St. Maarten local news
Latest 100 stories. Browse by section:
- Public lighting works in Quartier d'Orléans from October 26 to December 23
Public lighting in Quartier d'Orléans is being renewed from October 26 to December 23, 2026, according to a Collectivité notice published by SMN. Drivers are asked to follow signage.
- Sint Maarten at a glance: population, size, jobs and currency
Key official figures for Sint Maarten and the French side, each with its year: population, land area, age, unemployment and the currency.
- 23rd Course de l'Alliance: three-island race December 3–6, 2026
The 23rd Course de l'Alliance runs December 3–6, 2026, racing Simpson Bay to Gustavia, Gustavia to Anguilla and back, according to the Notice of Race.
- ARS water bulletins: no bacteria in four French-side tap samples, chlorites to be monitored at two
Four drinking-water samples taken on the French side in July and September 2026 showed no bacteria, according to ARS bulletins published by the Collectivité; two exceeded a quality reference for chlorites.
- SER 2025 annual report: 10 advisory reports, six requests still pending
Sint Maarten's Social Economic Council finished 10 advisory reports in 2025 and cleared a backlog dating to 2023, according to its 2025 Annual Report, which also blames government delays for holding up its advice.
- Getting married on the French side: who can marry, documents and banns
How civil marriage works in Saint-Martin, from residence and banns to documents for French and foreign nationals, according to Service-Public.fr and the Collectivité.
- Saint-Martin fishing businesses have until October 30 to claim €0.25 a litre in State fuel aid
French-side fishing businesses can claim €0.25 per litre for fuel bought June to August 2026, but applications to the ASP close on October 30, according to the ASP and the ministry.
- Sunset Beach Bar, Maho Beach
Beach bar and restaurant on Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, under the airport approach: breakfast, lunch, Caribbean food and beach rentals.
- Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attends 11th FRED Job Fair in Rotterdam
Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell attended the 11th FRED Job Fair & Conference in Rotterdam on October 24, where her Cabinet is building a database to reach students and the diaspora, the government says.
- SMYC Diam 24 Grand Prix Grand Case: November 14–15, 2026
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club lists its Diam 24 Grand Prix Grand Case for Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15, 2026.
- Rainforest Adventures St. Maarten, Rockland Estate
Adventure park on Rockland Estate in Cul de Sac with the Sky Explorer chairlift, zip lines, a schooner ride, the Emilio Wilson Museum and a restaurant.
- Heat season safety: how to stay cool and spot heat illness in Sint Maarten
Practical heat-season advice from the Fire Department, ODM and Collective Prevention Services: water, shade, clothing, vehicles, pets, workers and when to call 911.
- Préfecture security review: one homicide in first half of 2026, drug checks up
The Préfecture reported one homicide in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy in the first half of 2026, against six a year earlier, and more drug checks, while offences against people and property returned to 2024 levels.
- Maison du Père Noël in Cripple Gate opens December 6 and launches €10,000 fundraiser
The Christmas House in Cripple Gate, run by the Good Friends association, opens free to the public on December 6, 2026, and is raising €10,000 on GoFundMe until December 15.
- Zee Best Bakeshop, 100 Airport Road
Zee Best Bakeshop is at 100 Airport Road, next to Thrifty's, open Monday to Saturday 7 am to 4 pm and Sundays 7 am to 3 pm.
- Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar & Restaurant, 90 Welfare Road
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar & Restaurant, 'The Bar by The Bridge', at 90 Welfare Road, is open to everyone from 7 am to midnight.
- Renewing a residence permit on the French side: the ANEF online procedure
From November 1, 2026, residence-permit renewals, changes of situation and the DCEM on the French side must be done online on ANEF, the Préfecture says. Here are the exemptions and the five steps.
- Hurricane preparedness on Sint Maarten: what ODM advises
The Office of Disaster Management's advice for the Dutch side: a 14-day supply kit, safe food and medicine storage, plans for pets and boats, and business contingency plans.
- 5th St. Maarten Marathon set for Sunday, December 6
The 5th St. Maarten Marathon runs on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. The field is capped at 450 runners and registration closes when full or on December 2.
- UNSA union sets up a local branch in Saint-Martin
France's UNSA union federation has launched a Saint-Martin local union, with support from UNSA Guadeloupe. The two outlets that reported it differ on when its board takes office.
- ALEFPA opens Communauté 360 and supported-employment service at Les Salines
ALEFPA-Le Manteau inaugurated premises for Communauté 360 and its supported-employment service for people with disabilities at Résidence Les Salines, Quartier d'Orléans, on October 21.
