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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹22,310 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
₹22,310
₹26,995 total
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,337 reviews)
"The resort was clean and updated with nice sized rooms. The pool was great with easy to access bars. Thankfully the resort wasn’t full when we went or the pool might have been packed. There were good restaurants but not a lot of activities. The staff were t the most friendly. I loved the ocean view ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 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 ₹33,467 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
₹33,467
₹40,495 total
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,018 reviews)
"It was ok people from the family side had full access to the adult section"

Reviewed on 30 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 ₹16,570 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
₹16,570
₹20,049 total
3 Jul - 4 Jul
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! (278 reviews)
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Reviewed on 30 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! (1,041 reviews)
"Loved the private beach area with umbrellas and chairs , pool area, restaurant on site with delicious breakfast and dinner options. The swim up bar was very enjoyable. The staff was sooooo friendly and our rooms were SPOTLESS. Gift shop on site was as good as going out shopping around… and the market ..."

Reviewed on 21 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! (294 reviews)
"Beautiful property… excellent location… soo close to everything. The staff on property was very accommodating and helpful. I will definitely return."

Reviewed on 25 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

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

Cities near Maho Reef