What Maho Beach Is Really Like
Maho Beach is one of the most recognizable beaches in the world.
Located directly beside Princess Juliana International Airport, this narrow stretch of sand in St. Martin is famous for planes flying low overhead. For this reason, the airport regularly makes lists of the most dangerous in the world. The images are dramatic and the experience looks thrilling.
Here’s what it’s like once you’re actually standing there.
This Is Not a Relaxing Beach Day
There are plenty of beaches in St. Martin where you can plan to spend the day laid out relaxing. Maho Beach is not one of those beaches. There’s very little room to walk, let alone spread out. It can even be difficult to find a place to stand, especially during peak tourist season. While there are some chairs with umbrellas, it simply isn't the kind of place you go for a full beach day.
Planes are landing frequently and people gather along the shoreline, even spilling into the street, with phones raised, waiting for the next landing. It feels more like an event or just a place you stop for a hot minute than a beach day.
The Planes are Thrilling
When planes fly over Maho Beach, it is actually impressive. I was there for about 30 minutes, and I genuinely was excited every time I saw a plane coming in. I obviously flew into the island the same way, but being on the plane is a different experience than witnessing it from the ground.
The jet blast from these planes landing is quite powerful, and I’m told there are people who come to be swept up by the jet blast. There are warning signs posted along the fence that prohibit this behavior, and people have been injured ignoring them. Watching the landings from the sand is the far safer option, and it’s simply a great opportunity to capture photos and videos.
Crowds, Energy, and Timing
Maho Beach attracts a constant stream of visitors all day. There are buses, taxis, vans, and ATV caravans all coming and going with the same mission of seeing the planes fly overhead. Some people come for a few minutes, but there are other people that choose to stay longer, as there are bars and shops at the beach as well. The energy is lively and a little chaotic, but it is worth a stop, in my opinion.
If you want the experience with the least amount of congestion:
Go earlier in the day
Avoid cruise ship peak hours
Only stay long enough to see a few landings
This is not necessarily a place you need to spend an entire afternoon.
Where It Fits Into a St. Martin Trip
Maho Beach works best as part of a larger itinerary. After visiting, you might enjoy a meal or drink nearby or actually make it one stop in a full beach day, where you might find yourself at Mullet Bay or Orient Beach
Maho Beach is a spectacle, so I would not describe it as peaceful, calm or spacious, but it can be fun and genuinely cool.
