PHILIPSBURG (DM)— A beach in the Caribbean is home to one of the world’s most terrifying landing strips – yet its tropical setting continues to lure visitors from across the globe.
Maho Beach, located on the island of Saint Martin, is a dream come true for aviation enthusiasts and thrill seekers – though it might prove to be nightmare for anyone hoping for a peaceful day by the sea.
Just a narrow stretch of road separates the beach from the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport, which sees as many as 70 aircraft fly over the heads of swimmers and sunworshippers each day during peak season.
Because the runway at SXM is situated only a few feet from the water, planes land unusually close to beach level, creating one of the most dramatic plane-spotting locations on Earth.
Despite being one of the world’s shortest runways, it still handles a range of large aircraft – from Air France‘s Airbus A340-300 to Boeing 737s, according to
Plane watching has become so much a part of the local culture that beachfront restaurants and bars post updated flight schedules to help tourists time their visits.
The beach once featured on the History Channel’s ‘Most Extreme Airports,’ which ranked Princess Juliana as the fourth most dangerous airport in the world.
A viral video recently shared to X captures the take-off of one plane, which begins with sand swirling in the air as the jet accelerates and gradually ascends from the runway.
Several beachgoers can be seen shielding their eyes as the wind picks up and blows perfectly laid towels into the sea, while others are knocked off their feet entirely.
By the time the plane lifts off, most visitors have been forced to retreat – with a few even ending up in the water.
Speaking to CNN, airport worker Franklin Wilson, said: ‘It’s scary. It feels like it’s coming straight at you.’
For pilots, though, the experience provides a view like no other, with Wilson’s colleague Irving Maduro adding: ‘They love seeing the people on the beach below them.’
Despite the odd chance of getting sand blown in ones eye, or having a deep reading session interrupted, the beach, located on the Dutch side of the island, draws plenty of tourists thanks to its lively coral reef, turquoise sea and powdery white sand.
Visitors are regularly told to follow warning signs that caution against standing too close to the fence or holding onto it.
Local authorities previously warned the jet blast from the beach is not safe, with instances in the past bordering on dangerous for particular tourists, such as in January when tourists were blown into the sea while attempting to capture footage.
Another runway that was once considered the most terrifying place to land a plane was Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s former airport until its closure in 1998.
It was famous for its challenging runway surrounded by skyscrapers, mountains, and Victoria Harbor – forcing pilots to execute a sharp, low-altitude turn to land.
This technically demanding approach, which had to be flown manually, was regarded as one of the most difficult in aviation history – so much so that pilots had to undergo specific training to ensure they could land without any errors.
Planes would be required to descend to a low altitude before making a right-hand turn at about 47 degrees around a large red-and-white checkerboard on a hill.
The aircraft would complete the final leg by lining up with a runway that jutted into Victoria Harbor.
By JOWENA RILEY/Daily Mail
