Simpson Bay is Sint Maarten’s main resort district: a strip of hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos and marinas on the narrow land between the long, quiet sands of Simpson Bay Beach and the vast Simpson Bay Lagoon, wrapped around Princess Juliana International Airport. Just west of the runway, in the Lowlands, lies the island’s most famous sight: Maho Beach, where airliners cross the sand at under 100 feet, according to the airport, before touching down, a spectacle that draws plane spotters from all over the world. Beyond Maho, Mullet Bay is one of the island’s loveliest swimming beaches, and the coves of Cupecoy sit below golden sandstone cliffs. The lagoon, shared with the French side, is one of the Caribbean’s great yachting harbors, with superyacht marinas, bridges that open to let boats through, and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta every March. Simpson Bay is where most visitors who fly in stay, eat and go out, five minutes from the airport and about 20–30 minutes from Philipsburg. The best months are December to April.
Right now in Simpson Bay
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Simpson Bay and Maho at a glance
- Best for: plane spotting, beach days, restaurants and nightlife, sailing and boat trips, and an easy base near the airport.
- How long: 4 to 7 nights as a base for the whole island.
- Best time: December to April, the dry season; May, June and early December for lower prices.
- Getting there: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is in the middle of the district; most hotels are 5 to 15 minutes away by taxi.
- Getting around: on foot along the strip, by taxi or minibus, or with a rental car to explore the island.
- Safety to know: jet blast from departing planes at Maho Beach can cause serious injury; never hold on to the airport fence.
- Before you go: the free ED card, entry rules, money and general safety are in our Sint Maarten travel guide.
The areas and who each one suits
Simpson Bay (the strip)
Along Airport Road and Welfare Road, between the airport and the lagoon bridges, Simpson Bay has the island’s densest choice of restaurants, bars, marinas, supermarkets and car rental offices, with hotels and condos on the beach side. It suits travelers who want everything within walking distance.
Simpson Bay Beach
A long, gently curving beach east of the airport, lined with low-rise resorts and condos and mostly calm water; quieter than Maho and good for families.
Maho Village
Just west of the runway, a compact cluster of large resorts, a casino, shops, bars and clubs around Maho Beach, the liveliest place at night on the Dutch side.
Mullet Bay and Cupecoy
Farther west, toward the French border, Mullet Bay has a golf course, condos and one of the island’s best beaches, and Cupecoy has high-rise condominiums on the cliffs above small coves. It suits travelers with a car who want a quieter stay near the best sand.
The lagoon and Cole Bay
On the lagoon’s southern shore, marinas, waterfront restaurants and boatyards serve the yachting crowd; Cole Bay, on the hill behind, has local neighborhoods, supermarkets and the road to Philipsburg.
Top things to see and do
Plane spotting at Maho Beach
The runway of Princess Juliana Airport begins just across the road from Maho Beach, so landing aircraft pass only a few dozen meters above the sand, one of the most photographed sights in the Caribbean. Beach bars post the day’s arrival times on surfboards and boards, and the biggest jets usually arrive from midday to mid-afternoon in the high season. Find a spot on the sand facing the approach, and listen for the cheers as each plane comes in.
Jet blast is dangerous. When planes turn at the end of the runway and take off, the blast from their engines sweeps across the road and the beach, strong enough to knock people over and to throw sand and stones, and signs at the beach warn of severe injury or death. Never hold on to the fence behind the beach, stay off the road, keep children close, and move well to the side of the runway end during departures. Landings, viewed from the sand, are the safer show.
Mullet Bay Beach
A few minutes west of Maho, Mullet Bay is a broad crescent of soft white sand with clear, usually calm water, shade trees at one end and vendors renting chairs and umbrellas and grilling lunch. It is a favorite with residents on weekends. On days with a northern swell, waves at the western end draw surfers and bodyboarders, so swim with care.
