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Snorkeling Happy Bay ? #124462
03/17/2017 08:48 AM
03/17/2017 08:48 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
hortack1 Offline OP
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hortack1  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
I just purchased new mask that go over your whole face and can't wait to try them out! We typical go to Orient but last visit discovered happy bay. What's your favorite place to snorkel? Also, has anyone rented fins from pack light before. we have them but boy do the add weight and bulk to your suitcase.

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Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124463
03/17/2017 08:57 AM
03/17/2017 08:57 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 107
London, Ontario
mika Offline
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mika  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 107
London, Ontario
What mask did you buy? We are also looking at buying this style of mask and not sure what one to go with???

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: mika] #124464
03/17/2017 09:21 AM
03/17/2017 09:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 203
Wisconsin
W
wabid Offline
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wabid  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 203
Wisconsin
Happy Bay is nice. Last time we went we came across sea turtles among-st the rocks...we startled each other. The new masks are becoming quite popular. I have seen people loving them and others struggling. I probably still prefer my Scuba mask and a quality snorkel with a dry top. (Easy to adjust position). I don't scuba any more and don't use full on fins. Instead my wife and I bought short swim fins. Easy to pack & light and they do the trick in light/calm conditions.

We stay at Simpson Bay resort for our visits, and believe it or not we find some of the best snorkeling right off their small beach (shared with Flamingo). You have to swim out about 100 yards, but you will be rewarded. Use the point to the left of the beach as your starting point and swim straight out. (if the yellow or red surf flags are out...the current will work against you so use caution.) Otherwise on a calm day its great. Also if you swim just off the swim buoy line (Ocean side) You may be rewarded with a big ball of bait fish. If you hang around the ball long enough you will most likely see a barracuda or 2 lurking at the bottom of the ball.

Last edited by wabid; 03/17/2017 09:24 AM.
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124465
03/17/2017 10:16 AM
03/17/2017 10:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
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SXMbeacher  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
I just bought the Tribord easy breath mask and Cressi Palau Short Snorkeling Swim Fins. I've packed them in my carry on already and they fit in there well and don't take up much room. We are arriving in 12 days and also want to try out Happy Bay at some point. I know there is a trail from Fryer's Bay, but i also heard that you can park near a gate where Danny the chair guy goes in. Which way do you go, and is one better than the other? Thanks
Note, The road name is Rue Happy Bay i believe.

Last edited by SXMbeacher; 03/17/2017 02:02 PM.


Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124466
03/17/2017 01:18 PM
03/17/2017 01:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Sugar Land, Tx
I
IslandBoi Offline
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IslandBoi  Offline
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I
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Sugar Land, Tx
we always carry our snorkel bag whenever we travel to the caribbean...masks/snorkels/inflatable vests/fins for 2...the bag goes inside a large suitcase we check, which also includes our "liquids"

i enjoy snorkeling along the right hand side (as you look out towards water) of Happy Bay

started noticing those full face masks during our last couple of trips...i assumed they were just some euro children's toy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />...didn't realize until later that they're actually considered to be pretty decent <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />


[Linked Image]
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: IslandBoi] #124467
03/17/2017 02:35 PM
03/17/2017 02:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Online content
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o2bnsxm  Online Content
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Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
Please post the results on how well the masks work. I was curious if they fogged up more than the regular dive mask.

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: o2bnsxm] #124468
03/17/2017 03:33 PM
03/17/2017 03:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry Online content
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ChiTownHarry  Online Content
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Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
If you want to know how they work, you can go on Amazon and search for 'Tribord Easybreath Snorkeling Mask'. There are over 1,000 reviews of them and they have a 4-1/2 rating out of 5.


--ChiTownHarry
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: mika] #124469
03/17/2017 03:55 PM
03/17/2017 03:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
hortack1 Offline OP
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hortack1  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMbeacher] #124470
03/17/2017 03:58 PM
03/17/2017 03:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
hortack1 Offline OP
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hortack1  Offline OP
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NJ
We only went once and walked the trail through Friars. I saw a post about the second option. And was thinking I'd check it out. They trail isn't bad though

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124471
03/18/2017 04:41 PM
03/18/2017 04:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
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SXMbeacher  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
Well if you try the other entry, please let us know how it goes. Me and the wife are going to try one or the other! Have fun!

Last edited by SXMbeacher; 03/18/2017 04:51 PM.
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMbeacher] #124472
03/18/2017 05:21 PM
03/18/2017 05:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Offline
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SXMBND  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
Isn't there some sort of Rock N Roll festival going on at HB?

