Sint Maarten is a popular stop in the southern Caribbean with an unusual blend of Dutch and French cultures. Nice weather makes the island even more attractive to visitors and long-term vacationers alike.
Sint Maarten is actually the name of the Dutch side of the island, while Saint Martin is the name for the smaller French side. It is the smallest island in the world that is shared between two nations.
But they share the same weather. Visitors to the island’s 37 beaches will find year-round warmth, but they also will find the usual heavy rainfall later in the year when the Caribbean’s annual hurricane season takes place.
The average monthly high temperature is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Meteorological Service of Netherland Antilles and Aruba. The average monthly low temperature is about 77 degrees.
The monthly high temperatures reach an average of 88 to 89 degrees from June through October. They reach a low of about 84 degrees from December through March, making the island one of the warmest year-round.
The island receives an average of 3.4 inches of rain per month, but with distinct peaks and valleys during the year.
Rainfall averages about two inches per month from January through April, spikes to nearly four inches in May and drops in June and July. In picks up in August and exceeds five inches in September, four inches in October and more than five inches again in November. In fact, St. Maarten is unusual among Caribbean destinations for receiving more rainfall in November than in October or September.
The most popular times to visit are March and April, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The least popular month is September, followed by October.
Based on rainfall totals, the riskiest month to visit St. Maarten is November followed by September and then October. The best months to visit with the lowest risk of heavy rainfall are March, April, June and July.
