its like that in hawaii, the beach is RIGHT there. thought we where landing on it
Some more photos from this really popular airport: http://rinonapo.atspace.com/sxm-stmarteen.html
The approach is real. The ILS takes you over the beach at approx 50-70 feet over the beach on your way to the threshold of the runway. Some parts of the beach are closed but for the most part, you can go anywhere. There is warning signs about the blast but its at your own risk. Also, most of the planes land over the beach and take off which is fun itself becuase you actually take off right over a mountain. Also, you see dumb asses who love to stand 20 feet from the run way and get hit with sand on the take offs.
I also heard that there was one plane that came in too low and caught the fence and dragged it down the runway. Also stories about cars getting blown over. They put a concrete divider and narrowed the road too to help prevent people from parking there.