St Maarten Is Hot Right Now — With Surging Visitor Arrivals, More Flights and a Big Travel Comeback

If there were any doubts about St Maarten’s place among the Caribbean’s hottest destinations, the latest numbers leave no room for question.

The island welcomed 256,923 arriving passengers in the first quarter of 2025 — a 10.8 percent increase over the same period last year — a strong signal that travelers are flocking to St Maarten in ever greater numbers. That represents one of the biggest jumps in tourism arrivals of any destination in the Caribbean this year.

The growth builds on a wave of momentum that began in late 2024, as new airlift, hotel upgrades, and destination marketing helped fuel the island’s rebound and push it into the region’s top tier.

The vast majority of visitors are coming from North America, with the United States accounting for 54 percent of arrivals and Canada contributing another 13 percent. European travelers also remain a key pillar of St Maarten’s tourism mix, making up 25 percent of total arrivals.

And while air arrivals are rising, so too is the destination’s reputation — not just as a beach escape, but as one of the most connected and cosmopolitan islands in the region, offering easy access to neighboring hot spots like Anguilla, St Barth, and Saba.

The spike in visitors comes as the island completes major upgrades to its tourism infrastructure, including a more efficient and modern arrival experience. But the story is larger than just facilities — it’s about what travelers are discovering once they arrive.

St Maarten’s dual-nation charm, world-famous food scene, buzzing beaches, and expanding resort product are giving repeat visitors even more reasons to come back — and first-timers every reason to fall in love.

As 2025 unfolds, St Maarten isn’t just seeing higher numbers — it’s seeing stronger demand across markets, driven by airlift, authenticity, and a renewed sense of destination energy.

It’s official: St Maarten is hot right now.