bender031177 Posted November 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 19, 2017 we’re making a stop in St. Martin in Feb 2018 and are wondering about the condition of Maho Beach? And is there much air traffic in and out of the airport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMH Posted November 20, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 20, 2017 We will be there in late December and I will report back what I see. I've been monitoring the scheduled flights of the 'big' planes on Google for the day we are there and they went from 10 arrivals and 9 departures (before 4:00 PM when we have to head back to the ship) to 2 arrivals and 2 departures. So, air traffic, at least for the day we are the has dropped a lot. It could pick up by February, but I suspect they will still be in recovery mode and the demand will not be a whole lot different in Feb than Dec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted November 22, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Both bar are operating and the beach will be back sometime when nature decides. As the previous poster said, flight arrival might be light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFinland Posted November 22, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2017 We will be there in late December and I will report back what I see. I've been monitoring the scheduled flights of the 'big' planes on Google for the day we are there and they went from 10 arrivals and 9 departures (before 4:00 PM when we have to head back to the ship) to 2 arrivals and 2 departures. So, air traffic, at least for the day we are the has dropped a lot. It could pick up by February, but I suspect they will still be in recovery mode and the demand will not be a whole lot different in Feb than Dec. I see you are on Independence 12/21/2017 too :) What is the site where you can monitor the flights? Would really like to see some planes and wondering what will be the best time to hit Maho beach. Thanks if you can share the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMH Posted November 22, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi MrsFinland. Yes, we are on the Indy too and really looking forward to it! There is not a 'easy' way to do it, but here is what I figured out. At any of the travel sites (Expedia, Trip Advisor, Google Flights, etc) you can enter a non-stop, one way flight from a major city to SXM (airport code for St Maartin) on Dec 25. Mostly you will get 'no results found', but if you do find something you know that is a big plane on Dec 25. The cities that traditionally have non-stop flights include New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Amsterdam, Paris, Charolotte, and Atlanta - but not all of those cities have them on Christmas Day. So far I have only found two flights - one from New York and one from Atlanta. They arrive at 12:13 (JetBlue) and 2:51 (Delta). To see the departure times, just do the same thing, but use SXM as the Departure and (major city) as the arrival. Also, only two flights so far on Dec 25 departing at 1:35 (JetBlue) and 4:00 (Delta) Seeing the planes land is quite an experience, but seeing, and feeling, them take off is a whole different level and that is really what I am trying to do this time. If I see anything different show up between now and when we leave, I will be sure to post it on our Roll Call. Here is the actual URL that I used: https://www.google.com/flights but, like I said, any of the websites you can book flights on should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFinland Posted November 22, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Perfect! Maho Beach at noon is the plan then :) I really appreciate your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMH Posted November 23, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Brilliant. We will probably see you there! The one question I still have is 'how much sand is left?' I know most of it was washed away with Maria and I am hoping that at least some will be back by the time we get there. Being sandblasted by a jet taking off is part of the experience of Maho Beach. Being pebble or rock blasted does not sound like something I would enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted November 23, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I've seen video posted by sunset bar (I think on FB) and looks like the sand is coming back little by little. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 23, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Maho has not had much sand for years and the hurricane destroyed just about everything that was left. One Video (from Nov 10) shows that much of the fence damage (along the airport) has yet to be repaired and you can see lights and other debris along the fence line. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranchette Posted November 23, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Is the restaurant opened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 23, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) Is the restaurant opened? I heard it was destroyed.. Have no clue if they will ever rebuild...or have made any progress to reopening. Also noticed that Celebrity canceled a Jan 15 visit (by one of their ships) because they do not believe the port or island will be ready to receive visitors. Hank Edited November 23, 2017 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix1949 Posted November 24, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 24, 2017 Is the restaurant opened? Their FB web site says they are open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmaclean Posted November 24, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 24, 2017 we’re making a stop in St. Martin in Feb 2018 and are wondering about the condition of Maho Beach? And is there much air traffic in and out of the airport? Go to sunset bar and grill FB page....pictures of beach looking good! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted November 25, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Maho had plenty of sand in January 2017 - it has always amazed me how quickly the sand returns after a storm and turns that pile of rocks back into a beach. Most large planes - from US and Canadian cities - and occasionally from Paris and Amsterdam - arrive between noon and two PM - and, after turn-around, take off between two and four PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted November 27, 2017 #15 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Hi, just back. Not much sand left at Maho but plans are to dredge and fix the beach. The Sunset Bar is open and looks great. Definitely lighter on flights than it used to be; Air France plans to return in January though KLM is already there. Carolyn Carolyn Spencer Brown Chief Content Strategist Cruise Critic PS This story, which was posted last week, may answer some questions: Live From St. Maarten -- https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8225 Brilliant. We will probably see you there! The one question I still have is 'how much sand is left?' I know most of it was washed away with Maria and I am hoping that at least some will be back by the time we get there. Being sandblasted by a jet taking off is part of the experience of Maho Beach. Being pebble or rock blasted does not sound like something I would enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMH Posted November 29, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Hi, just back. Not much sand left at Maho but plans are to dredge and fix the beach. The Sunset Bar is open and looks great. Definitely lighter on flights than it used to be; Air France plans to return in January though KLM is already there. PS This story, which was posted last week, may answer some questions: Live From St. Maarten -- https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8225 Thanks Caroline and great article by the way. At least they are making strides in the right direction in regards to Maho Beach and the sand. Hopefully there will be enough sand there to enjoy both the beach and the plane(s) at the end of December when we visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCowboy9 Posted December 1, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 1, 2017 you can always check the Maho Beach Cam: http://www.mahobeachcam.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satbeachbill Posted December 1, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 1, 2017 you can always check the Maho Beach Cam: http://www.mahobeachcam.com This angle doesn't show the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCowboy9 Posted December 1, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Before the hurricane, they had it pointing at the beach. You can still see the planes come in -- anyway, looks like a beautiful day in St Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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