How much is Maho Beach?

At this time, there is no cost or entry fee for Maho Beach; however, that is subject to change without advanced notice.



Visiting Maho Beach (either in St. John, USVI or the famous "airplane" beach in St. Maarten) is completely free. There is no entry fee to access the sand or the water at either location. In St. John, Maho Bay Beach is part of the Virgin Islands National Park; while there is a small parking lot and roadside parking that is also free, the beach has become much busier in 2026, so arriving early is a "pro-tip" to secure a spot. In St. Maarten, Maho Beach is a public beach located at the end of the Princess Juliana International Airport runway. While the beach itself is free, you may choose to spend money at the nearby Sunset Bar & Grill, which is a popular spot for viewing the jet blasts while enjoying a drink. It is important to note that while entry is free, in 2026, all visitors to Maho Bay in the USVI are strictly required to use reef-safe sunscreen, as other varieties have been outlawed to protect the coral. For a budget-friendly tropical day, Maho Beach remains one of the best "zero-cost" attractions in the Caribbean, offering world-class snorkeling (USVI) or thrilling aviation views (St. Maarten).

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There is no entry fee to get onto the beach and the vendors there take both cash and credit card. Remember to bring reef-safe sunscreen as it's the only kind permitted.

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The best way to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach without a pre-booked excursion, is to take a taxi. The journey is way too long to walk, and costs around $15-20 per person depending on how many are in the car. Leave the piers and head to the right, where there's a row of taxis waiting to leave.

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This is one of the few places in the world where aircraft can be viewed in their flight path just outside the end of the runway. Watching airliners pass over the beach is such a popular activity that daily arrivals and departures airline timetables are displayed on a board in most bars and restaurants on the beach.

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As with all St Maarten beaches, Maho beach is open and freely accessible for plane spotters and beach fans. Famous for its ongoing traffic above your head or not, Maho beach is also a pristine beach at a beautifully situated deep blue bay, that you can enjoy by swimming and sunbathing on the beach.

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Here's the deal with the Maho, planes landing arent so bad, their on top of you before you hear a thing and its over before you realize it and its pretty cool to watch. After 4 or 5 pm traffic is down to almost nil. Planes taking off are much noisier and it can be deafening.

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Maho Beach, which is world-famous for its location at the very end of Princess Juliana International Airport's runway, is one of the most unusual beaches on the island of St. Martin. It's a delight for tourists who love watching planes take off and land just above their heads.

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The location at St Maarten is a favourite with aircraft enthusiasts even thou the Boeing 747 no longer operates to the island.

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Jet streams, which are a system of air currents that circle the Earth many miles above the planet's surface, are another reason why aircraft don't fly over the Pacific Ocean. Due to Earth's rotation, these air currents often move from West to East.

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The Antillean Guilder or Florin is the official currency in St. Maarten, which is divided into 100 cents. US dollars are accepted at the majority of businesses on the Dutch side of the island. On the French side, the euro is the official currency.

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Getting a taxi in St Maarten is quite easy. They line the outside of the airport's terminal building and can take you anywhere you need to go around the island. Do keep in mind that once night time sets in, taxi rates tend to get a bit pricey and many taxis are not readily available.

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As compared to the more popular and more heavily photographed Trunk Bay, Maho has a more laid back vibe. The bay was once full of beautiful palm trees that leaned into the ocean but since hurricane maria in 2017 nearly all of those trees are gone. Even still, Maho Bay is a jaw-dropping spot, well worth the visit.

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Located on the island's southwest tip, Cupecoy is a set of three beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs. It's also the last beach on the Dutch side before crossing the northern French border.

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The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.

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SXM has become a leader in Caribbean aviation. It is far more than just a facility; for many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, from the stunning approach to the runway - with its spectacular landing and take-off, which has made it world-famous for plane-spotters - to its unique character and sense of place.

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Yes, you can. There's a dirt road the leads to the golf course and Mullet Bay from Maho. You walk near the golf course. I would suggest looking at Google Earth to see the dirt road.

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Simpson Bay – Once famous for the families who made their living from fishing, Simpson Bay is a long sandy beach just south of the airport on the west end. The sand is soft and the waves are generally calm. This beach is never crowded and offers a wonderful spot to watch the sunsets.

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