TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Long lease of land near Sunset Bar

Link

Wonder where they are talking about exactly? Surely not on Maho Beach??

And an editorial LINK

Some time ago Sidholm was talking about a marina. Could it be that?

Don't know. I thought pretty much everyone said that was a HORRIBLE idea, due to the tides, etc.

They did.

Pretty sure this is exactly what they are trying to push through while the government is in caretaker status. The article mentions Nature Foundation not being in agreement.

But won't happen .

Lesley, nothing would surprise me.

I am sure they will do what is best for their pocketbooks....I mean the people and country.

There are rumors this maybe a dolphinarium or swim-with dolphin facility.

Hope not.

That was one of the rumors a while ago, but keeping dolphins in that area, with the tides there, would be really stupid. And as far as I know, there is still a lot of sentiment against any dolphinarium in SXM.

Just saw a link to this article posted by the Nature Foundation, which makes me think that's the idea.

https://naturefoundationsxm.org/202...Nfh_thKCoazVkbg7sxhXGegb-yw8aoTjA86eNS18

Appreciate the link but please, Georgia, say it isn’t so. We fought that battle years ago and I had hoped it was over and done with and the idea of a dolphinarium on St. Martin - either side - was finished. But I guess, if someone in power on the island with enough political clout can figure out a way to make a fast buck, then nothing is off limits.

Instead of ‘Free Willy’ should we be taking up the chant to ‘Free Flipper’ instead? I’m all in......Dolphins are best seen in their natural environment if one is lucky enough to have that experience but they should always be free.

I don't think that was Ray's plan, could have changed by I think he wanted high level yacht moorage and high end on land businesses to support that. At least that is what I remember from his initial designs at Caravanserai. I would also don't think that location would work well for it but I have been wrong before! I hope they do nothing in that area that reaches out into the ocean from shore, it is all just one storm surge from being wiped out.

I hope I'm wrong; it just seems too much of a coincidence for the Nature Foundation to publish this right about the same time as the lease is being discussed.

The only reality is that he purchased the very big property that's next to his own and this has a total water front area.

Lesley--he has purchased the area that we currently know as Maho beach?

No not Maho Beach Carol. Next to Algeria there was a big old building formerly owned by a Mr. Connor and his Family later sold it to a old Italian couple and now Ray has bought it . The building has been flattened . Maho Beach is public property.

Ok, thanks, Lesley.

I believe the tides are negligible in St. Maarten. Waves however is another story.