St Maarten's Maho Beach: Airport Runway Views

St Maarten Airport Beach, also known as Maho Beach, is a unique beach located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. It is famous for its proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport, with the runway for take-off and landing beginning just across the road from the beach. The beach offers a thrilling experience as airplanes fly extremely close overhead, with some videos and photos of this phenomenon going viral. Maho Beach is a popular destination for tourists and plane watchers, who can witness aircraft on their final approach at extremely low altitudes. The beach itself has clear blue waters, soft sand, and bars and restaurants nearby, making it a great spot for both adventure and relaxation.

Maho Beach is on the Dutch side of St Maarten

Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten. It is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, with the runway for take-off and landing beginning just across the road from the beach. This proximity to low-flying aircraft has made Maho Beach popular with tourists and plane spotters alike. It is one of the few places in the world where aircraft can be viewed at extremely close range in their flight path, just outside the end of the runway.

The beach offers a thrilling experience, with planes flying extremely close overhead. The best time to visit is the early afternoon when larger jumbo jets land. The beach also has a lively coral reef, perfect for snorkelling, and great waves. Maho Beach is usually busy, so visiting during the off-season is recommended if you want to avoid the crowds.

Maho Beach is also known for its clear blue waters, soft sand, and bars and restaurants located on either side. The Sunset Beach Bar is a popular spot for visitors, offering drinks, food, music, and a pool, along with an arrival and departure board to help visitors know when to expect planes. Other nearby eateries include the Driftwood Boat Bar, the Refuge, and Taco Macho.

While Maho Beach offers a unique and exciting experience, it is important to prioritise safety. The local government has warned that being close to arriving and departing aircraft can result in serious injury or death. Visitors should pay attention to warning signs and designated safe areas, especially when larger aircraft are involved, as the jet blast can be dangerous.

It's at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport

Maho Beach is located at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. It is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its proximity to the runway, which brings in plane spotters and tourists from all over.

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 nature of St. Maarten meant that there were very few spots to build an airport, and the best location was a sandbar bordering the sea and the Simpson Bay Lagoon. As planes got bigger over time, land was claimed from the lagoon to expand the runway.

Maho Beach offers a unique experience as it is one of the few places in the world where you can witness aircraft on their final approach, flying at altitudes of less than 100 feet (30 m) above ground level. The beach is directly under the flight path, providing a thrilling experience for visitors as planes pass extremely close overhead. The beach is also a great spot for photographers and videographers looking to capture the aircraft approaching the airport.

The beach has clear blue waters, soft sand, and bars and restaurants on both ends. The Sunset Beach Bar is a popular spot for visitors, offering a great view of the planes and the sunset, with a spacious deck, music, tables overlooking the water, and a pool. The Refuge, located next to the Sunset Beach Bar, offers Italian food, including pasta and pizza.

While Maho Beach offers a thrilling experience, it is important to follow safety guidelines. The local government warns that being close to arriving and departing aircraft can result in serious injury or death. An additional fence has been added behind the runway to prevent people from hanging onto the main fence and experiencing the jet blast. It is recommended to stay away from the area directly in line with the runway and engines during takeoff and to cover your ears as the noise from jet engines can exceed 120 dB.

It's a popular site for tourists and plane watchers

Maho Beach, located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is a popular site for tourists and plane watchers. The beach is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, with the runway for take-off and landing just across the road from the beach. This proximity to low-flying aircraft has made Maho Beach a unique and thrilling experience for visitors.

The beach offers a one-of-a-kind sight, with planes passing mere feet above the beachgoers. This has made it a popular spot for photographers and videographers aiming to capture the dramatic approach of aircraft. The beach's reputation has been bolstered by viral videos and selfies of planes passing extremely close to the beach. Maho Beach is also known for its clear blue waters, soft sand, and bars and restaurants located on either side.

The experience of seeing planes up close has drawn many tourists to Maho Beach. The larger jumbo jets, such as the Boeing 747, are especially popular among visitors. The Sunset Beach Bar, located at one end of the beach, is a prime viewing spot for plane watchers. It offers a pool, music, tables overlooking the water, and a board displaying arrival and departure times. Visitors can also find restaurants, nightclubs, and fast-food joints nearby, making it a convenient and entertaining destination.

While the beach is a thrilling experience, it is important to prioritise safety. The local government has warned that standing too close to arriving or departing aircraft can result in serious injury or death. An additional fence has been erected to prevent people from hanging onto the main fence and experiencing the jet blast. Visitors are advised to follow safety guidelines, stay away from the runway, and be cautious of the powerful jet blast during take-off.

It's also known as Airport Beach

Maho Beach in St. Maarten is known as Airport Beach due to its close proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport. The beach is located at the end of the airport's runway, making it a popular spot for plane spotting and photography. Visitors can witness planes landing and taking off at extremely low altitudes, sometimes less than 100 feet (30 m) above the ground. The unique setting has attracted tourists seeking a thrilling experience of having airplanes fly extremely close overhead.

The beach's fame as a plane-watching destination has led to daily airline timetables being displayed in bars and restaurants nearby. This allows enthusiasts to plan their visits accordingly, especially for those aiming to see the larger Boeings and Airbuses. Maho Beach is also known for its pristine white sand, crystal-clear blue waters, and lively coral reef, making it a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling.

The history of the airport's runway adds to the intrigue of Maho Beach. It was initially built by the United States army during World War II as a hub for search flights for German submarines. The runway's expansion over time, claiming land from the adjacent Simpson Bay Lagoon, brought it even closer to the beach. This proximity has resulted in jet blast erosion, giving the beach little to no vegetation.

Maho Beach has become a must-see destination for many travellers, offering a combination of breathtaking beach scenery and the exhilarating experience of low-flying aircraft. Its location, framed by beach bars and resorts, makes it a convenient stop for those seeking an exciting and unique beach experience.

The Sunset Beach Bar is recommended for plane spotting

St. Maarten's Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, attracting tourists and plane watchers alike. The beach is located at the end of the runway of St. Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport, where planes fly extremely close overhead. This unique proximity to the runway has earned the beach the nickname "Airport Beach".

The Sunset Beach Bar is one of the two bars at Maho Beach, the other being Driftwood Boat Bar. The Sunset Beach Bar is a huge bar right on the waterfront, with plenty of tables and seating, as well as a plunge pool in the middle. It offers a great selection of food and drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails. The bar also has a shop selling various items featuring planes and SXM. It is a laid-back place with a chill and relaxed vibe, where most people are barefoot and in their swimsuits. The bar also has a live Maho Beach webcam, allowing plane spotters to enjoy the experience from anywhere in the world.

The Sunset Beach Bar is highly recommended for plane spotting as it offers a great view of the runway and the approaching aircraft. A surfboard-turned-chalkboard at the bar provides visitors with a schedule of incoming and departing flights. From the bar, you can see planes flying overhead and experience the jet blast from departing flights. The bar is also a great place to capture photos and selfies with planes in the background.

In addition to plane spotting, the Sunset Beach Bar offers a fun and entertaining atmosphere. On days when there are cruise ships in port, the bar may feature a DJ and dancers, creating a lively vibe for both adults and children. The bar also has a plunge pool and is located right on the Caribbean Sea, making it a great spot to swim and sunbathe.

To summarise, the Sunset Beach Bar is highly recommended for plane spotting at St. Maarten's Maho Beach. It offers a unique and thrilling experience of watching planes fly extremely close overhead while enjoying drinks and food in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

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