Cupecoy Beach
Near the French border, a string of small coves sits beneath eroded sandstone cliffs, reached by steps from the road. The beach is narrow and changes with the tides and swell, best at low tide and in calm weather, and one of the most scenic sunset spots on the island.
Simpson Bay Beach and Kim Sha Beach
East of the airport, Simpson Bay Beach is a long, quiet curve of sand in front of low-rise hotels and condos, good for long walks; at its eastern end, Kim Sha Beach has beach bars, watersports rentals and a livelier scene, especially on Sunday afternoons.
Simpson Bay Lagoon and the bridges
The lagoon, one of the largest in the Caribbean, is shared with the French side and is home to marinas that berth some of the world’s largest yachts. The Simpson Bay bridge opens several times a day to let yachts in and out of the lagoon, a show that draws a crowd at the waterfront bars beside it; the newer causeway bridge across the lagoon links the airport area with Cole Bay. Kayaks, paddleboards and boat tours explore the lagoon’s calm water.
More to see nearby
- Mullet Bay Golf Course: the island’s only golf course, an 18-hole course between the beach and the lagoon.
- Maho’s casinos: Simpson Bay and Maho have several casinos, open late.
- Baie Longue (Long Bay): on the French side just beyond Cupecoy, a long, quiet beach in the exclusive Terres Basses district.
- Marigot: the French side’s capital, about 20 minutes away, with a waterfront market and Fort Louis.
Other things to do
Boat trips, fishing and sailing
Simpson Bay’s marinas are the starting point for catamaran trips to beaches and snorkeling spots around the island and to Pinel Island and Tintamarre on the French side, sunset cruises, sportfishing charters for mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna, and private boat hire. Some charters also head to Anguilla’s beaches and cays for the day; bring your passport. See our boat trips guide.
The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
Every March, hundreds of yachts gather for one of the Caribbean’s best-known regattas, with races around the island by day and concerts and parties in Simpson Bay by night. Hotels fill up, so book early if you plan to come that week.
Snorkeling and diving
On calm days, snorkel along the rocks at the ends of Mullet Bay and Cupecoy. Dive centers in Simpson Bay run trips to the reefs and wrecks of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park, off the south coast, managed by the Nature Foundation St. Maarten, and to sites around the island. See our snorkeling and diving guides.
Food, drink and nightlife
Simpson Bay has the Dutch side’s widest choice of restaurants, from waterfront seafood and steakhouses to Italian, Indian, Asian and Caribbean kitchens, and roadside lolos grilling ribs, chicken and lobster. Lagoon-side bars are popular for sunset and the bridge openings; Maho has the late-night clubs and casinos. Try local dishes such as johnnycakes, saltfish and conch and dumplings, and a guavaberry colada. For a special dinner, Grand Case on the French side is about 30 minutes away.
Day trips from Simpson Bay
- Philipsburg: 20 to 30 minutes east, for Front Street, the Boardwalk and Fort Amsterdam. See our Philipsburg guide.
- Marigot, Grand Case and Orient Bay: a loop around the French side, across the open border, with lunch in Grand Case and a swim at Orient Bay. See our Saint Martin travel guide.
- Pinel Island: a small islet off the French side’s northeast coast, reached by a short ferry from Cul-de-Sac, with calm water and beach restaurants.
- Saint-Barthélemy: by fast ferry from Simpson Bay or Philipsburg, or a short flight from the airport. See our Saint-Barthélemy travel guide.
- Anguilla: by ferry from Marigot or a charter boat from Simpson Bay, for its long white beaches.
Getting there and getting around
By air
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is in the middle of Simpson Bay. According to the airport, about 30 airlines fly direct to 34 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the terminal has been fully rebuilt after Hurricane Irma. Everyone arriving by air must complete the free online ED card at entry.sx before the trip, according to St. Maarten Tourism. Taxis wait outside arrivals; most Simpson Bay and Maho hotels are a 5- to 15-minute ride away.
