Jazmin Li
Maho Beach is a famous beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten. It is renowned for its proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport, with aircraft flying as low as 100 feet (30 m) above the beach during their final approach. This unique setting has made Maho Beach a popular destination for tourists, photographers, and plane spotters, offering thrilling and surreal experiences. The beach's crystal-clear water and soft sand also provide a relaxing atmosphere when visitors are not plane-spotting. Additionally, daily airline timetables are displayed in bars and restaurants, and a live webcam offers remote plane-spotting opportunities. Maho Beach has become a leading attraction on the island, with the adjacent airport serving as a hub for Winair and a gateway to nearby Leeward Islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Island | Saint Martin |
| Territory | Sint Maarten |
| Airport | Princess Juliana International Airport |
| Airport Hub for | Winair |
| Gateway for | Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy and Sint Eustatius |
| Airport Runway Number | 10/28 |
| Airport Runway Length | 7,546 feet |
| Airport Runway Width | 148 feet |
| Beach | Maho Beach |
| Beach Popularity | Popular among tourists, photographers, video makers, and plane watchers |
| Beach Danger | Jet blast from aircraft taking off can be dangerous for people standing on the beach |
| Beach Attractions | Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Mullet Bay Golf Course, The Sonesta Maho Reef Resort, The Royal Islander Hotel |
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What You'll Learn
Maho Beach is a popular tourist attraction in St. Maarten
The beach's fame has grown due to viral videos and selfies featuring planes landing and taking off, with the runway almost meeting the beach. Maho Beach is also known for the jet blast from departing aircraft, which can be a thrilling experience for visitors, although local authorities warn of the potential dangers of being too close to the fence. The beach is accessible to plane spotters and beachgoers, offering a unique combination of crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and the excitement of low-flying planes.
Maho Beach is home to St. Maarten's largest and most successful hotel complex, the Sonesta Maho Reef Resort, and its neighbour, The Royal Islander Hotel. The beach is framed by two beach bars, the Sunset Bar & Grill, and the Driftwood Boat Bar, offering a perfect spot to relax and watch the sunset. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Maho Village for dining options, such as the SALT restaurant, Spices of India, and the Oasis food court.
The beach's popularity is further enhanced by its historical significance. The runway was initially built by the United States Army during World War II as a hub for search flights for German submarines. The hilly terrain of St. Maarten limited the available spots for airport construction, making the sandbar bordering the sea and Simpson Bay Lagoon an ideal choice. Over time, as aircraft sizes increased, land was claimed from the lagoon to expand the runway, bringing it even closer to Maho Beach.
Maho Beach offers a one-of-a-kind experience, providing visitors with a thrilling and surreal blend of beach relaxation and aircraft excitement. Its popularity among tourists and aviation enthusiasts alike has made it a must-visit destination in St. Maarten.
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Princess Juliana International Airport is a hub for Winair
The airport has a single runway, numbered 10/28, which measures 7,546 by 148 feet (2,300 m by 45 m). It is known for its very low-altitude flyover landing approaches, as one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and the famous Maho Beach. Maho Beach is a popular site for tourists, photographers, and plane watchers, who can witness aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at altitudes of less than 100 feet (30 m) above ground level. The proximity of the beach to the runway has resulted in dangerous jet blast conditions, with local governments warning of the potential for serious injury or death.
Princess Juliana International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Northeast Caribbean and is a vital hub for the region, providing access to several islands beyond the Leeward Islands, including Dominica, Nevis, and Tortola. The airport is also known for its modernisations, with upgrades taking place in 1985, 2001, and a three-phased masterplan commissioned in 1997 to improve existing facilities and services. In 2020, the airport underwent a major reconstruction following severe damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Winair, or Windward Islands Airways International, has been serving the Caribbean since 1961, providing safe and dependable air transportation. With its fleet expansion, the airline has added new routes to its network, including destinations in the Southern Caribbean Sea such as St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Vincent. Winair passengers have also benefited from improved airport infrastructure, as they were the first to utilise the new check-in hall at Princess Juliana International Airport, enhancing their travel experience.
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The airport is considered one of the world's most dangerous
Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is considered one of the world's most dangerous airports. The airport is adjacent to Maho Beach, which is famous for its proximity to the runway. The airport's single runway, Runway 10, is unusually short and begins just beyond the beach, resulting in aircraft flying very low over the beach during their final approach.
The unique location of the runway has made Maho Beach a popular site for plane spotting and photography. Tourists and plane enthusiasts gather on the beach to witness the thrilling sight of incoming jets gliding in just a few yards above their heads. While this provides a special experience, it also poses significant dangers. The powerful jet engines can generate winds exceeding 100 mph, strong enough to blow people and sand into the water. The local government has posted warning signs and installed additional fencing to caution visitors about the risks of jet blasts, which can cause severe injury or even death.
