Happy Bay Beach
Happy Bay Beach
4.5
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144 within 5 kms
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74 within 10 kms
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- aumac41Dayton, Ohio25 contributionsBeautifulBeautiful secluded beach worth the 20 minute hike. There are no services there and it is a nude beach. Park at Friar’s Bay Beach and go to the far right (as you look towards the water) to find the trail.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 6, 2023
- SCMDJKWhiteAtlanta, Georgia406 contributionsWorth the short hike!It’s a quick easy hike along a narrow (sometimes rocky) path. Maybe 10-15 minutes. The path starts at the far right side of the parking lot to Friar’s Beach Club. Happy Bay Beach is a beautiful small clean uninhabited beach! Definitely worth the short hike to get there! (no naked people there today!)Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 30, 2023
- Kent CDes Moines, Iowa2 contributionsNice secluded beachAbout a 20 to 25 minute walk. Find the closed gate with happy bay spray painted on it, walk around the gate and up the paved road. When the pavement turns right. Continues straight on the dirt road down to the beach. No chairs or umbrellas available to rent. There was a small bar with good rum drinks. Cash. Total nudity seemed acceptable. Mix of families, couples and boats anchored off the beach. Easy access to the water. Make sure to take your own water, towels etc. Nice beach to visit. Worth the walk.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 5, 2024
- michellercramer2018Slidell, Louisiana17 contributionsThe bestBest beach. I love a hidden gem and this was the best beach on the island for me. Get there by parking at Friar’s Bay beach, have a drink at the beach bar then hike about 15mins up the path. We went in the morning and then again to watch the sunset. Absolutely beautiful.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
505 reviews
Excellent
320
Very good
133
Average
41
Poor
3
Terrible
8
chiro1995
Saint Cloud, MN19 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Don’t walk from Friars Bay! We did that on our first visit and it was grueling! On our second visit, we took a shorter way. When you are driving from Grand Case, take a right just after the basketball courts. After about a block you will see a big white gate. Park next to it and walk around the gate. There is a paved trail that is much easier to walk and it is about 10 minutes shorter than the Friars Bay walk. Daniel has had a hut serving ice cold beer for several years on the beach! We spent the entire time nude and chatted with other people that were nude as well. If you prefer to be textile, that is certainly acceptable so don’t feel like you have to be textile free. The sand was great and there was no seaweed. We brought our own tent and mats to relax on with our packed lunch and beer. Daniel was there when I needed more beverages! He didn’t even mind when you walked up to grab a beverage textile free. Favorite beach of the trip!
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hktaylor
11 contributions
Jun 2021
This is best known as a clothing optional beach, which is the reason I assume that people come here. We stopped here on an island tour. There wasn’t anyone on the beach at the time and once we swam ashore we understood. The beach has a lot of slick big rocks and painful smaller ones. Would not come here for the beach at all. Also there were several tour boats that showed up while we were there so I’m guessing if you came for the clothing optional part, you would get a lot of spectators.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nic S
New York City, NY71 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
When we went to St Maarten, every website and YouTube said to do the hike from Friars Beach over to Happy Beach. In our opinion, not worth it. Many of the other beaches were better. The parking at Friar on a busy day is terrible and not easy on a rental car. The hike is not terrible, but you expect to turn a corner and be in awe, but in my opinion, that awe moment never happens. I'd say to go to literally any other beach in SXM.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil D
New York City, NY26 contributions
Aug 2021
We reached this beach via a short hike from Friar's Bay Beach. There was a mixture of nude and clothed people there, with just enough naked people that we felt comfortable getting fully nude. We did some snorkeling around the shallow tock formations but saw *very* few fish. We got a little braver and snorkeled around the larger rocks on the left end of the beach and saw much more sea life! But we did get a little banged up in the process.
There's also a small stand to buy beer.
There's also a small stand to buy beer.
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobbie W
Warwick, RI1,693 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
You go to Friar’s beach and park. Go onto the beach and turn right. Follow a trail for about 15 minutes. The trail is very rocky/pebbly so rubber soles is a must. When we finally arrived on Happy Bay, the water was filled with seaweed and very rough. It was also excessively windy, so we were eating sand. The views, however, along the trail were stunning. Perhaps if the conditions were different, it would have been more enjoyable. FYI, Happy Bay is clothing optional. If you don’t intend to swim/sun nude, I’d stay at Friar’s beach.
