Maho Reef Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Maho Reef featuring landscape views, a beach and tropical scenes
Maho Reef
Maho Reef
Maho Reef showing a luxury hotel or resort, a sandy beach and tropical scenes
Maho Reef
One of the most popular beaches on St. Maarten is where jumbo jets fly low over revellers who come to see this plane-spotting spectacle as they soak up the sun.

Stand on Maho Beach and hear the roar of jumbo jets as they pass over your head. This popular beach is famous for its proximity to the airport. Planes pass less than 30 metres (100 feet) over the white sands and blue waters. Join the throng of tourists who come to enjoy the takeoffs and landings of jets and soak up the Caribbean sun. Eat and drink in bars and restaurants that line the sand.

Even if you couldn’t hear the roar of the engine, it would be impossible to miss a landing. Beach bars announce the occasion through loud speakers and screens tell you the airline and size of the plane. Watch the spectacle from a distance just above the sand for the best photographs. Join thrill seekers who stand beneath the flight path to feel the blast of the engines, but do so with caution. People have been blown over and seriously injured by getting too close to the planes.

Further along the beach you’ll find a lively atmosphere away from the roar of the jets. Revellers set up their barbecues on the sand alongside souvenir hawkers and food vendors. Hire a grill and cook your own lunch. Locals and tourists alike favour this beach for its party atmosphere and for its watersports. Hire equipment from vendors along the water and go windsurfing, paragliding or jet skiing. The relatively calm waters of Maho Beach are safe for swimmers of any skill level and are frequented by families with children.

Maho Beach sits just beside the Princess Juliana International Airport. It’s easily reached by airport taxi or car and there’s free parking. If you plan to leave your car in the parking lot make sure you take your valuables with you because there is no security guard.

Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa
Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa
4 out of 5
1 Rhine Road, Maho Bay, Lowlands
The price is ₹19,485 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
₹19,485
₹23,577 total
30 Jun - 1 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,297 reviews)
"We loved our stay at the resort! The place was clean, the food was delicious, and we had a fantastic time. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with champagne and a warm towel. It was my mom’s birthday, and the room was beautifully decorated with balloons, desserts, and complimentary champagne, all ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa
Sonesta Ocean Point All Inclusive, Adults Only Resort
Sonesta Ocean Point All Inclusive, Adults Only Resort
5 out of 5
1A Rhine Rd., Maho Bay, Lowlands
The price is ₹30,971 per night from 24 Jun to 25 Jun
₹30,971
₹37,474 total
24 Jun - 25 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Staff was friendly. I felt safe. I recommended the hotel and now a few friends have booked."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Sonesta Ocean Point All Inclusive, Adults Only Resort
Royal Islander Resort La Plage
Royal Islander Resort La Plage
4 out of 5
1B Rhine Road, Lowlands
The price is ₹17,158 per night from 20 Jun to 21 Jun
₹17,158
₹20,762 total
20 Jun - 21 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (273 reviews)
"Loved the location of the resort and watching the airplanes land and take off. The rooms were outdated but had everything we needed. Loved the pool area and access to the beach! The umbrellas and chairs on the beach got taken pretty early but I liked that the hotel had a sand/beach area where you ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Royal Islander Resort La Plage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Blue Marine Penthouse
Blue Marine Penthouse
3.5 out of 5
Amazone Road, Maho, Lowlands
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Lowlands. Enjoy furnished balconies, an in-room coffee maker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Maho Beach and Mullet Bay ...
Blue Marine Penthouse
Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten
Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten
4 out of 5
115 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Simpson Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,038 reviews)
"Property is close to the airport. The grounds, pool, private beach were very clean. Check in and out were super easy and fast! Shout out to Casey and the other attendant that wore funky glasses at the front desk. Generally all the front desk ladies are great! There was also a guy that worked nights ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten
Fourteen at Mullet Bay
Fourteen at Mullet Bay
3.5 out of 5
2 University Drive, Cupecoy, Lowlands
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Lowlands. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (291 reviews)
"Clean quiet fun"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Fourteen at Mullet Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Maho Reef

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 67%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Still recovering from Hurricane Irma, but this beautiful island deserves support from holiday makers/tourists.

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