The dry season, from December to April, is the most pleasant. This is also the peak season for tourists who come to enjoy the agreeable weather and summer temperatures. The sunshine is almost constant during this period, with hardly any rain.

The best time to visit St. Maarten (and the French side, Saint Martin) is during the "shoulder season" from May to June or in November. During these months, you avoid the extreme crowds and high prices of the peak winter season (December to April) while still enjoying warm, pleasant weather. Specifically, May and June offer calm seas and great visibility for snorkeling before the humidity of the late summer sets in. If you are looking for the absolute best weather, the winter months are ideal with average temperatures around 27°C (80°F) and low rainfall, but you will pay a significant premium for flights and hotels. It is generally advised to be cautious during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from August through October; while you can find amazing "deals" during this time, many smaller restaurants and boutiques close down for renovations, and the risk of storm-related travel disruptions is at its highest. For aviation enthusiasts wanting to see the famous low-flying planes at Maho Beach, any time with clear skies is great, but the winter months often see more "heavy" wide-body aircraft arrivals.