Shore excursions

to Pinel island

Shore excursions made easy from the cruise ships.

Because visiting a new island (especially one divided in two countries) is never easy, we've put our experience at your service to ease your one-day excursion at St. Martin. Pinel island is a gorgeous spot of the French side to spend the day, but can be intimidating to organize when you do it from home.


If you don't know Pinel island yet, we recommend visiting this page first. We have detailed all the necessary information about Pinel. Then, you can come back here to book your excursion.

Location

Discover Pinel island, off the coast of St. Martin.

Duration

The whole excursion lasts approximately 6 hours.

Transfer

Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal.

Level

Easy paddle even for beginners.

Instant confirmation

Once booked, you receive an email with all information in your inbox.

We speak english

Yes, we speak english with an irresistible french accent.
Cruise ships from above

Excursion overview:

From your pickup at the cruise terminal of Philipsburg in the morning to your drop-off at the same location in the afternoon, enjoy a full day of leisure at Pinel island, a renowned island of the French side of St. Maarten.


We provide the following shore excursions:

 

  • kayak excursions
  • paddle board excursions
  • transfer + ferry

 

Small groups are welcome, but because you can travel with the whole family, we also accept big parties.

Your shore excursion destination: Pinel Island

Check-in

Your day starts at the cruise terminal of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. 

Walk to the EDC Parking Lot to find your driver waiting for your party, and hop on a 30 minutes ride to our office located at Cul de Sac, on the French side of St. Maarten.

Our staff will be waiting for you and will prepare you for your kayak or paddleboard adventure. Dry bags are available to protect your belongings, life vests of different sizes from kids to XL. 

Grab your paddles, and follow a member of our staff to your little craft. After a short briefing on the pier, you will start to paddle over to Pinel island, located about half-mile from the mainland.

Adventure starts

Aboard your kayak/paddleboard, you will enjoy the scenery around, the grand bay protected from the outside swell and rough waters, the two islands facing you and the numerous moored boats. 

Your first stop would be at the sand bar, easily reachable with your embarkation. There, a mooring is set to hook up your craft. Step off your kayak/paddleboard and start to explore this incredible spot only reserved for human-powered vessels. 

The surrounding shallow waters allow you to walk around your kayak and look for stingrays, conch, or pelicans.

Different shore excursions are available

Kayak excursion

Solo, tandem, triple or family kayak?


Depending of your party, we offer different types of kayaks.


The Tango is a top choice for people looking for a stable one-person kayak


The Ocean Quatro is a very large kayak which can be set to fit two adults, tree adults or two adults and up to two kids.

Learn more

Paddle Board Excursion

Try something new! Paddle boarding is a trending water activity


Be the avantgardist and reach Pinel on a paddle board.


On your own solo (or classic) paddle board


With a friend or better-half on our exclusive tandem paddle board

Learn more
  • When you arrive at St. Maarten:

    We offer an exclusive private transfer from the cruise ship pier at the port of Pointe Blanche. Our driver will pick you up directly at the port. 


    Joyce, our trusted driver, will be at the cruise port at your designated time. Once everyone is on board, Joyce will whisk you away on a 30-minute ride to our facility. There, a member of our staff will be waiting for you to get you started on your adventure.


    At the end of your  day, Joyce will be waiting for you to return you on time to your cruise ship at the Philipsburg cruise terminal. 


    Meeting point:


    The shore excursion departs from the EDC parking lot at Philipsburg cruise terminal. Ask at the information desk for assistance if needed.


    Open in Google Maps ⟶


    Available schedules:

    • 9:30AM - 3:00PM
    • 11:30AM - 5:00PM
  • Know before you go:
    • Please dress to enjoy a day at the beach
    • Bring a towel, hat, your camera and sun screen
    • Light shoes could be useful if you plan to hike around the island
    • Travel light as room is limited on the kayaks / paddle boards
    • The wild beach of Pinel island is clothing optional
  • What is included:
    • Pick-up and drop off at the port of Philipsburg
    • Transport by fully air-conditioned vehicle
    • Driver
    • Instructions
    • Kayak or paddle board rental
    • Roundtrip ferry ride (when selected)
  • What is not included:
    • Meal and drinks at the restaurants (own expense)
    • Tips
  • Cancellation Policy:

    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Check-in

Your day starts at the cruise terminal of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. 

