St-Martin & Sint Maarten
Two sides of one Caribbean island, each with its own beaches and restaurants, plus ferry trips to nearby islands.
St. Martin and Sint Maarten is one island in the northeast Caribbean, shared by France and the Netherlands. The northern French side, Saint-Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France. The southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The land border is open, with no checkpoint on the road.
Most visitors come for the beaches and the food. Grand Case, on the French side, is known for its restaurants. The Dutch side has the main airport, Princess Juliana International, and Maho Beach, where planes pass low over the sand. Ferries from the island reach nearby islands such as Anguilla and Saba, so a day trip is possible. The drier months, December to April, are the usual choice. Hurricane season runs from June to November. A week gives you time for both sides and one day trip.
Five things to know before St-Martin & Sint Maarten
- Complete the Sint Maarten entry form (ED card)
Travelers visiting Sint Maarten complete the official Sint Maarten Entry Form, the ED card, online at entry.sx before arriving. Use only the official government site. Visas and entry
- Know which side you are on
The border is open, but the Dutch side uses the Caribbean guilder, 110 V and US plugs; the French side uses the euro, 230 V and European plugs. US dollars work on both.
- Use the island as a hub for day trips
Ferries and small planes run to Anguilla, St-Barth and Saba. Carry your passport; each is a separate border.
- Pick your side for the kind of stay you want
Simpson Bay and Philipsburg on the Dutch side have casinos, bars and cruise crowds. Grand Case and Orient Bay on the French side are quieter, with better food.
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. The island was badly hit by Irma in 2017, so check your hotel's storm policy. Travel insurance
St-Martin & Sint Maarten travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The Sint Maarten ED card and French side rules.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical, evacuation and storm cover to check for St Martin.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsEuros, guilders and US dollars on one island.
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries and small planes to Anguilla, St-Barth and Saba.
Read the guide
Destinations in St-Martin & Sint Maarten
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, peak seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°Dry, breezyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°Dry, sunnyMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, quieterAprilRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quieter
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Warm, quietMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, showersJulyRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Storm risk, rainOctoberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk, rain
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Season endsNovemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season ends
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Busy holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy holidays
Average daily high and low in Philipsburg, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in St-Martin & Sint Maarten
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 30 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
Marigot
06:04 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°29°69%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 29°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Tue29°28°31%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Wed29°28°27%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu29°27°35%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri29°27°67%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat29°26°75%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sun29°27°62%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 62%.
Updated 04:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to St-Martin & Sint Maarten
St-Martin & Sint Maarten FAQ
Is there a border between St-Martin and Sint Maarten?
There is a border, but no checks when you cross between the French and Dutch sides. Entry formalities happen at the airports and ferry ports.
Do I need the ED card for Sint Maarten?
Yes. The government's entry form, the ED card, is required for all travelers visiting, transferring through or living in Sint Maarten. Complete it online at entry.sx before you arrive.
What currency is used on St Martin?
The euro on the French side and the Caribbean guilder on the Dutch side. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.
When is hurricane season in St Martin?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. December to April is drier and calmer, and prices are highest then; May and June are a good compromise.
Can I take a day trip to Anguilla or St-Barth?
Yes. Ferries run to Anguilla from the French side and to St-Barth from both sides. Bring your passport and check return times.