Sunday July 06, 2008
Cinnamon Bay

Visitors will discover there are plenty of advantages to visiting a beach that's a long way from the nearest major city, like having a bit more space to spread out and Cinnamon Bay provides those rewards.

Cinnamon Bay's white, sandy shores are part of the adjoining National Park and campground by the same name, where stunning island views and great amenities for guests are available. Prime snorkeling, swimming, hiking, and watersports make great entertainment. You may want to consider an early arrival since the weather is perfect early in the day but can get windy in the afternoon.

This beach is not just pretty, it is one of the most unique stretches of sand in the Virgin Islands. While Cinnamon Bay might be a little more trouble to reach, it provides some unmatched relaxation opportunities

The Virgin Islands is filled with many beaches, but Cinnamon Bay is one of the few that has a wide range of appeal, making it perfect for both people-watchers and active vacationers. The views and people help make it a great choice that can please everyone in your party.

Even though Cinnamon Bay is not particularly secluded, visitors will find fewer people here than on many of the Virgin Islands' other beaches. This means that, though a romantic walk on the beach might not be possible, you'll find this beach is a great alternative to more popular or urban beaches.

For those looking to avoid car rentals or side trips too far from their home base, it may be preferable to stop in at the Virgin Islands' Cinnamon Bay.

the Virgin Islands' beaches are hardly known for their seclusion, however, this beach is a little more secluded than many, making it a good choice for some travelers. Cinnamon Bay is still near plenty of people.

For some visitors the level of activity at a beach and its amenities can be the most important attributes. For others, getting the chance to spend a day in the sun and experience seclusion is the best part of the beach. No matter what you're looking for, the Virgin Islands has plenty to choose from, and you may decide that Cinnamon Bay is the perfect beach for you.

Location

Beach-goers will find this stretch of sand on the Virgin Islands' northwestern coast, 0.7 miles from Catherinberg Ruins. Cinnamon Bay is near Leinster Bay, so you can explore the town as part of your day at the beach.

Nearby Hotels

Whether you are nearly alone or joining other beachgoers will be influenced by the time of day as well as the season. The beach is not located next door to any large hotels but you may see visitors staying at hotels in the general vicinity. There are several hotels near this beach. If you're looking for a place to stay near here you won't have trouble finding a spot.

The following table provides additional hotel options near this beach.

Nearest Hotels to Cinnamon Bay
Hotel NameDistanceNo. of
Rooms
Caneel Bay 2.4 mi. 166
Westin Resort, St. John 3.3 mi. 349
Gallows Point Resort 3.5 mi. 50
Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas 6.4 mi. 200
Sapphire Village 6.4 mi. 30
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina 6.7 mi. 216
Secret Harbour Beach Resort 7.1 mi. 60

Amenities and Ambience

This beach has many different activities for guests to choose from: Rent windsurfing equipment, kayaks, snorkeling gear, or even mountain bikes. A nature trail with information signs on tropical foilage is just across from the campground and begins at the ruins of a sugar mill. Grill out with the area's small store and picnic facilities, or visit the property's restaurant for a nice afternoon snack.

The number of people on the beach is affected by the time of year, time of day, and many other factors. A few of the Virgin Islands' beaches may hardly ever be crowded, while others are frequently crowded especially when tourism season is as its peak. When considering a day at the beach, an important thing to keep in mind may be the size of the crowd you'll be joining, which is important to some vacationers. While some prefer a crowded beach filled with people and activity, others enjoy a quieter beach atmosphere.

Like many other aspects of the Virgin Islands this beach has a distinctive quality which will appeal to some visitors more than others. The atmosphere of this beach is a little different from what you'll experience at the other beaches in the Virgin Islands. With a campground in Cinnamon Bay National Park, this area often has a good number of people basking along the shores. Still, the wide range of activities can make the crowds seem smaller and less intrusive.

Attractions

If you're like many vacationers, you want to experience plenty of incredible sights during your trip-- and also relax a little bit. An afternoon at the beach can be relaxing, but natural attractions, like Reef Bay Trail (located 1.1 miles to the southeast of Cinnamon Bay) can give your vacation a little something extra.

If you want more information on the history of the Virgin Islands you'll discover some opportunities close by. For example Catherinberg Ruins is located 0.7 miles to the southeast of Cinnamon Bay.

If activity is your top vacation choice, this beach isn't far from any of the items in the following table.

Attractions Near Cinnamon Bay
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Catherinberg Ruins 0.7 mi. SE Historical Site
Reef Bay Trail 1.1 mi. SE Natural Attraction
Peace Hill 1.6 mi. SW Natural Attraction
Virgin Islands National Park 1.7 mi. SE Natural Attraction
Bordeaux Mountain 1.9 mi. SE Natural Attraction
Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins 1.9 mi. NE Historical Site
Plantation Ruins 2.3 mi. SE Historical Site
Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum 3.2 mi. SW Museum
U.S. Customs 3.2 mi. SW Tourism Oriented Business
Visitors Bureau 3.2 mi. SW Tourism Oriented Business

Food

If you want to get a bite to eat during your beach outing, not to worry, you'll have some great choices without going too far.

The table below lists some restaurant options.

Restaurants Near Cinnamon Bay
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Le Chateau Bordeaux French lunch & dinner 1.2 mi. E
Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant American lunch & dinner 2.7 mi. E
Serafina Seaside Bistro International dinner 2.7 mi. E
Shipwreck Landing Seafood lunch & dinner 3.0 mi. E
Global Village Cuisine at Lattitude 18 American breakfast, lunch, dinner 3.1 mi. SW
Sun Dog Cafe Eclectic lunch 3.1 mi. SW
Paradiso American dinner 3.1 mi. SW
La Tapa International dinner 3.2 mi. SW

The Virgin Islands offers many great restaurants, but not every meal needs to eaten in a formal setting. Some vacationers enjoy eating a meal right at the beach. Many hotels will be happy to pack a picnic lunch for their guests, or you can pick up some food en route to the beach.

A great restaurant on the beach serves hungry patrons.

Other Beaches

You'll find other beaches besides Cinnamon Bay in the Virgin Islands. You might also enjoy Salt Pond Bay; it is located 4.7 miles to the southeast. The secluded little beach at Salt Bay offers beachgoers privacy as well as excellent swimming conditions. So on your next trip to St. John, go off the beaten path and sample these sandy shores.

If you're looking for a more active beach scene, you might enjoy people watching at Lindquist Beach. You'll find it 6.6 miles to the southwest.

You might also want to visit Maho Bay, which is located 0.6 miles away from Cinnamon Bay. Maho Bay Beach on St. John is a beautiful white sand beach that borders a campground. Activities include nature talks and presentations, lounging on the shore, and jazz concerts in the spring.

You might not find Cinnamon Bay to be the best choice for you, but the Virgin Islands is full of beach options for travelers. Even if this beach isn't perfect for you, you're sure to find something to enjoy.