Maho Bay (St. Maarten)

Are you looking to relax in tranquility? Keep looking -- Maho Bay beckons to amateur photographers, aviation fanatics and curious thrill seekers. The southwestern beach's fame is due to its abnormal proximity to the Princess Juliana International Airport. Every afternoon, travelers love to stand on the sands to take pictures of the approaching planes and feel their jet blasts. 

Enjoying the beach and the planes is free, so splurge a little at Maho's watering holes (Bamboo Bernie's and the Sunset Beach Bar are particularly popular with great vantage points). If you're not too scared, you can also try some windsurfing.