Due to its unique proximity to the Princess Juliana International Airport(SXM), Maho Beach attracts millions of aviation fanatics and curious thrill seekers who sit on the sand each afternoon to spot planes landing and feel the high-decibel jet blast hardly a few metres above their heads.
As a result, Maho Beach has become one of the most visited tourist destinations on the island of St Maarten on the western end of the runway of the airport. Apart from the exhilarating experience of airplanes landing and taking off every few minutes, the beach is also known for its gorgeous sunsets over the Caribbean Sea.
About Maho Beach
Maho Beach is located in St Maarten on the Dutch side of the island which is known for attracting more visitors than the French St Martin not only because of the amazing vantage point for planespotters but for visiting clubs, casinos ,and duty-free shopping as well.
The runway was built by the US army during WWII as a flight hub for spotting German submarines and the sand bar bordering the sea and the Simpson Bay Lagoon was seen as the most suitable site.
Over the years, as larger aircraft began to use the airport, the runway was extended over land claimed from the lagoon and this proximity to Maho Beach soon became a popular attraction with visitors who nicknamed the place as “airport beach”.
Stayovers and visitors on a cruise to St. Maarten consider a beach visit. This is a unique opportunity to take videos or photos of planes landing and departing, not to be found anywhere else in the world.
Getting there
The Emmaplein Bus Station is only a few minutes walk from the AC Wathey cruise terminal where all cruise ships dock. Take the bus depicting the “Cupecoy” or “Maho” sign and get off at Maho Beach. Taxis to the beach are also available from the cruise port and Phillipsburg.
When to go to Maho Beach?
The best time to go to Maho Beach is either early morning or in the evening if you want to have a crowd-free experience. Between 11 am and 3 pm, the area tends to be very crowded as many tourists come here from different parts of St Maarten.
By 4 pm there are fewer crowds and one can watch planes land and take off against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset. It is recommended to check the aircraft schedules online to avoid the huge crowds.
Other things to do at Maho Beach
Since you don’t have to pay to enjoy the beach and the planes, why not splurge a bit at the Sunset Beach Bar, which also has a great vantage point to see the planes come and go.
The gorgeous Caribbean water is ideal for sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving, all activities that can be easily accessed. As the island is located in the heart of the Lesser Antilles, it becomes easy to explore other nearby islands like St Barts, Sab,a and Anguilla.
