Dutch side · Planes and nightlife
18° 02′ N · 63° 06′ W
Between the sea and the big lagoon, around the runway of Princess Juliana Airport, Simpson Bay and Maho make up the island’s liveliest area: planes skimming the beach, beach clubs, a yacht marina and most of the bars and casinos.
Maho Beach is St. Maarten’s most famous sight: airliners pass right above the swimmers before landing. A few minutes away, Mullet Bay and the Cupecoy cliffs offer much calmer beaches.
At night, the area changes. Maho Village, around Casino Royale, and the Simpson Bay strip are lined with restaurants, bars, rooftops and clubs: this is where the island stays out late.
Updated October 2026
Planes by day, the lagoon in the late afternoon, the strip at night. A car still helps between beaches.
At the end of the runway, Maho Beach is separated from the airport by just a road and a fence. Planes fly very low before landing: a one-of-a-kind, free show that draws photographers and onlookers all day.
The big jets usually arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon. The Sunset Bar posts the day’s arrival times.
Free · Paid parking by the beach, free if you buy something at Sunset Bar or Sand Bar
A few minutes west of Maho, Mullet Bay curves into a crescent of white sand and clear water, with snorkeling along the rocks and free parking above the beach.
Right after, Cupecoy hides below ocher sandstone cliffs carved into arches and caves: one of the island’s most photogenic beaches, stunning at sunset. You walk down on stairs that are sometimes worn.
No lifeguards · Cupecoy is clothing-optional
Behind the beach lies Simpson Bay Lagoon, shared by the two countries. The Simpson Bay drawbridge opens at set times to let yachts in, and traffic stops for 10 to 20 minutes: check the bridge schedules.
On the lagoon side, restaurants sit by the water, facing the boats: SkipJack’s for seafood, Topper’s for its house rum, Soggy Dollar Bar on the Palapa Marina dock.
A long ribbon of light sand along the airport runway, with some of the island’s best-known beach clubs: Karakter, Babacool with its pool facing the sea, and at the quieter west end, Mary’s Boon, there since the early 1970s.
Further east, Kim Sha is the area’s small town beach, handy for a sunset drink.
Free access · Water gets deep quickly · No lifeguard
In Maho Village, everything happens around Casino Royale: the Mimosa Skylounge rooftop on top of it, 3 Amigos right across, open until 2 am.
On the Simpson Bay side, the night carries on along the main road: a piano bar at Red Piano Lounge, a pub at Huppel, then the Lotus club.
Our picks from Cupecoy to Cole Bay, each with a full page on the site. Tap a number to see it on the map.
The plane beach. Never stand behind the fence during takeoff.
White sand, clear water, snorkeling along the rocks.
Coves below ocher cliffs, stunning at sunset.
Maho’s quiet plan B, down a path from Beacon Hill. No facilities.
The big beach club beach, facing the runway.
The small town beach, bars and sunsets.
Food, beach and planes in one spot, on Maho Beach.
An upscale steakhouse in Maho Village, across from Casino Royale.
A Mediterranean beach lounge between Cupecoy and Mullet Bay.
A boho beach club with a pool facing the sea, on Simpson Bay Beach.
Simpson Bay’s historic beach bar, away from the crowds.
Italian and Sicilian food on the marina, by chef Davide Zagami.
Fish and seafood by the lagoon, with its own fish market.
A lagoon-side bistro in Cole Bay, known for its house rum.
A rooftop on top of Casino Royale, cocktails under the stars.
Tex-Mex and sports bar across from the casino, open until 2 am.
An open-air bar on the Palapa Marina dock, facing the yachts.
The island’s go-to piano bar, in Pelican Key.
The club where the night really starts, after dinner.
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
An all-inclusive resort in the heart of Maho Village, minutes from the airport.
A design resort on Beacon Hill, with an infinity pool facing the sea.
Mary’s Boon Beach Resort & Spa
A small family-run hotel on the sand of Simpson Bay, since the 1970s.
Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa
A large Pelican Key resort with a beach and a marina.
A sunset catamaran sail from the Simpson Bay Resort marina.
Drive your own little boat behind a guide, along the lagoon and the coast.
An early swim, planes at noon, sunset at sea, and a night that ends late.
9 am
Swim and snorkel in the clear water before the crowds arrive.
12 pm
Lunch at Tortuga and wide-body landings, well away from the fence.
5 pm
Sunset aboard the Lambada, or a drink on the sand at Kim Sha.
9 pm
Dinner in Maho Village, a cocktail on the Mimosa rooftop, then live music along the Simpson Bay strip.
Upcoming events listed on our site.
23 Oct.
30th Caribbean Dinghy Championship in Simpson Bay
from 23 to 25 Oct. | 08:30 · Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC)
24 Oct.
Sat. 24 Oct. | 13:30 · EXPLORER / Simpson Bay
31 Oct.
Halloween Nightmare at Lotus Nightclub St Maarten
Sat. 31 Oct. | 22:00 · Lotus Nightclub
26 Nov.
21st Budget Marine Optimist Championship at SMYC
from 26 to 29 Nov. | 08:00 · Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC)
The wide-body jets usually arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon. The Sunset Bar posts the day’s arrival times.
Yes. At takeoff, the jet blast can throw people onto the road and has already caused a fatal accident. Watch the planes from the beach, away from the fence.
At Mullet Bay, a few minutes west: white sand, clear water and snorkeling along the rocks. Cupecoy is stunning, but its stairs call for care.
Yes if you want nightlife, restaurants everywhere and the airport nearby. It is noisier and less peaceful than Orient Bay or Grand Case.
In Maho Village, around Casino Royale, and along the Simpson Bay strip: rooftops, live music bars, a piano bar and clubs.
Less than elsewhere, since everything is close, but it still helps to reach the beaches and the French side. At night, take a taxi.
