Maho Beach: Plane Spotting, Tours and Nearby Beaches

Choose what to include in the day

The five-hour Maho outing starts at the EDC parking lot in Philipsburg and includes return transportation and a rum punch shot. It suits visitors whose priority is time at Maho rather than a series of island stops. The four-and-a-half-hour Orient and Maho trip also starts at EDC, with Philipsburg port pickup and drop-off, a driver, an air-conditioned vehicle and refreshments during transit. Meals are extra.

For a broader introduction, the three-and-a-half-hour shared route combines Maho and Marigot, starting at the cruise port on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard. A local guide and refreshments including chilled water are included; lunch is separate. These are departures from Philipsburg, so arrange your day around the stated meeting point rather than arriving at Maho to join them. The tour comparison explains the differences.

Other choices combine Orient, Marigot and roughly 45 minutes at Maho on a six-hour island route, or put tastings alongside beach time. The distillery outing includes a Caribbean barbecue lunch and Maho free time, with Kim Sha available as an alternative by option. The brewery and distillery route includes a welcome drink and one and a half hours at Maho, with meals and beach furniture extra. For these tasting routes, included pickup covers the cruise terminal, Point Blanche, Philipsburg, Great Bay, Little Bay, Belair, Simpson Bay, Maho and Cupecoy.

Swimming, facilities and safety

Maho has a steeply shelving shore and can have powerful shorebreak. Look at the water and current local advice before entering; a pleasant beach photograph says little about conditions during your visit. Nearby Mullet Bay also experiences strong surf in unsuitable conditions. The beach-hopping guide separates the beach combinations and their transport arrangements.

Beach bars and lounges offer views of approaching aircraft, and rental loungers, umbrellas and snorkelling equipment are available from a beach business. Equipment rental should not be confused with a guided snorkelling route. Leave coral, shells and marine animals where they belong rather than treating them as departure souvenirs.

Observe jetblast warnings, stay on the beach side of the road and never hold the airport fence. Jetblast can also affect the beach and carry objects away. Never throw objects towards aircraft. Maho and the airport surroundings are drone no-fly zones, where operation requires an exemption. Read the plane-spotting advice and consult the airport flight status for your visit day; a tour cannot promise a particular arrival.

Airport history behind the beach

The airfield began as a military installation in 1942. Conversion to civilian use was completed in 1943, with the first civilian flight on 3 December 1943. Princess Juliana opened the airport in 1944. These were separate stages, followed by an opening at the new airport site in March 1964.

Hurricane Irma caused severe damage in 2017. The reconstructed terminal reopened in November 2024, and the reconstruction project was completed on 30 June 2025. This history explains the airport's development without turning an old account of temporary facilities into present-day travel advice.

Build the rest of your visit

Use the arrival guide for independent transport and shore excursions for a day constrained by a ship's schedule. A private tour offers a different route format. Compare nearby accommodation areas and weather and seasons before arranging a longer stay. For travel beyond this beach, continue with the St. Maarten island guide.

Island tours

Compare Maho, Orient and Marigot routes.

Shore excursions

Plan the port meeting and return buffer.

Beach hopping

Choose a route with the beaches you want.

Watching planes

Flight status, photography and jetblast advice.

Private tours

Road routes and a private motorboat option.

Getting there

Airport and cruise-port transport.

Where to stay

Maho, Cupecoy and Simpson Bay areas.

Weather and seasons

Plan around weather and sea conditions.