Maho Beach and the Planes

Maho Beach, on the Dutch side of the island of Sint Maarten, is one of the most famous and unusual beaches in the world, for it lies directly at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Here, arriving aircraft, including large jets, pass just metres over the heads of sunbathers on the sand as they come in to land, an astonishing, thrilling and genuinely unique spectacle that draws plane-spotters and thrill-seekers from around the globe. The roar of the engines, the rush of air and the sight of a jumbo jet skimming overhead make Maho a bucket-list experience, combined with a pleasant, if buzzing, beach and beach bars.

What you actually see

• The landing planes - the jets skimming just overhead to land.
• The beach and bars - the sand and lively beach bars.
• The plane-spotting - the arrivals board and famous landings.
• The spectacle - the roar, rush and thrill of the low flyovers.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the best weather; the spectacle depends on the flight schedule, so the busiest arrival times, often midday and afternoon, and days with larger jets bring the most dramatic landings, posted on boards at the beach bars. It is a lively, popular spot rather than a tranquil beach.

Honest expectations

Maho is a buzzing, crowded spectacle rather than a peaceful beach, and it comes with real hazards: the jet blast from departing planes is genuinely dangerous and has injured and even killed people blown off their feet, so the warnings must be heeded and the departure fence avoided. As a genuinely unique, thrilling and world-famous experience, though, watching jets land just metres overhead from the sand, Maho Beach is unforgettable and a bucket-list highlight of the island.

Nearby

The Dutch capital Philipsburg, the beaches and the French side are close by.