It’s a bird, it’s a plane….
Whether you arrive to St. Maarten by land or sea, a visit to Maho Beach is a must!! Aviation enthusiasts from all over the world unite on this small strip of sand to watch in awe as giant planes soar above their heads. Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island, which is referred to as “Sint Martin”. It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport, located adjacent to the beach.
Visitors beware; this is not for the faint at heart. Enjoy at your own risk and be sure to hold onto your favorite sun hat! Upon takeoff, engines from the larger planes kick back a lot of thrust and power, blasting you and your personal belongings right into the ocean below. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, this is NOT the place for you!!
Maho Beach offers a variety of activities and restaurants within walking distance. For island inspired cocktails, check out the famous “Sunset Bar and Grill”. This famous bar is located right on the beach and is sure to provide the perfect place for amazing photo opts. If you prefer to have lunch at a slightly less crowded restaurant, stop by “Guy’s Driftwood Bar”, located on the other side of the beach. Guy’s offers a variety of tasty food choices, fabulous frozen drinks and cheap beer.
If you are arriving to St. Maarten by cruise ship, be sure to book a day trip to Maho Beach! Most cruise liners offer daily excursions, however if unavailable or overpriced, jump in a taxi near the port that you arrive. The drive to Maho Bay from Philipsburg usually takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic and costs around $30 per couple.
If you are arriving by plane, there are several hotel options near Maho Bay including “Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino”. However if your looking for an amazing resort experience, we recommend taking a short drive away from the airport and checking out some of the other hotels the island has to offer. Some of the top hotels include, “The Westin Dawn Beach Resort and Spa”, “Riu Palace St Martin”, “Oyster Bay Beach Resort”, or the “Grand Case Beach Club”. Each hotel offers something different depending on your needs, so be sure to research ahead of time to ensure a great stay!
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