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We just got back a few weeks ago and are looking for a return trip. We are thinking of booking a last-minute trip in August a few days before leaving so long as the weather is fine. I have heard because of hurricanes August is a good time for vacation. I know the owner of l’atelier in OV is closed in August. How is the village at orient during this time?

Guess I didn't need to worry at all. The beaches back home in RI are puny in comparison.

Looking forward to this.
"🇬🇷 Are you ready, St. Maarten? 🇸🇽
Get ready to shout OPA! 🎉

For the first time ever, the iconic Maho Strip will welcome a brand-new, first-of-its-kind culinary experience:
OPA GREEK TAVERNA – opening this upcoming season!

Indulge in authentic Greek flavors and island vibes with dishes like:

- Tzatziki
- Gyros
- Moussaka
- Souvlaki
- Baklava

And so much more!

A true Mediterranean escape, right in the heart of Maho.

Stay tuned for the official opening date....aiming for December 1st 2025."

There's your next project on your next trip over.😁

Used an RTI cooler this past May. Used dry ice and everything stayed frozen for 40 hours.

I showed the agent the printed form as well as e mail on phone He kept wanting a QR CODE which does not exist Sometimes a clerk is a jerk! Btw never been asked for confirmation on any previous trip since registration started. Also since my wife was in a wheel chair, we went straight to immigraton booth got passports stamped and done,,,,skipped kiosks altogether

scuba...i also have driven the roads for over thirty years and know where most are...but as i age, i don't see 'em quite like i used too. I have said for years, a little white paint on 'em would solve a lot of extra jolts.

I know this was discussed in a prior post but here is the full yext of the law. I'm just the messenger so be kind.

"Effective today — Sunday, June 29, 2025 — a major public health shift has taken effect in France and all its territories. Smoking is now banned in dozens of public outdoor spaces, from the beaches of Guadeloupe to the parks of Paris.
🔥 This is urgent. The ban is live now — and the penalties are real.
You can no longer smoke:
🏖 On beaches (like Sainte-Anne in Guadeloupe or Nice on the Riviera)
🌳 In public parks (from Champ de Mars in Paris to Botanical Garden in Fort-de-France, Martinique)
🚏 At bus stops, tram stops, and train platforms (Hexagone + Outre-mer)
🏫 Near schools, libraries, stadiums, swimming pools — within a 10-meter radius
The law covers all of France, including:
🇫🇷 Mainland cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille...
🏝 Overseas territories:
Caribbean: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy
Indian Ocean: La Réunion, Mayotte
Pacific: New Caledonia, French Polynesia (like Tahiti, Bora Bora), Wallis and Futuna
North Atlantic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
> “Where there are children, there must be no tobacco,” said Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. “A beach, a park, a school — these are places to breathe, not to smoke.”
⚠️ Break the rule? Get fined.
🚓 Violators face:
A 135-euro fine (standard)
Up to 750 euros in aggravated cases
The Ministry of Health has confirmed enforcement starts immediately, though a brief "awareness" period will be allowed in some places.
❌ Vaping is NOT included — yet.
E-cigarettes remain legal in public spaces under this law — a point that’s already drawing criticism from anti-tobacco advocates. “Flavored vapes are bait for kids,” said Yves Martinet of the National Committee Against Tobacco.
📉 Smoking is dropping — but the government wants a smoke-free generation.
Smoking kills 75,000 people annually in France.
Passive smoke causes 3,000–5,000 deaths a year.
Only 24% of adults smoked daily in 2023 — a record low.
This law is seen as a bold push toward a smoke-free generation. And it’s just the start: the government also raised penalties for selling tobacco or vape products to minors.
If you're in Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Paris, or any part of France — this change affects you right now. Watch for new signage in your town and don’t light up where you shouldn’t."

We flew on American in May. Never asked.

OK, like it said, D's is currently clean, so Beachside should be fine.

The one i saw was a different video from different angles but similar… don't know why it popped up yesterday especially if a month old. Anyway old is good.

Yes it has, it has been widened in a few places. Patched back up a few times, but nothing drastic. I do swear some spots are the same as they were 42 years ago!!! Glad to have that giant hole repaired!!!! We almost considered having some quick set in the trunk and the minute it started raining pouring it in the hole and hope for the best!!!!

bdeeley--ok thanks. Old news, thankfully. We were there from June 4 to 15 and it was beautifully clean during that time.

No, the TP of $600I is for all boats not registered under the BVI flag. Regardless of whether private or charter. While the BVI can, and does, set fees at their own discretion, there should be some business-savvy people advising the politicians, but evidently, there aren't. Even a first-year college student learns about supply-demand curves. While I love the BVI, they should realize that cruisers and charterers have other options.

The video is posted on Beachside Villas' Facebook page. The video is dated May 25. Link below

link

I assumed it was yesterday. Thought it was unusual for them to have any thus my post. We had to make a final decision to stay with our orient reservations or jump to the boon. We rolled the dice and stayed with orient.

If it pops up again ill try to find the date/time.

I am not sure in what area the BVI charter industry is seeking parity. Their fees were already lower than USVI boats.

The premier acknowledged the seasonal saturation with cruise shippers, and said they are working with the cruise ship companies to spread the visits out throughout the year. Unlikely, since most of the boats move to the Mediterranean in summer. Also unlikely the government will restrict cruise arrivals because they are addicted to the passenger fees and beholden to the votes of taxi drivers. If they are aware of the negative impact of cruise over saturation on business, they don't care.

The fee increases were driven in part by government looking for revenue, but also by the BVI charter industry seeking parity. In addition to the revenue are issues of work permits and other regulatory burdens.

Some of the charges are increasing 600%. That might cut into the tipping!

And what do our visitors from the USVi and Puerto Rico do when they are here in the BVI's? They spend $$$ unlike cruise shippers who use our facilities and spend little ashore ( just ask the folks who have beachfront bars). If you are not a taxi driver or beach chair renter you wont get rich off them..whereas cruising boaters come ashioe for drinks, supplies and often dinner or lunch and, according to the staff, are quite generous tippers..

I was asked for the entry form confirmation when I flew on American Airlines in May. It's simple to print out or save on your phone so I would do that just to avoid any potential issues.

Kennys, that road has never been repaired for the last 30 years or more.

There's always some gate agent that didn't get the memo. I printed out our confirmation from when we did our form online, but they didn't ask for it in Miami. Better safe than sorry. What did you get at Bistrot that you didn't like? Sounds like you chased the sargassum around, but made out ok. I had to look up Oasis, as we never get to Oyster Pond anymore. Sorry we didn't wave! Toward the end of our trip, there were like 10 cats a day that sailed by..

Safe travels home.

Was that supposedly recent? As I just now looked at the webcam for D's and the beach there looks totally clean.

Zanshin, I just read the rules and it seems they apply to charter vessels, not private vessels. To what George says, the BVI government believes, and the USVI government acknowledges, that most of the US fleet depends on visiting the BVI to sustain their charters. As BVI waters have become more crowded, they want to protect the BVI marine industry.