Saint Martin is one small island with two countries: the French Collectivity of Saint-Martin in the north and Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in the south. The two have shared the island peacefully since 1648, with no border checks between them, so you can have breakfast with croissants in Marigot and lunch on a Dutch-side beach without showing a passport. The island packs a lot into about 87 km² (34 square miles): more than 30 beaches, from the plane-spotting sands of Maho Beach beside the airport runway to the long, lively curve of Orient Bay, plus the French restaurants of Grand Case, duty-free shopping in Philipsburg, green hills topped by Pic Paradis, and boat trips to the islets of Pinel and Tintamarre. It is also the Caribbean’s busiest hub for small islands, with ferries and short flights to Saint-Barthélemy, Anguilla and Saba. Prices and signs are in euros on one side, in Caribbean guilders on the other, and in US dollars almost everywhere. December to April is peak season; hurricane season runs from June to November.
Right now in Saint Martin
- Tue 27–29°C 81–84°F 8 mm Showers
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- Thu 27–29°C 81–84°F 2 mm Light showers
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0)
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Saint Martin at a glance: overview and geography
The island lies in the northeastern Caribbean, at the top of the Leeward Islands, about 170 km (105 miles) east of the British Virgin Islands and 25 km (15 miles) northwest of Saint-Barthélemy. The French side covers the northern 53 km² (20 square miles), with the capital Marigot and about 32,000 people; the Dutch side covers about 34 km² (13 square miles) in the south, with the capital Philipsburg, Princess Juliana International Airport and about 44,000 people. The west end is low and sandy around the large Simpson Bay Lagoon, which both sides share, while the center rises to Pic Paradis, the highest point, at about 424 m (1,391 feet), on the French side.
The Arawak and Kalinago peoples lived here before Europeans arrived; Columbus is said to have named the island on Saint Martin’s Day in 1493. The French and the Dutch both settled, and in 1648 they signed the Treaty of Concordia to divide it. Salt, sugar and cotton were the early economy; tourism took over from the 1960s. Today, the French side is an overseas collectivity of France, part of the European Union but outside the Schengen area, and Sint Maarten has been a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010, outside the EU. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5, devastated both sides on 6 September 2017; most hotels, beaches and the airport have been rebuilt, though a few ruined buildings remain.
Time zone: both sides are on Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4) all year, with no daylight saving, the same as US Eastern Daylight Time in summer and one hour ahead of it in winter.
The areas of the island
- Philipsburg (Dutch side): the capital on Great Bay, with the cruise pier, the beach boardwalk, Front Street’s duty-free shops, Fort Amsterdam and the courthouse.
- Simpson Bay, Maho and the Lowlands (Dutch side): the airport, Maho Beach, marinas, casinos, nightlife and many hotels and condos; Cupecoy and Mullet Bay to the west.
- Marigot (French side): the French capital, with its harbor market, waterfront cafés, Fort Louis and the Marina Royale.
- Grand Case (French side): a small seaside village famous for its restaurants and beach.
- Orient Bay and the east (French side): the island’s best-known beach, water sports, Cul-de-Sac and the boats to Pinel Island, and the nature reserve.
- The Terres Basses (French side): the quiet western headland of villas and the beaches of Baie Rouge, Baie aux Prunes and Baie Longue.
- The hills: Pic Paradis, Loterie Farm and the old villages of Colombier on the French side and Dutch Quarter on the Dutch side.
Where to go: both sides of the island
Most visitors stay either around Simpson Bay on the Dutch side, for nightlife, the airport and value, or at Orient Bay or Grand Case on the French side, for beaches and food. Distances are short, but traffic is heavy, so choose a base near what you want to do most.
Maho Beach
At the end of the airport runway, Maho Beach is famous for the jets that pass just above the sand on landing. Watching planes from the beach bars is a classic outing; check the flight boards posted at the bars. Signs warn visitors not to stand behind the fence or in the path of departing aircraft: jet blast from take-offs is powerful enough to knock people over and has caused serious injuries and a death, so watch landings from a safe spot and keep away from the fence during departures.
Orient Bay
The “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean”, a long arc of white sand on the French side’s east coast with beach clubs, restaurants, water sports and kitesurfing. The southern end has a clothing-optional section. The water is generally calm inside the reef, but it is on the windward coast, so sargassum can arrive in heavy years.
