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Things to do

at Pinel island

"Chilling or exploring?"

Whether you prefer to be active or just lay on the beach all day, Pinel island offers many options to get entertained. To give you an idea, you can hike around the island, kayak back and forth to Little Key, paddle board around the catamarans, visit the gift shop and so on..

KAYAKING AROUND PINEL

Kayaking to Pinel island is a journey itself. Starting from our shop, it gives you the opportunity to discover Cul de Sac Bay which offers many different spots that you would not even suspect they exist before.

You can stop by Little Key island and its shallow waters. Its small beach is a quiet area unknown from most of the tourists.

Another awesome spot is the sandbar, located only 5 minutes away from St. Martin. This welcoming area is dedicated to peacefulness and relaxation.

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Kayaking around Pinel:

You can stop by Little Key island and its shallow waters. Its small beach is a quiet area unknown from most of the tourists.

Another awesome spot is the sandbar, located only 5 minutes away from St. Maarten. This welcoming area is dedicated to peacefulness and relaxation.

Learn More

PADDLE BOARDING TO PINEL

Paddle boarding allows you to add the word adventure to your day at Pinel island. You can explore the bay on a classic paddle board, but now you can experiment our brand new tandem paddle board! Part of a bigger family or group? Well, we have two GIANT paddle boards in store to make your day even more fun!

Still from our shop, you can choose to paddle along the coast of St. Martin located on the right side, when you are facing Pinel island. You will go through the sailing boats that belong to locals, from old fashioned catamaran to brand new ones, from house boat wreck to dinghies… A paradise for boats lovers!

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Paddle Boarding

Paddleboarding allows you to add the word adventure to your day at Pinel island. You can explore the bay on a classic paddle board, but now you can experiment our brand-new tandem paddle board ! Part of a bigger family or group? Well, they accept two adults and one kid at the same time to make your day even more fun!

Still, from our shop, you can choose to paddle along the coast of St. Maarten located on the right side, when you are facing Pinel island. You will go through the sailing boats that belong to locals, from old-fashioned catamaran to brand-new ones, from houseboat wreck to dinghies… A paradise for boats lovers!

Learn More

A group of snorkelers in turquoise waters

SNORKELING AT PINEL

Thanks to its beautiful and clear waters, and being part of the Marine Reserve of St. Martin, Pinel is well known to be a great snorkelling spot. While paddling over to Pinel, you can swing by Little Key island and enjoy a peaceful moment, away from the crowd, where the colours of the sand bar are changing each minute of the day. Put on your snorkelling equipment or take out your Reef Board (both available for rent at our shop!) and discover the beauty of wild nature.

Don’t be afraid of the pelicans over there, they are one of St. Maarten’s mascot and are completely armless. Their charismatic attitude while watching you snorkelling around “their lands” is actually funny to observe! Once this step of the day is over, you can finally head to Pinel Island to discover new spots.

Snorkeling at Pinel

Thanks to its beautiful and clear waters, and being part of the Marine Reserve of St. Maarten, Pinel is well known to be a great snorkeling spot. While paddling over to Pinel, you can swing by Little Key island and enjoy a peaceful moment, away from the crowd, where the colors of the sand bar are changing each minute of the day. Put on your snorkeling equipment or take out your Reef Board (both available for rent at our shop!) and discover the beauty of wild nature.

Don’t be afraid of the pelicans over there, they are one of St. Maarten’s mascot and are completely armless. Their charismatic attitude while watching you snorkeling around “their lands” is actually funny to observe! Once this step of the day is over, you can finally head to Pinel Island to discover new spots.

Rent snorkel gear

HIKING TO THE TOP OF PINEL

Walking around Pinel island is absolutely worth it! The natural reserve has put some signs along the paths which describes each area, what type of animals - mostly birds - are living there, according to which season it is.

Plus, you will hike to the different beaches of Pinel, go to the different hillsides and get the best points of view to Tintamarre island (located behind Pinel), Saint-Barth and of course, our dear St. Maarten with Orient Beach, Green Cay… And the last, but not the least Cul de Sac Bay with the famous Caribbean Paddling shop :)

A group of people are walking on the hill of Pinel island overlooking the ocean.

Hiking to the top of Pinel

Chilling in the water of at Pinel island

CHILLING AT THE MAIN BEACH

… In the water, on the beach… For those who are looking for a relaxing day, Pinel Island is also the place to be. Either laying on your beach chair under your umbrella, or right on the beach under the sun, or even in the crystal blue water: you will feeI the stress of your body going “far far away” along the day.

Our recipe for a 100% relaxing chilling:

a good Sum Bum Sunscreen (available at our shop)
an ice cold beer or a homemade rum punch (available at the Yellow Beach or Karibuni restaurant)
a good amount of sun and turquoise water (available all year long in Pinel island!)

Chilling at the main beach

… In the water, on the beach… For those who are looking for a relaxing day, Pinel Island is also the place to be. Either laying on your beach chair under your umbrella, or right on the beach under the sun, or even in the crystal blue water: you will feel the stress of your body going “far far away” along the day.

Our recipe for a 100% relaxing chilling:

a good sunscreen
an ice-cold beer or a homemade rum punch (available at the Yellow Beach or Karibuni restaurant)
a good amount of sun and turquoise water (available all year long in Pinel island!)

Look up for the trails behind the palm trees,

And hike to the top of the hill (light shoes required) to appreciate the panoramic view onto the surroundings islands: St. Martin of course, St. Barth which can be seen when the weather is clear, Tintamarre another (but less famous than St. Barth) French island, and Anguilla. You'll find an untouched part of Pinel with an overlooking view on Orient Bay and the little island of Green Caye as well. This is absolutely worth it!

From that point of view, you will have an unbeatable view over Pinel's main beach, from the lagoon at the South side as well as the hidden beach located North. Walk down the hill to that beach, set up your snorkel gear and discover the underwater life, or prepare your towel on the sand and start to work on your tan.

Shopping?

Ladies, it’s a yes! Shopping is possible in Pinel Island! For years now, the gift shop located in between the Karibuni and the Yellow Beach restaurants has a lot to offer: handmade jewelry, towels, sarongs, swimming suits, decorative items, music equipments, hammocks… And so much more!

The owner of the shop comes every morning on his non motorized tiny boat and put the store back together in no time! Shopping with your feet right on the beach definitely provides a complete feeling of satisfaction, you can trust us! Pinel Island gift shop has nothing to envy from the 5th Avenue… ;)

DON'T MISS THE IGUANAS!

Pinel island is a huge iguanas center! They love to take the sun all day long, on the coconut trees or straight from the beach. Their dinosaur’s look make us feel like we are a few centuries back, but with absolutely no danger!

Don’t be afraid to approach them, observe them and even feed them - be careful for your hands, they are sometimes very hungry ;) Not doing anything during the day seems to open their appetite at some point!!

Don't miss the iguanas!

Don’t be afraid to approach them, observe them and even feed them - be careful with your hands, they are sometimes very hungry ;) Not doing anything during the day seems to open their appetite at some point!!

Is Pinel island clothing optional?

On the main beach of Pinel Island, where both restaurants are located, clothing is mandatory.

However, on the wild beaches - and especially on the one at the back side of the island - don’t be surprised to meet people with no cloth on. Nudism is allowed and seems appreciated, welcome to France ;)