Plane Spotting in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is one of the most exotic and colourful regions in the world for aviation enthusiasts. With a mix of bustling international airports, tiny inter-island strips, and stunning beach approaches, spotting here is both scenic and rewarding. Here are some of the best airports in the Caribbean for plane spotters.

Sint Maarten – Princess Juliana International (SXM | TNCM)

Timo Breidenstein (GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html> or GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html>), via Wikimedia Commons

The jewel in the crown for aviation fans, Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana is world famous for Maho Beach, where arrivals pass just metres overhead . Large jets from Europe, North America, and the region mix with turboprops, making this one of the best spotting experiences on earth. The Sunset Bar keeps a chalkboard of daily arrivals, and the beach offers unrivalled photography opportunities.

Antigua – V. C. Bird International (ANU | TAPA)

InterCaribbean Embraer 120 Brasilia. Photo (c) Colin Cooke

A busy gateway for the eastern Caribbean, Antigua sees widebodies from Europe, Canada, and the USA, alongside LIAT and regional carriers . The Sir George Walter Highway (for runway 07) and Burma Road (for runway 25) offer good views, with light aircraft often parked on a disused runway.

Barbados – Grantley Adams International (BGI | TBPB)

Barbados Airport. Photo (c) Paul

Barbados is popular with both tourists and spotters. The single runway handles widebodies from Europe and North America, often linked to cruise traffic, as well as inter-island carriers like Caribbean Airlines . The best spot is on the south side near the flying club, where you can park up and log or photograph all movements.

Jamaica – Montego Bay Sangster International (MBJ | MKJS)

Montego Bay. Photo (c) nydiscovery7

Montego Bay is Jamaica’s busiest airport for leisure traffic. The star location here is Dead End Beach, where arrivals to runway 07 pass right overhead . It’s similar to Maho Beach in Sint Maarten but less crowded, and great for photography.

Bahamas – Nassau Lynden Pindling International (NAS | MYNN)

Photo (c) Aero Icarus

The Bahamas’ main airport at Nassau has two runways and a mix of U.S. and Caribbean carriers . Good spotting is possible from roads near runway ends — Geography Park and Coral Harbor Road — with regional aircraft also using the cross runway.

Why Spotters Love the Caribbean

From widebodies landing just above your head in Sint Maarten to island-hopping turboprops buzzing between Antigua, Barbados, and Nassau, the Caribbean is a dream destination for plane spotters. The region combines great weather, stunning scenery, and a mix of traffic you won’t see anywhere else.

✈️ This guide is adapted from the brand-new World Airport Spotting Guides (3rd Edition) — covering over 350 airports worldwide with the best spotting locations, hotels, and tips. Order your copy today and start planning your next spotting adventure in the Caribbean!

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