Walk to the EDC Parking Lot to find your driver waiting for your party, and hop on a 30 minutes ride to our office located at Cul de Sac, on the French side of St. Maarten.

Our staff will be waiting for you and will prepare you for your kayak or paddleboard adventure. Dry bags are available to protect your belongings, life vests of different sizes from kids to XL. 

Grab your paddles, and follow a member of our staff to your little craft. After a short briefing on the pier, you will start to paddle over to Pinel island, located about half-mile from the mainland.

Adventure starts

Aboard your kayak/paddleboard, you will enjoy the scenery around, the grand bay protected from the outside swell and rough waters, the two islands facing you and the numerous moored boats. 

Your first stop would be at the sand bar, easily reachable with your embarkation. There, a mooring is set to hook up your craft. Step off your kayak/paddleboard and start to explore this incredible spot only reserved for human-powered vessels. 

The surrounding shallow waters allow you to walk around your kayak and look for stingrays, conch, or pelicans.

Visit Little Key

The second stop would be Little Key, a separate island from Pinel. At the right side of this rocky island lies a tiny beach. 

Tied up your kayak to the buoy and set up your snorkel equipment for a swim along the reef. Protected from the open ocean, you can admire the gorgones, schools of fish, and eventually sea turtles and other stingrays.

Meet the sea turtles

Before reaching Pinel island, stop by the Marine Park buoy, a big orange pipe in the water. 

There, sea turtles have set their favorite spot. Getting there with your kayak allows you to stop and watch them coming to the surface for a quick breathe before swimming back to the bottom of the water.

Pinel island

Finally reaching the main beach of Pinel, you will park your kayak on the right of the beach. There, two restaurants await you, as well as a gift shop, and iguanas are posing for pictures.

Find an easy hike to the top of Pinel and discover the surrounding islands. Follow the tiny trails and walk to the wild beach, the best snorkeling spot of Pinel island (requires some experience depending on the weather) 

Warning: french laws allows clothing optional on that secluded beach.

Back to the cruise port

Few hours have passed, and it's now time to get back to the mainland in approximately 15 minutes thanks to the wind.

Our staff and driver will welcome you back before getting in your van for a 30 minutes ride back to the cruise terminal of St. Maarten.

Visit Little Key

The second stop would be Little Key, a separate island from Pinel. At the right side of this rocky island lies a tiny beach. 

Tied up your kayak to the buoy and set up your snorkel equipment for a swim along the reef. Protected from the open ocean, you can admire the gorgones, schools of fish, and eventually sea turtles and other stingrays.

Meet the sea turtles

Before reaching Pinel island, stop by the Marine Park buoy, a big orange pipe in the water. 

There, sea turtles have set their favorite spot. Getting there with your kayak allows you to stop and watch them coming to the surface for a quick breathe before swimming back to the bottom of the water.

Pinel island

Finally reaching the main beach of Pinel, you will park your kayak on the right of the beach. There, two restaurants await you, as well as a gift shop, and iguanas are posing for pictures.

Find an easy hike to the top of Pinel and discover the surrounding islands. Follow the tiny trails and walk to the wild beach, the best snorkeling spot of Pinel island (requires some experience depending on the weather) 

Warning: french laws allows clothing optional on that secluded beach.

Back to the cruise port

Few hours have passed, and it's now time to get back to the mainland in approximately 15 minutes thanks to the wind.

Our staff and driver will welcome you back before getting in your van for a 30 minutes ride back to the cruise terminal of St. Maarten.

Options

Dry Bags

Don't let your fragile things get wet


Dry bags can be added to your kayak or paddle board and will protect your belongings.

Snorkel Gear

To explore the warm waters!


A shore excursion to the Caribbean should always come along with a snorkeling experience!


Comes in two sizes:

  • Adult
  • Kid

01 Arrival time

Before you book your excursion, please check your arrival time. Our timing is set in island time, which could be different from the ship time.

02 Booking system

Use our booking system to choose the best excursion for your party.

03 Pay online

After you set all your options, you can pay online.

Our prices are in Euros, but the system automatically converts in your currency.