Saint Martin's is open to tourists only a few months a year. How the season worked last time, what the weather is like, and how to choose your days for fewer crowds and lower prices.
The question isn't only “which month?”. Saint Martin's Island is open to tourists only during the season the government sets each year, so the real choice is which part of the season, and which days of the week. Here's what we know from last season, and how we'd plan.
When we wrote this (October 2026), the government hadn't published the 2026–27 season's dates or rules. We'll update this article when it does, and you can always ask us on WhatsApp for the latest.
The government sets the season
Saint Martin's is a government-declared Ecologically Critical Area, so each year the government decides when tourists can visit and how many can go. In 2025–26 the island was open from 1 November to 31 January, for no more than 2,000 visitors a day. From 1 February it closed to tourists for nine months.
For 2026–27, the government said in October 2026 that it plans to allow more overnight stays, with the detailed rules still to come. Until they're published, treat any “confirmed” dates or packages with care.
Month by month (last season)
- November: day trips only. You could visit, but not stay the night.
- December: overnight stays allowed.
- January: overnight stays allowed, until the season closed on 31 January.
- February to October: closed to tourists.
To see the island properly, aim for the months when overnight stays are allowed. A day trip leaves only a few hours on the island, because the ship arrives around midday and heads back at about 3 to 3:30 pm.
What the weather is like
The open months are the best time for the weather too. Winter brings dry, sunny days, calmer seas for the 5 to 6 hour crossing and cool evenings. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the day, and a light jacket or shawl for the evening.
Pick your days: crowds and prices
- Ship seats: with a daily limit on visitors, popular dates sell out first. Book early for weekends and holidays.
- Our prices: Sunday to Thursday is half our regular price, and Friday and Saturday 25% off. A duplex cottage for up to 4 is ৳4,000–৳6,000 and a single cottage for 2 is ৳2,000–৳3,000, depending on the day.
- Quiet: the south of the island around Chera Dip is calmer than the busy jetty side.
The best time of day
Some of the island's best moments happen outside day-trip hours: the sunset over the rocks, a sky full of stars with no city lights, and an early walk to Chera Dip at low tide before the ships arrive. That's the best reason to stay at least one night when it's allowed. Our Chera Dip guide explains the low-tide walk.
How to plan your dates
- Check the 2026–27 season dates and overnight rules when they're published. We'll update this article.
- Pick a Sunday to Thursday stay if you can.
- Book your ship seats early. Our article on Saint Martin ship tickets lists every ship and fare.
- Send us your dates on WhatsApp. We'll confirm your cottage or tent, and can book the ship too.
