Happy Bay
St. Maarten

Located on the French side of Saint Martin and tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Happy Bay is picture perfect paradise you usually see on postcards. Thanks to is favorable location on the western shores of the island where the Caribbean Sea is usually a lot calmer, it makes it an ideal beach getaway for families or anyone looking for a relaxing day with amazing views of Anguilla.

The beauty of Happy Bay lies in the fact that it can only be reached by hiking or boat, so it is never too crowded making your efforts of getting to Happy Bay worthwhile. If you have the time and means to visit Happy Bay on your vacation, then you should definitely put it on your list of things to see in St. Maarten. It won’t be too difficult to understand why many consider Happy Bay St. Maarten as the best beach on the island.

Not So Quiet Sometimes: The SXM Festival

Every year, the SXM Festival welcomes over a hundred international artists for a 5-day music marathon. The largest electronic music festival in the Caribbean takes place at different venues all over St. Maarten but Happy Bay is the epicenter of the rhythms.

During this time of the year (usually in March), Happy Bay is transformed into a dancefloor with the Arc Main Stage and the Ocean Stage. The event kind of takes away the peaceful charm of Happy Bay but the festival only lasts for a couple of days, and then the beach is restored to its natural beauty.

The colorful Hindu "Holi" Festival also takes place in Happy Bay to celebrate the end of winter. It is an event where people spray each other with powders and waters of all colors.

Apart from soaking up the sun and taking leisurely swims, there's not much to do around Happy Bay. People come here for to get away from the crowds, relax, and find their inner peace.

Hiking

This is kind of a given as you must do a short hike just to get to Happy Bay unless you arrive by boat. You can hike from either Friar’s Bay or Grand Case.

Swimming

The beaches on the western shoreline of SXM are more protected, which makes Happy Bay ideal for swimming even with smaller kids.

Snorkeling

I have tried snorkeling in Happy Bay several times but it is just not the place to do it, there is only minimal marine life. Best you can do is to swim along the shore towards Grand Case hoping to spot some tropical fish.

Beach BBQ

Since there are no restaurants around Happy Bay, you either have to bring a few sandwiches or cook for yourself on the beach.

Surfing

Happy Bay is not the place to surf except for some light bodysurfing.

Watersports

There is no watersports center in Happy Bay, not even snorkeling gear rental.

Shopping

There is absolutely nothing so don’t expect to buy souvenirs in Happy Bay.

Getting a full tan

Happy Bay also serves as a clothing-optional nudist beach in St. Maarten. Given its secluded attribute, it’s the perfect place to go all naked an get rid of your tan lines. Keep in mind though that the right side of the beach is usually frequented by families, so skinny dippers should stick to the left end of Happy Bay.

While Happy Bay itself is untouched by commercial development, there are several delightful dining options just a short distance away. For a taste of local Caribbean cuisine, head to Friar's Bay Beach Café, known for its relaxed atmosphere and live music events.
 

Grand Case, the restaurant capital of the Caribbean, is also just a short hike away where you will find close to a hundred restaurants for any taste and budget.

There are no hotels in the area anymore. There used to be one overlooking the bay but it was hit by Hurricane Luis in 1995 and then Irma finished the job in 2017. Today, it sits abandoned on the hill as a memento to the natural disasters of the past.

Today, if you want to stay near Happy Bay, your only option is to rent a villa. Alternatively, you have a lot more option in the nearby town of Grand Case.

Sea Blue Apartment Happy Bay St. Maarten

This is the cheapest apartment you can rent for about $220 USD per night. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths a full kitchen and a terrace with a private jacuzzi overlooking Happy Bay.

Ocean 5 Villa Happy Bay St. Maarten

On the other hand, Ocean 5 Villa in Happy Bay is the most expensive villa around the beach. It sits on Mt. Choisy hill. It can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 bedrooms. The infinity pool and private jacuzzi overlooking the bay ads to the luxurious atmosphere. Prices start around $2000 USD a night.

For more options, pictures, prices and reviews on villas in Happy Bay, go to Airbnb or Booking.com.

Reaching Happy Bay is part of the adventure. The beach is accessible by a 10 to 15-minute hike from Friar's Bay or Grand Case but I would recommend Friar’s Bay. The trail is relatively easy but can be a bit steep in parts, so wearing comfortable shoes is advisable.

You can also walk to the beach from La Savane neighborhood but I don’t recommend leaving your car behind unattended.
 

Once you arrive to Friar’s Bay, you need to walk to the end of the beach and look for a path going uphill around the shoreline. Follow that path and you will arrive to the left side of Happy Bay shortly.

Driving to Happy Bay

If you have your own car, punch “Friar’s Bay” into the GPS and park your car at the parking lot. Then follow the instructions above to find the trail to the path.

Public Transport to Happy Bay

Normally there is no public transport beyond Marigot, the capital of the French side. Sometimes there are local buses heading to Grand Case but they are unpredictable. If you are lucky, you can hop onto the church bus and they will take you for free.
 

If you want to go by bus to Happy Bay, then the bus will not go in the Friar’s Bay direction. You will have to get off in Grand Case, walk all the way to the left side of the beach and look for a path near the cemetery to get to Happy Bay.

Taxi to Happy Bay

If you are taking a taxi to Happy Bay, you have the choice to approach it through La Savane. The taxi driver will know where to drop you off from where it will be a 5-10 minutes easy hike to Happy Bay.

The taxi rate to Happy Bay is about $50 USD from the cruise ship terminal in Philipsburg and roughly the same from Maho Beach and Mullet Bay as well. Expect to pay $20 USD from Marigot and Grand Case and about $30-40 USD from Orient Beach, Oyster Pond or Simpson Bay.

Take a Rhino Ride Excursion to Happy Bay

Although it won’t give you too much time on the beach but if you just want to take a look at Happy Bay and have a quick swim, taking a Rhino Ride tour is your best choice. You will drive you own mini speedboat along the coastline of St. Maarten in a 2,5-hour adventure. It is the highest rated activity in St. Maarten!

Parking in Happy Bay

The best place to park if you are going to Happy Bay is at the Friar’s Bay parking lot. Do not park in the La Savane neighborhood.

Happy Bay is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of St. Maarten away from the crowded tourist spots. With its secluded beaches, it's the perfect destination for couples, families and small groups for a memorable Caribbean getaway.