Maho Beach | A Bucket-List destination 2024

“With over 1 million visitors per year the #1 Beach in Sint Maarten | Saint Martin, and the Caribbean!”

Maho Beach, located in SXM, is a must-visit destination in 2024 for any bucket-list traveler. This Caribbean beach is world-renowned for its unique plane-spotting experience, where visitors can watch incoming planes descend just meters above their heads. With over a million annual visitors and 12 million webcam views, Maho Beach is undeniably the most famous beach in the world for this thrilling spectacle.
Located just steps away from Princess Juliana International Airport, it offers a unique and exhilarating experience that you won’t find anywhere else. As planes come in for a landing, they fly incredibly low over the beach, creating an adrenaline-pumping spectacle that you’ll never forget. It’s the perfect place to capture that Instagram-worthy shot of a massive jumbo jet passing overhead.

Maho Beach - The #1 Tourism Attraction in the Caribbean - St Maarten HOT SPOT, St. Martin, SXM

While at Maho Beach, you can relax with a drink and enjoy the planes landing at Sunset Beach Bar or Guy’s Driftwood Boat Bar. However, it is recommended to check the cruise-ship schedule and visit on days with fewer or no ships to avoid overcrowding.
But Maho Beach isn’t just for plane spotters. The beach itself is a stunning stretch of white sand and turquoise water, making it an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, or just relaxing with a cold drink in hand. The warm Caribbean sun and gentle sea breezes make for the perfect beach day. For a quieter experience, visitors can walk to nearby restaurants like Tortuga Beach Bar & Restaurant, which offers international cuisine with a Caribbean twist.

Another recommendation and more secluded option right around the corner is Sandbar, which serves tacos, sushi, lobster, and burgers.
Furthermore there are the famous Sunset Beach Café and Driftwood Boat Bar also worth visiting but on non-cruise-ship days, as they can get really crowded on the other days. For a more upscale lunch check out SALT restaurant inside the Morgan Resort, or buy a day pass to use their gorgeous infinity pool.
For a more peaceful beach experience, visitors can check out Cocova, located around the corner at a secluded beach. And lastly, for a cheap eatery without too much crowd, walk over to 3 Amigos and enjoy some amazing Tex-Mex.

Best places to eat at Maho Beach - Tortuga right on the Beach or Sandbar more secluded, Upscale SALT at Morgan Resort

Check plane landing schedules for larger planes, such as KLM, Air France, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, or Spirit, for an even more thrilling plane-spotting experience at Maho Beach. So come and experience the thrill of Maho Beach, this world-famous beach that’s a must-visit destination on St. Maarten. With its stunning scenery, heart-pumping plane landings, and warm Caribbean hospitality, you’re sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Cruise Ship & Airplane Schedule – Maho Beach plane Spotting on a calm day!

You can find the cruise-ship schedule here: Port Sint Maarten Cruise ship schedule
You can find the Airport arrival schedule here: Princess Juliana Airport Flight info

Where to park when visiting Maho Beach:

To get to Maho Beach it’s best to park your car at the Maho parking lot where you pay a small fee per hour. A second option is to park at the Morgan/Sandbar/Sunset parking lot where you also pay a small fee per hour, or you park for free if you get your ticket stamped by eating or drinking at one of these establishments. Read more about each below.

Enjoy your visit to Maho Beach!

Other great beaches close by:

Close to Maho, there are also Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Simpson Bay Beach, read more about each one of them by clicking the buttons below.

Restaurants | Breakfast or Lunch around Maho Beach

Tortuga Beach Bar & Restaurant - Maho Beach, Planespotting, Sunset View, Ocean view Dining I

An open-air, casual chic beach restaurant overlooking Maho Beach. A great spot for lunch and planespotting, or a romantic oceanfront dinner.

Sandbar Beach Bar & Restaurant - Beacon Hill, Maho Beach, Live Music, Fun

This beach bar and kitchen in Maho. Daily LIVE MUSIC events, combined with great Happy Hours, and amazing Sunset in this colorful place!

