Happy Bay

Looking for an update on Happy Bay as we are returning to SXM in late February.
1) C/O still acceptable?
2) A few years ago we had trouble with 'bush wackers' lurking around. Last year was fine - just wondering if there have been any issues lately.
3) Any change or development at Happy Bay in the last year?

Thanks,
TCKj
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Was there a month ago: Left side of the beach CO.
Didn't see any gawkers or bush lurkers.
Can't comment on developments, first time there.

Is that to the left if you are facing the water? Also are you walking in from Friar's or through the deserted resort? Last time we went in JUL 2014 all the nudes were to the right if facing the water. We walked in from Friar's. Planning to visit HB again in June.

No bush lurkers other than a few cows Ribs, rice and rum punch were great.

On another note, we thought it ridiculous that the jet ski tour purposefully parked their tour right in front of the nude group when there was clearly another option.

Yes, facing the water, near the rocks to the left.
I walked in from Friar's Bay, not familiar enough with the alternate route.

When we went on a weekday last March I don't recall seeing anyone with clothes. As far as jet ski tours parking in front of nude group...are you honestly surprised? I'd be shocked if they didn't. If I take my clothes off in a public place I'm not going to judge someone for looking...not necessarily what I want but I accept it as human nature.

Not surprised at all. We waved

My wife has to have an umbrella.Are there chairs and umbrellas for rent? If so cost?

I've seen chairs rented but no umbrellas...

kccouple
You can usually get shade from the trees to the left where Danny sets up.

Thanks all - happy to hear the 'bush whackers' may have found new hobbies or, at least, new beaches. Can't wait for February.

Were there this week, no chairs for rent but easy to find a shady spot, C/O on the right if facing the water and no weirdos in the bushes. Our favourite beach on the island!

Thanks again for all the notes - I'll assume no new construction on any of the surrounding buildings.

Last question - Danny still there daily with his ribs, chicken and punch?

No new construction. Danny is still there.

When we were there we saw naked people up and down the length of the beach. I was unaware we were supposed to keep it to the right side. oops!

I don't think there is any "correct" protocol or side, depends on who gets there first!

I've noticed the middle area to be mostly textile and both ends to be non but no defined sections

There really isn't a nude vs clothed side of the beach. It's just that people tend to gravitate to one side or the other depending on their degree of comfort. The Gendarme and Families are usually on the beach on Sat & Sun, so nudity is usually frowned upon on these days.

Hi all,
We are new to the list. We have visited Happy Bay a number of times over the past several years.
I never noticed a difference between weekends and weekdays on Happy Bay. Is this something more recent?
We arrive to SXM on Sunday and can't wait!
Jim and Amy

Traditionally, a lot of locals go to the beach on Saturday and Sunday (because they are off from work...) So, be very careful about going nude on beaches other than Club O beach on the weekend.

We are thinking about Happy Bay today. Based on the latest intelligence, do we want to haul in chairs, or can we rent? Will I be able to buy lunch? Will it be crowded w local families (not that I would mind-it's their island) on a Saturday?

You can rent chairs from Danny. They are not very comfortable but they are available. He serves lunch. It is best to let him know you are eating when you arrive so he will prepare enough food. There will be more locals on weekends than on week days. Shade might be a problem since Danny does not rent umbrellas. The only shade is under the sea grapes and if the beach is crowded you would need to arrive early to find a shady spot. If you are of a CO mindset then a weekday might be a better time to visit.

Thanks Jaybird. We tromped our way to Happy Bay yesterday and had a nice time. We got there close to 11 am and were among maybe a dozen people there. We rented chairs and set up under the trees closest to the shack.

It was a very quiet day there, people came and went but there were never more than a few dozen people. We were the only people that rented chairs, and as far as I saw, the only ones who got lunch.

It was another nice change of pace, the same way that Anse Marcel had been the day before.

I am glad you enjoyed it. I am surprised that more locals were not there on a Saturday. It sounds as if you sat exactly where we do. I think it is the best spot on the beach.

Sounds great - we are less than a week away from Happy Bay (kind of rhymes) --- I assume no weirdos or bush-wackers?

A FYI - a friend of ours had a number of beer bottle coozies made up for Danny to sell. I think he has them now, maybe 90+. They are lime green and logo is:

Danny's Beach Bar

HAPPY BAY

Support Danny and buy one or two. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Enjoy

Arriving SXM on Saturday and staying on the French side this year (a first in 5 trips)in the Cul Du Sac area. We have access to kayaks - is it a long trip over to Pinel? Also, are parts of Pinel C/O acceptable? What are the good restaurants in Cul Du Sac? Is there a grocery store there or should we go to the one near the Bacchus?

Finally - anyone go to Happy Beach this week? All good?

Thanks!!!

We stayed in French Cul du Sac in October & had access to a kayak, but didn't use it. The owners of the villa where we stayed have gone to Pinel in it, so it is doable, but don't know how long of a trip it is. Restaurants we have eaten at & enjoyed: Ti Bouchon, Jam Rock, L'Hercule, Le Taitu. Didn't eat at Villa Pizza, but have heard that it is very good from several people. There is a small grocery on the same side of the road as Jam Rock that is good for quick stops, but you will probably want a larger store for staples.

It should be a fairly easy paddle to Pinel from Cul de Sac, if you're a good paddler. I don't think there is any c/o on Pinel, but not sure. The store near Bacchus is Simply and the recent reports have NOT be good about Simply. Empty store shelves, dirty, etc. Much better option is the small grocery store in Orient Village, Petit Casino, or the huge, well stocked grocery, Super U, in Marigot.

Don't know about Happy Bay.

We make it a point to visit Pinel at least 1 day every trip. We have lunch and a few drinks and then hike to the other side. The trails are easy to find behind the restaurants. We have noticed nude on this side all 5 times we have gone.

OK, I stand corrected on that! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Oh poor you. You are going nude in a place where it isn't legal. And the jet ski tour came in and saw you in your nudity. Perhaps they ALWAYS go there and didn't know that you were there and expected to be naked in a place where it is illegal. I love how you CO people think people want to "gawk". I've got news for you. Many of us "textiles" would prefer to NOT see you in your nudity.

No, sorry, as far as the jet ski tour operators, setting aside 'legal or illegal', they one hundred percent know it's pretty likely there will be naked people on Happy Bay. They go there all the time, yes, and they know that almost every time they go, there are naked people there.

I have seen mostly Zodiac tours at Happy Bay (with an infrequent Jet Ski group)and they ALWAYS moor in a group at the same location...not "ridiculous" but where the tie ups are...it is also announced what to expect before leaving the raft.

My cousin is a cruise person and went on one of the round the island tours and the leader stated that nude groups would be on the beach, where Danny's was and when to be back to the raft.

You would have the option to hang out on the raft (not looking ashore if course) if you are upset about seeing someone without a bathing suit.

If you are on the beach nude and do not want the raft mooring in front of YOU then settle in at the other side of the beach..many won't walk all the way to the other end

If you are on the beach and offended by nudity just hang in the middle and look straight ahead...but...I guess going to a beach where nudity is frequent and then being offended by it would be a little weird

I was swimming off of Happy Beach one day and had forgotten my suit on shore. I came out of the ocean as a couple that had just gotten off of a jet ski were walking toward Danny's. The wife took one look at me and turned herself and her husband right around and headed the other way. I wasn't sure if I should be amused or insulted! (LOL) I wasn't the only one on the beach who was naked, but I guess it wasn't her cup of tea - at least not that close (50 feet?) It was kind of funny. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

We made a trip to Happy Bay last year and no one was there renting chairs. There were only a handful of us on the beach so I'm wondering if there is a certain day that there isn't chair rentals/food? We thought someone would be there so we only had a couple bottles of water with us, ended up having to cut our day there short. Bit of a bummer.

I am not against clothes optional; however, it IS illegal, even on the French side. Those that go sans clothes are lucky these places are not patrolled and tickets given out like at the gendarme car stops.

The only legal place is Club O which is sanctioned as a "nudist" resort.

We were at GCBC one year when a woman removed her bottom (top was already off and I believe acceptable) immediately, a resort rep quickly informed her it was against the law.

Nudity is not allowed in NYC either. Would you walk down the street there w/o clothes? Breaking a law is not acceptable.

Been going to SXM over 25 years never been to happy bay just wondering 2 things where can you park and how long is the walk into the beach ? I see the signs as we go to Orient , I guess we should try .

I never thought to equate sun bathing at a beach with walking down a street in NYC... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> but going with that weird concept it IS legal to walk nude down the main street in Burlington, Vermont...would I do it? No freaking way...

..in my mind a beach is a wee bit different than a city street

If you are traveling from Grand Case, turn right just past the basketball court at the sign for the laundry. At the end of the road you will see a white gate. Park in the lot to the right or on the street to the left. Take the small path alongside the cement wall (to the right of the gate). A short distance in you will come to a place to climb over the wall (very easy). Head straight up the paved road until you see an unpaved path large enough for cars (between 2 abandoned villas) continue with n this path straight ahead until you reach the. beach. It takes about 15 mins to walk in, but it's generally flat. You will pass a lot of cattle. Since these "cows" are SXM cows, they are very low key. FYI...If the gate is open, do not drive in. This is a private entrance and, if locked later in the day, will trap your car inside. No nudity on the weekends, but usually tolerated weekdays. And, yes, I know it's "illegal". I've been nude on this beach hundreds of times for over 25 years and haven't been arrested yet. I guess I'm under the impression that nudists aren't criminals. Have fun.

Just wondering, .............

Do you go over the speed limit ? ............
That's against the law .... LOL
Lighten up. Life is tough enough to worry about the small things. And believe me .... with me it is small. Just have fun . Your on Vacation . Don't sweat the LITTLE THINGS .


Jeff

Jeff, if your comment was directed to me, no I don't go over the speed limit. I Do go naked at a nudist camp. I just follow rules.

Just a thought on the Happy Bay C/O debate. First and foremost it is a public beach and NOT a designated C/O area. It is not as well known (that's changing rapidly) and as easily accessible as the "main" beaches and therefore some folks feel comfortable going nude. Whether in your own country or visiting another you must respect the laws of the land. Unfortunately some of us in the naturalist community(not me)feel empowered to do as they please regardless of who may be offended or what the law is. Those folks have no right to complain when they are either called out or cited for their arrogant and illegal behavior.

Here here!

Could not agree more. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Happy bay isn't c/o. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

LOL - sorry to have started all that.

The report from Happy Bay today (Sunday) is that the beach was quite full of people. Surf was high. The left end (from the sea) of the beach was mostly nude (maybe 1/3 of the beach) and the rest was clothed.

I did see a bunch of fully clothed (well, swim suits) folks plop themselves down next to the nude folks and no one seemed to have a worry any way around.

My own opinion (and that's all it is) is that the locals don't really care that much one way or the other. I suspect most are more interested in making a living and having a life than they are worried about whether a few tourists (and French locals) have their clothes on or off.

And it doesn't really seem to be a 'law' issue either. If it were, wouldn't the Gendarmes or local SXM law enforcement be out ticketing and citing the law breakers? I don't know, it really seems to be a tempest in a tea-cup.

Anyway, Happy was happy today. Sadly (as a slight juxtaposition) there was one lurker/sketchy looking guy out there today, but he seemed pretty harmless. Just kind of creepy.

Lunch at Gutside was wonderful!

"And it doesn't really seem to be a 'law' issue either. If it were, wouldn't the Gendarmes or local SXM law enforcement be out ticketing and citing the law breakers?"

No different in our police not issuing citations for non compliance to the seat belt or texting rules we have at home. The police have far more pressing issues to deal with.
Just because they aren't doesn't make it acceptable or legal.

I am more interested to hear about lunch at Gutside. Is he open most days now?

LOL - Gutside: Richard confirmed that he 'retired' a while back and now Gutside is open every day except Monday, for both lunch and dinner. We arrived around 3 and had a nice chat with Richard and Lourdes. My wife had chicken and I had the ribs. Both came with a slaw like salad, rice and beans and plantains --- all of it was was tasty and hearty, we have no plans for dinner tonight as a result. It was really, really good.

We'll be happy at Happy tomorrow, I'll send a report.

Oh and had dinner last night at ti Bouchon in Cul du Sac area. The owner (Momo) was delightful and dinner was 1st rate - not cheap, but worth every penny. Wow - really good.

The news from Happy is still happy. The beach was beautiful today and while the surf was occasionally BIG, it was swimable and the water perfect.

Danny was there and my wife and I split a huge plate of ribs and chicken, had a beer and a punch drink all for $18 --- and we didn't have to do the dishes!

The beach was again about 1/3, 2/3 - C/O textile mix. No problems, no tickets and no Gendarmes. I love that place.

Paradise indeed.

Perfect example why we go there.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I know the law is the law.....but, the reason nudity became an issue on the French beaches in the first place was because of the Disney cruise. They complained and the French Govt decided to clamp down and enforce the "law". Now, if the nudists were the people responsible for the crime on the Island, I might think this was a good law. Since that is not the case, I will continue to be nude occasionally on Happy Bay and I will continue to respect others around me if they have a problem with it. Topless sunbathing has never been against the law on any French Beach.

I couldn't disagree more with your premis and believe that is more urban legend than anything else. You have a whole world of islanders, both French and Dutch, who just don't agree that people should be allowed to practice their naturist whims wherever and whenever. The complaints from the Disney people were just one more stake in the body of the practice. Orient Beach and Cupecoy, by tradition, have been accepted and tolerated for all the years we've been visiting but the other areas not so much and residents themselves became irritated with the assumption of so many that 'if it feels good.......' In honesty, I've always thought discretion was the better part of valor in this particular situation and personally speaking, I could care less, but many islanders both can and do.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Respect

This is exactly the the type of rationalisation I was talking about. Simply because you are not challenged or cited for your presumptuous behavior (yet) doesn't mean you are not out of line, you are.You give the rest of us a bad name and give the impression of indifference to others. This makes it difficult to maintain the places that do accept naturalism. Just look at the reduction of C/O areas on Orient.

So, if someone comes up to you on Happy Bay and asks you to put something on, you would? Somehow, I doubt that.

OK, this thread is going nowhere fast and is done.