Maho Beach - Airport Visit

[softsands]

Going to St. Martin in December and my family would like to make a visit to Maho Beach to check out the jets. I suppose we could do the guided tours that pay a visit to the beach, or even take a private tour, however, at a much higher price. Since we really only want to see the planes and maybe have a bite and some swimming, I was thinking of us grabbing taxi(s) (there are 4 adults and 3 kids) to be out there for 11am, an early lunch and then some swimming and bird watching, departing around 2:30pm back to the ship, which has a 6pm departure. I've checked airline schedules for that time and a good bunch come in (and depart) between that 12 and 3pm slot.

 

Has anyone structured a visit that way, to specifically get out to the beach for that sole purpose, and can comment on the idea? I've heard mixed reviews on the typical tour stops, doesn't sound all that exciting, and a private tour will cost substantially more to essentially act as a high-priced taxi.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback. Cheers.

[Karysa]

Going to St. Martin in December and my family would like to make a visit to Maho Beach to check out the jets. I suppose we could do the guided tours that pay a visit to the beach, or even take a private tour, however, at a much higher price. Since we really only want to see the planes and maybe have a bite and some swimming, I was thinking of us grabbing taxi(s) (there are 4 adults and 3 kids) to be out there for 11am, an early lunch and then some swimming and bird watching, departing around 2:30pm back to the ship, which has a 6pm departure. I've checked airline schedules for that time and a good bunch come in (and depart) between that 12 and 3pm slot.

 

Has anyone structured a visit that way, to specifically get out to the beach for that sole purpose, and can comment on the idea? I've heard mixed reviews on the typical tour stops, doesn't sound all that exciting, and a private tour will cost substantially more to essentially act as a high-priced taxi.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback. Cheers.

 

Most folks go to Maho by taxi and lately it seems that many cruisers have only a visit to Maho in mind for their day on St. Maarten. Personally, I like going for an hour or 1 hr and a half because I enjoy watching the planes and the atmosphere is so fun at this beach.

 

How old is the youngest child? I would bring a pair of headphones for a baby or small child as I find that it can get very loud at Maho.

[AZPam]

We did this in May and it was a blast. Two bars to choose from and the one has speakers that are tied into the airport tower so you can listen. The beach isn't that great though. Doable but if kids are little the water might be too rough for them. Bring water shoes as there are a lot of rocks. Get their early if you want chairs. We were totally entertained all day. DH and DS sat and drank beers and listened since DS is an air traffic controller. DD and I got chairs and umbrellas and just read and got into the water

[mrsfuzzmo]

We did the same, and the good news is that you can get a taxi VAN that will fit all of you. We just went into town and talked to a couple of drivers, negotiated a price for 4 of us, then they matched us up with 4 others and we headed to Maho. We went there at about 10 am and spent the day at Guy's Driftwood Beach Bar. It was wonderful.

 

The water was glorious the day we were there. Completely calm and crystal clear. My sister in law even snorkeled on the north end of the beach for a while where there were some rock outcroppings. We ate and drank, listened to music, and watched the planes come in to our hearts content. It was fun spotting them way off in the distance trying to figure out how big they were going to be. AWESOME pizza out of a van buried in the sand (as their restaurant).

 

Van driver came and picked us up right on agreed time. She almost had to drag us out of there because we were having sooooo much fun. We had such a good time, that we are booking our cruise in May around St. Maarten so that we can take our friends there. Last time we went to Orient, and while we got some good stories from it, Maho was much more interesting and fun!!

[golfer1966]

Check out Bernards Tours..... His tour takes you to Orient Beach, then to Maho and it includes drinks. Good tour !!

[Love Cruizn!!!]

We did Bernard's Tour last week and it was great. The only bummer was there was only 1 airplane scheduled to land in the time frame we were at Maho Beach and it got delayed for an hour. We did get to see one take off and that was awesome.

[Cinzano11]

My sister lives in St Maarten so have stayed there a couple of time now.

 

You just need to get a taxi from the cruise terminal, plenty there and arrange a time to pick you up. If you want to come back sooner to the ship just down the road is a tourist area with Shops , Casinos and hotels, plenty of taxis around.

Beach is very small most of the sand gets blown away, nice bar next to the beach/runway.:D

 

Have fun

[Froufie]

Planning to visit Maho next month and interested in the 'bars'...have always hung out at Sunset Beach Bar (and enjoyed a few guavaberry coladas while watching the planes land).

 

First I have heard of this 'other' spot - Guy's driftwood bar - where is it located in proximity to Maho and anything special about it? (I presume it is also an outdoor bar with a good view of the planes?)

[ibcnusoon]

Which bar has the air traffic control radio broadcasting, Guys or Sunset???

 

We are heading to St. Maarten next month on our cruise. We are going to take a taxi to Marigot in the morning, then before lunchtime, taxi over to Maho and spend the rest of the day there watching the planes.

 

Bernards Tours are nice is you want to see Orient Beach and other areas of the island. If Bernards would bypass Orient and leave those 2 hours for Maho, I would book him in a heartbeat. Not everyone wants to waste time in Orient. Don't book Bernards if your heart is set on watching a big plane land.

[Cinzano11]

Planning to visit Maho next month and interested in the 'bars'...have always hung out at Sunset Beach Bar (and enjoyed a few guavaberry coladas while watching the planes land).

 

First I have heard of this 'other' spot - Guy's driftwood bar - where is it located in proximity to Maho and anything special about it? (I presume it is also an outdoor bar with a good view of the planes?)

 

I emailed my sister as she is lucky enough to live on St Martin (French side) she replied the following

 

Yes. It is on the Maho road at the end of the runway.

I think its got a little boat shaped bar and is all made of wood

[ibcnusoon]

Guys Driftwood is on the other side of Maho Beach from Sunset Beach Bar:

 

Guys: http://www.sxmboatbar.com/

[mrsfuzzmo]

We spent the entire day at Guy's Driftwood Boat bar. Nothing fancy, but very 'hippy' eclectic. There's a porta-potty for a bathroom, a boat made into a bar (very colorful) and a van that doesn't have wheels that they cook out of. There's some nice huge umbrella'd tables to hang out, or there are also some loungers. It's right on Maho beach on the opposite end of the Sunset Grill. We had a blast there. Drinks were cheap and strong, the locals were 'colorful' so to speak, it was extremely casual and laid back. The Sunset Grill (which has the radio broadcasts) was just down the beach. The planes land almost squarely between the two. The water and beach were beautiful the day we were there. There was some nice snorkeling right in front of Guys and the beach was great. The food was awesome and cheap (although a very small menu). We are planning our next cruise for May and will DEFINITELy spend another day there!!

[gtaylor]

I like Guy's, too. Photos here.

 

gary

[Froufie]

Great pics - thanks!