Update: Since I made this post in November of 2013 the Sonesta has become an All-Inclusive resort which is highly patrolled by guards so that only resort guests are allowed on the property. I encountered the same issue that Tim, a commenter below experienced this past November 2016. The solution is simple: swim from the shore, climb up, walk around to the pool and just do it. That’s what I did.
New Video from November 2016 trip
So you want to jump off a cliff? Well St. Maarten has the best spot I’ve ever found in all my travels.
Out on the point of the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort you will find this gem. It’s the perfect height to get your adrenaline going, the perfect depth to not worry about hitting anything below, there are multiple methods to get out of the water and it’s easy to access. What more could you want?
For those wanting to make the jump read on and I’ll give you the scoop.
The best view of the cliff is from Sunset Beach Bar (Sunset Bar & Grill now for a few years but I refuse to call it that). You will see a lone tree right at the top. That’s the spot. Make your way through the resort any way you like and find your way to the Hotel on the point. When you go around back you can just walk directly to the jump spot.
WARNING: I have watched countless friends get hurt from jumping wrong and being timid. If you’re going to jump from this height you need to have good form and be committed otherwise you will flail, land on your back or chest and mostly likely sustain an injury.
So stand on the edge, take a deep breath and jump.
To get out either swim back to shore or there is a spot you can get out by climbing out of the water onto the choral. You need to time your exit right so that a swell doesn’t throw you into the choral, but that’s the fastest way to get out and do it again.
stacey says
So Im going to st maarten in spring and really want to cliff jump.. did you have to pay to do this?
did you find a local to tell you about this place? im very interested in finding out so I can do it
Chad says
Hi Stacey,
I’ve been coming here since I was a kid (21st time) so I know this island like my second home. If you are at Sunset you will have a perfect view of the cliff. Look for a single tree right on the tip. That’s your spot. Walk down the beach to the Islander and go up the stairs from the beach. Walk along the path following the water to the point. You will then get to the hotel on the point. From there you can either hop the fence/balcony that touches the edge or you can go around making your way to the jump spot. It’s very deep so nothing to worry about there. If you want to get out and do it again you can swim over to where you can see an old bridge was to your left with some concrete legs. Be careful getting up on the coral since the ocean will swell in and out, but that’s what I do. You could also just swim back to shore.
Have fun. It’s the best cliff jump I’ve ever found and I look for them everywhere I go.
Johnny Utah says
Would love to try the hotel jump! Staying there December 14-21, 2014! You in town?
neonjohn says
I jumped off of this cliff a few times when I was a kid back in the early 90″s. I always wondered how high it was as it is withput a doubt my highest.
Do you know the measurement?
Thank you
Neonjohn
Tim says
I thought I would let you all know, it is all but impossible to get there any more. There are 6-10 security guards all over the resort making sure no one that isn’t a registered guest of the resort can’t enter the area – which appears to be the only way to the cliff. After getting denied from multiple attempts to sneak through a few different areas, we even tried to swing around the other side of the point and coming that way. It was still highly patrolled. It ended up being a huge waste of our time.
Chad says
Hey Tim,
I experienced the same thing you did on my recent visit, but the solution was the just swim out and climb up. Sorry I didn’t update this post. Check out the new video I added to this post.
Lindsay says
I am heading to St Maarten on a cruise at the end of February and love cliff diving. Can you please explain to me how to get to cliff from the cruise port and avoiding the security from the resort?
Chad says
Hey Lindsay,
From Philipsburg just get your taxi driver to drop you at Sunset Beach Bar. From there you will have a clear view across the cove. Just walk to the other end of the beach, swim out along the rocks and when you get to the spot I show in the video above, climb up. There won’t be any security in this area unless they just happen to be walking or this has become a problem. Otherwise just blend in. They do wear those all-inclusive wristbands so that could out you, but you’re only going to be there long enough to jump.
Good luck!