What's on in Marigot (French Saint Martin), Saint Martin through the year

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Humpback whale season

  1 Jan – 30 Apr · usually

  Humpbacks come south to mate and calve on the Anguilla Bank, just north of the island, from January to April. Small-group boat trips go out in season; spotted and bottlenose dolphins are often seen on the same outings. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Carnival, Grand Case Tuesdays

• Festival

  Carnival

  7–18 FebCrowdedClosures

  The French side's carnival runs most of February, with the parades through Marigot, the big Mardi Gras procession and, the day after, the burning of Vaval out on the water in black and white. Streets close for each parade. Source ↗

• Festival

  Grand Case Tuesdays

  1 Feb – 30 Apr · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  Every Tuesday evening through the late winter, the main street of Grand Case, fifteen minutes north of Marigot, closes to traffic for costumed parades, live music, craft stalls and the lolo grills. Park early. Source ↗

• Festival

  St Maarten Heineken Regatta

  28 Feb – 10 Mar · usuallySporting eventCrowdedBook early

  The Caribbean's largest regatta is sailed from Simpson Bay on the Dutch side, but it books out the whole island for four days in early March and the crews spill over to Marigot. Rooms and rental cars go months ahead. Source ↗

Still on: Humpback whale season (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Grand Case Tuesdays

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Humpback whale season (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Carnival (7–18 Feb), Grand Case Tuesdays (1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually)), St Maarten Heineken Regatta (28 Feb – 10 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Grand Case Tuesdays, St. Maarten Carnival, Philipsburg

• Festival

  St. Maarten Carnival, Philipsburg

  5 Apr – 5 May · usuallyCrowded

  The Dutch side's carnival usually runs for about a month from April, with the carnival village, calypso shows, J'ouvert and the grand parade in Philipsburg, half an hour's drive across the open border. Expect slow roads on parade days. Source ↗

Still on: Humpback whale season (1 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Grand Case Tuesdays (1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — St. Maarten Carnival, Philipsburg, Abolition of Slavery Day

• Holiday

  Abolition of Slavery Day

  28 MayNational holidayClosures

  Saint-Martin marks the end of slavery on 28 May, the day it was proclaimed here in 1848, one day after Guadeloupe. A public holiday since 2015, with official ceremonies, music and dance; shops and offices close. Source ↗

Still on: St. Maarten Carnival, Philipsburg (5 Apr – 5 May (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Atlantic hurricane season

  1 Jun – 30 Nov

  Irma came through in September 2017 and took the roof off much of Marigot, and the island has rebuilt around that memory. Most seasons pass quietly; mid-August to mid-October is the stretch that concentrates the risk. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Autumn shutdown

  1 Sep – 31 OctOff-season shutdownClosures

  September and October are the island's annual break: a good share of the restaurants and hotels close for maintenance and staff holidays. Prices are at their lowest and so is the number of places to eat.

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov), Autumn shutdown (1 Sep – 31 Oct)

Busy — Fete de Saint-Martin

• Holiday

  Fete de Saint-Martin

  9–13 NovNational holidayClosures

  The patron saint's day on 11 November is marked on both halves of the island as a day of friendship, with a ceremony at the border monument and offices shut. It also opens the season, which reopens in earnest after it. Source ↗

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in December.