reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com · Official
Reserve page describes reserve rules, boat access, moorings, the ecosnorkeling path, and late-day quieting after the last ferry.
Dive Spot Guide•
Pinel
Sheltered reef and snorkel site off Cul-de-Sac
Boat-in islet with calm bay water, protected reef access, and limited on-island services; busiest before the last ferry.
About Pinel
Pinel is a sheltered islet dive and snorkel stop off Cul-de-Sac in Saint Martin's protected marine reserve. The bay side stays calm and shallow, while short paths lead to a rougher Atlantic face and a marked reef area. It suits easy discovery dives, snorkeling, and apnea outings, with coral patches, reef fish, rays, and turtles around the protected water. Plan around the ferry, reserve rules, and a busy morning crowd if you want the quieter late-day window.
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Research Estimate At Pinel
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessSimple entry
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentLight current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is Pinel?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Pinel Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 8m
Depth Note
Maximum depth 8 m.
Typical Conditions
Calm, sheltered water on the bay side; more exposed and choppy toward the Atlantic side.
Safety & Access At Pinel
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Restricted access
Safety Notes
This site is inside a nature reserve; follow local protection rules while diving and snorkeling.
Access Restrictions
Located within the Saint-Martin nature reserve.
Legal Notes
Protected reserve; no fishing or jet skis, and boat access should follow marked passages and buoyed zones.
Local Intel For Pinel
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Shallow scuba diving with a maximum depth of 8 m, suitable for discovery dives.
Freediving
Mentioned as suitable for apnea/freediving in shallow water.
Snorkeling
Described as a good spot for snorkeling alongside coral discovery.
Recent Logged Visits At Pinel
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Pinel
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