The short runway length also presents challenges for pilots during takeoff and landing. In some cases, pilots have had to abort takeoff due to insufficient speed to clear the mountains at the end of the runway. The low altitude of aircraft during final approach and the short runway length increase the risk of accidents, particularly in the event of engine failure or other technical issues.
The airport's location near the shore and its low-altitude flyover landing approaches further contribute to its reputation as one of the world's most dangerous airports. The combination of a short runway, proximity to the beach, and the need for precise landing techniques makes Princess Juliana International Airport a challenging and potentially hazardous aviation hub.
In recent years, steps have been taken to enhance safety at the airport. Larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 747, are no longer permitted to land at Maho Beach. This decision was made to reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall safety. Despite these measures, Princess Juliana International Airport continues to be known as one of the world's most dangerous airports due to the inherent challenges posed by its unique geographical location.
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The beach is a great spot for plane spotting
Maho Beach, on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is a popular destination for plane spotting. The beach is adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport, which is known for its very low-altitude flight paths, with planes flying as low as 100 feet (30 m) above the ground. This unique proximity to the arriving and departing planes has made Maho Beach famous, with tourists and plane enthusiasts flocking to watch aircraft on their final approach, flying just over the beach. The beach's crystal-clear water and soft sand also make it an ideal spot to relax when you're not looking up at the sky.
The beach's location at the end of the airport runway, separated only by a narrow road and a fence, means that plane spotting here can be a thrilling and unique experience. It has become so popular that daily arrivals and departures are displayed on boards in the bars and restaurants along the beach, and it is said to be the most photographed beach in the world. Many visitors aim to capture the perfect photo or video of a plane landing, and some even engage in "`fence surfing`" to experience the full force of the jet blast from departing planes, despite warnings against this dangerous practice.
Maho Beach is also a great spot for plane spotting at sunset, and it is located near St. Maarten's largest hotel complex, The Sonesta Maho Reef Resort, as well as The Royal Islander Hotel. For those who want to avoid the sand and jet blast, there is even a live Maho Beach webcam, providing a 24/7 view of planes landing and departing from this famous beach.
However, it is important to exercise caution when visiting Maho Beach. The jet blast from aircraft taking off from the runway can be strong enough to blow people into solid objects or the water, and there have been incidents of serious injuries and even deaths as a result. Visitors are advised to hold on to their belongings, as the jet blast can also blow them away, and to be aware of the extreme noise produced by the planes.
Despite the risks, Maho Beach remains a popular attraction for plane spotters and tourists alike, offering a one-of-a-kind experience on the beautiful island of Saint Martin.
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The beach is also a popular location for photographers and videographers
Maho Beach, on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is a popular location for photographers and videographers. The beach is adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport, with aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at altitudes of less than 100 feet (30 m) above ground level. This unique proximity to low-flying airliners makes Maho Beach a sought-after location for capturing dramatic images of aircraft in close proximity to the shore. The beach's crystal-clear water and soft sand also provide an appealing backdrop for photographers and videographers.
The beach's fame has grown due to viral videos and selfies featuring planes landing and departing just beyond the beach. It has even been dubbed "the most photographed beach in the world." Photographers and videographers are drawn to the thrilling and surreal experience of witnessing planes pass by at extremely low altitudes. The beach offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for creative compositions, with the contrast between the vast aircraft and the serene beach setting.
Maho Beach's popularity among photographers and videographers has led to the creation of dedicated infrastructure. The Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, located directly next to the beach, caters to those seeking the perfect shot. The eatery displays a flight schedule, enabling patrons to time their visits to capture picture-perfect moments of planes passing by. Additionally, a live Maho Beach webcam has been set up in partnership with ShowMe Caribbean and Tortuga Beach Bar, providing a continuous feed of planes landing and departing for remote plane spotters and photography enthusiasts.
However, capturing images at Maho Beach comes with certain risks. The jet blast from aircraft taking off can be dangerous, with local governments warning that it can result in serious injury or death. An additional fence has been erected to prevent people from experiencing the full force of the jet blast, which has been known to knock people over and blow away their belongings. Despite these hazards, Maho Beach remains a sought-after location for photographers and videographers seeking to capture dramatic images of planes in an idyllic Caribbean setting.
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Frequently asked questions
Maho Beach is on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten.
Maho Beach is famous for being adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport, making it a popular site for tourists and plane watchers. The beach is also a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy the crystal-clear water and soft sand.
Maho Beach is considered dangerous due to its proximity to the airport runway. The local government warns that jet blasts from aircraft taking off can result in serious injury or death.
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten offers stellar beaches, some of the best snorkelling spots in the Caribbean, and a golf course with views of the Caribbean Sea.
