Mullet Bay (Maho Area)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Mullet Bay is a well-known surfing beach on Sint Maarten’s south coast, with accounts describing a right-hand point break that can be dependable and produce long rides, while other conditions can make it behave like a heavy shorebreak with fast, hollow wedge waves. Wind conditions are typically driven by northeasterly trade winds, which are described as providing clean/offshore feel for the break. One source highlights best wind/wave overlap in January (winter and spring being the main surf season), while another describes a winter-to-early-spring window for surfing swells and offshore winds. Water conditions are described as sandy with medium beach size and shorebreak effects that can be serious: heavy shorebreak and powerful backwash are recurring themes, and swimmers need particular caution. Submerged rocks near the cliffs/ends of the bay are also mentioned, and guidance emphasizes being ready for a vertical drop and immediate bottom turn because the wave breaks close to the sand. For planning, the harder surf behavior is associated with stronger swell (with one quantified window of roughly 1.0 to 2.5 meters and north to northwest swell directions). Skill requirements vary by described conditions, but overall it trends toward intermediate-to-advanced surfing, especially during bigger, more shorebreak-heavy sets.
- Northeast winds are described as offshore/clean for the break
- Winter and spring are highlighted as the best season for surf
- Long right-hand ride potential described in at least one account
- Strong caution for swimmers due to backwash and powerful shorebreak
- Dependable surf described for winter/spring conditions
- Clean offshore conditions with northeasterly winds
- Sheltered beach setting (varies by source) and easy access
- Very powerful, hollow/fast shorebreak behavior can be punishing
- Strong backwash; extra caution needed around swimmers
- Reported hazards include submerged rocks and heavy shorebreak on stronger swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeasterly trade winds (Alizés) are the main wind influence in the area.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs and inland terrain can cause wind shadows close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Huge
- Launch
- Medium — Easy self-launch from sandy beach in one account; sandy beach with steep slope in some areas in another.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Easy self-launch described in one source; moderate difficulty with a steep slope in some areas described in another.
Through the year
High season (winter) is busy with tourists; weekends are popular with locals.
June to November is the Atlantic hurricane season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Depends on swell and conditions: described as a dependable right-hand point break with long rides, and also as a heavy, hollow shorebreak with fast, punishing wedge waves during strong conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as sheltered in one source and semi-sheltered in another.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds provide clean offshore conditions for the break.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes a very heavy and dangerous shorebreak with significant backwash on bigger swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Wedge-style, hollow shorebreak behavior described for harder swell conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — One source emphasizes short, intense bursts; another describes longer rides on the right-hand point break.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long ride described in one account; another notes short, intense bursts ending in a heavy shore-dump.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mullet Bay (Maho Area) in the full forecast view.
Mullet Bay (Maho Area) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–16 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ESE109°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.0 m6s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mullet Bay (Maho Area) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.5–1.0 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Heavy shorebreak
- Powerful backwash
- Strong caution for swimmers due to wave power and strong backwash
- Submerged rocks near cliff areas / at the ends of the bay
- Shallow water near the impact zone
- Rock formations at the ends of the bay
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated stationary rescue bases directly on the beaches in this cluster; rescue services are coordinated regionally.
- Emergency Info
- Medical Center located in Cay Hill; emergency services can be reached via 911.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; be mindful of swimmers in designated swimming areas.
- Motorized watercraft restrictions near swimming zones
- The wave breaks very close to the sand, so be prepared for a vertical drop and immediate bottom turn.
- Watch out for tourists swimming who may not realize how powerful the shorebreak is.
- Caution is advised for swimmers due to strong backwash.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Philipsburg
- Nearest Town
- Lowlands
- Nearest Airport
- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)
- Parking
- Large gravel/dirt parking area adjacent to the beach (also described as parking likely available near the beach).
- Public Transport
- Frequent local minibuses (public vans) running between Maho, Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay, and Philipsburg
- Access
- Free access via minibuses from Philipsburg toward Maho and Cupecoy, with frequent stops. Also accessible by car, about 20 minutes from Princess Juliana International Airport. Public access via a dirt road leading to the beach area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Dutch
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various resorts and vacation rentals in the Maho and Lowlands areas.
- Food & Drink
- Beach bars and snack huts are located directly on the sand (also described as beach bars and umbrellas/chairs available).
- Equipment Rental:
- Beach chairs and umbrellas available; surfboard rentals are rare on-site and usually require visiting shops in Simpson Bay.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
World-famous beach for watching large aircraft land at Princess Juliana International Airport.
Historic 17th-century fort near the entrance to Great Bay.
Home to the 'Flying Dutchman', the world’s steepest zip line.
Iconic venue for watching planes and sunset over the water.
The only golf course on the island, adjacent to the beach areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mullet Bay (Maho Area)?
The best overall months at Mullet Bay (Maho Area) are January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Mullet Bay (Maho Area)?
Mullet Bay (Maho Area) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Mullet Bay (Maho Area) suitable for?
Mullet Bay (Maho Area) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.