Excursion to Isla de Pinel

Isla de Pinel (Pinel Island) is a small French Marine Reserve island just off the northwest coast of St. Martin.  Accessible by ferry, kayak, and paddleboard, the island features four beaches, with no development allowed beyond the existing two restaurants and a gift shop.  We catch a small ferry over and enjoy the day.

Get off the ferry, pick an umbrella and chair

Nearby restaurant

Views of the water

After swimming a while, we hike up the hill from the beach and wander around the island.

Heading up the hill

The other side of the island

We wander a bit around the top of the hill enjoying the Caribbean views in all directions.

Views from the top

But, lunch calls and we head back down to the restaurant to dine on cod fritters, octopus stew, and a poke bowl.

Heading back to the restaurant at the beach

Cod fritters and octopus stew

Poke bowl

After lunch, it's back into the water for swimming and a few pictures.  Soon the afternoon winds down and it is time to catch the ferry back

View from the water

And, our reward for having such a fun-filled, water and beach oriented day is.... dinner back in Grand Case!  We head over to Bistro Caribe for escargot, seared tuna, margret de canard and fresh lobster.  And, of course, profiteroles and French wine.

Escargot and seared tuna

Selecting and weighing the lobster

Margret de canard, lobster

Profiteroles

As we finish our dinner and wander back through Grand Case, the sun slowly sets over the Caribbean and we watch the colors develop and change throughout the sky.  Another fabulous end to a great day.

Night falls

It's been a brief, but refreshing, relaxing, and delightful visit.  We'll be back soon!