By sea
Yachts enter the lagoon through the Simpson Bay bridge and must also complete the ED card. Some ferries and charter boats to Saint-Barthélemy and other islands leave from Simpson Bay’s marinas. Cruise ships dock in Philipsburg, 20 to 30 minutes away by taxi.
Getting around
The strip itself is walkable, though sidewalks are patchy and traffic is heavy at rush hours and when the bridge is open. Taxis charge set fares between zones; agree on the price first. Privately run minibuses, with “BUS” plates, run along the main road to Maho, Philipsburg and Marigot by day for a few dollars. A rental car, available at the airport, is the easiest way to reach Mullet Bay, Cupecoy and the French side; drive on the right, and keep to 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, according to St. Maarten Tourism.
When to go and how long to stay
Simpson Bay is warm and breezy all year. The dry season, from December to April, is the high season, with the most sunshine and the most flights; from May to November, it is hotter, more humid and showery, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the US National Hurricane Center, with the greatest risk from August to October. The table shows the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) 1991–2020 averages for Princess Juliana International Airport, right in Simpson Bay.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (days with 1 mm or more) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °C (83 °F) / 23 °C (74 °F) | 68 mm (2.7 in), 13 days | Breezy, brief showers; high season |
| February | 29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (74 °F) | 49 mm (1.9 in), 11 days | Sunny; peak season |
| March | 29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (74 °F) | 47 mm (1.8 in), 8 days | Driest stretch; Heineken Regatta |
| April | 30 °C (85 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 60 mm (2.4 in), 8 days | Dry and sunny; Easter crowds |
| May | 30 °C (87 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 98 mm (3.9 in), 10 days | Warmer; lower prices |
| June | 31 °C (88 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in), 9 days | Hot; hurricane season begins |
| July | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 97 mm (3.8 in), 13 days | Hot; summer holiday flights |
| August | 32 °C (89 °F) / 27 °C (80 °F) | 106 mm (4.2 in), 14 days | Hottest; warmest sea |
| September | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (80 °F) | 116 mm (4.6 in), 13 days | Peak storm risk; some restaurants close |
| October | 31 °C (88 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 157 mm (6.2 in), 14 days | Wet; quiet |
| November | 30 °C (87 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 162 mm (6.4 in), 14 days | Wettest month; season reopens |
| December | 29 °C (85 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F) | 101 mm (4.0 in), 14 days | High season from mid-month |
4 days
Day one, Maho Beach for the arrivals and sunset at Cupecoy. Day two, Mullet Bay and dinner on the lagoon. Day three, a catamaran trip with snorkeling. Day four, Philipsburg in the morning and a drive around the French side.
7 days
Add Pinel Island, a dive or fishing trip, the zip lines at Rockland Estate and a day trip to Saint-Barthélemy or Anguilla.
Where to stay
- Maho Village: large resorts, some all-inclusive, next to the beach, casino and nightlife; expect aircraft noise.
- Simpson Bay Beach: mid-range hotels, timeshares and condos on a quiet beach, walking distance from restaurants.
- The lagoon: marina hotels and apartments with water views, popular with sailors.
- Cupecoy and Mullet Bay: condo rentals and apartments with sea views, close to the best beaches, best with a car.
Hotels and vacation rentals charge a 5% room tax, and many add a 10–15% service charge, so compare total prices. Book early for Christmas, Easter and the Heineken Regatta in March.
What a stay costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, in US dollars (XCG 1.79 to US$1).
