Best Time to Visit Sint Maarten

One town, one island

Philipsburg is the only place on our site for Sint Maarten, so the advice below is for the Dutch side's capital. The island is small. The weather in Marigot, on the French side, and at Maho Beach will feel much the same. What changes between places is the crowds, not the climate.

December to April: the best months

This is the dry, comfortable stretch, and it's when we'd go. Days are sunny, the trade winds keep things fresh, and the sea is calm enough for easy swimming at Great Bay Beach, right in town. It's also high season. Flights and rooms fill up, especially over Christmas and New Year. If you hate crowds, aim for January or April instead of the holiday weeks.

Cruise ships pull into Philipsburg most days in this period. The Boardwalk and Front Street get busy by late morning. Walk the Boardwalk early evening, when the ships have left and the town feels like yours again.

May to November: hotter and wetter

Summer is the low season. It's hotter and stickier, and rain becomes more regular as the months go on. September is the hottest month at 29°C. October is the wettest, with 116 mm. Some restaurants and small hotels close for a few weeks in the autumn, so check before you count on a favourite spot.

There's a bigger thing to know. This is also hurricane season, which runs from June to November, and the peak risk is around late summer and early autumn. Sint Maarten took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma in 2017. If you go then, buy travel insurance that covers storms and keep your dates flexible.

The upside? Prices drop, beaches such as Orient Bay and Dawn Beach are quieter, and you'll get a more local feel.

Holidays and events

Carnival is the big one. It's held in spring, around April, with parades and music in Philipsburg, and it can push prices up. King's Day on 27 April is also a national holiday, and it's celebrated with Dutch-style parties. Book early if your trip lands on either one.