Best Time to Visit Marigot

December to April: the dry, easy months

This is high season, and it's easy to see why. Days are warm but not heavy, and the trade winds (steady breezes from the east) keep the evenings pleasant. Rain is short and light. February and March are the driest, with only 4 rainy days each. You'll get long, bright afternoons at Grand Case beach and clear water for snorkelling off Creole Rock.

Expect higher prices and fuller flights, especially over Christmas, New Year and the February school breaks. The Saturday and Wednesday market on the Marigot waterfront is busier then, with cruise visitors and yacht crews joining the locals. It's still worth a morning. Look for fresh fruit, spices and hot sauces.

Carnival is the big event. The French side celebrates in the weeks before Lent, usually February or early March, with parades and costumes in the streets of Marigot. Travelling with kids or hoping to see Carnival? This is your window.

May to July: quieter and still pleasant

It gets hotter and stickier, with humidity near 79%. Rain comes more often, on 12 to 14 days a month, but it's usually a quick shower, not a washout. Mornings are often bright, so plan your beach time early and keep afternoons for lunch in a snack shack (a *lolo* is the local name for a simple roadside grill).

Crowds thin out and some places cut their hours. If you like having Orient Bay or Friar's Bay mostly to yourself, this is a good trade. July has a lively side too: Bastille Day on 14 July brings French-side celebrations.

August to November: the wet, risky stretch

August, September and October are the wettest part of the year. October is the wettest month, with 116 mm over 15 days. This is also the heart of Atlantic hurricane season. Storms can close beaches, ferries and some restaurants, and a few places shut for a break.

So who should come? Bargain hunters who can be flexible, and travel insurance is wise. If you do come, don't count on a hiking day at Pic Paradis, the island's highest point, because the trail gets slick and cloudy.

November starts to improve. Rain eases to 80 mm, and the island slowly wakes up for the new season. It's a smart shoulder month if you want lower prices before December arrives.