Aviation Mecca: Sint Maarten

by Lance

Aviation Mecca: Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten, nestled in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, is a spotters paradise like no other.

KLM 747-400 PH-BFN on short final and about to cross the beach at Sint Maarten (Image: Lance Broad)

Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) has to be one of the most recognisable places to photograph planes. Every aviation photographer and I daresay most of the general population know this airport. Not only for its beautiful beaches, but its low approaches over the beach for runway 10.

The traffic you’re likely to see at SXM these days is a little tamer than when I was there in 2013. KLM now uses the A330-200 instead of the 747-400, however Air France does still use the A340-300. You will also get a plethora of business jets as well as small commuter jets connecting the many islands in the area.

Air France A340-300 F-GLZN crossing over the punters at SXM. Heavies always draw a crowd. (Image: Lance Broad)
There are plenty of spots to photograph from at SXM, but the most common is Maho Beach and the Sunset Beach Bar. What’s better than a bar, planes and a beach?

As the aircraft approach the holding point, you can also shoot through the fence against the road, just watch out for the traffic as you cross over.

Delta 757-200 N659DL taxiing out at Sint Maarten (Image: Lance Broad)

Another place I tried out during my trip was from the balcony of The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. There is a rooftop balcony where you can get photos of the arrivals over the beach looking slightly down on them or level as they go past the resort.

Air France A340-300 F-GLZN over the shoreline at SXM (Image: Lance Broad)

If you’re after a photo with more motive, just down the perimeter road is Simpson Bay Road. I didn’t get to try it while I was there sadly, but it provides an angle back towards the beach with plenty of landscape in the background.

American Airlines 737-800 N804NN taxiing for departure at Sint Maarten (Image: Lance Broad)
Most of the time you will see airlines like United, American and Delta operating narrow bodies into SXM.

The best time of year to visit is the Northern Winter period. Many US citizens make their way from their cooler homes and this means you may see an increase in flights and aircraft size.

Estelar 737-200 YT497T about to land at SXM. Alot of variety at SXM (Image: Lance Broad)
Spot 1: Maho Beach – Good for overhead photos / Sunset Bar – A little more side on
Spot 2: Simpson Bay Road – Aircraft turn here in the node or on rollout / departure.
Spot 3: Balcony Sonesta – Photos level with aircraft on final or looking down as they touch down

Have you ever spotted at Sint Maarten and have something to add? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Lance is a passionate aviation photographer who loves to travel the world photographing rare aircraft. Some of his favorite places to photograph include Anchorage, Alaska and Nellis Air Force base in Nevada.