Pinel Island
Îlet Pinel · Pinel Islet
18°06.1'N 63°00.9'W
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for excellent holding in 2–5m clean sand. Day visit only — NO overnight anchoring (Réserve Naturelle). Use mooring buoys where provided. Maintain watch for shoaling toward Pinel Island shore.
About This Anchorage
Pinel Island (Îlet Pinel) is a small uninhabited island within the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin, just north of Orient Bay. It is one of the most popular day-trip destinations on the island — accessible by regular water taxi from Orient Beach and by small vessels navigating the channel from the west. The island has two beach restaurants (Coco Beach and Karibuni Beach Club), excellent snorkelling on its fringing reef, clear turquoise water, and a bird sanctuary hosting magnificent frigatebirds, pelicans, and various herons. No overnight anchoring is permitted under Réserve Naturelle regulations. The channel between Pinel Island and the main island shore is navigable in the sandy section (2–5m depth) — approach from the west or southwest in good light. Mooring buoys are provided and should be used in preference to anchoring.
Protected From
W · SW · S
Exposed To
NE · E · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (use mooring buoys where available)
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- Available — use in preference to anchoring
Restrictions: DAY VISITS ONLY — no overnight anchoring permitted (Réserve Naturelle); use mooring buoys where provided; no anchoring in coral or seagrass; no spearfishing; bird sanctuary — no disturbance of nesting areas (frigatebirds, pelicans); no collection of marine life; approach from west/SW only in good light.
Hazards
- !NO OVERNIGHT ANCHORING — Réserve Naturelle regulation; wardens patrol; fines apply
- !Channel shoaling: Pinel Island shore shoals rapidly — approach from W/SW only and anchor clear of the island
- !High water taxi and dinghy traffic between Orient Beach and Pinel Island — maintain watch
- !Bird sanctuary: frigatebirds and pelicans nest on the island — do not disturb nesting areas
- !Exposed to NE — uncomfortable in strong NE trade conditions; day stop only
Skipper's Tips
- →Use mooring buoys if available — Réserve Naturelle moorings protect the reef and are quick to pick up
- →Snorkelling around the island's fringing reef is excellent — sea turtles and rays are commonly seen
- →Coco Beach restaurant is well worth the dinghy trip — grilled lobster and fresh fish at a beach table
- →Arrive early (before 1000) to avoid the water taxi crowds from Orient Beach — the island gets very busy midday
- →Depart by 1500 — the NE swell on the return passage to Grand Case or Orient Bay can build in the afternoon
Facilities
Coco Beach restaurant and Karibuni Beach Club on Pinel Island — accessible from dinghy. Both serve lunch (grilled fish, lobster, Creole cuisine) in a stunning setting. Open Dec–May season.
Nearest provisions: Orient Bay beach bars (1.5nm) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May (day visits only). Best in settled morning conditions. Restaurants on Pinel Island open Dec–May season. Always a day trip — no overnight anchoring permitted.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
Simpson Bay Lagoon is the busiest cruising anchorage in the northern Caribbean — anchor drag in a crowded lagoon overnight can be catastrophic. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and alerts you before drift becomes dangerous.
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