One of the most popular beaches on St. Maarten is where jumbo jets fly low over revellers who come to see this plane-spotting spectacle as they soak up the sun.
Stand on Maho Beach and hear the roar of jumbo jets as they pass over your head. This popular beach is famous for its proximity to the airport. Planes pass less than 30 metres (100 feet) over the white sands and blue waters. Join the throng of tourists who come to enjoy the takeoffs and landings of jets and soak up the Caribbean sun. Eat and drink in bars and restaurants that line the sand.
Even if you couldn’t hear the roar of the engine, it would be impossible to miss a landing. Beach bars announce the occasion through loud speakers and screens tell you the airline and size of the plane. Watch the spectacle from a distance just above the sand for the best photographs. Join thrill seekers who stand beneath the flight path to feel the blast of the engines, but do so with caution. People have been blown over and seriously injured by getting too close to the planes.
Further along the beach you’ll find a lively atmosphere away from the roar of the jets. Revellers set up their barbecues on the sand alongside souvenir hawkers and food vendors. Hire a grill and cook your own lunch. Locals and tourists alike favour this beach for its party atmosphere and for its watersports. Hire equipment from vendors along the water and go windsurfing, paragliding or jet skiing. The relatively calm waters of Maho Beach are safe for swimmers of any skill level and are frequented by families with children.
Maho Beach sits just beside the Princess Juliana International Airport. It’s easily reached by airport taxi or car and there’s free parking. If you plan to leave your car in the parking lot make sure you take your valuables with you because there is no security guard.
