TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Pinel Island

We are thinking of checking out Pinel during our trip. The reviews mostly describe spending the day at one of the restaurants, where people have lunch and rent the loungers. Is there anything else on Pinel besides those restaurants? What we are looking for is to take the ferry over, walk around the island (is there anything to explore), have a swim and then a drink (or more) at one of the bars/ restaurants. Is Pinel the right place for this? We don't want to spend an entire day there and have to rent lounge chairs, just a few hours is fine. Also, we want to find something less crowded than Orient Beach which is why I am hoping there is something to explore on Pinel...a little hike perhaps or a beach without a restaurant?

When I go, I take the path and hike across the island to the north beach and back again. There is a well marked trail. This is a fun, easy hike. There is a trail to the northeast part of the island, but I have not done that one. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />

There is not much to do on Pinel except relax. You can hike across/around the island in about 45 minutes. Check out the Northeast beach (turtle beach) more than likely you will have it to yourselves. Also, if no one is around you can enjoy it starkers <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />. Loved the Yellow Beach bar (the crab salad is a MUST!!)

Thanks for the responses. Is there any particular day that is less crowded? I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that weekends are busier and Monday would be less less crowded.

Honestly, it's a very, very small island. Don't count on privacy anywhere on it! You will always be watched. Just sayin'.

Privacy is not needed but I am trying to avoid going when it will just be wall to wall people on the beach. If that's the case, we can just stay on Orient. Maybe we will just go and see what happens, if it's so crowded we can always leave. The boats go back and forth frequently I believe, right?

Yes the boats go back and forth all day long. We may have gone on the worst days but every time we went, the chairs filled quickly and people were packed in. This year if we go, we are going to rent a kayak and paddle around, maybe do some hiking and a little swimming, then paddle back.

Years ago Pinel was just a little place for local families to pack a picnic lunch & have a peaceful day. Now it's a zoo in my mind with restaurants & noisy water toys. When we discovered Prickly Pear there were just a couple small private sailboats & our cat. No food places at all. I don't know if there's a less visited island - how is Tintamarre? Have you looked into that? Maybe someone can give you some information on a less busy place. There's Sandy Island but I'm willing to bet there's a restaurant on that by now!

Pinel is very popular with the locals on weekends and especially holidays, so it would be very crowded then. If you want fewer people, look for a day when fewer cruise ships are in port. My first visit was from a cruise ship. I typically walk across the island to one of the two beaches which often are empty.

Pinel now is less crowded, since the other restuarent close down...It's a relaxing trip by a small boats every hour on the hour going over and every half hour coming back, yes you can explore back side is island hiking and snorking.. Last boat leaves 5:00 pm from Pinel.... Take cash for the ride!!!!
You will enjoy peace and quite.!!!!!!!