Saint-Martin News
Stay up to date with life, events and what's new on the Friendly Island.
Icon of the Seas in Philipsburg on September 15
Royal Caribbean's largest ship calls at Philipsburg on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A shore day for Front Street, Great Bay or a hop to the French side.
SXM Festival 2027: 10th edition, March 17-21
Saint Martin / Sint Maarten electronic festival marks ten years from March 17 to 21, 2027. Five-day passes are already on sale, with Happy Bay still the main stage hub.
Southwest nonstop to St. Maarten from Orlando and Baltimore
Since April 2026, Southwest has flown nonstop to Princess Juliana from Orlando daily and from Baltimore on weekends, a practical U.S. gateway to the shared island.
Air CaraĂŻbes resumes Paris Orly-Juliana on the A350 from October 2026
From October 15, 2026, Air CaraĂŻbes puts Paris Orly - Princess Juliana back on the winter schedule, flown with an Airbus A350-900, twice weekly in peak season.
Hero of the Seas: first Philipsburg call on August 24, 2027
Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ship is scheduled to make its first St. Maarten call on August 24, 2027, on its first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami.
Air France switches to the A350 on Paris-St. Maarten from February 2027
From February 1, 2027, Air France will replace the A330-200 with the Airbus A350-900 on Paris Charles de Gaulle - Princess Juliana. A cabin upgrade for travelers heading to St. Martin / St. Maarten.
More Disney Cruise stops in St. Maarten from 2027
Disney Destiny called at Philipsburg on July 1, 2026. Disney sailings that include the island are expected to increase in 2027.
Contour Airlines launches nonstop flights between St. Thomas and St. Maarten from October 2026
Good news for regional travelers: Contour Airlines will open nonstop service between St. Thomas (STT) and St. Maarten (SXM) from October 5, 2026, twice a week.
Tourism: Saint Martin posts strong Q1 2026 air (+23%) and cruise (+18%) growth
STAT figures show 314,765 air arrivals at PJIA in Q1 2026 (+23%) and 748,603 cruise passengers (+18%). What the numbers mean for the island.
Naïla Parotte crowned Miss Saint Martin/Saint Barthélemy 2026
At 22, Saint Martin’s Naïla Parotte has won the regional crown and will represent the Northern Islands at Miss France 2027.
Saint Martin’s border finally goes on the map, 378 years later
You can cross it without even noticing. Yet after 378 years of uncertainty, the border between Saint Martin and Sint Maarten has reached a historic milestone.
Saint Martin and Sint Maarten population: how many people live on the island?
Saint Martin has 31,160 inhabitants on the French side and Sint Maarten has 41,349 on the Dutch side. Combined, the island has about 72,509 inhabitants.
What to do in Saint Martin this week: concerts, parties and events
A simple venue-by-venue listing of concerts, parties, live music, beach events, brunches, sports screenings and weekly entertainment in Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.
Spirit Airlines ceases operations: what are the consequences?
Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026. Cancelled flights, refunds, rebooking options from SXM: what tourists in Saint-Martin should do now.
IShowSpeed in Saint-Martin: what he did on the island
IShowSpeed visited Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten during his Caribbean Tour: airport crowds, Captain’s Rib Shack, Maho Beach, Philipsburg, and Carnival energy.
Beekeeping initiation in Saint-Martin: a unique experience with the bees
On April 21 and 22, Siwo Myel SXM and Bee Academy SXM are offering a beekeeping initiation in Saint-Martin. Adult and children sessions are planned, with hive discovery, local honey tasting and pollination awareness.
2026 Hurricane season: calmer forecasts for the Atlantic
Early models predict a below-average season for the first time since 2017. Colorado State University forecasts 13 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. Good news for Saint-Martin, but vigilance remains essential.
Saint-Martin launches the creation of its flag: public consultation and design contest
The Collectivite of Saint-Martin has officially launched the process of creating its institutional flag. Approved by the Executive Council on April 9, 2026, this initiative includes citizen workshops, a design competition open to all, and official adoption scheduled for December.
Saint-Martin: Kite Festival brings together 350 children in Galisbay
The Kite Festival offered a wonderful moment of sharing and creativity in Saint-Martin. Organized at the Galisbay parking lot by the CTOS, the event brought together around 350 children from various leisure centers across the island.