This is the first time we’ve had so many consistent days of heavy wind, very rough surf with little to no sun accompanied by heavy downpours throughout the day and night.

We’ve had zero beach time, with minimal pool time. The only thing I can report on is our meals we’ve shared with friends.

DAY 3, SUNDAY NIGHT: Dinner was at Secrets Seafood Restaurant last night for a party of 7. The road to get there is a one way so you need to make a right by the Dutch police station. The restaurant has a small dirt parking area directly across the street. From what we observed street parking is though as it’s a residential area with homeowner already parked on street.

Servers were pleasant. Atmosphere is basic open area restaurant on the waterside. They have a full service bar with a few seats at bar. Large dining area with art work on some of the back walls. They have a gender neutral bathroom around the back of bar which was clean.

There was one other party of dinners and a couple doing a take out order during our visit. The other party was larger than ours maybe 12 ppl which did slightly affect service. [I made reservations via WhatsApp. Received several chats to confirm before I was back in a WiFi area to respond.]

They have a very large lobster tank with 1 lb and up. I requested a 3 lb which came in at $66 on bill . Market price was $21.95/lb. Waitress weighed lobster in front of me but between the wind and me not be able to see the lines on the scale too well I had to be satisfied that my lobster was in the range I requested. Two sides come with each meal. I selected Cole slaw and a side salad. I ordered my lobster grilled although boiled and Thermidor ($10 extra) were also an option. It was moist with a nice light grill flavor. Salad with balsamic dressing was good. Cole slaw ok. Other side options available are: fries, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, fried plantains, rice and peas and a macaroni pie. Side portions were generous.

Four of our friends ordered the salmon dish with lemon butter on the side. Creole style was also an option. One friend got the steak which he said was tasty although it was very thin. [15% service charged added to bill]

Day 4, MONDAY
Today was not a beach day. Options for lunch were limited because restaurants are either closed on Mondays or some hadn’t reopened yet because of storm.

Astra was a very good choice. We were out of the wind and no rain while we dined. During lunch they offer a brunch, lunch and dinner menu so lots of options.

Tuna tartare was excellent. Fresh tuna with sesame seeds and cilantro with a few micogreens and light soy with pickled ginger on side.

Lollipop chicken app with fries for one friend. Wings and fries very appetizing. Two had seafood soup and one had lobster bisque topped with a piece of puff pastry. I believe he had the winning soup. [15% service charged added to bill]

SIDEnote: Disappointed to learn Sandbar won’t reopen until mid November. They are behind in renovating. It’s a fun place we visit often since it opened . Also we had a great lunch last year at Roxxy which we wanted to repeat but they open the day we leave .

We hope to get to Orient tomorrow. Until then.

Sorry about the sun and rain situation but there’s still plenty of time. Your lobster sure sounds delicious.
What’s the flooding situation at the turn off onto White Sands like? It can be brutal under good weather so I can’t imagine how deep it is there right now.

Brutal, Pat. There’s a lake by the Security Booth leading into White Sands road. Flooding in the usual areas but some new spots along the road leading out before and after booth we haven’t experienced before with heavy rain.

Thanks for the nice report, unfortunately we missed the Secret Seafood House on our recent trip. Guess we'll have to go back.

Hope the weather clears up soon! Wind and rain is not fun with open air restaurants.

As Pat said, sorry about the weather, but at least there was no damage on island. How is the sand at BSV? Is there erosion?

Carol, quite a lot of beach was taken out. The waves seem to be back to normal this morning. In the last few hours, you can already see the beach coming back. There is enough room to put the lounge chairs out today.

Hoping you have a beautiful day!.

Too bad the Sandbar is closed, it sure helped us out in April, great tacos and taquitos.

Nice pictures--you look great!!!

Wingman--OK, hope the weather is better and you can enjoy that beach!

Sandbar Restaurant next to SSBB near The Morgan?

Ya closed for renovations

Louise - Thanks so much for all the great info on "weathering a bad storm" in St. Maarten the last few days. We're coming down in a few weeks and if it looked like a sideswipe from a Tropical Storm or Hurricane (like Tammy was) we would have flown down if we could too. What I really appreciated was your insight into what is open, closed, flooded etc during a storm - very helpful for us that like to travel to our favorite island at this time of year. Like Pat always warns us, the conditions can turn dangerous with slides and floods but I'm so glad the sun is out today and you can finally get some beach time. Thanks for sharing your tropical adventures, I made notes!

Hope it reopens by end of November. A fav spot for good eats and sunset Happy Hour.