Maho Beach is one of the most extraordinary aviation spectacles in the world. Located at the western end of St. Maarten, directly beneath the approach path to Princess Juliana International Airport, it's the only beach in the world where commercial jets pass just meters overhead on final approach. The roar of the engines, the shadow of the fuselage, the jet blast — it's an experience that draws aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers from around the globe.
Most visitors experience Maho Beach from the shore. They stand on the sand, grip the chain-link fence, and look up as the planes descend. It's dramatic, no question. But there's another way to experience it — one that relatively few visitors discover: from the water.
Aboard The Phoenix, our 62-ft Privilege sailing catamaran, we sail slowly past Maho Beach and hold position outside the designated area during our Luxury Day Sail. Anchoring at Maho Beach is not permitted, so we sit off the beach and wait for a plane to land. From the deck, you get an unobstructed view of the entire approach — the aircraft descending over the turquoise Caribbean, the runway threshold visible in the distance, and the beach crowd below. It's a completely different perspective, and many guests tell us it's the highlight of their entire trip.
The Phoenix passes Maho Beach as part of our standard day sail route, which departs from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg at 10:00 AM — just a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal. After a guided snorkel stop at Little Bay, we sail west along the coast and hold position off Maho Beach to watch planes land. Depending on the flight schedule, you may see multiple aircraft on approach. Sometimes this happens on the return leg after lunch.
From the water, you can see the full drama of the approach — the aircraft descending steeply over the sea, the gear coming down, the flaps extending. On busy days, you'll see jets from multiple airlines passing in sequence. It's a remarkable combination of natural beauty and aviation spectacle that you simply cannot replicate from the beach.
After Maho Beach, The Phoenix continues west to Mullet Bay for lunch and a swim stop. The open bar is flowing throughout, and our crew prepares a freshly cooked lunch in the galley. The boat returns to dock by 3 PM — cruise ship passengers are always back in time for all-aboard, with time to walk around Philipsburg. It's a full day — snorkeling, plane-watching, swimming, and sailing — all for $139 per person.
If you're planning a trip to St. Maarten and want to experience Maho Beach in a way most visitors never do, book a spot on The Phoenix. Daily departures from Bobby's Marina, Philipsburg.