Having read the airport briefing pages in more detail it turns out this is more realistic than I realised. OK not the head on collisions, but it’s true that YPAD uses opposing directions for takeoff and landing when weather conditions permit, in order that jets are flying over the sea rather than the city.
As can be seen from the map, the airport is wedged directly between the beach and the city centre.
Planes are quite low over West Beach, not quite Princess Juliana low mind you.