PI is one of the places in the Caribbean that we've not yet visited and we'd thought perhaps to give it a try next year. But I have one major concern. We like really really quiet places, especially at night, but also during the day. (We don't even enjoy the sound of waves at night, though love that in the daytime.) I have read that one can hear the sound of the generator at the resort. Even in the rooms. I hope to get knowledgeable feedback on this question because if that's the case, PI would be out for us, alas. I know that noise sensitivity level varies from person to person, so I'm not so much interested in hearing whether people were bothered by the noise, just whether they heard it in their room and around the property. I know that if we heard it, it'd bother us. Thanks so much. I'd be sorry to miss out on PI, but there are lots of other wonderful snorkeling destinations, and I don't mind endlessly repeating some of our favorites (St John,Virgin Gorda,Grenadines).

I'm topping hoping to get some responses. I know there're plenty of Fodor's folks who've been to Peter Island. I'm definitely concerned abt that GENERATOR problem. And I know that sort of noise would not be a problem for many people-- but 'twould be for me. Curious that I'd never seen mention of it before, i.e. until it appeared on a Trip Advisor report. And I so very much appreciated the comment. Need to hear more. Thank you!

I think you have answered your own question.
Seems you have read there is generator noise. You couldn't tolerate it.
Perhaps earplugs could work for you???

Noise sensitivity probable does vary but we stayed there for 8 nights about 20 months ago and were not aware of any sound. Maybe in part because we like A/C on medium or high and that might explain why we had no problem.
But, if in doubt, you should pass and miss one of the lovely boutique resorts along with Biras Creek, Jumby Bay. etc. Though PI has probably 20-30 more guests than the aforementioned resorts it is a quite resort except like most resorts at school breaks and May-Sept.the children are around though PI does not cater to children as does Caneel and Little Dix since they introduced "kids camps 7-8 years ago. We like are quiet as well and stopped going to those lovely resorts in 1997-1998.

poss, We stayed in the rooms at Deadman's beach and could not hear the waves or a generator. Maybe it is a problem at the rooms by the pool. That I don't know. I thought the rooms at PI were nicer than at Caneel. We went at the end of September two years ago and the two days we went to White Bay we had it all to ourselves. Good luck in your planning. We are off to St Croix and St. John on the 30th. Owa

We didn't hear the generator when we were there. I am a light sleeper although not as light as you (sound of the waves don't bother me). We were in an oceanview room. I guess the question is where is the generator located (don't know) because the oceanview and oceanfront rooms are nowhere near each other. Maybe the reviewer who complained mentions which room type he was in?

I was there exactly two years ago this week and the only reason I knew where the generator was located, some of the staff pointed it out to me.

I stayed in the beach front rooms and couldn’t hear a thing-that being said I'm a frequent business traveler and I think it's made me a bit "immune" to certain distractions.
If I recall correctly- the generator is located being the main lobby/dinning area positioned up against a hill, which might block the noise to the beach front rooms, which are situated on the other side of the hill.
For expert advice ask "scubamom" you can email her through her website-I think she been to PI over ten times.

Thanks for the replies-- especially the ones with the good specific info. I inquired and it turns out that the generator is near the Tradewinds restaurant, so that would explain why folks in the beach rooms weren't bothered. (Though I suspect it can be heard in the pool and restaurant areas.)
Owa: glad to hear that the rooms at PI are nicer than at Caneel. (I wonder if that's true for the ocean view rooms though. Did you happen to see them?) We love Caneel, but we sure don't think much of their rooms. Little Dix rooms are quite a few steps above Caneel's imo.
Stankase: Our Caneel and LD vacations are in December, just before high season kicks in. There've been virtually no children at those resorts during those periods. We spent a number of hours at Biras Creek last time we were on Virga Gorda-- didn't much care for it. I thought the grounds were great, viz the wonderful walking/hiking trails. Those views were absolutely wonderful. And I liked the privacy of a number of the rooms. But I didn't like the insides of the rooms that I saw-- and most important I didn't like the fact that there was no real beach. In younger days, we would have enjoyed bopping around on the dinghys to various snorkel spots, but these days we cherish the everything-right-there aspect of Caneel. (Haven't been to Jumby because the snorkeling isn't much and that's our main pleasure.)
Back to "generator" "problem": PI has said that they've changed generators-- updated or whatever-- in the last year. So maybe it'll not be a problem even in the areas that are near it.
Again-- thanks to all and happy trails.
(Scubamom: If you're monitoring and have recent experience at PI, I hope you'll jump in here. Thanks!)

poss; You are right the rooms are "rustic". The Ocean Suites are quite a bit nicer but at a premium price. We pay the freight because the snorkeling outings (we hire a local through Water Sports) so that we can get to cays that have first rate snorkeling. Also, this Dec. on our return to Biras Ceeek (the second wewek of Dec.-when the likelihood of children is low, plus it does not cater to kids having a good time)we will go to Anegada where the snorkeling is as good, in our opinion, if not better than Caneel. But, I must admit, at Caneel the snorkeling is at your front door except for the rooms up near the tennis courts/pool.But, the food the last 2 visits has been average, in my opinion.
You are right there are only 2 decent snorkel spots off Jumby Bay.
You will enjoy Peter Island, I am quite sure.

Caneel food-yuk (tho we enjoy their tea time)
We've snorkeled Anegada-- enjoyed it, but not more than some of the other spots around the VIs (Have sailed in the area several times.)
Stan: Can you compare Jumby snorkeling with Little Dix? About the same? What abt the resorts themselves?
Enjoy your return to Biras! Quite good food, yes?