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

Hi. We are going back to ST Martin next month for the first time since the hurricane and wondering about Happy Bay. For those who have recently been, how safe did you feel walking to Happy Bay? It's our favorite beach but I'm a little leary of going with all the reports of crime on the island. Wanted to get any thoughts and suggestions of which beaches to go or not to go.
Thanks in advance.
Sallyl

As far as "reports of crime", I am not aware that crime is really much higher than it ever has been, considering the whole island. There are certain places that I don't go after night, that we used to go to, years ago, like Marigot or Sandy Ground, but those are both situations that have been going on for some time, pre Irma. As far as Happy Bay in particular, hopefully someone who has been there recently will chime in. But standard precautions should be not to take any valuables, specifically including a phone, unless you don't plan on going in the water at the same time. No purses hanging over your shoulder, that someone could grab and run with. I generally don't carry a purse at all on island if I'm with Eric, except for a very small one and I don't wear it on my shoulder, even walking down the street in Grand Case.

We frequently go to Happy Bay and do the "over the mountain" walk....I have never felt unsafe there or enroute BUT I just take maybe $20 with me...no wallet...phone...yes. Beach stuff minimal (cooler/towels/something to lay on) and no biggie if lost and phone never kept in a bag of any kind..never had aan issue but still keep it minimal, Really not any different from the plan for any other beach Defiinetly worth the walk.....

boucharda--I guess it depends on if you have a cheapo phone you want to take to the island, as compared to your i-phone.

Love happy bay. Generally safe but we did have some friends that were rob there a year or so ago by a guy on a black scooter. When they were in the water, he stole their backpacks and disappeared. So just keep an eye out for your stuff. Luckily the police could track the phone etc and they got back some of the stuff. None of the money, car keys and ID unfortunately.

We were on the island in February and went to Happy Bay several times. We always park by the gate and walk through the old resort. Never felt unsafe but as others have said, don’t leave your stuff while you go in the water unless others are watching it for you. The beach is not as busy as others so there is more opportunity for someone to sneak in and take something.

Thanks for all your replies. Looks like there aren't any changes as to where we will park and the precautions we always take. Good to know.