Visiting Maho Beach is a major bucket list scratch, and one that was on my list for years! I was so excited when I saw our 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic was docking for a day in St. Maarten. I knew immediately that I needed to get to Maho Beach! Maho Beach is famous for the low flying planes as they pass over the beach landing at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). It is located on the Dutch side of the island, only about a 30-minute drive from the cruise port. Whether you’re an AV geek, travel enthusiast, or just like doing unique things, Maho Beach has something for everyone. Here are my top tips for visiting Maho Beach!
Read More! Full Review: 7-Day NCL Epic Caribbean Cruise
1. Check Arrivals & Departures Ahead of Time
If you have international cellular data, track arrivals and departures live on FlightAware by clicking here! If not, I highly recommend checking the scheduled times and writing them down earlier in the day. Flight schedules, as we know, change all the time, but at least you’ll have an idea of what planes to expect! Keep in mind that “arrival” time means the time the plane arrives at the gate, so they’ll be landing on the runway a few minutes before then! The two big highlights are the daily AirFrance and KLM flights. AirFrance (SXM-CDG) and KLM (SXM-AMS) both fly on Airbus A330s in and out of the island, which are a sight to see. You’ll see other “big boys” landing, with flights from New York, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and more!
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2. Visit the Sunset Bar & Grill
The Sunset Bar & Grill is an iconic landmark at Maho Beach. Located on the far end, you can grab a bite, sip a frozen cocktail, and get a great view of the planes! There is tons of outdoor seating and it makes for a perfect place for a beach break. They even have a chalkboard by the bar that is updated with current arrival/departure times!
3. Watch the Jet Blast!
The jet blast from departing aircraft can be a fun experience, but it’s important to keep safety first! It’s incredibly dangerous to cross the road and stand by the fence. In fact, people have died from the powerful blast standing that close. Keep a safe distance by staying on the sand. When jets line up on the runway for take off, you’ll feel a powerful gust that will kick up any loose item in its way. Hold onto your hats, towels, and gear. A lot of items would fly into the water during each takeoff! It can be a lot of fun, if done safely!
As planes are turning to line up onto the runway, many pilots will wave from the cockpit! Wave back! They’re just as excited about this unique airport as you are!
4. Beach Expectations
While this is certainly an iconic, bucket-list-scratch kind of beach, it isn’t the best I’ve ever been to. The water itself can be pretty rough, and hard to get in and out of. If you make it a few steps past the wave break, you’ll be alright in the water. But getting through that (whether going in or out) can be tough – and humbling. The water gets deep fast, having it be up to my shoulders after only a few steps in. Then when waves would come in, I’d be completely off my feet. There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk.
The beach itself is pretty small, and very crowded. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, but there are not many and they are first-come, first-serve. You’ll find plenty of open space in the jet blast area, but will have to deal with that every few minutes. There will be beach vendors, some being a bit aggressive. Our driver and the cruise ship both warned us not to engage, especially for those offering hair braidings or massages. Keep a close eye on your belongings!
5. Bring all the gear!
While the idea of schlepping a ton of gear to a crowded beach may sound unappealing, this is the time to do it! Bring the different lenses, cameras, GoPro, dome ports, and tripod! One of my biggest regrets from visiting Maho Beach was only relying on my phone and GoPro. I wish I had brought my real camera so I could get better shots, instead of just taking selfies or asking my brother to take pictures of me. Learn from my mistakes and bring it- you won’t be alone! Of course though, keep a very close eye on your belongings when you’re there.
Bonus Tip!
If you can’t get to Maho Beach, or want to see what it’s actually like there, check out their live webcam! The split-screen shows both a shot of the beach, and the runway. So you can simultaneously watch planes take off and land (and see the reaction of the beachgoers!).
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