- Saint-Martin hosts first C-CIRC Caribbean cybersecurity forum
The first forum of C-CIRC, a Caribbean cybersecurity cooperation project with a EUR 3 million budget under INTERREG Caraïbes, met at Collège Soualiga on October 20 and 21, with a final day in Saint-Barthélemy.
- Topper's Restaurant & Rhum Distillery, Cole Bay
Topper's Restaurant & Rhum Distillery is at #60 Welfare Road, Cole Bay, open seven days a week with distillery tours four times a day.
- KPSM and Marines hold joint road controls; more checks planned
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) and Marines training on the island have held joint controls checking vehicles and people for drugs and firearms. KPSM says more controls will follow.
- PM Mercelina presses VNG for tangible results from municipal partnership
Prime Minister Luc Mercelina met the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) in the Netherlands to discuss GEBE governance, flood prevention, EU funding and waste management. The meeting ended with a shared intention to keep working together; no arrangements were set.
- COCI opens nominations for three board seats from October 30
Three seats on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry board become vacant on January 1, 2027. Nominations open October 30 and close at noon on November 16.
- Minister Connor meets Trust Fund representatives on Mental Health Project
VSA Minister Claret Connor recently met Trust Fund representatives Frans Weekers and Ronald Halman about the Mental Health Project, ahead of Steering Committee meetings on Sint Maarten next week.
- Saint-Martin beekeepers reminded to declare hives by December 31
On the French side, anyone keeping bees, even one colony, must declare their hives each year between September 1 and December 31. The CCISM has reminded beekeepers of the 2026 deadline.
- TEATT opens applications for Christmas vendors at 'The Jolly Lane' on Pondfill
Vendor packages for TEATT's Christmas vending area on Pondfill can be picked up at Counter B from October 26 to 30. Completed applications will be accepted only on November 18 from 1 p.m.
- Road Fund 2027: what the Finance and VROMI releases each say
Two government releases from October 22 give different figures and timelines for the Road Fund in 2027. Both say XCG 5 million from road tax goes to roads in 2027, with full allocation from 2028.
- Wingo's Destino Oculto 3 brings about 350 Colombian travellers to St. Maarten
About 350 travellers from Bogotá and Medellín on Colombian airline Wingo's Destino Oculto 3 mystery trip are visiting St. Maarten until 25 October, PJIA said.
- Minister Gumbs pays tribute to cultural icon Esther Narcisco-Williams
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs expressed condolences on the passing of Esther Narcisco-Williams, founder of Our Creations SXM Arts & Crafts Foundation.
- PM Mercelina visits Philips Healthcare in the Netherlands to look at hospital technology
Prime Minister Luc Mercelina visited Philips Healthcare in Best, the Netherlands, on October 22 to look at medical imaging, AI and remote clinical support. No agreement was announced.
- Voice of the Youth Foundation receives funding for Youth Brigade drum band and leadership training
The Voice of the Youth St. Maarten Foundation received funding from three funds for the Sint Maarten Youth Brigade Drum Band's instruments and leadership training.
- MPC retains PSA Interscholastic High School Basketball title, beating CBA 51–44
Milton Peters College retained the 2026 PSA Interscholastic High School Basketball League title, beating CBA 51–44 in the championship game.
- Préfecture grant call for Saint-Martin associations closes Wednesday, October 28
The Préfecture's 2026 call for projects for associations and other bodies active in Saint-Martin will close on October 28, the Collectivité relayed.
- Dutch and French sides attend CANOC assembly together for the first time; MOU planned
Sport bodies from both sides of the island attended the CANOC workshops and General Assembly in Curaçao together for the first time and plan to develop an MOU.
- Public consultation on draft National Gambling Ordinance opens Monday, October 26
Sint Maarten's public consultation on the draft National Gambling Ordinance will open on Monday, October 26. The Government says it will close on December 4, with stakeholder sessions from November 6 to 12.
- VROMI zoning plan tender: proposals due Friday, October 30
Proposals for the VROMI tender for a new Sint Maarten zoning plan are due by Friday, October 30, 2026, Minister Patrice Gumbs' ministry said.
- DUO opens temporary student-finance office at USM from November 23 to 27
DUO, the Dutch agency for student finance, will run a temporary service office at the University of St. Martin from November 23 to 27. No appointment is needed; bring valid ID.
- VROMI warns against pumping wastewater into drains and onto roads
The Ministry of VROMI reminded the public that discharging wastewater into government drains or onto public roads is prohibited, and said it will block illegal pipes.
- Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority office moving temporarily to the Ferry Dock opposite PJIA parking
The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) is relocating its office to the Ferry Dock across from the PJIA parking lot while the Simpson Bay dock is rebuilt; clearance is at Point Blanche for now.
