Maho Reef

Travel Guide

Maho Reef featuring a sandy beach, tropical scenes and landscape views
Maho Reef
Maho Reef
Maho Reef which includes tropical scenes, a luxury hotel or resort and a coastal town
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 RM1,099 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
RM1,099
RM1,330 total
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Lowlands. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,400 reviews)
"Water pressure and temp in rooms off the chart beyond excellent. Staff attentive and friendly. Good food but some off days but it’s expected to not like every option but the location gives you plenty of offsite options if needed. Transportation options ranged from rental car to local bus and we tried ..."

Reviewed on 15 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 RM1,906 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
RM1,906
RM2,306 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Lowlands. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"The staff was above considerate and the amenities received for the price exceeded my expectations!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 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
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Lowlands. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (293 reviews)
"Great place to stay."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 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 coffeemaker, 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 WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,051 reviews)
"This was my first time staying at Royal Palm. It is a very nice hotel and has nice staff. It is in a great location for walking to stores, restaurants, bars, etc..I constantly saw staff cleaning and doing all they could to keep the property in nice condition. The small gym is nice, clean and bright. ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 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 WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (307 reviews)
"Good location and great amenities. Short walk to the beach. Would stay there again."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 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

Things to do

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.