Island Highlight: St. Maarten Plane Spotting
St. Maarten / St. Martin is world-famous for the proximity of Maho Beach to the runway of St. Maarten Airport. Hundreds of resort and cruise visitors visit the beach daily to watch planes land overhead and experience the jet blast during departures. The experience features on many island must-do lists and is a staple in any travel writer’s visit to the island.
Five More Dimensions to Plane Spotter Paradise: St. Maarten / St. Martin
Many people don’t realize there’s far more to St. Maarten / St. Martin’s reputation as a global plane spotter paradise than just the beach. Here are five additional dimensions that make the island an aviation hotspot:
1. Off the Beaten (Runway) Track
You’re unlikely to find “in-the-know” frequent island visitors crowding the beach for the airplane spectacle. Instead, they’ll be enjoying a cocktail at locations with prime views. Take Tortuga restaurant, right next to the beach: an ideal spot to watch planes land from the comfort of a beachside terrace—and when a “big one” is coming in, just step out for a quick photo. D’s Beach Bar & Grill offers a completely different view—located on Simpson Bay Beach, it provides a side-angle look at the runway. Finally, if you’ve booked the Ultimate Club at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa, the view from the Cloud 9 bar on the ninth floor outshines them all.
2. The Virtual Dimension
Plane spotting at Maho Beach isn’t just popular in the real world—it’s a digital phenomenon as well. A manually guided webcam attracts over 4 million visitors annually. The camera follows each plane from arrival to landing, and again on departure. Additionally, did you know you can virtually land a plane on this iconic runway using Flight Simulator?
3. Not One, But Two Plane Spotting Airports
Although most international attention goes to the Dutch side’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), the French side also boasts an airport: Grand Case Aéroport L’Espérance. Though much smaller and catering only to other French Caribbean destinations, it shares similar features. Planes approach over the sea and fly low over Grand Case Beach and its beach clubs in Grand Case before touching down. While you won’t see Boeings or large Airbuses here, it’s still a great place to watch propeller planes arrive.
4. Surrounding Islands
St. Maarten is an island hopping hub. Many visitors take a day from their island stay to explore nearby islands visible on the horizon. Two of them also offer spectacular airports for true plane spotters:
1. St. Barth’s
St. Barth’s’ Remy de Haenen Airport (SBH) features a uniquely sloped runway. Like at Maho Beach, planes seem almost within reach as they descend closely over the ridge before landing.
2. Saba’s
Saba’s Juancho Yrausquin Airport (SAB) requires pilots to pass a special exam before landing, due to its extremely short runway and location on a 60 ft-high ridge of the island’s famous volcano.
As with Grand Case, large aircraft don’t land here. Winair offers special day-trip tickets for aviation enthusiasts to experience either airport from St. Maarten.
5. The Nautical Dimension
If you’re determined to be directly under a plane as it lands at Maho Beach, there’s another option. Catamaran and motorboat tours along the southern coast—offered by operators like Aqua Mania, Eagle Tours, Private Yacht Charters, and Renegades—often include a brief stop at Maho Beach to catch a plane arrival or departure. Note: due to their masts, sailing vessels must remain farther offshore than motorboats. Be sure to ask in advance whether your chosen tour includes a pass by Maho Beach!
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