Pinel Island from the St. Maarten cruise port

Beach25-30 minutes by taxi4-5 hours including transfersFits a typical call

A small protected islet 170 m offshore, reached by a roughly 5-minute ferry from Cul-de-Sac. Calm swimming, snorkelling near shore and two beach restaurants (Yellow Beach, Karibuni).

Getting there from the ship

From
Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility
Travel time
25-30 minutes by taxi
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. St. Maarten taxi fares.
Cost
Ferry about €10 round trip, cash only; two loungers with umbrella about €20.
Time to allow
4-5 hours including transfers

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm St. Maarten call you have up to 6 h 10 min at Pinel Island, enough for a visit (allow 4-5 hours including transfers), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:50 am · At Pinel Island
    25-30 minutes by taxi from Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility.
  3. 3
    3:00 pm · Leave Pinel Island by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for St. Maarten; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Book the Pinel outing only if your ship sails at 17:00 or later; boats run about every 30 minutes and are cash only.

St. Maarten cruise port: Pinel Island FAQ

How far is Pinel Island from the St. Maarten cruise port?

From Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility it is 25-30 minutes by taxi.

How much does it cost to visit Pinel Island?

Ferry about €10 round trip, cash only; two loungers with umbrella about €20.

How much time do you need at Pinel Island?

Allow 4-5 hours including transfers. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm St. Maarten call you have up to 6 h 10 min at Pinel Island, enough for a visit (allow 4-5 hours including transfers), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Pinel Island on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is 25-30 minutes by taxi from Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility. Book the Pinel outing only if your ship sails at 17:00 or later; boats run about every 30 minutes and are cash only.

Tours that go to Pinel Island

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Pinel Island

All 12 places
  • Orient Bay · Beach · 25-35 minutes by taxi from the pier · 2.3 km from Pinel Island
  • Grand Case · Food & drink · 30-45 minutes by taxi from the pier · 4.0 km from Pinel Island
  • Loterie Farm · Nature · 30-35 minutes by taxi from the pier · 4.9 km from Pinel Island
  • Marigot · Town & walking · 25-40 minutes by taxi from the pier · 8.0 km from Pinel Island