- KPSM urges patience and road safety as high season nears
KPSM expects heavier traffic, especially in Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, as high season begins in the coming weeks, and reminded drivers to park only in designated areas.
- Slavery Memorial Committee and NAAM sign cooperation agreement to 2029, covering Sint Maarten
The Slavery Memorial Committee and Curaçao's NAAM Foundation signed a framework agreement on October 16 to cooperate through 2029 on slavery history research across six islands, including Sint Maarten.
- Three men sentenced to 12 years each for fatal Gentlemen's Club shooting in Defiance
The Court of Appeal sentenced D.S.M., A.M.E.C. and A.A.A.C. to 12 years each for co-perpetration of manslaughter and illegal firearm possession in the April 2025 shooting outside the Gentlemen's Club in Defiance.
- Court of Appeal upholds 12-year sentence for fatal Dutch Quarter stabbing
The Court of Appeal upheld the 12-year prison sentence imposed on J.J.M.J.H. for manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of E.M.R. in Dutch Quarter on February 6, 2025.
- CPS and SMMC ask parents of young children to take RSV survey
Collective Prevention Services, SMMC and Radboudumc are asking expectant parents and parents of children aged 0 to 5 to complete an anonymous survey on RSV and vaccination.
- Former acting Pointe Blanche prison head sentenced to 10 years for sexual abuse of a minor
The Court of First Instance sentenced A.B., a former acting head of Pointe Blanche Prison, to 10 years in prison for repeated sexual abuse of a minor, the Public Prosecutor's Office said.
- Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Arrindell extends condolences on the passing of former Cabinet Director Drs. Cor James
Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell has extended condolences on the passing of Drs. Cornelius 'Cor' James, the first Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten in The Hague after 10-10-10.
- NAGICO Health & Wellness Fair returns on November 14 at a new venue
The NAGICO Health & Wellness Fair will return on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Erwin (Baco) Richardson Little League Stadium, with free health screenings.
- Collectivité's economy and employment office closed to walk-ins from October 19
The Collectivité de Saint-Martin's Délégation Attractivité, Économie et Emploi (DA2E) closed its front desk at Concordia from October 19 until further notice because of works.
- La Noctambule Halloween night trail at Bellevue on October 31; sign up by October 28
La Noctambule, a Halloween night trail at Bellevue, will start at 7 PM on Saturday, October 31, with online registration closing on October 28, Faxinfo reported.
- Philipsburg shops may open on St. Maarten Day, Christmas and New Year's Day
Shops in Philipsburg will be allowed to open from 6 AM to 6:30 PM on November 11, December 25 and January 1 under a TEATT exemption, The Daily Herald reported.
- Government gets back 17 hectares in Cul de Sac; Gumbs plans first terrestrial national park
VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs finalised the return of about 17 hectares of long-lease land in Cul de Sac to the country and plans to designate much of it as Sint Maarten's first terrestrial national park.
- St. Martin's Day in Quartier d'Orléans: stall and parade applications due by October 30
Associations, troupes, local performers and stall holders who want to take part in St. Martin's Day in Quartier d'Orléans must apply by October 30, Le97150 reported.
- Department of Statistics launches new website and interactive dashboard
Sint Maarten's Department of Statistics (STAT) launched a new website at stats.sintmaartengov.org with an interactive dashboard for exploring official data.
- Drought aid for French-side farms: applications due by October 27, Faxinfo reports
Saint-Martin farmers hit by drought can apply for aid of up to €10,000 per farm, St Martin Week reported; Faxinfo reported the deadline is October 27.
- Joint St. Maarten/St. Martin team to compete at Taste of the Caribbean, the first since 2017
A joint St. Maarten/St. Martin culinary team will compete at Taste of the Caribbean in Barbados from November 16 to 19, the first island team since 2017.
- Telem's T-Hunt returns on November 29 with US$3,000 in prizes
Telem's second annual T-Hunt will take place on Sunday, November 29, with US$3,000 in prizes; registration costs US$100 per team, The Daily Herald reported.
- World Food Day 2026: Minister Connor called for food security and growing food at home
Marking World Food Day, VSA Minister Claret Connor urged residents to cut food waste, buy local and grow food at home, and said his ministry is looking into distributing breadfruit trees, according to the government.
- Sigmar Carmelia installed as president of the Joint Court of Justice
Sigmar Carmelia was formally installed on 16 October 2026 as president of the Joint Court of Justice, which hears appeals from Sint Maarten and the other Dutch Caribbean islands. He succeeds Mauritsz de Kort, now Governor of Curaçao.
