Pinel Island or Scavenger Beach for Snorkeling

[powderqn]

Which one will have the better snorkeling, or is there another beach on St. Martin that would have good snorkeling? Also, if we wanted to go to Pinel Beach on our own, (not with the cruise ship excursion), how would we do it?

Thanks in advance!

Christine

[L_T]

We haven't snorkeled on St Martin (yet), but friends did at Dawn Beach (near Scavenger's Beach Bar) and enjoyed it. They said it wasn't great, but a coral reef is just off-shore with some marine life. Other friends were on Pinel Island and found okay snorkeling. If you take a taxi to Cul de Sac there is a small boat ferry service to Pinel Isle. This is just past the Orient Beach area. On Orient Beach starting at Pedro's Beach Bar there is a reef that angles out in front of Club Orient. We saw folks snorkeling in that area too. Sorry I don't have any more than this.

 

Dawn Beach

http://home.carolina.rr.com/stmartin2003/Dawn%20Beach.htm

Orient Beach

http://home.carolina.rr.com/edsandra/OrientPanorama.htm

Pinel Island Beach (Orient Beach in upper left corner)

http://home.carolina.rr.com/photos2004/DSC01794.htm

[trvlnut]

Snorkeling off any of the beaches is only fair. If you do go to Pinel, go to the other side of the island. There are two secluded beaches that offer bit better natural marine life than to the right of the dock. Be careful, sometimes there is a wait for the ferry. If I remember right, it was $5 per person for a ticket there and back.

[heydad]

I've been to Pinel from cruises and from land vacations and thought the snorkeling was OK. The area around Pinel island is a preserve (no fishing) and at times have seen quite a bit of marine life. Also had a really good lunch at a tiny grill/bar on the left side of the island. If you are a little adventuresome (sp?) you really don't need the water taxi to Pinel, you can walk half way and swim the rest (1/2 mile total).

Have Fun

Jeff

[dougp26364]

We did the Pinel Island/Yellow Beach snorkel. It's all right if you've never snorkeled before and want someplace easy to learn. The guides were pretty good about explaining how to get the epuipment on, avoid water leaks around masks, adjust things while in the water, clearing your snorkel ect. But as far as the clarity of water and seeing fish it wasn't all that great. It was a nice first time experience but it's not something we'll do again.