Grand Case
A small village on a calm bay, known as the island’s culinary capital, with French, Creole and international restaurants along its one main street, and the lolos, barbecue shacks serving ribs, chicken, lobster and johnnycakes. On Tuesday evenings in season, the street closes for the Harmony Nights festival of music and crafts.
Marigot
The French capital is at its best in the morning, when the harbor-front market sells spices, crafts and fresh fish. Climb to Fort Louis, built in 1789, for views over Marigot Bay to Anguilla, and have lunch by the Marina Royale.
Philipsburg
The Dutch capital stretches along Great Bay between a salt pond and the sea. Front Street is lined with duty-free jewelry, liquor and electronics shops, and the beach boardwalk has bars and loungers; it is busiest when several cruise ships are in port. Visit the Sint Maarten Museum, Fort Amsterdam’s ruins and the Guavaberry Emporium for the island’s own liqueur.
Pinel Island and Tintamarre
Pinel, a small, uninhabited islet off Cul-de-Sac, is a short ferry ride away, with calm water, snorkeling and beach restaurants. Tintamarre, further offshore, has wilder beaches and turtles; it is reached on catamaran trips. Both are part of the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin, the French side’s protected marine and coastal area.
Pic Paradis and Loterie Farm
The road up to Pic Paradis gives the best views of the island, and Loterie Farm, a private nature reserve on its slopes, has forest trails, ziplines and a pool. See our hiking guide.
A few more worth your time
Mullet Bay, Cupecoy’s cliffs and Baie Rouge’s snorkeling in the west; Happy Bay and Friar’s Bay near Grand Case; the Butterfly Farm; the Amuseum Naturalis at Belvedere; the Dutch-side Guana Bay and Dawn Beach for sunrise; and the Border Monument on the road between Marigot and Philipsburg.
Best time to visit Saint Martin
Saint Martin is warm and breezy all year, with steady trade winds and a drier season from about January to June. The table shows the official 1991–2020 climate normals for Princess Juliana International Airport, submitted to the World Meteorological Organization and archived by NOAA.
| Season (Princess Juliana Airport, 1991–2020) | Average high | Average low | Rain per month | Days with rain | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec–Apr | 29–30 °C (83–85 °F) | 23–24 °C (74–76 °F) | 47–101 mm (1.8–4.0 in) | 8–14 | Peak season: sunny, breezy, with short showers; February to April are the driest months. |
| May–Jul | 30–31.5 °C (87–89 °F) | 25–26 °C (78–79 °F) | 55–98 mm (2.2–3.9 in) | 9–13 | Hot, calmer and good value; sargassum is most likely on east coasts. |
| Aug–Nov | 30–32 °C (87–89 °F) | 25–26.5 °C (77–80 °F) | 106–162 mm (4.2–6.4 in) | 13–14 | The wettest, most humid months and the peak of hurricane season; some hotels close in September. |
The airport averages about 1,120 mm (44 in) of rain a year. The sea is warm all year, from about 26 °C (79 °F) in February and March to 29 °C (84 °F) in September and October.
Hurricanes and sargassum
According to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Saint Martin lies in a common path for Atlantic hurricanes: Irma crossed the island as a Category 5 on 6 September 2017, with catastrophic damage on both sides, followed by Maria nearby two weeks later. As of 4 October 2026, the 2026 season had produced eight tropical storms and no hurricanes, and none had brought watches or warnings to Saint Martin, according to the NHC. Travel from June to November with flexible bookings and insurance that covers hurricanes. Sargassum seaweed piles up mainly on east-facing bays, such as Orient Bay, Le Galion, Cul-de-Sac and Dawn Beach, mostly from spring to late summer, while western and southern beaches, such as Mullet Bay, Maho, Baie Rouge and Grand Case, are usually clear. According to the University of South Florida’s Sargassum Watch, 2026 is at least the second-largest sargassum year on record, with record Caribbean amounts in June; by September amounts were falling and expected to keep falling until about November.
Crowds, prices and events
Mid-December to mid-April is peak season, with the highest prices; Christmas, New Year and US spring break are busiest. The Heineken Regatta in early March fills the island with sailors and parties. Carnival is held at different times on the two sides: before Lent on the French side and in late April to early May on the Dutch side, around King’s Day. Other holidays include Bastille Day (14 July) and Schoelcher Day (21 July) on the French side, Emancipation Day (1 July) on the Dutch side, and Saint Martin’s Day on 11 November, celebrated across the island. Cruise ships call most often from November to April, filling Philipsburg on ship days.