- Octobre Rose 2026 in St. Martin: the month's events and fundraisers
A month-long look at Octobre Rose 2026 on both sides of St. Martin: walks, sport sessions, tournaments and shop campaigns raising awareness of breast cancer and funds for groups such as Fleur du Phoenix.
- Octobre Rose 2026: CCI president Angèle Dormoy shared her breast cancer experience to urge screening
Businesswoman and CCI de Saint-Martin president Angèle Dormoy told Le97150 she found a small lump by self-examination between mammograms, and urged women to check themselves and get screened early.
- Saint-Martin's economy in 2025: tourism up, jobs steady, according to IEDOM and ITSEE
IEDOM's 2025 report for Saint-Martin shows tourist numbers up 15.7% and cruise passengers landed up 16.6%, with private-sector jobs rising; ITSEE figures reported by Le97150 point the same way.
- Air Caraïbes to fly daily between Pointe-à-Pitre and Princess Juliana from January
Air Caraïbes will fly daily between Pointe-à-Pitre and Princess Juliana International Airport from 8 January 2027 on an ATR 72-600, with return fares from EUR 199, and has resumed twice-weekly Paris-Orly flights.
- Miss Saint-Martin Naïla Parotte prepares for the Miss France election on 12 December
Naïla Parotte, 22, will represent Saint-Martin at the Miss France election on Saturday, 12 December 2026, Le 97150 reported in an interview.
- Air France to switch Paris–Sint Maarten flights to the A350 from 1 February 2027
Air France's filed schedules show its Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Princess Juliana flights moving from the A330-200 to the A350-900 from 1 February 2027, brought forward from 28 March 2027.
- US opens 2027 YLAI entrepreneurship fellowship to Sint Maarten applicants
Sint Maarten entrepreneurs aged 25 to 35 can apply for the US State Department's 2027 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative fellowship, which includes a four-week placement with a US business. Applications close November 8, 2026, 11:59 PM EST (12:59 AM AST, November 9).
- USM panel brings perimenopause and menopause into the open for World Menopause Day
The University of St. Martin held a public lecture and panel on perimenopause and menopause on Thursday, 15 October 2026, ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October.
- Winair signs three-year deal to fly between Sint Maarten and Montserrat until 2029
Winair will fly at least three times a week between Sint Maarten and Montserrat until 30 September 2029 under a new three-year agreement with the Government of Montserrat.
- Sint Maarten hosts Prison Workers Week 2026 and honours six correctional staff
Correctional staff from Sint Maarten, Curaçao, Bonaire and Suriname, with a participant from Aruba, met in Sint Maarten for Prison Workers Week from 5 to 11 October 2026, which was dedicated to six honourees.
- World Day for the Eradication of Poverty: where Le Manteau helps people in hardship in Marigot
As the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, Le97150 highlighted ALEFPA–Le Manteau de Saint-Martin, which shelters and supports people in great difficulty in Marigot.
- CPS urges residents to make handwashing a daily habit on Global Handwashing Day
Sint Maarten's Collective Prevention Service marked Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2026 under the theme 'Be a Handwashing Hero!', urging residents to wash hands with soap and water every day.
- Siam Thaï takeaway opens in Bellevue
Siam Thaï, a Thai takeaway, has been operating in Bellevue since the summer at the former Rice Upon a Time premises opposite the pharmacy, Faxinfo reported.
- Dutch risk analysis uses a category 5 hurricane and a tsunami on Sint Maarten as planning scenarios, not forecasts
The Kingdom's 2026 national risk analysis describes a category 5 hurricane striking Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin and the tsunami risk for the islands as planning scenarios to test preparedness, not forecasts.
- Melackia Spencer marks 15 years of service at the Sint Maarten Library
Melackia Spencer marked 15 years at the Sint Maarten Library on 3 October 2026, according to the Library, where she hosts the Raising Readers online story time for children up to age 5.
- Xavier Lédée to seek re-election as President of Saint-Barthélemy in 2027
Saint-Barthélemy President Xavier Lédée said in a video posted on 16 October 2026 that he will run again in the March 2027 territorial elections, Le Pélican reported.
- Sint Maarten MPs visit Curaçao's Caribbean Prevention Centre before Tripartite meeting
A Sint Maarten parliamentary delegation visited Fundashon Prevenshon, the Caribbean Prevention Centre in Curaçao, on 14 October 2026 to learn about its screening programmes, SXM Today and Soualiga Newsday reported.
- KPSM senior officers complete effective leadership training
Several senior officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), including Chief of Police Carl John, completed an effective leadership training course this week, the force said.
