Travel guide
Price, schedule & everything you need to know
Local perspective
Five minutes from shore, a world away
Pinel Island is one of those places that stays with you.
A small, protected island just off the northeastern coast of St Martin — five minutes by boat from the village of Cul-de-Sac, and a world away from everything else. The water is shallow and impossibly clear. The beaches are quiet. The two restaurants have their feet in the sand and their wine lists are surprisingly good.
I’ve been going to Pinel for years. It’s the kind of place I bring guests on their first day, because it never fails to impress.
In this guide — how to get there, what the ferry costs, when to go, where to eat, and what to do once you’re on the island.
Before you go
Where is Pinel Island?
Pinel Island — Îlet Pinel in French — sits just across the bay from the small village of Cul-de-Sac, on the northeastern coast of the French side of St Martin. The crossing takes five minutes by boat. On a clear day, you can see the island from the shore before you even board.
Because the island sits inside a protected bay, the water is almost always calm — shallow, warm, and clear enough to see the bottom from the boat. It’s part of a protected marine reserve, which means the surrounding sea life is intact and the island itself has stayed largely untouched.
That’s the thing about Pinel — it doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction. It feels like a place that’s been left alone on purpose.
Getting there
Where exactly is the ferry dock?
Follow the main road toward Cul-de-Sac — you’ll know you’re in the right place when you reach the large parking area near the dock. Arriving before 10am makes everything easier, especially during busy travel weeks.
Local tip
You’ll need a car to get here. Taxis can get you to Cul-de-Sac, but a rental car gives you the freedom to turn the ferry trip into a full island day — Orient Bay, Grand Case or Happy Bay on the way back.
Ferry basics
Pinel Island ferry: time, price and schedule
How long is the ferry to Pinel Island?
Five minutes. That’s it. The bay between Cul-de-Sac and Pinel is shallow and protected — the boats cross slowly, and on a clear morning the water is so transparent you can watch the bottom the whole way over.
It’s one of those boat rides where you almost wish it lasted longer.
How much is the ferry to Pinel Island?
Around 12€/$ per person, round trip. Tickets are purchased directly at the dock — cash only, no reservation needed. Children sometimes get a reduced fare depending on the operator.
It’s one of the best-value experiences on the island.
Pinel Island ferry schedule
Boats run continuously from around 10am until 5pm in high season, departing roughly every 30 minutes — or sooner when enough passengers are ready to cross.
There’s no fixed timetable to worry about. You show up, you board, you go.
Good to know
The last boats back leave Pinel in the late afternoon. Don’t lose track of time over a long lunch at Karibuni — it happens more often than you’d think.
On the island
What a day on Pinel actually looks like
Pinel is small — you can walk the whole island in 20 minutes. But I’m pretty sure you won’t. You’ll find a spot on the beach, order a drink, and stay there until the last boat back.
The main beach faces the bay and the water is exactly what you’re imagining — shallow, warm, and so clear it’s almost unfair. It extends far from the shore, which means you can walk out 50 meters and still be waist-deep. Families love it for that reason. So do people who just want to float.
The rhythm of the day
Arrive, swim, eat a long lunch, swim again, watch the light change over the water, reluctantly board the last boat back.
No loud music, no jet skis buzzing past. Just two restaurants, a small souvenir shop, a beach, and the Caribbean doing what it does best.
Beachfront lunch
Restaurants on Pinel Island
Despite its small size, Pinel Island is home to two popular beachfront restaurants. Both are directly on the sand, both are part of the experience, and both are worth booking ahead during high season.
@Photos: Lunch at Yellow Beach, Pinel Island.
Relaxed beach club
Yellow Beach
Yellow Beach has the relaxed beach-club feeling many visitors imagine when they think of Pinel: grilled seafood, tropical cocktails, beach chairs close to the water, and a long lunch that easily turns into the whole afternoon.
It’s especially easy for families and groups who want to swim, eat, relax under the sun, and keep the day simple before returning to St Martin.
Book your table at Yellow Beach →Refined island lunch
Karibuni
Karibuni offers a more refined Caribbean and French dining experience in a beautiful beachside setting. The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, elegant atmosphere, and strong wine selection.
It’s a lovely choice if you want your Pinel day to feel a little more polished, without losing the barefoot island mood.
Book your table at Karibuni →Local note
Book your beach chairs and table in advance during high season. Pinel feels quiet once you’re settled, but the best lunch spots fill up faster than you’d expect.
Snorkeling & nature
The reef, the turtles & the trail nobody takes
The water around Pinel is part of a protected marine reserve — and it shows. Snorkel just offshore and you’ll find colorful reef fish, the occasional stingray, and if you’re in the right place at the right time, a sea turtle surfacing for air.
What to expect
It’s not dramatic snorkeling. It’s quiet, shallow, and exactly the kind of thing that stays with you longer than the flashier spots.
On land, a small trail runs around the island and up to a viewpoint overlooking the bay. It takes about 15 minutes to walk, and the view from the top — the turquoise water, the boats coming and going — is one of the better ones on the French side.
Before you go
A few local tips for Pinel Island
Arrive early
By midday in high season, the beach fills up and the restaurants get busy. Getting there before 11am means you pick your spot, the water is glassy, and the island feels like it’s yours.
Bring cash
For the ferry, for the beach chairs, for drinks at the bar — cash keeps the day simple.
Take sun protection seriously
Pinel is small and exposed, with limited shade outside the restaurants. A hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a good book are the essentials.
Give yourself time
The ferry runs all day, but don’t rush. Give yourself at least a half-day — ideally a full one.
Pinel Island is five minutes from the shore and feels like a different world. It’s not a hidden gem — locals and visitors have known about it for years — but it has the rare quality of staying exactly what it is: a small, calm, beautiful island where the water is clear, the lobster is fresh, and the afternoon moves at its own pace.
If you visit St Martin and don’t make it to Pinel, you’ll regret it.
Questions travelers ask
FAQ — Pinel Island ferry
How do you get to Pinel Island?
Take the ferry from Cul-de-Sac, on the northeastern coast of the French side of St Martin. The crossing takes about 5 minutes. No reservation is needed — boats depart continuously throughout the day.
How much does the Pinel Island ferry cost?
Around $/€12 per person, round trip. Tickets are purchased directly at the dock. Bring cash, as online booking is not usually required for the local ferry.
What are the Pinel Island ferry hours?
Boats usually run from approximately 10am to 5pm in high season, departing roughly every 30 minutes. The last boats back from Pinel leave in the late afternoon, so do not wait too long before returning.
How long is the ferry ride to Pinel Island?
The ferry ride takes about 5 minutes. The bay is shallow and protected, so the crossing is usually smooth even when it feels windy elsewhere on the island.
Is there parking near the Pinel Island ferry dock?
Yes, parking is available near the dock in Cul-de-Sac. It can fill up quickly in high season, so arriving before 10am makes the day easier.
Do you need a car to get to the ferry?
A car is strongly recommended. Public transport on the French side is limited, and a rental car makes it much easier to reach Cul-de-Sac and explore other nearby areas afterward.
Can you snorkel at Pinel Island?
Yes. The waters around Pinel are part of a protected marine reserve. You may see reef fish, stingrays, and sometimes sea turtles just offshore.
Are there restaurants on Pinel Island?
Yes, there are two beachfront restaurants: Yellow Beach, a relaxed beach-club style spot, and Karibuni, which offers a more refined French-Caribbean lunch experience.
Are there boat tours that include Pinel Island?
Yes. Several catamaran and speedboat excursions from St Maarten include a stop at Pinel, often combined with Tintamarre, Creole Rock, snorkeling, and drinks on board.
