Average high temperature and rainfall for St. Maarten in December. © Scott S. Bateman

After three risky months, St. Maarten weather in December shows a little mercy from the rainfall.

St. Maarten is a top destination for eastern and southern Caribbean cruises.

It is popular because of the lively cruise port at Philipsburg, the island’s most famous beach at Orient Bay and a variety of excursions to smaller nearby islands such as Anguilla and St. Barths.

Most Caribbean destinations have the worst weather of the year from September through November thanks to the annual Caribbean hurricane season. St. Maarten is one of them. Improvements begin in Deceber.

The hurricane season starts in June and peaks in September and October for most Caribbean islands. But St. Maarten has its worst month of the year for total rainfall in November.

Average Rainfall in December

The total rainfall in St. Maarten during December averages about four inches, according to the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten. That total is better than the six inches in November but not as good as the two to three inches from January through July (except for a brief jump to four inches in May).

The average number of days it rains in December is 13, which is about the same as August through November.

The sun avoids complete cloud cover in December and shines more than 71 percent of the time or about 21 days, according to the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten. It is better than the seven previous months.

The above averages are better than the fall months but not as good as late winter to early summer.

St. Maarten Temperatures in December

St. Maarten stays warm even in December with an average high temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten. The average low is 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 Celsius.

Temperatures aren’t as warm as late spring through late fall, but they decline only about four degrees on average.

Unlike some northern destinations in the Caribbean during December, comfortable swimming at St. Maarten beaches isn’t usually a problem. Seawater temperatures hover between the daytime highs and nighttime lows.

Whether to Go

St. Maarten weather in December shouldn’t stop anyone from going to this appealing Caribbean island.

It is one of the better options for people wanting to get some warmth and sunshine in the first month of northern winter.

January and February usually have less rainfall, but they also are a few degrees cooler.

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