EXPLORE
St. Martin
St. Martin is comprised of two countries: Saint Martin and Sint Maarten, which belong to the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, respectively. The two countries are equally beautiful but have markedly different personalities. Saint Martin has a more tranquil atmosphere, home to incredible boulangeries and patisseries. In contrast, Sint Maarten has more of a lively, action-filled personality, with more venues and events and a greater tourism culture. Both countries are home to incredible beaches, bays, lagoons, mountains, lush rainforests, hotels, and spas where travellers can touch down after the days and nights’ adventures. It’s an ideal destination for romance.
Travelling in St. Martin
Ground Transportation
Visitors can navigate St. Martin using ground transportation, including private or shared transfers, rental cars or taxis to explore the island's beautiful beaches and attractions at their own pace.
Weather
St Maarten is at its coolest at the beginning of the year, where the average temperature from January to March is 26°C. These are some of the driest months, not exceeding 70mm of rainfall.
Best Time for Beach Relaxation and Outdoor Activities
26°C
AVG Temperature
8-10 HRs
Sunshine
70mm
AVG Monthly Rainfall
26°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Temperatures increase slightly from 27°C in April to 28°C in June as summer approaches. There’s a similar, though slightly increased, amount of rainfall throughout the spring and early summer months.
Best Time for Water Sports and Exploration.
28°C
AVG Temperature
7-9 HRs
Sunshine
3-4"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
26-27°C
AVG Sea Temperature
As summer deepens, heading into autumn, temperatures become even hotter, rising to 29°C by August and September. The island gets wetter as it moves into autumn.
Best Time for Indoor Activities and Cultural Exploration.
29°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
5-7"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
28-29°C
AVG Sea Temperature
After hitting its hottest in September, the temperature begins to fall, reaching 26°C by December. The wet season peaks by November and becomes drier again in December.
Best Time for Lush Landscape Exploration and Mild Weather Activities.
26-29°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
4"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
28-29°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Geography
Situated 300km east of Puerto Rico, St Martin is south of Anguilla. The island is split between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the French St. Martin covering the top 60% of the island and the remaining 40% being the Netherlands’s St. Maarten. Both regions are mountainous with high peaks, the highest being Pic Paradise, standing over 400m tall.
History
Christopher Columbus first spotted St. Martin on his second voyage to The New World, when the Carib people inhabited the island. However, it was the island now known as Nevis that he originally named St. Martin. Map plot confusion meant that the name was transferred to modern-day St. Martin. The Dutch settled on St. Martin in the 1620s to reap the island’s salt reserves. Shortly after, in 1633, St. Martin was captured by Spain before being exchanged between countries several more times. Finally, in 1648, France and the Dutch Republic divided the island between themselves, deciding that St. Martin would become an overseas constituency of the French Republic and Sint Maarten would become part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
