French Cul-de-Sac
A village on the northeastern coast, the departure point for Pinel and Caye Verte.
Updated 3 September 2026
French Cul-de-Sac is a village on Saint Martin's northeastern coast where the road ends at a small jetty, and its main function is as the departure point for the ferries to Pinel Island a few hundred metres offshore and for boats to Caye Verte. Mangrove and salt pond lie behind the village and the hills rise inland. It is quiet apart from the boat traffic.
Highlights
- The jetty - the departure point for Pinel and Caye Verte.
- The mangrove and salt pond - the wetland behind the village.
- The short crossing - Pinel a few hundred metres offshore.
- The village - a quiet settlement at the end of the road.
When to go
December to April is the high season and boats run frequently. Hurricane season runs June to November. Ferries run through the day and stop in the late afternoon.
Things to know
There is little in the village itself beyond the jetty. Ferries stop running in the late afternoon and being stranded on Pinel is possible. Parking fills in high season.
Nearby
Pinel Island is offshore, and Grand Case is west.
What to pack for French Cul-de-Sac
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
