St. Maarten
Sint Maarten
Port Report Card
Port Stats
The Tea
St. Maarten is the only place in the Caribbean where you can get blasted by jet exhaust on a beach and people actually line up for it. Maho Beach, right next to Princess Juliana Airport, is one of the most Instagram-famous spots in the world — and it is genuinely as wild as the videos suggest.
The Dutch side (where the cruise port is) has great shopping in Philipsburg, but the real action is on the French side (St. Martin) with its clothing-optional beaches and superior restaurants. You can take a taxi across the border — there's no checkpoint, just a sign. Budget $15-20 each way.
Safety has improved since Hurricane Irma in 2017, but the island is still rebuilding in places. The port area in Philipsburg is safe and walkable, but watch for pickpockets on Front Street. Value-wise, it's mixed — the Dutch side has duty-free shopping, but restaurants and taxis are pricey. Split the difference and eat on the French side.
Weather by Month
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Good Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F | 1 | 97% |
| Feb | 78°F | 7 | 76% |
| Mar | 79°F | 3 | 90% |
| Apr | 80°F | 10 | 67% |
| May | 82°F | 8 | 74% |
| Jun | 83°F | 7 | 77% |
| Jul | 83°F | 11 | 65% |
| Aug | 83°F | 12 | 61% |
| Sep | 83°F | 10 | 67% |
| Oct | 84°F | 8 | 74% |
| Nov | 82°F | 18 | 40% |
| Dec | 80°F | 8 | 74% |
Explore CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship that sails from St. Maarten.