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

Want to go Thursday. Before we walked up a closed road directly to Happy Bay. Is this currently still walkable or is it better to walk over from Friars? What is distance from Friars to Happy Bay

I know the road you are referring to, but I can't say whether or not you can still walk this to Happy Bay Beach. I believe that road is called Happy Bay Rue. This is a bit of a 'hike' from Grand Case, but worth the walk IMO. However, it is easier to walk to this beach from the northern end of Friar's Bay Beach, and it's less than a half mile from that point. Unless you take a wrong turn along the way, the walk is about 15 to 20 minutes with sneakers on!

Ok no flip flops then

yes you can still walk from there, we went today ! there was two groups of students there for a while.... first time we saw that ! other than that , a few people only on the beach !

How old were the students? When we were there last April, two women marched a group of preschoolers through the beach and acted surprised, and mad at what she saw!

And did you cover up?

Just returned from the island. Did Happy Bay twice. Walked in on the road. Gate is locked. The wall is no longer there--just rubble. Easy stroll to the water.

Thanks

Was covered up, but she was giving a lot of people the business all the way down the beach!

Has Danny been there on a regular basis?

Lucky she didn't call the Gendarmes. It's been known to happen. Thank you for covering up.

The use of Happy Bay as a clothing optional beach is so widely spoken about of late that I wonder if many people don’t understand that technically speaking, it really isn’t clothing optional at all? Its been said, but not nearly often enough, people need to be respectful of the fact that not ALL French beaches are co and not all the islanders appreciate the undressed beach goers.

Fortunately for those who do wish to practice the clothing optional experience, Orient is the one tried and true place to do so and be guaranteed a good experience without any awkward situations but anywhere else on the French side of the island they might encounter people who are less appreciative of the practice and who might raise opposition and objections to the practice. And even Orient is Clothing Optional as opposed to being a mandatory Nude beach.

As has been said, we have to be respectful of the people of the Island. It’s their home and we are their guests and should act accordingly. Easy enough to cover up if families or groups of school kids are there and I’m sure people do, and once they leave, it’s yours to enjoy as you like again.

he was there yesterday !

I would say the students were in their early teens !

Ah yes, they were much older! Is the beach itself in good shape? any hazardous debris?

The beach is still very beautiful and clean!!! The only thing is that there are less palm trees so less shadow !

Thanks for the report. Hope you had a great trip! We hope to return next year.

Yes still beautiful there. Funny co story. My husband was exercising his option. I noticed a family with 3 young children. Told my husband so he could resuit but then noticed Dad in family was naked and Mom only wearing bottoms. Had a laugh. Danny was there but drinks only but said he planned to have food tomorrow

I love these kind of stories, Beachnut. Takes me back a few years ago when I was 'strolling' north on Orient Beach to rejoin my wife who laying out on the other side of Pedro's. I was getting in one last 'au natural' walk when I see this young mother and two small children emerging from the sea where she had obviously been giving them swimming lessons. It was clear that our paths were about to cross, so for a brief moment I thought about taking a hard right and going into the water to avoid them. But, things happened so fast the next thing I knew she was right in front of me with her two little ones, smiled, and the three of them headed for their chairs. None of them had swimsuits on. At that moment I realized (again) that this was the thing that truly makes St. Martin unique. Regardless of what your standards are, how young or old you are, whatever approach you choose on places like Orient Beach and Happy Bay Beach are up to you and are generally accepted. Thanks for sharing your story!

Another great day at happy bay. Less is more!

This marks the last of 5 days at this lovely beach.
My wife and our boys and I will be back again!!

Haha guess that was you and your family. Enjoy. Do u stay near Happy Bay

Rented a hillside villa for the week. Very nice time!!

Can u give contact info for your rental

I sent you a private message with the link.

Stmartinblue.com

And well she should. Happy bay is more of a local beach and not C/O.