7 Island Airports Where the Landing Is the Attraction

Some runways are so dramatic that the flight becomes the first sightseeing stop. Each airport below is fully scheduled by commercial carriers—you just buy a ticket, buckle up and enjoy an approach that doubles as a low-altitude tour.

1. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport — Saba, Caribbean Netherlands

The world’s shortest paved commercial runway—just 400 m—ends in Caribbean surf on three sides.
Only STOL turboprops like Winair’s Twin Otter are allowed.
Airport details

2. Barra Airport — Barra, Scotland

The only airport where scheduled flights land on a tidal beach.
Arrivals operate at low tide; the timetable shows times “subject to sea-state.”
Official airport page

3. Princess Juliana International Airport — Sint Maarten

Jets skim 20 m above sunbathers on Maho Beach; spotters queue for the daily A330 from Paris.
Official airport site

4. Gustaf III Airport — Saint Barthélemy

Pilots dive over a roundabout before touching down on a 650 m strip ending at St Jean Bay.
Only certified short-field captains may operate here.
Airport details

5. Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport — Madeira, Portugal

Atlantic winds and an elevated runway on 180 concrete pillars make for dramatic go-around potential.
TAP’s A321neo daily approach offers cliff and ocean panoramas.
Official airport site

6. Motu Mute Airport — Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Built on a coral islet; passengers transfer by boat to over-water bungalows.
Window seats on Air Tahiti’s ATR reveal Mount Otemanu framed by electric-blue lagoon.
Airport details

7. Velana International Airport — Malé, Maldives

Runway-island sits meters from Malé’s high-rise skyline; clear-water approach shows reef shadows below.
After landing, step onto a speedboat for resort check-in within 15 minutes.
Official airport site

Know another island runway with heart-rate-spiking views? Drop your suggestion in the comments and we’ll test the landing on our next field trip.