Rendez Vous Lounge in Lush Porto Cupecoy: French-Italian Cuisine with host Nathalie Schoenler. Best Cappucino, Home Made Pasta and Tuna Tartar on Sint Maarten - Saint Martin

Terrace style dining located in a Mediterranean village Porto Cupecoy. Enjoy French & Italian cuisine prepared with only the freshest ingredients.

Da Waterhole - Lunch, Dinner on Mullet Bay Beach, Beach Chairs, Sunset, Lockers, Shower, Toilet, Drinks, Restaurant

Gorgeous Mullet Bay Beach can now be a full-day destination! Da Waterhole offers a Changing Room, Shower, Toilets, and Lockers.

Kalatua Beach Bar on Mullet Bay Beach - High end lunch restaurant - Fine dining I

Located on one of Island’s best beaches, Mullet Bay Beach | High-quality food, great drinks, friendly faces serving, reasonable prices.

Mario's Bistrot in The Cliff Cupecoy - traditional French restaurant with Asian and Caribbean influences.

Located in “The Cliff” Cupecoy is a traditional French restaurant with Caribbean & Asian influences. Open for lunch.

Come back to Maho at night

JAX Steakhouse & cocktail bar, located in Maho Village. Steaks, fresh seafood, exclusive cocktails in a Jazzy New York style atmosphere.

The World-class Chef gives a classic steakhouse a new attitude. JAX in Maho is a sexy fusion of taste & style laid out in mahogany and leather.

Alina Sushi - Maho - Restaurant - Japanese Fine dining experience

The best traditional Japanese Sushi is located in Maho. Alina is a One-a-kind dining experience and Chef Ken will create a Culinary adventure!

Mimosa Skylounge - Elegant Rooftop Lounge and Best Sky Bar in Maho SXM

A sexy rooftop sky lounge in Maho serving dynamic Craft Cocktails from award-winning bartenders. Deep House vibes & the zen of the cherry blossoms.

Mario's Bistrot in The Cliff Cupecoy - traditional French restaurant with Asian and Caribbean influences.

Located in “The Cliff” Cupecoy is a traditional French restaurant with Caribbean & Asian influences. Recognized as Warm, friendly, and delicious.

Tortuga Beach Bar & Restaurant - Maho Beach, Planespotting, Sunset View, Ocean view Dining I

An open-air, casual chic beach restaurant overlooking Maho Beach. A great spot for lunch and planespotting, or a romantic oceanfront dinner.

Sandbar Beach Bar & Restaurant - Beacon Hill, Maho Beach, Live Music, Fun

This beach bar and kitchen in Maho. Daily LIVE MUSIC events, combined with great Happy Hours, and amazing Sunset in this colorful place!

Rendez Vous Lounge in Lush Porto Cupecoy: French-Italian Cuisine with host Nathalie Schoenler. Best Cappucino, Home Made Pasta and Tuna Tartar on Sint Maarten - Saint Martin

Terrace style dining located in a Mediterranean village Porto Cupecoy. Enjoy French & Italian cuisine prepared with only the freshest ingredients.

We Lounge Intro: Maho Village - Lounge Bar, Restaurant, Party, Nightlife, Dance, Tapas, Friends

Classy yet laidback Cocktail Lounge & Restaurant in the heart of Maho Village, the Party & Nightlife center of SXM. Party like a local!

Hole in the Wall - Maho, Live Music Venue, Rock, Acoustic, Pop - 60, 70, 80, 90s Music Cafe - GOOGLE INTRO

Maho | There is always that one live-music bar that everyone talks about, that hole-in-the-wall party place that everyone wants to find.

Platinum Room | Adult Entertainment in Maho- Strip Club - Striptease - Female Escort Service - Private Dance - Bachelor Party

With an aura of elegance, sophistication, and class. Bring friends or your girl and celebrate special occasions with a night of indulgence.

3 Amigos - Sports Bar, Party, Tex Mex Restaurant, Fajita, Taco, Burrito, Margerita's

Maho | 3 Amigos is protecting your right to party with Tex Mex, lots of Tequila shots & mix drinks, and playing Sports. A premier party spot!