You’ve seen the videos. Someone is standing on a beach, holding onto a chain-link fence for dear life while a KLM 747—well, it used to be a 747, now it’s more likely an Airbus A330—blasts them with enough sand to exfoliate their entire soul. But there is a massive difference between watching a TikTok of a plane overhead and actually being the person sitting in seat 4A. Landing at St Maarten airport is a technical masterpiece of aviation, a terrifying thrill for nervous flyers, and a logistical puzzle for the pilots who have to thread the needle between a mountain and a beach.
Maho Beach is the star of the show, obviously. It sits right at the foot of Runway 10 at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Because the runway is relatively short—about 7,500 feet—pilots don't have the luxury of a long, floating flare. They have to get the wheels on the ground early. This means they are coming in low. Like, "I can see what brand of sunscreen that guy is using" low.
I remember the first time I flew into SXM. The descent starts out normal. You see the turquoise water of the Caribbean, the white dots of yachts, and the green hills of the island. Then, suddenly, the water gets very close. You feel the engines spooling up and down as the pilot fights the crosswinds. You look out the window, and instead of a runway, you see people in bikinis waving at you. Then—thump. You’re down. It’s loud, it’s abrupt, and it’s one of the most iconic experiences in travel.
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Why the Approach is So Difficult for Pilots
Landing a heavy aircraft at Princess Juliana isn't just about avoiding the tourists on the beach. It’s about the geography. If you look at a map of St. Maarten, you’ll notice that the island is surprisingly hilly. Runway 10 is the preferred landing strip because of the prevailing winds, but if a pilot has to go around—meaning they abort the landing at the last second—they can’t just fly straight ahead forever. There are mountains in the way.
The "threshold" is the very beginning of the runway. In St. Maarten, the threshold is basically the fence. Most major international airports have a significant "displaced threshold" or at least a large buffer zone of grass or concrete before the landing zone begins. At SXM, the buffer is a narrow two-lane road and a few yards of sand.
According to flight safety data and pilot forums like PPRuNe, the approach is classified as a "visual" approach most of the time, though they have high-tech RNAV (GPS) and VOR instrument procedures too. Pilots have to be specifically trained for this. They aren't just winging it. They are watching their airspeed like hawks because if they are too fast, they’ll overshoot the short runway and end up in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. If they are too slow, well, the fence at Maho Beach is sturdier than an airplane's landing gear.
The Reality of the Jet Blast
Let’s talk about the fence. You’ve probably seen the signs: "Do not stand near fence. Jet blast can cause severe injury or death." People ignore them. They think it's a joke or a legal disclaimer to protect the airport from lawsuits. It is not.
When a large aircraft, like an Air France A350, lines up for takeoff on Runway 10, it has to turn its tail toward the beach. To get that massive hunk of metal moving on a short runway, the pilots have to crank the engines. This creates a localized hurricane. It doesn't just blow your hat off; it picks up pebbles, sand, and debris and turns them into projectiles. In 2017, a 57-year-old woman from New Zealand was tragically killed when the blast from a departing plane knocked her off the fence and she hit her head on a concrete curb.
- The Danger Zone: The area directly behind the engines is the most volatile.
- The Sand Factor: Even if the wind doesn't knock you over, the sand will sting your skin like a thousand needles.
- The Water Alternative: Many people jump into the ocean to watch the planes. It’s safer, but the pressure wave from a big jet can still be felt in your chest.
Honestly, the landing is the beautiful part. The takeoff is the violent part. If you’re on the beach, you want the arrivals. Watching a heavy jet emerge from the blue haze of the horizon and grow until it fills your entire field of vision is something you never forget.
Best Spots to Watch (Besides the Sand)
If you don't want sand in your drink, there are better ways to experience landing at St Maarten airport. The Sunset Bar & Grill is the legendary spot. They have a surfboard that lists the daily flight arrivals so you know exactly when the "heavies" are coming in.
