It is located on the north side of the island of Réunion, just east of, and adjacent to, the capital of Saint-Denis.

The average annual rainfall is 1,530.3 mm (60.25 in) with February as the wettest month.

The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around 27.0 °C (80.6 °F), and lowest in July, at around 21.8 °C (71.2 °F).

Reunion's main airport and the Air Austral headquarters are located in Sainte-Marie.

[7][8][9] There is also a small fishing harbour, a shopping-center and a brewery in the commune.