How long to stay: sample itineraries
The island is small but varied; a week lets you enjoy both sides and add an island day trip.
4 days: both sides
Day 1: Simpson Bay and sunset plane-watching at Maho. Day 2: Marigot’s market and Fort Louis, then lunch and the beach at Grand Case. Day 3: Orient Bay and a boat to Pinel Island. Day 4: Philipsburg’s boardwalk and Front Street, then Pic Paradis or Loterie Farm.
7 days: beaches and boat trips
Add Mullet Bay and Baie Rouge, a catamaran day to Tintamarre, a dive or snorkel trip, and a day of kitesurfing or paddleboarding. Keep evenings for Grand Case’s restaurants and the lolos.
10 days: with Saint-Barthélemy or Anguilla
Add a ferry day trip or a few nights on Saint-Barthélemy, 45–75 minutes away by fast ferry, or Anguilla’s beaches, a short ferry ride from Marigot. See our Saint-Barthélemy travel guide.
Entry, money, fees and costs
Entry rules on each side (last reviewed October 2026)
Two sets of rules apply, but in practice the side you arrive on decides your entry checks. Neither side is in the Schengen area, so EU rules such as the Entry/Exit System and ETIAS do not apply.
- Arriving at Princess Juliana Airport (Dutch side) or by yacht to Sint Maarten: every visitor must complete the free online ED card (Embarkation and Disembarkation card) at entry.sx, the government’s portal, within 7 days before arrival; it produces a QR code that airlines and immigration check. Cruise passengers, residents and arrivals at the French-side airport are exempt, according to the St. Maarten Tourism portal. You need a passport valid for your stay (six months’ validity is recommended), a return or onward ticket and an address on the island. US, Canadian and EU citizens don’t need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days.
- Arriving on the French side (Grand Case airport or Marigot): French rules for overseas collectivities apply. US, Canadian and UK citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days with a passport; EU citizens can use a national ID card. A Schengen visa alone is not valid for Saint-Martin, so travelers who need visas should check France-Visas.
- Between the two sides: there are no border controls, so you move freely once you are on the island. Carry your passport for ferries to Anguilla and Saint-Barthélemy.
Rules change, so check the official ED card portal, St. Maarten Tourism’s entry page and France-Visas, along with your own government’s information, before you travel. For France’s own rules, see our France travel guide; for the Dutch Kingdom, see our Netherlands travel guide.
Money: euros, guilders and US dollars
The French side uses the euro (EUR) and the Dutch side the Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder in 2025 and is fixed at about XCG 1.79 to US$1. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on both sides, and many Dutch-side prices are in dollars; on the French side, some businesses offer a fixed one-to-one dollar-euro rate, which favors them when the euro is weaker, so pay by card in euros where you can. Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs on the Dutch side often dispense dollars. Check whether a service charge is included before tipping; otherwise 10–15% in restaurants is usual.
Hotel taxes and service charges
Each side has its own taxes. On the Dutch side, hotels and vacation rentals charge a 5% room tax, and most hotels add a service charge of 10–15%; timeshare owners pay a fixed weekly amount instead. The government of Sint Maarten has proposed a visitor levy of US$15 per adult, but as of October 2026 it was still a draft, with a target date of January 2027. On the French side, hotels and rentals collect a taxe de séjour (tourist tax) for the Collectivity, and services carry the Collectivity’s general turnover tax (TGCA) of 4%, as there is no French VAT on the island. Resort and energy fees may be added on top, so compare total prices when booking.
Typical travel costs
Saint Martin has a wide range, from guesthouses and condos to luxury resorts, and food on the French side is excellent but not cheap. These estimates, per person per day, are a planning guide as of October 2026:
| Style | Estimated cost per day | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | about US$110–170 | Guesthouse or condo shared by two around Simpson Bay or Grand Case, lolo meals and supermarket breakfasts, buses, free public beaches |
| Mid-range | about US$230–380 | Beach hotel shared by two, restaurant dinners in Grand Case, a hire car, boat trip to Pinel or Tintamarre |
| High-end | about US$550+ | Luxury resort or villa in the Terres Basses or Orient Bay, fine dining, private boat charters and a day on Saint-Barthélemy |
Add room taxes and service charges, and ferry fares for island trips. The figures are our estimates, not official statistics.