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Taxi, airport to a Simpson Bay or Maho hotel | US$15–25 |
| Two beach chairs and an umbrella at Maho or Mullet Bay | US$20–30, often with drinks |
| Cocktail at a Maho beach bar | US$10–15 |
| Lunch at a lolo or beach grill | US$15–25 |
| Dinner for two on the lagoon, without wine | US$90–160 |
| Half-day catamaran and snorkeling trip | US$80–130 |
| Two-tank dive | US$120–160 |
| Rental car, per day | US$45–80 |
| Mid-range hotel double, high season, per night | US$220–400 |
Safety
The biggest risk specific to this area is jet blast at Maho Beach: follow the warning signs, never hold on to the fence, and stay clear of the runway end during takeoffs. Do not leave bags unattended on the beach or valuables visible in parked cars, especially at Mullet Bay and Cupecoy. The main road is busy and has few sidewalks, so take care walking at night, and use licensed taxis. Swim with care at Cupecoy and the western end of Mullet Bay when the swell is up, and watch for jet skis and boats close to shore. From June to November, follow hurricane forecasts from the US National Hurricane Center. For emergencies, call 911 for police, 912 for an ambulance, 919 for the fire department and 913 for the Coast Guard.
Practical tips
- Check the arrivals board: the Maho beach bars and the airport’s website list arrival times; the large jets are the highlight.
- Protect your gear: sand blown by the jets can damage cameras and phones, so use a case and stand back.
- Time the bridge: traffic stops when the Simpson Bay bridge opens; use the causeway bridge to avoid delays.
- Fill in the ED card: before you fly to SXM, at the official entry.sx portal, which is free.
- Bring your passport on boat trips: trips to Anguilla or Saint-Barthélemy cross international borders.
What to pack
Swimwear, a cover-up, a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for the rocky coves at Cupecoy, a protective case for your phone or camera at Maho, insect repellent, a light rain jacket from May to November and something smarter for dinner. Sockets are American-style at 110 V; see our travel adapters guide.
Simpson Bay and Maho Beach travel FAQ
When is the best time to see planes at Maho Beach?
Midday to mid-afternoon in the high season, from December to April, when the largest jets from North America and Europe arrive. The beach bars post the day’s arrival times.
How low do planes fly over Maho Beach?
According to the airport, aircraft cross Maho Beach on final approach at altitudes of less than 100 feet (30 m).
Is Maho Beach dangerous?
Watching landings from the sand is safe if you are sensible, but jet blast from departing planes can cause serious injuries. Never hold on to the airport fence, stay off the road and keep well clear during takeoffs.
Can you swim at Maho Beach?
Yes, the water is usually calm, but the beach is small and busy. For a better swim, head a few minutes west to Mullet Bay.
Which is the best beach near Simpson Bay?
Mullet Bay, for soft sand and calm, clear water; Cupecoy for scenery and sunsets; Simpson Bay Beach for quiet walks; and Maho Beach for the planes.
How far is Simpson Bay from the airport?
The airport is in Simpson Bay; most hotels are 5 to 15 minutes away by taxi.
Is Simpson Bay or Philipsburg better to stay in?
Simpson Bay and Maho, for most visitors, with more hotels, restaurants and nightlife and the best beaches nearby; Philipsburg suits short stays near the cruise pier and the ferries.
When does the Simpson Bay bridge open?
Several times a day, at scheduled times, to let yachts in and out of the lagoon; road traffic stops while it is open. Times are posted by the bridge operator and change with the season.
When is the Heineken Regatta?
Every year in early March, with races by day and concerts in Simpson Bay by night. Book hotels early for that week.
What is the best time to visit Simpson Bay?
December to April for dry, sunny weather and the most planes at Maho; May, June and early December for lower prices.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 5 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 5 October 2026. Airlines, destinations, the rebuilt terminal and approach altitude over Maho Beach: Princess Juliana International Airport; the ED card, driving rules and emergency numbers: St. Maarten Tourism; fire department number: the Government of Sint Maarten; the Caribbean guilder peg: the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten; climate averages: the WMO 1991–2020 normals for Princess Juliana International Airport (NOAA archive); hurricane season: the US National Hurricane Center. The room tax, jet-blast signage, arrival patterns, beach conditions, the bridges and their opening times, the regatta, the golf course, ferry routes and taxi, tour, food and hotel prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and schedules change, so check before you go. For the ED card, entry rules, money and general safety, see our Sint Maarten travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Wikidata (CC0)