But here’s a pro tip: go to the Driftwood Boat Bar on the other side of the beach. It’s slightly less crowded, the drinks are cheaper, and the angle for photos is often better because you get the plane and the beachgoers in one frame.
For those who want a more "professional" view, some people hike up to the hills overlooking the airport. From there, you can see the entire layout of the island. You see the planes bank over the water, line up, and drop onto the asphalt. It gives you a sense of scale that you just don't get from the beach level. You realize how tiny that runway actually looks compared to the size of the planes landing on it.
The Evolution of the Aircraft at SXM
The "Golden Age" of SXM was arguably when the KLM Boeing 747 was a daily visitor. That blue and white giant was the symbol of the island. Seeing a 747—a plane so big it has two floors—hovering just feet above a beach was surreal.
KLM retired the 747 from the St. Maarten route in 2016, replacing it with the Airbus A330. It was a sad day for planespotters, but the A330 (and the newer A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners used by other carriers) are still plenty impressive. These modern twin-engine jets are actually quieter, which is a bit of a bummer for those looking for the deafening roar, but they are much more efficient.
You still get plenty of "heavies" from:
- Air France (usually an A350 or A330)
- Air Transat and Sunwing (bringing in Canadians during the winter)
- American, Delta, and United (mostly 737s and A321s, which are smaller but still put on a show)
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you're planning a trip specifically to see the planes, timing is everything. Most of the big international flights arrive between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you show up at 9:00 AM, you’re just going to see small regional turboprops from Winair. They’re cute, but they don’t give you that "holy crap" feeling.
Check the flight schedules on the official SXM Airport website or use an app like FlightRadar24. Look for the long-haul flights from Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto, and New York. Those are your money shots.
Also, wear shoes. I know it’s a beach, but if you’re moving around the road or the rocky areas near the fence, flip-flops are a recipe for a stubbed toe or a fall when the wind picks up. And for the love of everything, keep your drone in your bag. Flying a drone near the approach path of an international airport is a one-way ticket to a massive fine or jail time. It’s incredibly dangerous for the pilots.
The Logistics of the Island
St. Maarten is a "dual-nation" island—half French (Saint-Martin), half Dutch (Sint Maarten). The airport is on the Dutch side. This matters because the vibes are different. The Dutch side is more built-up, with casinos and high-rises. The French side is more about the food and the quiet beaches.
Getting to Maho from the cruise ship terminal in Philipsburg is easy but can be slow. The traffic on this island is legendary in a bad way. There is basically one main road that circles the island, and if there’s an accident or a drawbridge opening, everything stops. If you’re on a cruise, give yourself way more time than you think to get back to the ship. I’ve seen people sprinting down the pier because they spent "one last hour" at Maho Beach and got stuck in traffic.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
To get the most out of your experience at the world's most famous airport beach, follow these steps:
- Download FlightRadar24: Set alerts for SXM. You can see the planes as they cross the Atlantic or come down from the US. It takes the guesswork out of the schedule.
- Positioning is Key: If you want the "under the belly" shot, stand on the centerline of the runway (there are markings on the road). If you want to avoid the sand-blasting, stay toward the edges of the beach.
- Protect Your Gear: If you’re using a high-end DSLR, be careful. The salt air and the blowing sand are literal poison for camera sensors and lenses. Use a protective filter and keep your gear covered when a plane isn't actively approaching.
- Respect the Power: Don't be "that person" hanging onto the fence during a heavy jet departure. It’s not a badge of honor; it’s a safety hazard for you and the flight crew.
- Support the Locals: Buy a drink at Sunset or Driftwood. They provide the atmosphere (and the restrooms) that make the planespotting experience comfortable.
Landing at St Maarten airport remains a bucket-list item for a reason. It is one of the few places on earth where the wall between high-tech machinery and leisure culture completely disappears. Whether you are in the cockpit, in the cabin, or on the sand, it’s a moment of pure, unadulterated physics in action. Just remember to hold onto your hat. Seriously. It will end up in the ocean if you don't.