Getting there and getting around
Flights
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side is the main gateway, with nonstop flights from many US cities, including Miami, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta and Boston, plus Canada, Paris and Amsterdam, and regional flights to Saint-Barthélemy, Anguilla, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Antigua, San Juan, Guadeloupe and Curaçao. Its terminal, badly damaged by Irma, has been fully rebuilt. The small Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG) on the French side has regional flights, mainly to Guadeloupe and Saint-Barthélemy.
Cruise ships and ferries
Cruise ships dock at Philipsburg’s cruise pier on Great Bay, a short walk or water-taxi ride from Front Street. Ferries link the island with its neighbors: a public ferry from Marigot to Blowing Point on Anguilla, and private boats from Simpson Bay; and fast ferries to Gustavia on Saint-Barthélemy from Marigot, Oyster Pond, Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, taking about 45–75 minutes, with services to Saba as well. Bring your passport, and expect departure fees and taxes on top of fares.
Driving, buses and taxis
Driving is on the right. A hire car is the easiest way to explore both sides; foreign licenses are accepted. Roads are narrow and traffic jams are common around Simpson Bay, the Cole Bay hill and Marigot at rush hour, so allow extra time, especially on the way to the airport. Minibuses run between Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Marigot and Grand Case for a few dollars, mostly in daytime; flag them down at stops. Taxis use fixed, government-set fares by zone on the Dutch side and set rates on the French side; confirm the price first.
Beaches, the sea and safety in the water
All beaches on both sides are public, though loungers belong to hotels and beach clubs. The west and south coasts, including Mullet Bay, Maho, Cupecoy, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue and Grand Case, are usually calmer; the east coast, including Orient Bay, Le Galion and Dawn Beach, is windier, with surf on some days. See our beaches guide, plus snorkeling, diving and boat trips.
- Jet blast at Maho: stay clear of the fence and the area behind departing aircraft; never hold on to the fence.
- No lifeguards on most beaches: swim with care, and avoid rough water on the east coast and at Cupecoy in winter swells.
- Boats and jet skis: stay inside buoyed swimming areas at Orient Bay, Simpson Bay and Grand Case.
- Marine reserve rules: in the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin, around Pinel, Tintamarre and the east coast, fishing, anchoring on seagrass and collecting shells or coral are banned, and boats use mooring buoys; on the Dutch side, the Man of War Shoal Marine Park protects reefs off the south coast, with fees for diving managed by the Nature Foundation.
- Reefs and rocks: wear water shoes at rocky entries such as Baie Rouge’s caves and Little Bay, and watch for sea urchins.
Safety, health and connectivity
Safety
Most visits are trouble-free, but Saint Martin has more crime than some smaller islands, mainly theft from cars, beaches and villas, and occasional robberies, including some armed robberies of tourists in isolated places. Don’t leave anything in parked cars, lock villa doors and windows at night, use ATMs inside banks or shops, avoid deserted beaches and roads after dark, and take taxis at night. Emergency numbers: on the Dutch side, 911 for police, fire and ambulance; on the French side, 17 for police, 18 for fire, 15 for ambulance, or 112. There is a hospital on each side.
Health
Sunburn and dehydration are the most common complaints. Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue occur on the island; use repellent. Tap water is produced by desalination and is generally safe, though many visitors drink bottled water. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended.
Accessibility
Big resorts and the airport are accessible, but sidewalks are narrow or missing in many places, and beaches have few mats. Philipsburg’s boardwalk is flat and easy.
Connectivity and power
Mobile networks differ by side, with French and Dutch providers, and your phone may switch between them, so check roaming charges for both. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels. According to St. Maarten Tourism, electricity on the Dutch side is 110 V with US-style sockets and on the French side 220 V with European sockets, both at 60 Hz, so bring a travel adapter that covers both.
Food, drink and culture
Saint Martin is one of the Caribbean’s best islands for eating. The French side brings bakeries, bistros and fine dining, especially in Grand Case and Marigot; the Dutch side adds a wide international mix, from steakhouses to Indian and Asian restaurants. Try Creole dishes such as accras (salt-fish fritters), colombo curry, conch and dumplings, johnnycakes and grilled fish, and the barbecue at Grand Case’s lolos. Guavaberry liqueur, made from a local berry, is the island’s traditional drink, and rum punch is everywhere. The island’s culture mixes Caribbean, French and Dutch heritage, with English widely spoken on both sides, French on the French side and Dutch in official settings on the Dutch side. Beachwear is for the beach; cover up in towns.
