Maho Beach — Attraction in Île des Terres Basses

The most famous place to view flights taking off and landing is not in any of our major cities around the world. I thought I had found it on the beachfront walkway at Lanzarote airport where the runaway starts within about 50m and planes fly in directly overhead. Having now visited Maho Beach my future opportunities to take photos at Lanzarote are going to be far less exciting. Often referred to as ‘Airplane Beach’, Maho Beach lies directly under the western approach to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport, and is only steps away from the furthest edge of the runway. This is the closest you can get to an aircraft in flight without being a passenger.

Princess Juliana International Airport is not only really close to the beach, but also has an unusually short runway which is half the size of most international airports. In order to complete a smooth landing, the aircraft gets as close to the beginning of the Runway as possible – and ends up flying at altitudes of less than 100 feet (30 m) right over the heads of eager plane spotters, photographers and tourists. There is a danger of people standing on the beach being blown into the water because of the jet blast from aircraft taking off from the runway. The local government warns that closely approaching and departing aircraft can "result in serious injury and/or death". An additional fence has been added recently behind the runway, in order to prevent people from hanging onto the main fence surrounding the runway to experience being blasted by the jet flow. Plane spotting has become so popular that local residents have even developed a whole infrastructure around it: the beach bar owners put up boards with timetables of the arrivals and departures so that people can plan their times for aircraft viewing.

The aircraft warning signs need to be heeded as over the years many people have been blown off their feet or into the sea. In 2017, as Caribbean Airlines Flight 457 was taking off from the airport, a 57-year-old woman from New Zealand was killed by jet blast. The woman was holding on to a fence at the end of the runway when the wind blew her away, causing her head to smash into concrete. Princess Juliana International Airport is the second busiest in the Eastern Caribbean which makes Maho Beach an exciting place and it is always busy with sightseers. The beach itself is white sand and has little to no vegetation because of jet blast erosion.

This is one of the few places in the world where aircraft can be viewed in their flight path just outside the end of the runway and is well worth trying to make arrangements to visit in the future. If you found this review helpful please click on the ‘Like’...

As an avid aviation enthusiast, visiting Maho Beach in Saint Martin was a dream come true. This unique destination offers an unparalleled experience for those who love airplanes and the thrill of witnessing breathtaking landings and takeoffs.

Situated just steps away from Princess Juliana International Airport, Maho Beach provides an exhilarating vantage point to observe aircraft in action. It's hard to describe the sheer excitement of standing on the soft, white sands as massive planes soar overhead, seemingly just a hair's breadth above your head.

The beach is well-equipped with ample space and facilities, including beach chairs, umbrellas, and refreshing beach bars that offer the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the aviation spectacle. Flight schedules are easily accessible, allowing enthusiasts to plan their visit and witness a variety of aircraft, from commercial jets to private planes.

One of the highlights of Maho Beach is the legendary arrival of the Boeing 747s, where the planes gracefully touch down on the runway in close proximity to beachgoers. The sheer power and elegance of these jumbo jets leave you in awe, making it an unforgettable experience for any aviation lover.

The atmosphere at Maho Beach is electric, with fellow enthusiasts eagerly swapping stories and sharing their passion for aviation. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from all over the world, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.

Furthermore, the airport authorities have taken adequate safety precautions to ensure the well-being of beach visitors, maintaining a safe distance from the runway and installing warning signs.

In conclusion, Maho Beach is an aviation enthusiast's paradise. With its prime location, spectacular views, and vibrant atmosphere, it offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to cherish. Whether you're a die-hard aviation fanatic or simply appreciate the marvel of flight, Maho Beach is an absolute must-visit...

Maho Beach is a fun place to visit! Im posting this specifically for people who visit Saint Martin by cruise ship and want to go to Maho Beach. A ship sponsored excursion is the safest way, but if that's not an option, here's some tips.

Best way to get to Maho is by Taxi. The taxi stand is an easy walk from the cruise pier. 2 options: individual taxi, 1 to 2 people is $25 each way. Group Taxi is $18 per person round trip. The trip is about a half hour and drops you right at Maho Beach. They give you a bracelet, which is, in essence, your ticket home. There's a bar there, they rent beach chairs and an umbrella for $30. You'll be right on the beach... It's great for swimming. The bar charges you a dollar to use the bathroom, but in return, it gives you a voucher redeemable at the bar. There's a fantastic bakery right next store to the bar.

As usual, there's people selling T-shirts, hats etc for reasonable prices... but by all means, DO NOT engage with the people who offer to braid hair, provide foot massages etc. They are notorious for being persistent, not setting an up front price, and charging people 100's of dollars.

The bar keeps a schedule of plane arrivals up, and you'll notice people moving close to the runway when bigger planes are expected.

When you're ready to leave, there's a taxi stand right outside the bar. They simply remove your wristband and put you in a taxi. The ride back for us was a half hour. We went earlier in the day and returned to port around 1. Traffic is known to be an issue and gets worse later in the day. Some on our ship had a close call with departure... the ride back...