OHCruisin Posted September 17, 2015 #1 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I don't know if this has already been posted. A search did not turn up anything. Meant to put this out there as soon as I returned from Oasis. We went over to Maho to watch the planes. Unfortunately, there is no longer a beach! TS Davey, or one of the tropical storms, wiped out the beach. All that's there now are mounds of boulders, preventing the road from sliding into the ocean. Sunset Bar is still there and you can watch the planes from there, but if you want to get right under them, you would have to scramble over the boulders, and I'm not even sure you would be allowed. I can't imagine anyone would want to try to hold the fence while a plane takes off; fly over the road and onto rocks. Deadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 17, 2015 #2 Share Posted September 17, 2015 We saw the same thing. Someone else told us it was a combination of TS Erika and high tide. Fortunately, there was no shortage of beer at the bar.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packedandready Posted September 17, 2015 #3 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I don't know if this has already been posted. A search did not turn up anything. Meant to put this out there as soon as I returned from Oasis. We went over to Maho to watch the planes. Unfortunately, there is no longer a beach! TS Davey, or one of the tropical storms, wiped out the beach. All that's there now are mounds of boulders, preventing the road from sliding into the ocean. Sunset Bar is still there and you can watch the planes from there, but if you want to get right under them, you would have to scramble over the boulders, and I'm not even sure you would be allowed. I can't imagine anyone would want to try to hold the fence while a plane takes off; fly over the road and onto rocks. Deadly. Bummer....DH and I were just talking last night how on our next trip to St Maarten we'd like to just spend the day there. Our cruise isn't till 2017 so maybe they will have the beach back by then. Thanks for the report, will keep watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted September 17, 2015 #4 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Bummer....DH and I were just talking last night how on our next trip to St Maarten we'd like to just spend the day there. Our cruise isn't till 2017 so maybe they will have the beach back by then. Thanks for the report, will keep watching. They replace the sand at Maho beach almost every year. Last time we visited, the sand trucks were dumping sand all day long. And then one of them accidentally dumped his load in the entry lane of that little 2 lane divided road over to the bar. It created a huge back up of people, cars and cabs trying to get over to the bar. Fortunately, we were on our way back to the ship. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaribbeanCrush Posted September 17, 2015 #5 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Bummer....DH and I were just talking last night how on our next trip to St Maarten we'd like to just spend the day there. Our cruise isn't till 2017 so maybe they will have the beach back by then. Thanks for the report, will keep watching. We're planning a cruise for Jan. 2017. Hope there is a beach to go to there as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 17, 2015 #6 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Unfortunately, Maho is not a very good beach and certainly you would not want to plan to spend your entire day there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkelman Posted September 17, 2015 #7 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I will be departing on the Oasis in 2 days, with a stop in St. Martin. We will be renting an ATV and will pass right by there and I will report back and may take pics too for y'all. Since we are renting and ATV, as we have done in the past, we will visit multiple destinations around the island. For the folks who make an entire excursion out of only going to Maho, I am sure that they will appreciate your thread so they can adjust their plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonvoyagebites Posted September 17, 2015 #8 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I LOVE Maho. Went there once and had a great time. Sad to hear the sand is gone, I would love to go back. http://www.bonvoyagebites.com/2015/05/st-maarten-princess-juliana-airport-landings-and-takeoff-at-maho-beach/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted September 17, 2015 #9 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Unfortunately, Maho is not a very good beach and certainly you would not want to plan to spend your entire day there. I was thinking this but was hesitant to say this until I read your comment. I will just agree with you. If you took the aspect of the airport away, I feel it would be an incredibly disappointing destination. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony O Posted September 17, 2015 #10 Share Posted September 17, 2015 When I was there in August in talking with the locals it was no big deal to them. Most said what the ocean takes the ocean gives back. There were still lots of people the on the beach and in the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setsail Posted September 17, 2015 #11 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Bummer....DH and I were just talking last night how on our next trip to St Maarten we'd like to just spend the day there. Our cruise isn't till 2017 so maybe they will have the beach back by then. Thanks for the report, will keep watching. Not to worry, you DH will love the bar http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=242774&d=1345492871 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_G Posted September 17, 2015 #12 Share Posted September 17, 2015 When I was there in August in talking with the locals it was no big deal to them. Most said what the ocean takes the