Pinel Island Eco Snorkel Info Pls.

[FlaCruzers]

I have used the search feature for this, but no luck.

 

Has anyone done the Pinel Island Eco Snorkel and Beach Tour offered by Celebrity or anyone else? We have been to Orient a few times, so was looking for something different. Looked into Mullett Bay Beach, but have heard it's rocky and rough at times.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.:D

[thequeen54]

I have used the search feature for this, but no luck.

 

Has anyone done the Pinel Island Eco Snorkel and Beach Tour offered by Celebrity or anyone else? We have been to Orient a few times, so was looking for something different. Looked into Mullett Bay Beach, but have heard it's rocky and rough at times.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.:D

 

Mullet Bay can be rough sometimes, but it's not rocky at all.

[BroncosFan2010]

I am also interested in this excursion through Celebrity. I would love some information from anyone who has experienced it. Mostly, do you get snorkel time after the guided snorkel?

[jkjmt]

We did a snorkel/beach excursion through Carnival years ago. Sorry to say, the water was quite (very) rough and very few fish. My daughter and I swam and swam and only saw maybe two or three small fish. Other people went quite a bit father than we did, but I don't think snorkeling is the best in St. Martin.

[nanbob]

We too are looking to book this for our February Celebrity Eclipse cruise. We have friends who have recommended that we see Pinel Island, but would love to hear from anyone who has actually taken this excursion...thank you!

[SEASMOM]

We have been here before trying to avoid the crowds at orient beach.

 

This is a really great group of people trying to preserve the coral, ocean etc.

 

But .... The water was extremely rough wHere they take you on the snorkel tour, very murkey and very few fish on our tour. I am a good swimmer but found it hard to keep up with the tour guide. It was all work and not a very pleasurable trip.:(

 

the beach was nice and there are some restaurants that you could eat lunch at. It was not crowded at all.

 

I would recommend it for swimming and beach time but not snorkeling. We were there in january.

[hcat]

we are signed up for this Celebrity excursion in a few weeks & like to snorkel but not if the water is too rough! main interest was in the beach itself but this was the best way to get there!! how was the sounds equipment they use ???

 

If you start the tour & have trouble keeping up can you go back & meet at the beach?

 

our last snorkel trip was near the tiki hut area-- the water was fine but not many fish to be seen, mostly sea urchins around...

[hcat]

after reading more reviews--we decided to cancel this one & go with the Golden Eagle excursion--less strenuos a swim & hopepfully more to see????

[DebPaul]

We too are looking to book this for our February Celebrity Eclipse cruise. We have friends who have recommended that we see Pinel Island, but would love to hear from anyone who has actually taken this excursion...thank you!

 

 

A few years back we took the snorkling trip to Pinel Island...I don't remember which cruise line. The snorkling was just okay - you had to go fairly far out to find any fish and I don't recall it being great. HOWEVER, I love Pinel Island...if you are looking for a peaceful retreat and the calmest water ever this is the best beach.

[idlemind]

I've been to Pinel on my own a couple times. It's pretty easy to rent a car and drive yourself there. I am guessing that the ship snorkelling tour goes from the official snorkelling spot, the right side of the beach where they've built a walkway into the water. There isn't much there - the better snorkelling is around the back side of the island off of a natural beach. It only takes a minute or two to walk over (the island is small) and then you'll be on a mostly deserted natural beach. The snorkelling is not amazing if you've snorkeled a lot in the Caribbean, but there were lots of fish and some coral very close to shore. The first time I went it was choppy but still easily done, and the second time the water was calmer. I can imagine that since it's on the ocean side, it could get wavy at times, but it's a great beach if you want a secluded afternoon. I've seen nude sunbathers there too, so that could either be a bonus or a minus depending on your personality :eek:;)