- Octobre Rose: Pink Walk draws 250 people and Archigirls raise €2,010 for Fleur du Phoenix
Two Octobre Rose events on the French side raised money for the breast cancer association Fleur du Phoenix: a Pink Walk with 250 participants and an Archigirls fundraiser that brought in €2,010, Faxinfo reported.
- Lions District 60B Governor Hyacinth Jeremiah visits Sint Maarten Lions Club
Lions District 60B Governor Hyacinth Jeremiah visited the Sint Maarten Lions Club on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, and paid courtesy calls on the Governor, the President of Parliament and the Prime Minister.
- Sint Maarten-based Motorworld launches the GAC car brand in Guyana
Motorworld, headquartered in Sint Maarten, has launched the GAC car brand in Guyana through dealer HSM Motors, its 23rd Caribbean market in two years, according to a Motorworld release.
- Steflogix director Stephanie Somersall completes international pest management courses
Stephanie Somersall, managing director of Sint Maarten pest management firm Steflogix, has completed several international training courses, according to a company release, and is encouraging more women into the field.
- Statia's Mega D Youth Foundation wins a 2026 Appeltje van Oranje and €25,000
Sint Eustatius' Mega D Youth Foundation received one of three 2026 Appeltjes van Oranje awards, worth €25,000, at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
- Nature Foundation steps up support for Sint Maarten's fishers with training and monitoring
The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten has expanded its work with local fishers, with new graduates of its training course, a pilot monitoring programme at the Simpson Bay Fish Market and free lobster and conch gauges.
- House fire in La Savane sends three people to hospital
Three people were taken to hospital after a house fire in La Savane in the early hours of Thursday, October 15, 2026; 11 firefighters attended and the cause has not been determined.
- Car rentals in St. Martin: directory of rental companies
Contact details for car rental companies on both sides of St. Martin, checked against each company's own website on October 16, 2026.
- Department of Statistics: where to find official Sint Maarten data
STAT publishes the Dutch side's official data free online. This guide covers its headline figures with their reference years, and how to contact the department.
- Registering a business on the French side: the CCISM in Marigot
What Saint-Martin's CCISM does, how to contact it and how to book an appointment to register a business on the French side.
- Village des associations returns to Marigot on Saturday 24 October
The Collectivité de Saint-Martin holds its Village des associations on Saturday 24 October, 9 AM to 3 PM, at the Halle des sports Jean-Louis Vanterpool in Marigot.
- PM Mercelina meets SOL on fuel costs; no cut in electricity bills announced
The Prime Minister met fuel supplier SOL, the Finance Minister and MPs to look at fuel costs behind electricity bills, the government said on 8 October. Options were discussed, but no agreement or bill reduction was announced.
- Simpson Bay Lagoon and Mullet Pond: a guide to St. Martin's shared lagoon
St. Martin's shared inland lagoon and its Ramsar-listed Mullet Pond: where it is, why it matters, and what threatens it.
- How to vote for Saint-Martin's future flag
The Collectivité de Saint-Martin's citizen advisory vote on a new territorial flag runs through October 21, 2026 (Saint-Martin time) on mysaintmartinflag.com. It is not a referendum, and the flag will not replace the French flag.
- Îlet Pinel: a guide to the French side's reserve island
Where Îlet Pinel is, how boat access works, and the nature-reserve rules set by prefectural decree 2020-142.
- How the Collectivité de Saint-Martin works: the French side's government explained
A plain-language guide to the Collectivité de Saint-Martin: the 23-member Territorial Council, the President, the Executive Council, the CESC and the French State's separate role.
- Grand Case Beach: a guide to the French side's village beach
Where Grand Case Beach is, how to get onto the sand, what to expect, and the ARS 6 August 2026 water-quality result.
- Grand Case L'Espérance Airport (SFG): the French side's airport
Grand Case L'Espérance Airport is the French side's regional airfield, run by SESMA (Edeis) since 2011, with a 1,203 m runway. Contacts and what to know.
- Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, ODM says; NHC expects no new cyclones in the next 7 days
ODM said on 15 October that the Atlantic has seen nine named storms and that Isaias became the season's first hurricane, reaching Category 3. The NHC and Météo-France expect no new cyclone activity in the coming days.
- Where to get official weather forecasts and warnings in St Martin
Use MDS on the Dutch side and Météo-France vigilance on the French side, plus the NHC regionally. This guide explains the warning levels and the official contacts.
- French-side taxis: stations, official fares and the Direction Transport
French-side taxis have no meter and follow an official euro scale. This guide links the Collectivité's fare guide and gives taxi station and Direction Transport contacts.