The "Secret Beaches" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Checking my email and found an interesting one from Travel and Leisure Magazine which was listing some of the "Best Secret Beaches On Earth."  Naturally had to see if I had ever been to any of them during my travels over the last 15 years.  When I opened the link and saw the first one listed was Grand Haven, Michigan I was kind of surprised.  Never heard of this beach and couldn't figure how a beach in Michigan would be on a list of best in the world.  Then I saw that the Salt Creek Recreation Area in the state of Washington was also on the list.  Wow, why hadn't I ever heard of some of these.  My guess was because they are "secret beaches."  Others were: Koh Lanta, Thailand; Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam; Cirali Beach, Turkey, Cayucos, California; Alagoas, Brazil, Agonda Beach, Goa India, Matagorda Beach, Texas; La Pedrera, Uruguay; Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica; Pyla-sur-Mer, France; Ibo Island, Mozambique; and Capo Sant' Andrea, Elba.  Ever hear of any of them?  Then I saw a few that I started to recognize, such as: Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles; Lameshur Bay Beach, St. John; Polihale Beach, Kauai; Puako, Big Island Hawaii; Palm Beach, Barbuda; and finally one that I have actually been to - Happy Bay, St. Martin.  The small description for Happy Bay is: North of Friar's Bay Beach on the French side of St. Martin, Happy Bay is a happily underpopulated stretch of vanilla sand.  It's a hike to get there: 10-15 minutes on a well-marked footpath through the underbrush, which rewires just enough effort to ensure the kind of privacy that has made it popular for those who prefer to sunbathe au natural. (Nudity is tolerated, although this is not officially a clothing-optional beach.)  Snorkelers are rewarded with tropical fish in the crystal waters, some of the best on the island  Services are virtually nonexistent, so stock up on supplies at one of the bars in Friar's Bay.  Yep, it sounds as if they actually visited Happy Bay before writing the description. 

Carol and I have been there at least a dozen times and have found it to be a beautiful beach.  The walk is an easy one, but you must cross through a fence that has barbed wire and wooden boards in place to keep the cattle in the field from roaming the hills around the area.  Then you must navigate the cow dung as you wind your way along the coast of Friar's Bay.  Finally, you pass through a small cropping of trees and you are rewarded with this gorgeous white-sand beach (excuse me, vanilla) with aqua pristine water in front of you.  We always made our journey during the week because the weekend brings many local families to this beach.  During the week you will find about half of the beach-goers sans swimming suits.  There is a local fellow, Danny, who has set up a food shack and supplies lunch and drinks as well as having a few plastic lounge chairs you can use if you buy lunch from him.  We have enjoyed the beach for many years, but two years ago there were quite a few stories of people being robbed on their way to or from the beach.  We ate lunch with another older couple two years ago at Danny's and they were telling us about being robbed while leaving the beach the previous week.  Made Carol and me think about our priorities while on vacation and we haven't returned to the beach since.  Sad to say we have chosen to play it safe for the beach is truly beautiful and certainly a secret beach on the island of St. Martin.  Guess we will have to search the magazine's list if we care to visit another secret beach.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.