Early June or December 2020?

Hi everyone! Last time we were in SXM was right before Irma. Now planning our first trip back. Hoping to stay about two weeks and wanted everyone’s opinion on best time of year. Things like warmest water, least rain etc. So our options are early June or December next year. Anyone care to help me decide?

June. It's warm with a breeze, crowds are gone, everything is open and accommodations are typically cheaper.

For me, nothing is better than leaving the cold weather behind so I like December.

Got to agree that we've escaped the frigid North East for 2-3 weeks in Sint Maarten for more than 30 years during Dec/Jan. But, Elaine has some valid reasons for June. Guess this one is a win-win whatever is chosen.

What Elaine said, early June for sure.

Based on your criteria, early June. We have been going in June for many, many years, as that is our anniversary. Water is warm, weather is nice, it's basically before hurricane season (although it technically starts June 1), and prices are lower than December.

We have gone in early June on each of our trips as that is our anniversary as well. The weather is generally nice that time of year, water is warm, most restaurants and activities are still open. Prices are lower in May and June as well. Villa rentals are much cheaper.

We have been in June and December.
We prefer December because it is a chance to get away from the cold and also time to relax before the craziness of the season.
Everything is open and we find the water comfortable. Some villas start their high season prices December 1st others start on Dec. 15th. We select a villa based on the latter. A few times we had to pay a higher rate for 1 or 2 nights as we were renting past the 15th but overall was within the budget.
We bounce around the island a lot. I would guest about 25% of our stays have been on the Dutch side and 75% of the French side.

Go both, that is my suggestion! The only month I have not been to the Caribbean is July, and been to SXM all but July and August. June even in the Pacific NW is usually decent weather so not inclined to go to the Carib then, December however is a nice break from our weather but that factor depends upon where in California you live. My favorite time to be there is probably late November to early December, business is getting going on island as season is about to begin and the staff is not exhausted yet! We also have a pretty fun group that is there around that time every year so that factors in pretty big. That noted we have never had a bad trip there although September was pretty hot and humid.
Have a great trip!

I'll let you know how July is next year. We always go in May but next year we go for 3 weeks in May and 2 weeks in July to celebrate our 50th and our daughters 20th. Won't miss the PNW weather.

July is great. Good weather and not too busy, but not so slow that stuff is closed. This is the first year that it actually rained on us for more than a few minutes. Escaping the cold sounds great, but I’m not sure I could handle the sudden temperature differential. Also packing a puffy winter coat doesn’t sound like fun either.

One of our most vivid memories of a vacation was returning to Baltimore airport several years ago from Jamaica. We knew it had snowed while we were gone, but the six inches of snow we had to clean off our car when we arrived in the parking lot almost made us turn around and go back in the terminal and find a plane right THEN, to anyplace warm! After that, we tried not to travel in the dead of winter, to avoid a repeat. Thank god, we don't have to worry about that kind of stuff anymore!!

Jan. & Feb. is the greatest time for us and many of our friends to excape the Wisconsin winter weather !