In 2026, the safety of tap water in St. Maarten (SXM) depends on which side of the island you are on. On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten), the tap water is produced by state-of-the-art desalination plants and is generally considered safe to drink, cook with, and use for brushing teeth. The water meets high quality standards, though some visitors find it has a slight "mineral" or "flat" taste compared to what they are used to back home. On the French side (Saint-Martin), the water is also theoretically potable and treated to EU standards, but the infrastructure is older and can be less reliable, especially in the wake of seasonal storms. Many hotels on the French side use private cisterns or local filtration systems. In 2026, most travel experts suggest that while the Dutch-side water is safe, travelers with sensitive stomachs or those staying on the French side may still prefer bottled or filtered water for drinking to avoid any risk of minor digestive upset. Always check with your specific resort or Airbnb host, as some older buildings may have pipes that can affect the water's taste and clarity even if the source is pure.