. Maarten
Day three can be used for tourists as a day to visit other islands like Anguilla, Saba, or St. Barths. Some of the activities that tourists can do while visiting other islands are hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the beach.
When is the best time to visit St. Maarten?
The best time to visit St. Maarten is between January and April because during this time the temperature is warm and sunny. Although the island’s weather is pleasant year-round, these are times when rain showers are less likely, and the hotels also offer their best rates.
When is the worst time to visit St. Maarten?
The worst time to visit St. Maarten is between September and November when rainfall reaches the highest point of the year because of the hurricane season. Although a lot of tourists visit St. Martin in November, the island is at the end of the hurricane season. During hurricane season, those on the island might have to evacuate for safety reasons.
How is St. Maarten’s weather?
St. Maarten has warm and humid weather with temperatures that change slightly throughout the year. St. Maarten has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature in St. Maarten is between 80°F to 89°F (26°C to 31°C) and minimum temperatures sometimes fall below 68°F (20°C). St. Martin has two seasons, the dry season and the wet season.
The dry season is from December to May, and tourists visit the island to enjoy the summer temperatures. During this period, the sun shines almost every day and there is very little rainfall. The wet season is from May to November, the temperature never falls below 68°F (20°C) and daylight hours are longer.
The average temperature throughout the year in St. Maarten is listed below.
- January: 77°F (25°C)
- February: 76°F (24.5°C)
- March to April: 77.9°F (25.5°C)
- May: 79.7°F (26.5°C)
- June to July: 81.5°F (27.5°C)
- August: 82.4°F (28°C)
- September: 83.3°F (28.5°C)
- October: 81.5°F (27.5°C)
- November: 79.7°F (26.5°C)
- December: 77.9°F (25.5°C)
The average precipitation throughout the year in St. Maarten is listed below.
- January: 3 in (7.6 cm)
- February: 2 in (5 cm)
- March: 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
- April: 3.1 in (7.8 cm)
- May: 3.9 in (9.9 cm)
- June: 2.8 in (7.1 cm)
- July: 3.3 in (8.3 cm)
- August: 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- September: 4.7 in (11.9 cm)
- October: 3.9 in (9.9 cm)
- November: 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- December: 3.5 in (8.8 cm)
The average humidity throughout the year in St. Maarten is listed below.
- January: 69.8%
- February: 68.6%
- March: 67.5%
- April: 68.9%
- May: 71.5%
- June: 70.4%
- July: 71%
- August: 70.9%
- September: 71.4%
- October: 71.5%
- November: 72.7%
- December: 71.4%
Does St. Maarten have a rainy season?
Yes, St. Maarten does have a rainy season. The rainy season in St. Maarten goes from the end of May until the middle of November. Although it doesn’t rain every day, this roughly corresponds to the Atlantic hurricane season, from the 1st of June to the 30th of November. This time of the year is not the best time to travel to St. Maarten because of the severe hurricanes that have struck the island in the past that have caused people to have to evacuate the island. The average times in St. Maarten when the precipitation is at its highest and the average inches of precipitation during those times are listed below.
- May – 1.6 inches (4 cm)
- September – 2.1 inches (5.3 cm)
- October – 2.4 inches (6 cm)
- November – 2 inches (5 cm)
When is hurricane season in St. Maarten?
Hurricane season in St. Maarten begins from the 1st of June to the 30th of November. This is the period in which St. Martin sees the most rainfall. This is not the best time to travel to St. Maarten due to the risk of hurricanes striking the island and the possibility of having to evacuate the island.
What is the average water temperature in St. Martin?
The average water temperature in St. Martin stays in a range of 79°F to 84°F (26°C to 29°C), but it reaches its highest point of 79°F to 84°F (26°C to 29°C) at the beginning of February and is at its coldest peak approximately since the 26th of August in a range of 72°F to 75°F (22°C to 24°C).
When is the tourist season for St. Maarten?
The tourist season in St. Maarten is from the months of December to June. During this time the weather is sunny and dry with little rainfall. During the months of December to April, there are fewer crowds on the island. Many people choose to travel to St. Maarten during this time to avoid the crowds and to get cheaper rates on hotels.
What to do in St. Martin during the tourist season
There are plenty of activities for tourists to enjoy during their trip to St. Maarten. This is the case especially during the months of December to June which is known as tourist season. Some of the best activities to do in St. Martin during tourist season are listed and explained below.
