The above video was shot on March 4, 2018
Pinel is a small island on the coast of St. Martin near Orient Bay and across from Cul de Sac. If you have never been to Pinel, trust me it is worthwhile. Pinel has three beautiful white sand beaches two of which are on the other side. The restaurants and activities are located on the first beach as you arrive to Pinel. The two other beaches on the backside of Pinel are wild and for the most part void of people. Sometimes you might come across campers but in general most people visiting Pinel stay on the main beach. If you have adventurous tendencies like me you will want to take a hike to the other side of the island. Plan on wearing good shoes as the terrain is a little rough. The best snorkeling is also located on the other side of the island. The reefs are beautiful and you will come across many different aquatic species. The water can be rough when the swell is big therefore you need to exercise caution when swimming.
There are two restaurants on Pinel island. The first restaurant is called Karibuni (scheduled to re-open in March 2018, snack bar and chair rentals open now) and is reputed for its lobster and fresh seafood. I personally choose to eat at Karibuni when I go to Pinel because I love seafood and lobster. The second restaurant, Yellow Beach (Open Date TBD), has a more snack menu and good grilled food. If you don’t want to eat at a restaurant, grab a picnic and head to the more wild side of the island. Trust me it is just as good of an experience just watch out for the iguana’s who might want a piece of your sandwich!
Traveling to Pinel is easy and fun. Every 30 minutes there is a ferry running from the pier at Cul de Sac over to Pinel. Quick tip, don’t miss the last ferry or you are on your own. Swimming is always an option! If you like to kayak or paddle board you can park your car at the Cul de Sac pier and leave from there! You can also charter a boat and head to Pinel. Chartering is a great way to experience Pinel as well as the surrounding spots like Orient Bay and Tintemarre. You have the convenience to stay a bit longer on Pinel at the end of the day. Having the Pinel beach to yourself at dusk is a truly beautiful experience. Chartering is affordable especially if you are a group or family. Island hopping is one of the many awesome activities St. Martin has to offer so don’t miss out!
If you know Pinel and love to go every time when you are on-island then you should think about staying at one of our close by villas. Villa Pinel is located minutes away from Pinel via kayak or paddleboard! We also have several villas located in the Orient Bay which are only minutes driving from the Cul de Sac pier.
written by Harrison Reed, C.O.O. SXMSIR
Have you experienced Pinel Island? Tell us about it in the comments!