Cinnamon Bay

Cinnamon Bay is a very popular National Park beach on the north shore of the island of St John, US Virgin Islands, adjacent to the historic Cinnamon Bay Plantation.

Cinnamon Bay is a very popular National Park beach on the north shore of the island of St John, US Virgin Islands, adjacent to the historic Cinnamon Bay Plantation. The shallow, crystal clear water, Sea Grass beds, Coral Reefs and the short distance to Cinnamon Cay make Cinnamon Bay excellent for snorkeling.

Waters are typically calm, however, due to its northern exposure, occasionally swells impact the beach from the Atlantic (locally known as ground seas).  Trees, brushes, shrubs and a grassy area line the sandy shoreline.   Rocks and a bluff are present along the western and eastern ends of the bay. There are no man made guts, but a 2 small natural guts present along the east end and west end of the beach.

Camping in Virgin Islands National Park is permitted only at the Cinnamon Bay campground — no back-country or beach camping is allowed by the National Park Service. The Cinnamon Bay campground is operated by a Cinnamon Bay Campground

Park Service programs are offered in a small amphitheater (including campfire programs).   In addition, a wide range of weekly activities are available at the campground.

There is a restaurant (the T’ree Lizards), restrooms, showers and a small camp store.

A waterfront shop rents snorkeling equipment, sea kayaks, sailboards and small sailboats, and provides lessons as well.

Visit the Cinnamon Bay Archeology Museum & Lab.  Recently renovated, this building is one of the oldest still standing, and in use, on St. John. Commonly referred to as the Cinnamon Bay Museum, this space is home to the new Cinnamon Bay Heritage Center & Archeology Lab. It is a working archeology lab and museum with the purpose of preserving the Caribbean’s human heritage from prehistory to the present. Volunteers are given the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig on a pre-Columbian Taino ceremonial site. This unique project is paid for by funds raised by the Friends of VI National Park.

Hiking opportunities are available on the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail