Happy Bay

St-Martin & Sint Maarten


If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-track beach, head to the northernmost point of Friar's Bay beach and look for the dirt path that twists for 450m over a bumpy headland with great views of Anguilla to perfectly deserted Happy Bay. This serene strip of powdery sand is completely bare (as are many of those who hang out here), so bring whatever you need to make you even more happy.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby St-Martin & Sint Maarten attractions

1. Friar's Bay Beach

0.38 MILES

Pretty and protected, this west-facing cove has two beach bars, chic Friar's Bay Beach Café and funky Kali’s Beach Bar, which hosts famous full-moon…

2. Loterie Farm

1.67 MILES

Loterie Farm is the brainchild of former actor Bill 'BJ' Welch who left the Hollywood rat race to turn a former plantation into a private nature reserve…

3. Fort Louis

2.11 MILES

It's a short but steep climb up to what's left of this once mighty fort, completed in 1789 under St-Martin's then-governor Jean Sebastian de Durat to…

4. Musée de Saint Martin

2.14 MILES

Clay figurines from 550 BC (the oldest discovered in the Antilles), Arawak-sculpted gemstones and shells and period photography are among the historical…

5. Marigot Market

2.3 MILES

Although there are fewer vendors after Hurricane Irma, this colorful waterfront market is still worth a spin to browse for art, crafts and trinkets, pick…

6. Anse Marcel

2.45 MILES

Protected by two large headlands, this gorgeous and wide white-sand beach with clear sapphire waters is calm and popular with families. Snorkeling is…

7. Petites Cayes

3.21 MILES

One of the island’s top hidden beaches, Petites Cayes is accessible via the Sentier des Froussards (Froussards Trail), a narrow, steep and rocky trail…

8. Baie Nettlé

3.59 MILES

Sandy Ground is the long, narrow, curving strip of land that connects Marigot with the prestigious gated community of Terres Basses. Sandy Ground's…