𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞

"The Collectivité of St. Martin has issued a decree to temporarily ban the use of water for certain functions until further notice.

The decision was taken in consideration of the current drought as well as the weather and sea conditions impacting the production of water at Galisbay. These have led to difficulties recently in providing enough drinking water on daily for the population and the need to ensure sufficient stock for hygiene and public health.

Until further notice the watering of lawns, flowers, trees, shrubs and kitchen gardens is banned, as is the emptying and filling of swimming pools. Washing of cars is also banned except vehicles used for medical reasons, food transport and vehicles used for security.

These conditions will be adjusted or lifted according to stabilisation of water production. This order is executed under the authority of the Director General of Services (DGS), Chief of Territorial Police, and Chief of the Fire Brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers).

A temporary ban has also been issued on swimming and water sport activities at Galisbay Beach from March 21 until April 3 due to the opening of the channel."

(Source: Collectivité of St. Martin)

Spending 8 nights on JVD (1 nti Ali Babas and 7 nts The Hideout), checking out on May 2, flying home May 3 departing STT at 4:53pm, which gives us some flexibility on where to spend the night of the 2nd. Our room on JVD is not available to extend our stay another night so that's out. Looking at the following options, given most places don't allow single night bookings:

Emarald Beach Resort (STT) - originally planned to stay here but reviews have gotten really bad lately, including rats running across the bed and an employee shooting another employee at the restaurant a few months ago. I'm thinking hard pass on this. Let me know if I'm wrong.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort (STT) - looks nice, although close to $450 for one night
Westin St. John - also looks nice but $500 for one night and under construction.
Wyndham Tortola - Reasonable pricing, nice looking pool, long way from both ferries
Olga's Fancy (STT) - looks like a reasonable option but would love to still be on a beach if possible.
Maria's by the Sea (Tortola) - similar to Olga's, looks nice but doesn't scream vacation.
The Heritage Inn (Tortola) - reasonable price, great views, decent restaurant, pool, not sure about distance to ferry terminals
Ali Babas (JVD) - maybe we can convince them to let us do another single night booking? Just leaves us having to take two ferries to get back to our plane on departure day
Other options with availability - Sapphire Beach Resort near Red Hook or the following places on Tortola: Lighthouse Villas, Sugar Mill, Quitos, Longbay Beach, Sebastians

What would you do? Any other suggestions?

Landing at STT at 12:55pm on a Monday in late April. Was planning to take the 2:30 ferry from Charlotte Amalie (CA) to RoadTown (RT) and then taxi to West End and catch the 6:00 to JVD. Now they've changed the schedule and the CA to RT ferry leaves at 2:00. If our flight is on time, are we still better off trying to make the 2:00 from CA or should we go for the 2:30 out of Red Hook and hopefully catch the 4:00 to JVD?

If our flight is late and we miss both of the above, which gives a better chance of still making the 6:00 from West End ... 4:00 from CA or 5:00 from Red Hook? I know both of them would be cutting it really close.

Hello,

We are heading down to the islands in a little over a week with our two daughters and a couple of their friends - ages 16 and 17. Does anyone know if a travel consent form will be required for their friends?

Several years ago I did a trip with my son and a few of his 16 y/o friends where we sailed from Puerto Rico to the BVIs and back. Although I got consent forms from each parent, they were not necessary and never asked for.

This time we are flying in rather than sailing in and I'm not really sure what the requirements are - if any. Can anyone comment on this?

Thank-you!

Daily Herald story

From the time the accident happened, I suspect these folks were locals, but I always shudder when tourists talk about renting quads. Be careful out there people.

Daily Herald story

I personally would love to see the cooking competition!

Eggs Benedict on the lanai. Spent day relaxing to the sound of crashing waves.

Dining was at Be Cool Marina Royal. Boardwalk around marina has finally been replaced. Lots of empty store and restaurant fronts still. But a surprising amount of people.

I had sea bass with crab. Hubby had salmon, a thick wedge cut surrounded by a light and smooth lemon sauce. We both began with their thick rich onion soup. Before that was served a creamy carrot to wet the pallet. We were too full for desert but what the lady at the next table had did look tempting, a concoction of strawberries mixed into thick cream all piled up a mile high upon some sort of sponge cake.

I took photos but not sure how to post from IPad. Will upon return home.

this is our 4th trip to the BVI but our first to Anegada. Want to spend 2 nights. Looking for suggestions on what to do and places to eat.

went to viewing platform at BSV to watch Air France and with binoculars could see 4 at least 60feet long jet ways each positioned sideways at each of the 2nd floor doors of terminal. Each guarded by vehicles with f,lashing lights, A bus unloaded some people nearby. Maybe these are workers?

I found two webcam pages from St Maarten, that are new to me. One ( #2 ) has been available for some time on another site, but this site I found has a more stable video stream.
Both webcams hosted by YouTube.

1. St Maarten Airport ( different view ) Not 24 hour live, although schedule live times are posted.

https://www.youtube.com/@721Spotter



2. Great bay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=617mHZJy-V0