- Explore the island with a guided tour: This activity should be the first thing to do when visiting St. Martin for the first time. A local guide can show tourists the whole island, where to eat, where to drink, where to dance, etc. All by the expert eye of a local. Some of the places that can’t be missed are the capital cities of Marigot (French side) and Phillipsburg (Dutch side), shopping in Marigot, hiking up to Fort Amsterdam and Fort Louis, Rainforest Adventure Zipline, visiting the Parotville Birdpark, taking a Seagrape History Tour, and visiting the Amuseum Naturalis.
- Visit one or many of the 37 beaches: Yes, St. Martin is home to 37 beautiful beaches and tourists can visit them all. The most famous beach in St. Martin is Maho Beach because of its location next to the Princess Juliana International Airport, allowing visitors to see the airplanes much closer than usual. This is something that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the most popular beaches by tourists and locals are Grand Case Bay, Mullet Bay, Little Bay, Orient Bay, Simpson Bay, Kim Sha Beach, and Great Bay.
- Take a tour on the water: Tourists can take a tour on the sea to see all the surroundings of St. Martin. Exploring the island from the ocean is one of the most relaxing activities that can be done in St. Maarten. Some of the best ways to explore the island are by powerboat, catamaran, mono-haul, or jet-ski.
- Visit local producers: Visit and support local producers in St. Maarten and enjoy the island like a local. Some of the must-sees are the Guavaberry Rum Emporium, Topper’s Rhum Distillery, MaDouDou, Tijon Perfumes, Noco Art Studio, and the Art Craft Café.
- Visit the nearby islands by boat: One of the best things to visit St. Maarten is the opportunity to visit nearby islands by boat. One of the islands that tourists need to visit during their stay is Pinel Island. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes and the round-trip ticket costs $12 (€11.40) per person. On Pinel Island, tourists can do some hiking, snorkeling, or just chill on the beach. Some other islands that are possible to visit from St. Martin are Saba, Anguilla, Tintamarre, St. Barthélemy, and St. Lucia.
- Practice a watersport: Maarten has many different exciting watersports for tourists to engage in. Some of the available watersports options in St. Maarten are kayaking, banana boating, glass-bottom kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, jet ski rental, rhino rider rental, jet pack, waterskiing, tubing, hoverboarding, and the list goes on.
- Dinner in Grand Case: Tourists can finish their day in Grand Case, best known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. World-class fine dining with the largest selection of fine European cuisine and the best wines may be the definition of the food culture on Grand Case. Some of the best options are the Bacchus, Lolo’s, and Cynthia’s Talk of the Town.
What is the best month to go to St Martin?
The best month to go to St. Martin is in April, when the average rainfall is 2 inches, and the high temperature is 86°F (30°C).
What is the best month to see festivals in St. Maarten?
The best month to see festivals in St. Maarten is March because of the high quantity of festivals that occur on the island during this time. The most popular festivals in St. Maarten are listed and explained below.
- Festivals in February: The Mardis de Grand Case is a celebration of the colorful culture of St Martin in the village of Grand Case, at the height of the tourist season. Tourists can discover local cuisine, crafts, and vibrant Caribbean music. Another festival is the Carnival on the French side, where people celebrate Mardi Gras, the king of carnivals. Tourists can enjoy the costumed dancers moving to the rhythmic beat, showcasing the cultural heritage of the island. This carnival goes from February to march.
- Festivals in March: The Heineken Regatta is held on St. Maarten’s first weekend of March. Teams of sailors from more than 35 countries participate. Visitors can watch the epic turns and twists of some serious sailing before dancing and listening to music at night’s end. The SXM Festival is an electric festival with world-class artists and DJs.
- Festivals in April: Maarten Open is a sports activity where international golfers are welcome to participate in a three-day tournament. The carnival in the Dutch part is also celebrated from April to May. The Carnival Village offers guests a chance to participate in the party while watching brightly dressed performers in the streets.
- Festivals in November: Maarten’s / St. Martin’s Day commemorates Christopher Colombus’ discovery of the island in 1493. Tourists can celebrate this national holiday with family days, sports, parades, and traditional games.
Other celebrations are the Happy Holi in May, Fête De La Mer in June, the Billfish Tournament in June, the I Love My Ram in July, the St. Martin Open-Air Film Festival in August, and the Holidays & Old Years Celebration in December.
When to go to St. Maarten during holidays and events?
Tourists should go to St. Maarten during holidays and events between the middle of December and March to enjoy most of the activities.