What's the best time to visit St. Martin?
The best time to visit St. Martin is December to April, with perfect weather for exploring and enjoying festivals like Carnival. This peak season matches the Caribbean’s dry period, leading to higher prices and crowds. Highlights include the Heineken Regatta and various cultural events showcasing the island’s heritage.
St. Martin is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and a perfect place for a relaxing vacation packed with sun, sand, and surf. The island is small but packed with things to do. You can check out the many beaches, like Maho Beach (famous for its proximity to the airport) or quiet Cupecoy Beach.
The island is divided between a French and Dutch side, and both sides have quaint towns and villages, like colorful Dutch Philipsburg and lively French Rambaud. Check out some of the many island activities, like sailing or shark diving.
St. Martin is a gorgeous place to visit, especially if you time it right so you can enjoy the beach. Keep reading to learn more about the best time to visit the island.
Overall Best Time to Visit St. Martin
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The best time to visit St. Martin is between December and April, which is the island’s dry season and boasts the best weather. December to April, or winter in the Northern Hemisphere, is the best time to visit many Caribbean islands.
The Caribbean region has a tropical climate, which means that its seasons are divided into wet and dry seasons. The dry season, which has far more sunshine, in the region is in the winter months.
The island of St. Martin pretty much follows this regional weather pattern. Average high temperatures on the island hover between 83–87 degrees Fahrenheit pretty much all year.
The months between December and April have the highest chances of clear skies, with only about a 20% chance of cloud cover. It only rains one or two days a month during the dry season, although the windward coast (on the east) sees showers all year round.
Even the official St. Martin tourism board admits that December to April is the best time to visit. Temperatures are slightly lower than during the wet season, making it pleasant to go exploring, not just lounge on the beach.
The sunshine is near-constant, making it the perfect weather for activities such as:
- Swimming
- Scuba diving
- Parasailing
- Sailing
- Hiking
- Walking
Many festivals happen during this time. Some festivals are traditional celebrations showcasing the best of St. Martin’s Caribbean culture.
The biggest party is Carnival, which, like on many Caribbean islands, happens in the late winter and early spring (exact dates differ depending on whether you’re on the French or Dutch side). Expect colorful costumes, street parades, and, of course, plenty of rum.
For a more low-key traditional festival, head inland to the Arrowroot Festival in February. Other popular events during this time are various international festivals, often catering to St. Martin’s well-heeled visitors.
The Heineken Regatta in late February and early March draws fans of sailing to the Caribbean’s biggest race each year. It’s more than a race, and organized afterparties include popular DJs as well as other events. One thing to keep in mind is that this time is the most popular time of year to visit St. Martin.
Expect hotels to fill up and prices to go up as well. But if you’re willing to budget for it, we highly suggest going during this time.
Cheapest Time to Visit St. Martin
Natalia Barsukova/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit St. Martin is during the shoulder seasons in the spring (May–early June) and the late fall (November–the middle of December).
By early May, temperatures and the chance of rain rise in St. Martin, and the increasing humidity sends many tourists packing. However, their loss is your gain, as this window brings some of the best hotel deals on the island.
In May, you can reserve many top hotels for 20%–30% off what you would normally pay, with some even offering rooms for half off their regular price. Another window of time with good hotel deals is the late fall and early winter.
By November, the rains calm down, but the tourism season isn’t in full swing yet. Many resorts are back open for the season, which means that you have more choices for where to stay, including places that are in your budget.
There are also good discounts during this time, as long as you avoid the Thanksgiving holidays. Fall is the cheapest time to fly to St. Martin, with many airlines offering discounts in October and November.
Least Busy Time to Visit St. Martin
Marigot, St Martin, French West Indies – January 2022: Evening time at the lagoon at Marigot, capital of the French side of the Caribbean island/Timsimages.uk/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit St. Martin is during the Northern Hemisphere autumn, which coincides with the rainy season on the island. In September, October, and November, visitor numbers drop fairly dramatically.
Most tourists like to avoid the worst of the rainy season in the Caribbean, so they don’t visit during this time. Many of St. Martin’s crowds come from cruise ships, so you can check to see how crowded the island is on any given month by looking at the official cruise ship schedule.
In Philipsburg, the island’s main cruise ship port, August and September have the fewest arrivals, while October and November also have comparatively few docking dates.
That means you’ll be able to explore the quaint little town without the big crowds of day-trippers. If you want to beat the crowds and the rain, visit towards the end of the rainy season.
By November, the rains mostly peter out, but except for Thanksgiving break, there aren’t as many tourists as possible yet. Temperatures are in the mid-70s to mid-80s, and the weather is mostly sunny, perfect for lounging on the beach without fighting for a spot to put down your towel.
Worst Time to Visit St. Martin
Multiverse/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit St. Martin is during the peak of the rainy season, from July to October, but even then, it is not too bad on the island. St. Martin has a rainy season, like other Caribbean islands.
During this time, you can expect more rain showers, including heavy downpours. The temperature also rises, and the humidity levels become quite high, making it not very pleasant to walk around the island. However, the rainy season on St. Martin is not as bad as it is in other parts of the Caribbean.
According to the official tourism board, showers are short and sporadic, and there is still plenty of sunshine. July to October is the slowest time to visit the island, which means that there are the fewest crowds and the lowest prices.
However, many resorts and other tourism-oriented businesses close for the off-season, so you may have fewer choices in your budget range.
Check with your dream hotel if they’re open—and double-check that they’re not conducting noisy renovations right in your wing. One thing you should keep in mind is that this period coincides with the worst of the Caribbean hurricane season.
Although St. Martin isn’t as heavily affected as other parts of the Caribbean, it can get hit by strong hurricanes, like Hurricane Irma in 2017, which devastated the island. Make sure you follow any hurricane alerts and evacuate as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – May 14, 2016: The beach at Maho Bay/Solarisys/Shutterstock
These additional questions can help you pick the best time to visit St. Martin:
When not to go to St. Martin?
Don’t go to St. Martin during the peak of the rainy season (July–early October), as that is when the weather is bad and many businesses are closed.
What is the best month to visit St. Maarten?
The best month to visit St. Maarten is November, when the weather is pleasant as the rainy season comes to an end, but crowd numbers are still manageable.
What is the rainy season in St. Martin?
St. Martin’s rainy season is from May to November but peaks in August, September, and October.
What is the cheapest time of year to go to St. Martin?
The cheapest time of year in St. Martin is from July to October, but it may not be worth visiting during this time due to the rain and risk of hurricanes.
What to avoid in St. Martin?
Avoid activities that could make you unsafe, like wandering remote beaches at night. The island is mostly safe, but crime still occurs.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit St. Martin?
The best time to visit St. Martin is from December to April when the weather is amazing. This is also the most expensive time to visit, so visit in May or November for some budget deals.
So, with so much to see and do and no bad time to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that St. Martin has to offer. Happy travels!