Take a Day Trip to Pinel Island in St. Martin | |
Pinel Island, photo courtesy of Marko Radisavljevic | |
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Pinel Island in St. Martin is a true tropical paradise that offers an unforgettable day trip experience for travellers seeking natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. Part of St. Martin’s Nature Reserve, this island is a sandy gem that is perfect for creating lasting memories. You can reach Pinel by ferry, kayak or even paddleboard. Pinel Island has a culture of warm hospitality and a remarkably friendly atmosphere, as is the tradition in St. Martin. Whether you're chatting with locals, sharing stories with fellow travellers, or simply enjoying the company of loved ones, Pinel Island is a place where connections are made, memories are forged, and life is lived to the fullest.
Pinel Island is ideal for anyone looking to escape the stresses of everyday life and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Caribbean. It's a popular destination for day trips, with crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and other water activities. Without further ado, here’s a handy guide for planning a day trip to Pinel Island:
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Photo courtesy of the St. Martin Tourism Office | |
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1. Getting to the Island
Pinel Island is just off the shore of the east coast of St. Martin, facing Cul-de-Sac Bay. There are ferries available to Pinel Island that make the trip every 30 minutes, every day. The fare is 10 euros and the last boat back leaves at 4:30 pm. The island is so close, it can actually be seen from the jetty. In this channel, the ocean is shallow and very calm. The bay is sheltered and caressed by gentle trade winds. If you listen closely, it’s almost as if the winds are telling you a story!
| Photo courtesy of Donovane Tremor | |
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2. The Tranquil Beaches
You won’t be able to resist the call of the water on Pinel Island, which is crystal clear and laps gently at idyllic ivory sands.
One of the best things about Pinel Island is the opportunity to relax and unwind in a beautiful, tranquil setting. Whether you're sipping a drink at a beach bar or lounging on the sands, take some time to enjoy the locale and soak up the Caribbean sun. You can rent a private cabana which comes equipped with chairs, tables, and umbrellas, so you can enjoy the stunning beach views in comfort and privacy.
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Karibuni Restaurant, photo courtesy of Le Karibuni | |
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3. Pinel Island’s Restaurants
Pinel Island’s Yellow Beach offers delectable food and private beach service. Yellow Beach serves a selection of barbecued meat and fish. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to create flavorful and authentic dishes that are sure to please seafood lovers. With a fully stocked bar of exotic beers and wines, you can sip your favourite drink while enjoying the stunning island views and the relaxed ambiance. The beach is also surrounded by lush vegetation, giving one the impression of being within a tropical garden.
The Karibuni Restaurant on Pinel Island - located on the very same bay as Yellow Beach - is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Caribbean dining experience. The menu at Karibuni Restaurant features a wide range of Creole cuisine with tropical flavours. The catch of the day and the lobsters are delivered to the restaurant daily by the fishermen themselves. Karibuni has claimed many culinary awards in the Caribbean and is renowned as one of the region’s finest beach bars, making Pinel Island as much a destination for foodies as it is for sun and nature-seekers.
4. Pinel Island’s Nature Reserve
Pinel Island is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. The island's ecosystem includes seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests, all of which provide a habitat for a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and colourful fish. There are several hiking trails on Pinel Island that wind through the island's interior and along the coast. These trails offer visitors a chance to explore the island's diverse landscape and wildlife, including the island's avian population, such as pelicans and herons. Visitors can rent kayaks and explore the island's shoreline at their leisure, paddling around secluded coves and inlets and exploring the island's mangrove forests.
|  | Snorkelling Pinel Island, photo courtesy of St. Martin Tourism Office | |
The waters around Pinel Island are renowned for their clarity and teeming with marine life. Snorkellers can explore the coral reefs and seagrass beds around the island, which are home to a variety of fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. The shuttle-boat landing jetty is where the underwater snorkelling trail of the Nature Reserve begins.
If you don't have your own snorkelling gear, you can rent equipment from several vendors on the island or hire a guided tour. The tours provide all the gear you need, so you can focus on spotting colourful fish and majestic turtles. Whether you are an experienced snorkeller or a beginner, the island's calm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundance of marine life make for a memorable excursion.
With its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and endless outdoor activities, Pinel Island is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Learn more about Pinel at https://www.st-martin.org/us/ .
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St. Martin is a charming, scenically beautiful island. It’s the smallest territory to be shared between two nations (France and The Netherlands), and home to over a hundred different nationalities and cultures. Surrounded by both the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, this small 88 square kilometer island is a paradise for beach lovers. Being the undisputed capital of gastronomy, St. Martin not only offers a blend of traditional French cuisine but as well innovative gourmet cuisine from around the world. With its lavish, unspoiled landscapes and idyllic beaches, St. Martin embodies the true spirit of vacation. This “Friendly Island’’, as it’s often referred to, is bursting with treasures for gourmets, hikers, adventures and dreamers alike. From hotels to resorts to boutique properties to beautiful villas, St. Martin’s hilly topography ensures beautiful views from the hills as well as on its beautiful shores.
Its vibrant setting and tropical climate pleasantly cooled by trade winds year-round make this island your ideal destination, whether you wish to relax, explore or get active, alone, with a loved one, family or friends. Here, you’ll find all the right ingredients from an unforgettable stay on one of the most enchanting islands of the Caribbean.
Website: https://www.st-martin.org/
Facebook: Iledesaintmartin
Instagram: @discoverSaintMartin
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