A Guide to Maho Beach

St. Maarten is a beautiful island paradise that is perfect for a beach vacation. One of the most fun beaches on the island is Maho Beach. Maho Beach is known for its stunning views, crystal clear water, and powdery white sand beaches. It's also famous for being right by the airport with the landing strips extremely close to the beach.

Maho Beach is one of our favorite places to visit when we are on the island. The beach is located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. The easiest way to get to Maho Beach is by taking a taxi from your hotel, resort or cruise port. Taxis are widely available on the island and are relatively inexpensive. Another option is to rent a car and drive to Maho Beach yourself. However, we recommend taking a taxi as parking can be difficult to find on the island. If you are catching a taxi at the cruise port, they'll load you up with other visitors which will make for cheaper fare for you. Don't worry, there are plenty of taxis waiting to bring you back at the end of the day!

The best time to visit Maho Beach is during the daytime when the weather is sunny and warm. The beach can get crowded during peak tourist season, especially on days when cruises are in port. One recommendation would be to visit during the shoulder season or off-peak season if possible. Another option would be to stay at one of the beautiful hotels surrounding the area and enjoy the beach when there aren't as many tourists.

The beach itself if fairly narrow with the only chairs and umbrellas being available at the bars located at either end of the beach. If you are looking for a low key beach where you want to hang out and swim all day, this may not be the beach for you!

While we love the Maho Beach and my husband has been known to swim and snorkel there, the waves can be ferocious and a bit dangerous. Also, the tide can sneak in and drench you when you least expect it. Trust me, it's happened to me, twice!

Because of its close proximity to the airport, Maho Beach can also be dangerous. Planes landing at the airport often fly low over the beach, which is the appeal of the beach. However, when large planes are taking off, there is a strong wind that will knock you down or create a sand blast that will remove a layer of skin if you aren't prepared. The jet blasts have killed people who don't take proper precautions so although a lot of fun, please be mindful of your safety.

All warnings aside, it's one of our favorite beaches in St. Maarten and I definitely recommend a visit.