TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Snorkeling Happy Bay ?

I just purchased new mask that go over your whole face and can't wait to try them out! We typical go to Orient but last visit discovered happy bay. What's your favorite place to snorkel? Also, has anyone rented fins from pack light before. we have them but boy do the add weight and bulk to your suitcase.

What mask did you buy? We are also looking at buying this style of mask and not sure what one to go with???

Happy Bay is nice. Last time we went we came across sea turtles among-st the rocks...we startled each other. The new masks are becoming quite popular. I have seen people loving them and others struggling. I probably still prefer my Scuba mask and a quality snorkel with a dry top. (Easy to adjust position). I don't scuba any more and don't use full on fins. Instead my wife and I bought short swim fins. Easy to pack & light and they do the trick in light/calm conditions.

We stay at Simpson Bay resort for our visits, and believe it or not we find some of the best snorkeling right off their small beach (shared with Flamingo). You have to swim out about 100 yards, but you will be rewarded. Use the point to the left of the beach as your starting point and swim straight out. (if the yellow or red surf flags are out...the current will work against you so use caution.) Otherwise on a calm day its great. Also if you swim just off the swim buoy line (Ocean side) You may be rewarded with a big ball of bait fish. If you hang around the ball long enough you will most likely see a barracuda or 2 lurking at the bottom of the ball.

I just bought the Tribord easy breath mask and Cressi Palau Short Snorkeling Swim Fins. I've packed them in my carry on already and they fit in there well and don't take up much room. We are arriving in 12 days and also want to try out Happy Bay at some point. I know there is a trail from Fryer's Bay, but i also heard that you can park near a gate where Danny the chair guy goes in. Which way do you go, and is one better than the other? Thanks
Note, The road name is Rue Happy Bay i believe.

we always carry our snorkel bag whenever we travel to the caribbean...masks/snorkels/inflatable vests/fins for 2...the bag goes inside a large suitcase we check, which also includes our "liquids"

i enjoy snorkeling along the right hand side (as you look out towards water) of Happy Bay

started noticing those full face masks during our last couple of trips...i assumed they were just some euro children's toy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />...didn't realize until later that they're actually considered to be pretty decent <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Please post the results on how well the masks work. I was curious if they fogged up more than the regular dive mask.

If you want to know how they work, you can go on Amazon and search for 'Tribord Easybreath Snorkeling Mask'. There are over 1,000 reviews of them and they have a 4-1/2 rating out of 5.

We only went once and walked the trail through Friars. I saw a post about the second option. And was thinking I'd check it out. They trail isn't bad though

Well if you try the other entry, please let us know how it goes. Me and the wife are going to try one or the other! Have fun!

Isn't there some sort of Rock N Roll festival going on at HB?

Yes there is. It appears to be March 15th thru 19th I hope its cleaned up by the end of March! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

We'll be snorkeling Happy Bay on Monday April 10th. Anyone else going to be there then?

We have the full face masks and have used them for two years. You just have to make sure the seal is tight on your face. I wouldn't go back to the other "old fashioned" kind. This year the sea was too rough for good snorkeling though. :-(

Please post a report of any changes made at Happy Bay as a result of the festival. One publication wrote about several things they were doing. I think they mentioned upgrading Danny's beach bar, remodeling some the houses and clearing an area for parking.

I recommend some anti fog drops. Two drops before you snorkel and you never will have the problem. 5 buck bottle will last you years.... Spit works in a pinch too ;-)

Baby shampoo works great. Won't sting the eyes.

so does toothpaste !

Tooth paste is usually used to scrub the silicone residue of the lens from the manufacture. The abrasive and soapy consistency would leave me to believe it would cause irritation to the eyes. Great to use on a new pair before using but I would stick with Johnson baby shampoo for anti fogging after the initial scrubbing.

toothpaste (regular, not gel) to clean/prep new mask....afterwards, 500 PSI anti-fog works for me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

You put toothpaste and let it dry , then you rinse it and no irritation for your eyes at all, believe me !

So hey! Just got back from happy bay. We took the trail. The devil you know and I like the excerise. they are cleaning up the remnants of the festival. Should be done soon.
WABID thanks for the tip on Simpson.

The mask works great and is nice for lazy Daisy surface snorkeling. But you can't equalize your ears so going for then 6 feet could hurt. And if you dive and attempt to breath(I tried to see if water would come in) you will regret it makes the mask super tight. Overall though quiet pleased.
Saw a spotted ray at Orient!

Thanks for the report on the beach. Does it look like there will be any permanent improvements from the festival?

Not that I can see. Except that it appears that more people are using the service entrance. I can't imagine carrying a cooler through the trail

OK, thanks. To me, that is good news, since most people who go to Happy Bay, go there because there is nothing there.