ocean gives back.There were still lots of people the on the beach and in the water That's what we were told. The change in seasonal weather patterns brings the sand back by December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roe2ship Posted September 17, 2015 #13 Share Posted September 17, 2015 It was the same way last year in August. I have to say even with the beach/sand there, it is so small and the entire atmosphere is far from a relaxing day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmy Posted September 17, 2015 #14 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I have had this experience a few times. I have been trying to check out the webcam at Sunset Bar at Maho but it is offline and has been for a bit. I was there in Feb and in April...lots of and to sit on the beach and my sister was there in May with plenty of beach. I too about this time of year have experienced all the rocks on previous visits. Agree not the best of the beautiful St Maarten beaches to spend the day on a beach chair. Mullet Bay walking distance away is a good choice first then walk to watch some planes arrive. Interested in this info as we will be there in St Maarten in October. Thanks for posting as I was not sure of the beach coniditions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Life is Good Cruising Posted September 17, 2015 #15 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Here's a picture that was taken last week of **NO** sand at Maho Beach. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47708210&posted=1#post47708210 Edited September 17, 2015 by Life is Good Cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sealeggs Posted September 18, 2015 #16 Share Posted September 18, 2015 When I was there in August in talking with the locals it was no big deal to them. Most said what the ocean takes the ocean gives back.There were still lots of people the on the beach and in the water Yeah we were there in October 2012 and the taxi driver told us the same thing. every other time we have been there it was May or June. There was still sand. It does come back in later in the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigque Posted September 18, 2015 #17 Share Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) We went there in October 2010 as a stop on our tour with Bernard's Tours. The beach was like that back then also but all we were going there for was to see the planes and to grab a bite to eat as we already spent time at Orient Beach. Myself and others that were there stood on a median on the road (Between the beach and the runway) where the planes come right over your head to take pictures and videos since we couldn't go down to the beach! :cool: Edited September 18, 2015 by bigque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2cruise56 Posted September 19, 2015 #18 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Unfortunately, Maho is not a very good beach and certainly you would not want to plan to spend your entire day there. Don't most people go there for the planes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Hill Posted September 19, 2015 #19 Share Posted September 19, 2015 We spent 10 minutes at Maho Beach & that was probably 7 minutes longer than we needed. I really don't see the attraction, 1 bar, shady looking casino parking lot, falling down buildings, a busy road & a bunch of rocks with planes flying overhead. To each there own.:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mac_tlc Posted September 19, 2015 #20 Share Posted September 19, 2015 OK, I'll take the bait.... We spent our entire day there in early August. Beach was there then. Got chairs and umbrellas right near Sunset Bar and Grill. The water was wonderful, not very crowded. Lunch at the Sunset was excellent, and the planes are fun to watch. Just grabbed a cab at the port, for $9/pp had a nice ride over with a great driver who gave us a semi-tour along the way. I'm not interested in sitting in the sun, so this is a great place for us. All 6 of us enjoyed it thoroughly and i suspect we'll go back next time we are there. mac_tlc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marci22 Posted September 19, 2015 #21 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Here's a picture that was taken last week of **NO** sand at Maho Beach.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47708210&posted=1#post47708210 Wow, I have never seen it like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle John Posted September 19, 2015 #22 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Have gone to Maho a few times and sometimes there was a beach other times they sent it out to get cleaned and just rocks. Still nice to relax at Sunset, grab a table with friends and watch the planes and surf. Great food, fun watching people ignore the warning signs and getting sand blasted from the jet wash then say OH! that's why you should not stand here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgon1 Posted September 19, 2015 #23 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I can't imagine anyone would want to try to hold the fence while a plane takes off; fly over the road and onto rocks. Deadly. But . . . There is no doubt in my mind that SOMEONE will try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmy Posted September 20, 2015 #24 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Latest Photo of Maho from today a very short while ago. Asked a friend to check it out for me. No beach adjacent Sunset Bar and Grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffynimrod Posted September 22, 2015 #25 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I'll be at Maho in Jan of 2017. Has the sand come and gone regularly in the past? Should I expect sand in January? This has me concerned as being on the beach watching the planes come in is the reason for choosing this itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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