Is There A Time Not To Visit St. Maarten?
To Be on St. Maarten or Not To Be on St. Maarten, That Is The Question (Or Is It?)
A frequently asked question about the best known binational destination of the Caribbean is when not to go to St. Maarten. For a year round sunny Caribbean island, the answer should directly be clear to many around the world: There is no bad time to visit the island.
Turning that question around, the best time to visit St. Maarten / St. Martin will much depend on your preferences. Just some variables in play: are you a people person or a fan of tranquillity, a sailor or a landlubber, an activity person or a beach fanatic, are you traveling to the region because you like the Caribbean sun or do you prefer some fresh air and cloudiness in between? Some important personal choices to make about when to come to St. Maarten / St. Martin, and when not. Let us guide you in selecting your personal best time to visit the island.
Going to St. Maarten in spring versus Fall: Thrills versus Tranquillity
St. Maartens spring boasts most events of world fame, like the February Caribbean Multihull Regatta and French Side Carnival, Heineken Regatta in March, the SXM Festival right after it and St. Maarten Carnival in April.
Fall is the ideal season if you like solitude, as it is the most quiet time of the year. That does not mean your favorite restaurant is not open, or your excursion of choice is not available. Check their availability beforehand, and mostly your offer is compared to any time in summer or winter. The good thing about fall is that you will run into some of the best Caribbean hotel rates of the year.
Winter versus Summer: Cosy versus Crusoe
St. Maarten / St. Martin winter season is busier than summer. The St. Maarten Weather is also cooler in winter as the Caribbean is still north of the equator. Winter time is also when cruise ships dock in St. Maarten.
When it pertains to the summer months, the island is equally attractive but the sun is (even) more prominent than winter. St. Maartens most famous beaches might be a bit less crowded, but you had 32 more quiet ones to choose from in winter too!
Some people might pay attention to “hurricane season” between May and October, but most frequent St. Maarten visitors do not. They know the season is named like that because hurricanes in theory could occur, but that the chance the island encounters a serious storm is highly unlikely and storms are well monitored in advance. So you would know of any storm threat, should it occur at all, well before departure to the island. St. Maarteners just call this timeframe “summer”, like anyone else – but for some extra vigilance for Sahara weather systems.
Summer season also offers some lower prices, but not as low as fall.
Four Seasons of Fun!
All in all, we return to our key argument: there is no time to choose to go to St. Maarten or not, but it is up to you when you feel the island matches your ideal holiday picture.
St. Maartens five most appreciated features, its status as culinary capital of the Caribbean, its cornucopia of on a small island, its great hospitality, island hopping opportunities and friendly people, are available year round. Events calendars are available throughout the year too.
Prices and weather might differ; St. Maarten and its beaches do not!
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