Beach of the Day: The Joy of Pinel, Saint Martin’s Tiny Offshore Paradise 

One little island, two beach bars. That’s pretty much all you need to know about Pinel Island in Saint Martin. But it’s really just the beginning. This tiny islet just offshore from the Cul de Sac area of the French side is home to a jaw-droopingly beautiful slice of sand and two bars: Karibuni (which is also a hotel located on the “mainland”) and Yellow Beach. Both are superb: high-level gastronomy you expect in St Martin, friendly service and a blissfully barefoot vibe. 

But this island is more. It gets you. The sand is perfect. The water grabs you but never holds you too tight. You find a lounge chair and never want to leave. 

Everyone here is happy. The vibes are palpable. The staff at both spots have exactly the kind of carefree, happy-go-lucky personalities for which St Martin is famous. No matter who you are, you’ll be treated like a jet-setter. 

Pinel is one of my favorite beaches in the world, because it’s more than the sum of its parts. It just makes you feel heavenly. Whether you’re sipping an ice-cold rosé or a freshly-curated ti’ punch, it all just works. Spectacularly. 

You take the quick ferry across the water, hop onto the dock, get to your spot and never, ever want to leave. As the hours go on, it becomes harder and harder to even consider going back to St Martin, back to reality. 

And when the last boat heads back to shore, it’s almost as if this little beach fades back into the sea, hiding away in the ether until it’s needed again in the morning. 

It’s a bucket-list beach.