TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin happy bay from club orient

best way to get there and safest place to park

Go to Friar's Bay. Park there. At end of beach see path for Happy Bay. Wear sneakers cause it's a hike.

Don't take a lot a valuables with you on the hike to Happy Bay. A short hike, and worth it.

Take a right on the main road out of Orient. Follow that past Grand Case. There are (at least) two routes you can take. You can turn right just past the athletic fields (there is a TEENY sign for Happy Bay), follow the gravel road to a gate and park. Hike up the short hill and you'll find Happy Bay just beyond that. As another person mentioned, you can go to Friar's Bay, a little farther down the road, and park in a more "secure" lot (although, I've heard that the folks at the cafe at Friar's Bay will try to run you off if you're not dining there), then head to the right over a little path to Happy Bay. It's lovely - you may encounter any number of things from nude sunbathers to skinny cows and goats!!

The first two times we went to Happy Bay, I made it a point to buy a beer at the bar at Friar's Bay and ask if it was OK to leave our car for a few hours. Both times, the bartender looked at me as if he didn't understand why I would ask. So the last time, we just parked and walked. The car was fine, but that was also on a busy day with a more crowded parking lot. I'm assuming it's hard to tell who is a customer and who isn't.

I'm glad to read that. The other parking situation by the gate can be a little daunting!

We always arrive on the road from Hell and park near the recycle dumpsters near the open sewer pond...never a space issue

Description is a bit grody I guess..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

thanks for info,,,two more question ,,,is there anyplace to rent chairs and umbrella,,,can you get lunch at friars bay or happy bay

I always park at Friars Beach and walk over to Happy. I have never had an issue with parking. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

You can rent chairs and buy lunch from Danny at Happy Bay. No umbrellas. Most people try to get under the sea grapes for shade.

thanks for info again,,,,be there 7-14

Watch for ants back by the sea grapes. Saw a bunch of them each time we visited