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mattie M
Madison, WI18 contributions
Jul 2021
Well worth the short hike from Friars Bay, this lovely beach is remote and gorgeous. Surf is a little rougher but still very swimable. Keep an eye out for a massive but hidden surprise from a previous SXM Festival.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARTESTUM
Berlin, Germany206 contributions
Apr 2022
After some 10min walk through an awkward abandoned site, you reach this nice deserted beach. If you are in the mood to be alone or with friends and are packed with chairs, umbrellas, food and drinks, this is a great place to spend the day in. There is no real parking and the car should be parked on a small dirty road
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew H
Philadelphia, PA27 contributions
Mar 2023
Most idyllic beach that we experienced on St. Martin. They were setting up for a music festival that was starting, however from what I've heard, it is typically a private and secluded beach. The hike to the beach was only about 10-15 minutes and 100% worth it.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michellercramer2018
Slidell, LA17 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Best beach. I love a hidden gem and this was the best beach on the island for me. Get there by parking at Friar’s Bay beach, have a drink at the beach bar then hike about 15mins up the path. We went in the morning and then again to watch the sunset. Absolutely beautiful.
Written March 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Der K
Gulf Shores, AL4 contributions
Mar 2023
Our favorite beach is St. Martin. Great for naturist families. About half of the people on the beach are nude. Its a nice hike over the hill from friars bay. The beach is a very beautiful beach. During our stay there were young to old enjoying the beach without clothing so if this offends you or you dont want your kids to see other people nude there are many other beaches for you to enjoy in St. Martin. For those who are secure in their skin this is a must go to beach.... Bring water and shade with you!
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it still possible to walk from Grand Case Beach to Happy Bay Beach using the path behind the cemetery in Grand Case or is that walking path also closed off due to the new development? Thanks.
Written December 24, 2020
Bonjour
Sur laplage de Happy Bay Beach, il y a une statut (visage) énorme,
pouvez vous m'informer sur cette status, son origine ! ! !
Je vous remercie
Cordialement
Serge
Written January 13, 2020
Can my wife and I use the entire beach nude, or is it restricted to certain sections?
Written October 28, 2019
Use the entire beach to your heart's desire. It is still my favorite beach in the Caribbean
Written December 15, 2019
Is it possible to walk to Happy Bay Beach from Friars Bay?
Written October 26, 2019
Yes you can and I have many times. Take walking shoes, tennis, etc . I have done it in sandals but it is not advised. You will see some fenced construction materials or the sound equipment for the festivals so just go around that area.
Written October 28, 2019
I've never made it over to swim at Happy Bay as the walk over from Friars was a little to daunting for my 60+ body but was wondering if there has been any road improvements into the Happy Bay area ?
Written September 9, 2019
No, not that I know of, I always take the trail but I do believe there is a road to the condos on the hillside. But do not know the way from 'that' road to the beach.
Written September 22, 2019
How do you get to this beach from the cruise ship port?
Is there local transit?
If not how much would a can be?
Written December 12, 2018
You have to "hike" there from Frair's Bay. To get there from La Savane, turn left on Rue Happy Bay and stay left. (The access gate to Happy Bay homes is closed off; the entire neighborhood is demolished except one home). Staying left is a paved road and as soon as the road curves left, there is a dirt road you have to curb jump. A tree will split the dirt road; you'll know you're on the right path). Follow this until you get to a parking area. Immediately to the left is a walking path, follow this PAST the rocky beach and you'll come to an opening. Enjoy!
Written December 20, 2018
newexplorer1979
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Would my wife and I feel comfortable nude sunbathing at Happy Bay. We are rather new at it and want to enjoy it. We also want to swim nude in the ocean, is that a problem. Are there areas that offer privacy. What is the best day of the week to visit Happy Bay and have the beach to ourselves or at least very few people. If this is not a good beach for being nude, which ones are. Less people the better.
Written April 16, 2017
Great beach for newbies!!!! Not the weekend as locals tend to gather but during the week would be great.
Written June 8, 2017
Is there still construction going on here?
Written March 16, 2017
Yes. It wasn't clear to us exactly what was being built or how extensive it was going to be - only that the pace seemed unhurried.
Written March 16, 2017
Are there lounge chairs for rent at Happy Bay?
Written February 19, 2017
nudisttwo626262
Evanston, Illinois
Yes ask Danny at the snack shack he a few for rent.
Written June 19, 2017
I heard there was some brush clearing around the abandoned resorts in preparation for some refurbishing??? Does anyone have any info of the plans.
Written January 25, 2017
Happy bay beach is now (March 6) the site of massive construction and blaring music with a booming bass beat for the work crews. Today part of the large work crew was fencing off the center of the beach itself. I thought that was illegal in France but I guess if you know the right people it is OK. There is a huge covered stage area right off the beach that is 2 to 3 stories high, a fake sandstone head just like Kontiki has on Orient Beach and a large pavillion in the center of the worksite. Someone said it was for a music festival but there are cement mixers and fairly heavy machinery on site so it looks to be more permanent. Workmen are living in make-shift huts on the beach and (it would seem) in the unfinished houses around the edges of the beach. This was our favorite beach but now it literally looks like a disaster area.
Written March 6, 2017
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