Best Times & Seasons to Fish in St. Martin (Complete Guide)

St. Martin/St. Maarten is home to world-class fishing but it often gets overlooked by anglers. Knowing the best time and seasons to fish here can lead to a trip to truly remember.

The best times to fish in St. Martin are during the spring and summer months, when various popular game fish, including marlin, wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi, are in their peak seasons.

Month	St. Martin Fishing Location
January	Try Simpson Bay for Rainbow Runner.
February	Head to Baie Rouge for Atlantic Bonito.
March	Orient Bay is great for Mahi Mahi.
April	Go to Anse Marcel for King Mackerel.
May	Cast a line at Baie Longue for Yellowfin Tuna.
June	Sailfish are abundant at Little Bay.
July	Try Happy Bay for Wahoo.
August	Blue Marlin can be found at Friar’s Bay.
September	Catch White Marlin at Nettle Bay.
October	Barracuda are active at Baie de Marigot.
November	Go for Tarpon at Grand Case Bay.
December	Snapper varieties are plentiful at Great Bay.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in St. Martin. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in St. Martin

Little Bay is known for Sailfish in June.

Friar’s Bay is a good spot for Blue Marlin fishing in August.

Anse Marcel is a preferred location for White Marlin in September.

Baie Longue offers good Yellowfin Tuna fishing in May.

Simpson Bay is suitable for Mahi Mahi in March.

Happy Bay is a recommended place for Wahoo in July.

Orient Bay is a top location for King Mackerel in April.

Baie de Marigot is known for Barracuda in October.

Baie Rouge is the place to go for Tarpon in December.

Grand Case Bay is a popular location for Snapper fishing in January.

Nettle Bay offers chances of catching Bonefish in July.

Great Bay is a suitable place for Sailfish in June.

Baie aux Prunes is known for Grouper fishing in April.

Galion Beach is a good spot for Wahoo in July.

Rocher Creole is preferred for Yellowfin Tuna in May.

Tintamarre Island is a location to catch Barracuda in October.

Petite Cayes is known for King Mackerel in April.

Pinel Island offers chances of catching Mahi Mahi in March.

Rendezvous Bay is a good place for White Marlin in September.

Ilet de Green Cay is a recommended location for Permit in August.

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Blue Marlin

If you’re trying to catch a Blue Marlin in St. Martin, you should plan your adventure in summer, especially around August. These powerful fish are most active during the morning and late afternoon. The best places to try your luck are Friar’s Bay, Anse Marcel, Baie Longue, and Baie de Marigot.

White Marlin

If you’re aiming to catch a White Marlin in St. Martin, your best bet is to go fishing in the fall, particularly in September. These swift swimmers are most likely to bite early in the morning and in the late afternoon. Try casting your line at Nettle Bay, Baie de Marigot, Anse Marcel, and Baie Longue.

Sailfish

If you’re looking to catch a sailfish in St. Martin, summer is the perfect season, especially in June. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of the day to fish, when these amazing creatures are most active. The top places to spot sailfish are Little Bay, Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay, and Anse Marcel.

Yellowfin Tuna

If you want to catch a Yellowfin Tuna in St. Martin, the ideal season is spring, with May being a particularly good month. These strong fish tend to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The top spots to find Yellowfin Tuna are Baie Longue, Anse Marcel, Baie de Marigot, and Baie Rouge.

Mahi-Mahi

The best time to catch Mahi Mahi in St. Martin is in the spring, particularly in March. These vibrant fish are usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The top locations to fish for Mahi Mahi are Orient Bay, Baie Longue, Anse Marcel, and Simpson Bay.

Wahoo

If you’re looking to catch a Wahoo in St. Martin, the ideal season is summer, especially in July. These speedy fish are typically most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Your best bet to catch Wahoo would be at Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay, Little Bay, and Baie Longue.

King Mackerel

If you’re looking to catch a King Mackerel in St. Martin, springtime is the way to go, especially in April. These big fish are usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The top spots to find King Mackerel are Anse Marcel, Orient Bay, Baie Longue, and Simpson Bay.

Barracuda

If you’re aiming to catch a Barracuda in St. Martin, the fall season is your best bet, particularly in October. These speedy fish are usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon. You’re most likely to catch Barracuda at Baie de Marigot, Anse Marcel, Orient Bay, and Baie Rouge.

Tarpon

If you’re looking to reel in a Tarpon in St. Martin, the best season is winter, particularly in December. These massive fish are often most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The top spots to catch a Tarpon are Grand Case Bay, Simpson Bay, Baie Rouge, and Baie Longue.

Snapper

If you’re setting your sights on Snapper in St. Martin, winter is your season, especially January. These fish tend to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The top places to find Snapper are Great Bay, Grand Case Bay, Anse Marcel, and Baie Rouge.

Grouper

If you’re aiming to catch a Grouper in St. Martin, you should try your luck in the spring season, particularly in April. These hefty fish are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Your best spots for Grouper are Baie Longue, Anse Marcel, Orient Bay, and Simpson Bay.

Bonefish

If you’re looking to catch a Bonefish in St. Martin, your best chance is in the summer, especially July. These slick fish are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Top spots for Bonefish are Nettle Bay, Friar’s Bay, Orient Bay, and Baie de Marigot.

Permit

If you’re hoping to catch a Permit in St. Martin, the best season to do so is summer, particularly in August. These elusive fish are usually most active in the early morning and late afternoon. You’ll find the best spots for Permit fishing are Nettle Bay, Baie de Marigot, Anse Marcel, and Orient Bay.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Curacao, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in St. Kitts, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Turks & Caicos, check out this guide.

Best Fishing in St. Martin on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Simpson Bay: Our first stop is Simpson Bay, where you can find Rainbow Runner.
Baie Rouge: Next, we’re off to Baie Rouge. This spot is perfect for catching Atlantic Bonito, a fish that’s as quick as a dart.
Great Bay: Then, we’re visiting Great Bay. Here, you can find various types of Snapper.
Grand Case Bay: Our last spot is Grand Case Bay, a hotspot for Tarpon.

Spring

Orient Bay: Our first stop is Orient Bay. This place is teeming with Mahi Mahi.
Anse Marcel: Next, we’re heading to Anse Marcel. Here, you can find King Mackerel.
Baie Longue: Then, we’re off to Baie Longue. You can reel in Yellowfin Tuna here.
Baie Rouge: Last on our list is Baie Rouge. Atlantic Bonito love this place.

Summer

Little Bay: First up, we’re going to Little Bay. This is a prime spot for Sailfish.
Happy Bay: Next, we’re off to Happy Bay. This is a hot spot for Wahoo, one of the fastest fish in the ocean.
Friar’s Bay: Then, we’re heading to Friar’s Bay. You can find Blue Marlin here.
Baie Longue: Finally, we’re visiting Baie Longue. Yellowfin Tuna are the main attraction here.

Fall

Baie de Marigot: This is a great spot to catch Barracuda.
Orient Bay: Over here, you can catch the amazing King Mackerel.
Grand Case Bay: This bay is home to the magnificent Tarpon.
Nettle Bay: Our last stop is Nettle Bay, where you can catch White Marlin.