Tours and Tickets to Experience Maho & Mullet Bay

There are plenty of ways to experience Maho & Mullet Bay. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Beach Tour & Lunch St. Maarten

• The Best Catamaran Day Sail in St. Maarten

• St. Maarten Best Island Tour

• 5 Hour Luxury Catamaran Day Sail in Sint Maarten on The Phoenix

• Billy Bones St. Maarten Getaway, Snorkeling With Turtles

Both beaches are public beaches—they’re completely free to access with no entrance fees. (Beach chair, umbrella, and gazebo rentals will incur fees, but the beaches themselves are totally free.) However, there are plenty of fun tours you can take to enhance the experience at these scenic spots, starting at roughly US$30.

Maho Beach is famous for what’s above it: dramatic plane landings directly overhead at Princess Juliana Airport (though there are beach bars and facilities nearby). Mullet Bay, located just west, offers a longer, quieter stretch of sand with better swimming conditions, fewer crowds, and less development. Maho prioritizes plane-watching; Mullet Bay emphasizes natural beauty and relaxation.

Yes, planes still land dramatically low over Maho Beach at Princess Juliana Airport. For some travelers, it’s a spectacular experience, with jets creating powerful blasts and seemingly unbelievable photo opportunities. Be sure to protect your eyes from wind-blown sand and your ears from jet engine noise when near the runway.

Flight times vary daily based on airline schedules, but you’ve got good odds of catching some action between 10am and 6pm, with activity typically peaking in the early afternoon. The airport’s schedule is available online and easy to check in advance. Arrive early for prime viewing spots during busy periods.

Yes, Maho Beach is generally safe, but jet blast from departing planes can knock people down or cause injuries—stay clear of the fence during takeoffs. Strong waves and currents occasionally create dangerous swimming conditions, too. The beach itself is well-populated and monitored. Follow posted warnings, avoid standing behind aircraft, know when to plug your ears, and supervise children closely.