Maho Beach in St Martin is located directly at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport (the main airport of the island), and is famous for the incredible sight of airplanes landing just a few feet above the heads of beachgoers.
You can actually find the daily schedule of flights landing at the airport for any given day written on a surfboard on the beach. Guaranteed show for aircraft lovers and the curious!
Whether you’re a plane enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie, or simply looking for a unique and different beach day, Maho Beach St. Martin should be on your itinerary.
Where is Maho Beach?
Maho Beach is located on the western end of the runway from Princess Juliana International Airport, on the Dutch side of St. Martin (south half of the island), just a short distance from the popular Simpson Bay area.
It is easily accessible by car, taxi, or even by boat. The beach is part of the lively Maho area, known for its resorts, casinos, and restaurants, making it a great spot to spend the day or even the entire vacation.
The thrill of Maho Beach airplane landings
Maho Beach is unlike any other beach worldwide because of its proximity to the airport runway.
The beach is world-famous for its close encounters with airplanes, particularly during landings. The planes approach the runway from over the ocean, flying just above the beach before touching down.
This phenomenon has made “Maho Beach airplane landing” a bucket-list experience for thrill-seekers and aviation enthusiasts visiting Saint Martin island.
The low-altitude landings, combined with the roar of the jet engines, create a rush of adrenaline that you won’t find anywhere else.
For those brave enough, standing directly under the flight path as a plane comes in, is an experience you’ll be talking about for years.
Photo Gallery: Maho Beach airplane landing pictures
You’ve probably seen it online through some viral posts, but here you have some pictures from airplanes landing at Maho Beach in St Martin.
Plane schedule at Maho Beach
You can check the schedule of landings and departures at Saint Martin through the airport website itself.
We leave you here the link to directly access the daily flight schedule for Princess Juliana International Airport.
You can also check websites and third-party apps like Flight Radar 24 to check flights in real-time. Here you have the link for arrivals at SXM airport on FlightRadar24.com
At the beach, you will also find the schedule of the flights written on a surfboard.
When is the best time for plane spotting at Maho Beach?
If you’re planning to visit Maho Beach for plane spotting, timing is everything.
At Princess Juliana International Airport there are small planes (especially inter-islands planes) landing throughout the day, but the larger and most impressive jets typically arrive around mid-day or early afternoon. Why? Because larger planes are the ones flying from more distant locations (France, the US…) and it takes them a few hours to arrive at St Martin even if they depart in the early morning.
For example:
- a plane departing from New York at 9:00 AM will arrive around 12:30 PM local time (around a 3 or 4 hours flight)
- a plane from Paris will need +/- 9 hours of flying minus the time change to reach SXM, so if it departs at 10:00 AM French time won’t reach the island till approximately 2:00 PM local time
If you are a plane enthusiast we recommend you to schedule the visit to Maho Beach for the larger planes. These bigger aircrafts, such as Boeing 747s, or Airbus A330s are the most impressive ones and create the most dramatic experiences.
Safety tips for enjoying the planes at Maho Beach
While Maho Beach offers an exhilarating experience for plane enthusiasts, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
The force of the jet blasts from departing planes can be extremely powerful, and there have been incidents where people were injured by standing too close to the runway fence during takeoff. Always follow the posted safety signs and be cautious of your surroundings.
Standing directly under a landing plane is relatively safe but make sure to secure any loose items, as the gusts from the planes can easily blow them away. Enjoy the experience, but always prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you.
Make Maho Beach a stop on your sailing adventure with Pyratz
At Pyratz Gourmet Sailing, we offer personalized sailing experiences that allow you to explore the best of St. Martin by sea. While Maho Beach is accessible by land, arriving by boat adds an extra layer of adventure to your visit.
A stop at Maho Beach can be part of a customized day charter with us, where you can also explore other nearby beaches like the crystal-clear waters of Mullet Bay, or the beautiful Baie Rouge a bit more north.
We could also take you to the nearby island of Anguilla or St Barths.
Ready to explore Maho Beach and many other spots in Saint Martin through a very gourmet style and personalized boat charter?
Contact Pyratz Gourmet Sailing today to plan your perfect day on the water, and get ready for an experience like no other.
