Great Bay Beach at Philipsburg, St. Maarten. © Scott S. Bateman

St. Maarten’s monthly weather has an average daytime temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime low of 77 Fahrenheit.

Rainfall averages three inches a month over the entire year, although it’s lower than average in the spring and higher in the fall.

St. Maarten, smallest island in the world shared by two nations, is a mix of Dutch and French cultures that make it a popular destination for eastern and southern Caribbean cruises.

The weather is warm, sunny and mostly dry eight months of the year, but rain is a factor during the other four months. Hurricane Irma in September 2017 badly damaged the island and proved the risk of visiting in hurricane season.

Otherwise, St. Maarten’s average weather is warm year-round because it is located in the southern Caribbean and closer to the equator than most islands.

Its southern location and the resulting warmer temperatures than some islands make it a popular destination for cruise and overnight visitors alike. The island has about 2 million cruise and 500,000 overnight visitors every year.

Average Monthly Temperatures

Daytime temperatures reach a high point of the year from July through September. © Scott S. Bateman

Historically, July through September are the warmest months of the year with an average high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit or about 32 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Service of Netherland Antilles and Aruba.

June and October are not far behind with average highs of 88 degrees Fahrenheit or about 31 degrees Celsius.

St. Maarten’s average monthly temperature throughout the year is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 Celsius during the day. The average monthly low, mostly at night, is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit or about 25 Celsius.

Monthly daytime temperatures drop to about 84 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 degrees Celsius from December through March.

We found temperatures in the upper 80s Fahrenheit during our last visit in December. Water water was slightly cool but comfortable for swimming.

Although the seawater is comfortable enough for swimming year round, it will reach a low point in comfort level from January through March when temperatures reach their lowest point. Swimming is chilly at times in the mornings.

Average Monthly Rainfall

St. Maarten rainfall by month. Data source: Meteorological Service of Netherland Antilles and Aruba. Graphic © Caribeez.com

The island has an average of 3.4 inches of rain per month, but with definite highs and lows during the year.

St. Maarten has about two inches of rain a month from January through April. It jumps to nearly four inches in May and declines in June and July.

May is often a brief rainy season for many Caribbean destinations.

A much longer and heavier period of rain takes place during the annual Caribbean hurricane season, which runs from June through November. St. Maarten receives has rain than many other locations during that time of year. Hurricane Irma was a rare exception.

June and July maintain an average of two to three inches and August increases to four inches. Rainfall totals more than five inches in September, four inches in October and six inches in November.

Most and Least Popular Months

Low risk of rain and warm temperatures in the spring help make March and April the most popular months to visit, according to statistics from the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The most unpopular months are September and October, again mostly because of weather.

Rainfall makes September, October and November the riskiest months to visit St. Maarten. March, April, June and July have the lowest risk of heavy rainfall.

• St. Maarten weather in: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December