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMBND] #124473
03/18/2017 05:53 PM
03/18/2017 05:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
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SXMbeacher  Offline
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Posts: 656
Maine
Yes there is. It appears to be March 15th thru 19th I hope its cleaned up by the end of March! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />



Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMbeacher] #124474
03/18/2017 07:05 PM
03/18/2017 07:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 192
Columbia, SC, USA
DandM29212 Offline
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DandM29212  Offline
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Posts: 192
Columbia, SC, USA
We'll be snorkeling Happy Bay on Monday April 10th. Anyone else going to be there then?


[Linked Image]
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: DandM29212] #124475
03/18/2017 08:02 PM
03/18/2017 08:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
joyonthebeach Offline
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joyonthebeach  Offline
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Posts: 176
Nebraska
We have the full face masks and have used them for two years. You just have to make sure the seal is tight on your face. I wouldn't go back to the other "old fashioned" kind. This year the sea was too rough for good snorkeling though. :-(


Don't Postpone JOY
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMbeacher] #124476
03/19/2017 07:44 AM
03/19/2017 07:44 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 785
East Texas
Jaybird Offline
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Jaybird  Offline
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Posts: 785
East Texas
Quote
SXMbeacher said:
Yes there is. It appears to be March 15th thru 19th I hope its cleaned up by the end of March! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Please post a report of any changes made at Happy Bay as a result of the festival. One publication wrote about several things they were doing. I think they mentioned upgrading Danny's beach bar, remodeling some the houses and clearing an area for parking.

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: o2bnsxm] #124477
03/19/2017 08:59 AM
03/19/2017 08:59 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 203
Wisconsin
W
wabid Offline
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wabid  Offline
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Wisconsin

I recommend some anti fog drops. Two drops before you snorkel and you never will have the problem. 5 buck bottle will last you years.... Spit works in a pinch too ;-)


Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: wabid] #124478
03/19/2017 11:39 AM
03/19/2017 11:39 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Baby shampoo works great. Won't sting the eyes.

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMScubaman] #124479
03/19/2017 02:25 PM
03/19/2017 02:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
extreme Offline
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extreme  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
so does toothpaste !





Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: extreme] #124480
03/19/2017 04:03 PM
03/19/2017 04:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Tooth paste is usually used to scrub the silicone residue of the lens from the manufacture. The abrasive and soapy consistency would leave me to believe it would cause irritation to the eyes. Great to use on a new pair before using but I would stick with Johnson baby shampoo for anti fogging after the initial scrubbing.

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: wabid] #124481
03/19/2017 11:40 PM
03/19/2017 11:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Sugar Land, Tx
I
IslandBoi Offline
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IslandBoi  Offline
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Posts: 538
Sugar Land, Tx
toothpaste (regular, not gel) to clean/prep new mask....afterwards, 500 PSI anti-fog works for me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by IslandBoi; 03/19/2017 11:42 PM.

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Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMScubaman] #124482
03/20/2017 08:27 AM
03/20/2017 08:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
extreme Offline
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extreme  Offline
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Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
You put toothpaste and let it dry , then you rinse it and no irritation for your eyes at all, believe me !

Last edited by extreme; 03/20/2017 08:28 AM.
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: wabid] #124483
03/28/2017 05:24 PM
03/28/2017 05:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Auburn, WA

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: SXMScubaman] #124484
03/29/2017 12:39 AM
03/29/2017 12:39 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
hortack1 Offline OP
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hortack1  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
So hey! Just got back from happy bay. We took the trail. The devil you know and I like the excerise. they are cleaning up the remnants of the festival. Should be done soon.
WABID thanks for the tip on Simpson.

The mask works great and is nice for lazy Daisy surface snorkeling. But you can't equalize your ears so going for then 6 feet could hurt. And if you dive and attempt to breath(I tried to see if water would come in) you will regret it makes the mask super tight. Overall though quiet pleased.
Saw a spotted ray at Orient!

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124485
03/29/2017 08:04 AM
03/29/2017 08:04 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report on the beach. Does it look like there will be any permanent improvements from the festival?


Carol Hill
Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: Carol_Hill] #124486
03/31/2017 08:42 AM
03/31/2017 08:42 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
hortack1 Offline OP
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hortack1  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
NJ
Not that I can see. Except that it appears that more people are using the service entrance. I can't imagine carrying a cooler through the trail

Re: Snorkeling Happy Bay ? [Re: hortack1] #124487
03/31/2017 09:11 AM
03/31/2017 09:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
OK, thanks. To me, that is good news, since most people who go to Happy Bay, go there because there is nothing there.


Carol Hill

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