Sint Maarten

Introduction

Sint Maarten is the Dutch half of the island shared with the French Saint Martin. It is slightly smaller than the french part and the capital is Philipsburg. The island is part of the Leeward Islands of the Netherlands Antilles, just like Saba and Sint Eustatius.

Geography

Cities

• Philipsburg - The capital city.

Sights and Activities

• Fort Amsterdam
• Sint Maarten Museum
• Cupecoy Bay

Events and Festivals

Weather

The island of Sint Maarten has a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celcius and average nights around 23 degrees Celcius. Most rain falls between June and October with a chance of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting There

By Plane

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is the base of Winair (Windward Islands Airways). Numerous airlines serve Sint Maarten from both the Caribbean and beyond, for example with KLM to Amsterdam and TAM to Sao Paulo. North America is well served as well.

By Boat

• Sint Maarten - Anguilla vv

Although it takes longer from Sint Maarten than from Saint Martin to get to Anguilla, there is also a convenient route between Anguilla and Sint Maarten directly. Ferries travel between Blowing Point in Anguilla and Philipsburg in Sint Maarten. For more information about prices and schedules of this trip can be obtained by calling (264) 497 6665.

• Sint Maarten - Saint Barthélemy vv

Between Philipsburg, the capital of Sint-Maarten (the Dutch southern half of the island shared with Saint Martin) and Gustavia on Saint Barthélemy you can take the Rapid Explorer.
They leave at Bobby's Marina at Philipsburg, walking distance from Front-Street, 3 times daily on average
Crossings are take around 45 minutes to reach Gustavia and the schedule can be found here.
The MV Voyager travels daily and on Wednesdays and Sundays twice daily (one in the morning and one in early evening) between Oyster Pound and Gustavia as well.
Another option is to take the high speed ferry The Edge that travels to Gustavia once a day from Tuesday till Saturday. It leaves from Pelican Marina in Dutch St. Maarten at 9am. This passage lasts around 45 minutes.

• Sint Maarten - Saba vv

The MV Dawn II has sailings 3 times a week according to schedule between Philipsburg on Sint Maarten and Fort Bay on Saba, both leeward islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Crossings are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Saba in the morning and returning from Sint Maarten in the late afternoon, taking about 2 hours each way. Sometimes there are cancelations, so check the latest schedule over here.

Another option is taking the Edge Ferry, departing Pelican Marina in St. Maarten at 9am on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, returning from Saba later that day. It takes about 90 minutes to cover the sea between the islands.

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Eat

Drink

Sleep