Maho Beach
A crescent of sand at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana, where airliners pass so low over the swimmers that plane-spotters fly in from abroad to watch.
- Arrival
- Princess Juliana, Sint Maarten · SXM
- To Maho Beach
- About 1 km from SXM in a straight line
- Private jets
- FBO terminal with ExecuJet and Signature
- Best time
- December to August
The city
Sand under the approach path.
Maho is a short curve of beach on Beacon Hill, the last strip of land before runway 10. On final approach, light aircraft and large jets alike cross the sand very low, and aviation enthusiasts come from all over the world to see it. At the Sunset Bar you can hear the pilots talking to the tower. Signs warn of jet blast, and the local guides advise against standing at the airport fence.
Behind the beach stands the Sonesta resort, with windsurfers and vendors along the shore on busy days. Mullet Bay, the next beach along, is calmer: palms, seagrapes and decent snorkelling by the rocks. Rain is lightest in February and March and heaviest in the autumn hurricane months.
Arriving
The runway is the neighbour.
You land a kilometre or so from your sun lounger. Princess Juliana International has a single runway of 2,300 metres, and arrivals from the west come in over Maho.
- Antigua 35 min
- Barbados 1 h 15
- Miami 2 h 55
- Dallas 5 h 10
- Milan 9 h 35 long-range jet
When to go
December to August.
Warm water and warm air in every month: the sea runs from 26 °C in winter to 29 °C in early autumn, and afternoons sit around 30 °C. February and March bring about 43 mm of rain apiece. September to November are the wet months, with more than 100 mm, and they fall in the hurricane season.
- 29° J 63 26°
- 29° F 43 26°
- 29° M 43 26°
- 30° A 65 27°
- 30° M 95 27°
- 31° J 62 28°
- 31° J 76 28°
- 31° A 100 28°
- 31° S 129 29°
- 31° O 109 29°
- 30° N 126 28°
- 29° D 89 27°
What to see and do
Days in and around Maho Beach.
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Landmark
The approach to runway 10
Aircraft of every size cross the beach low and slow on their final seconds before touchdown.
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Landmark
Sunset Bar
The beachside bar where the radio traffic between cockpit and tower is played out loud.
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Landmark
Mullet Bay
The next beach along, shaded by palms, with snorkelling off the rocks and two beach bars.
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Racing & sport
St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
Run from Simpson Bay every March, the regatta reached its 46th edition in 2026 with 113 boats from 38 nations.
Official site -
On the water
12 Metre Challenge
Former America's Cup 12 Metre yachts of about 66 feet race with guest crews from Bobby's Marina.
Official site -
On the water
HMS Proselyte wreck
Lost on the reef off Great Bay in 1801, the frigate has left cannons, anchors and ballast about 15 m down in the national marine park.
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Nature
Rockland Estate
Above an 18th century plantation house, a chairlift rises up Sentry Hill and the Flying Dutchman zip line drops 1,050 feet.
Official site -
Nature
Loterie Farm and Pic Paradis
Guided and marked trails run through the forest to Pic Paradis, at 424 m the island's highest point.
Official site
On the calendar
A date to plan around.
Dates as published by the organisers. Runways, hotels and slots fill early around these weeks: the sooner we know, the more choice you have.
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4–7 Mar 2027
Sailing
St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
Annual four day regatta organised by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club since 1980; the 2027 race is its 47th edition.
Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Simpson Bay, about 2 km away
In 4 months
Where to stay
On the point, and over the hill.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
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La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel Eighty-three rooms over Baie Longue, in the MICHELIN selection, and shut every September and October.
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Sonesta Ocean Point An adults-only hotel of 129 suites on the southern tip of the Dutch side, next door to the Sonesta Maho resort.
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The Morgan Resort Built on the old Caravanserai site, with 124 rooms and suites and a roof deck where guests watch the landings.
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Le Martin Boutique Hôtel One MICHELIN Key for a house of six suites and a single room in the north-east of the island.
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La Plantation In Orient Bay Park on the Atlantic coast, cited by the French-side tourist office among the Caribbean's best four-star hotels.
Where to dine
Dinner at Maho and across the lagoon.
No MICHELIN or Gault&Millau guide covers the island. The first two are listed as fine dining by the Saint-Martin tourist office; the others are Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winners for 2026.
- L’Oursin Tourist office, fine dining French $$$ La Samanna, Baie Longue, French side, about 4.5 km
- La Cigale Tourist office, fine dining French $$$ Baie Nettlé, French side, about 3.5 km
- Le Moulin Fou Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 French, seafood $$$$ Maho Plaza, a short walk
- JAX Steakhouse Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 Steakhouse $$$$ Rhine Road, Maho, a short walk
- Bovin Steak House Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 Steakhouse $$$$ Billy Folly Road, Simpson Bay, about 2 km
Flying to Maho Beach?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.