Things to do: water sports, hiking and island hopping
- Snorkeling and diving: Pinel, Tintamarre, Creole Rock, Little Bay and the wrecks and reefs of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park.
- Boat trips: catamaran days to Tintamarre, Pinel and Prickly Pear off Anguilla, and sunset sails from Simpson Bay.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing: Orient Bay and Le Galion, with schools and rentals.
- Hiking: Pic Paradis, Loterie Farm, the Sentry Hill and Guana Bay trails, and the coastal walk to Petites Cayes on the French side.
- Island hopping: Saint-Barthélemy, Anguilla and Saba by ferry or short flight.
- Culture and shopping: Marigot’s market, Philipsburg’s Front Street, Grand Case’s Harmony Nights and Carnival on both sides.
What to pack
Bring light clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor reef-friendly sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, snorkel gear if you have it, sturdy shoes for hill trails, smart-casual clothes for Grand Case and Orient Bay restaurants, and a light rain jacket from August to November. Pack an adapter for both US and European plugs, and your passport for island ferries.
Saint Martin travel FAQ
Do I need a passport to visit Saint Martin?
Yes. All visitors, including US citizens, need a passport. US, Canadian and EU citizens don’t need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days on either side.
What is the Sint Maarten ED card?
A free, mandatory online form at entry.sx for visitors arriving at Princess Juliana Airport or by yacht on the Dutch side, completed within 7 days before arrival. It gives a QR code for check-in and immigration.
Is there a border between the French and Dutch sides?
No. There are no border checks, so you can drive or walk freely between Marigot and Philipsburg; a monument marks the boundary.
What currency is used in Saint Martin?
The euro on the French side and the Caribbean guilder on the Dutch side, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and cards are widely used.
Which side of Saint Martin is better to stay on?
The Dutch side for nightlife, casinos, shopping and the airport; the French side for beaches like Orient Bay and Grand Case’s restaurants. Many visitors split their time.
When is the best time to visit Saint Martin?
December to April for dry, breezy weather; May to July for lower prices. September and October are the peak of hurricane season, and some hotels close.
Is it safe to watch planes at Maho Beach?
Yes, from the beach and bars, but keep away from the fence and the area behind departing jets, whose blast can knock people over.
Is there sargassum in Saint Martin?
Sometimes, mostly from spring to late summer on east-facing beaches like Orient Bay. Western beaches such as Mullet Bay and Baie Rouge are usually clear.
How do I get from Saint Martin to Saint-Barthélemy?
By fast ferry from Marigot, Oyster Pond, Philipsburg or Simpson Bay, about 45–75 minutes, or by a short flight from Princess Juliana or Grand Case. Bring your passport.
What taxes are added to hotel bills in Saint Martin?
A 5% room tax on the Dutch side and a tourist tax on the French side, plus service charges of 10–15% at most hotels. Check the total price before booking.
Does Saint Martin get hurricanes?
Yes. Hurricane Irma devastated the island in 2017. The 2026 season had brought no hurricanes or storm warnings to Saint Martin as of early October.
Do I need a car in Saint Martin?
It helps for exploring both sides, but traffic is heavy. Minibuses and taxis work for shorter trips, and many beaches are walkable from hotels.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. The ED card and Dutch-side entry rules come from St. Maarten Tourism’s entry page and the government’s entry.sx portal; the French-side turnover tax from the Saint-Martin tax office; electricity from St. Maarten Tourism; the climate averages from the WMO 1991–2020 normals for Princess Juliana International Airport (NOAA archive); Irma and the 2026 season from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; sargassum from the University of South Florida’s Sargassum Watch. French-side visa rules, the room-tax and tourist-tax rates, the proposed visitor levy, flight routes, ferries, the marine parks’ rules and the population come from secondary sources and are flagged for checking. Daily costs are estimates. Prices and rules change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Plugs and power in Saint Martin
Saint Martin uses 220 V, 60 Hz and these plugs (left) and wall sockets (right):
Dutch side (Sint Maarten) uses 110 V, 60 Hz, Type A/B.
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🇫🇷 Useful French phrases for Saint Martin
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