Cinnamon Bay Beach

Things to do at Cinnamon Bay Beach

Snorkeling & Water Sports

Protected within Virgin Islands National Park, Cinnamon Bay remains one of the most pristine stretches of shoreline not only in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but anywhere in the world. The Caribbean Sea’s remarkable clarity is a window into a thriving marine ecosystem that’s home to more than 500 species of fish that swim amid stingrays and coral colonies.

Just offshore sits Cinnamon Cay, a low-elevation sandy island formed on a coral reef and surrounded by shallow, transparent waters ideal for snorkelers of all skill levels. Snorkeling here feels like a scavenger hunt: Swim among the remains of a submerged village and a sunken 1940s plane or search for an underwater fish-holding pen believed to have been built by the Taíno (the Indigenous people of the Caribbean) or their ancestors. While exploring, snorkelers might be lucky enough to encounter green and hawksbill sea turtles.

If staying above the surface is more your thing, stand-up paddleboards and clear kayaks are excellent options to explore this tropical gem. 

The best part of Cinnamon Bay is how little you need to bring to have a great day. Rent snorkeling gear or watercraft right at the Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground.

Hiking & Wildlife 

The Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop is an easy trail that allows you to explore the beauty and history of the area. Hike through heavily forested trails as you come across ruins from the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation. Or take the 1-mile Cinnamon Bay Trail through mango and guava berry trees to a higher elevation with picture-perfect views of the glistening waters below. 

Virgin Islands National Park is a haven for warblers, great egrets and the quirky ovenbirds, known for their loud songs. Bird-watchers will be delighted to know that there are 144 species in the entire park, only 35 of which are year-round residents. The bulky American oystercatcher and the sleek little blue heron are two of the most easily recognizable full-time residents. The rest are travelers who, like many visitors to the USVI, escape to the tropical climate for only part of the year. In late summer, you might catch a glimpse of the lesser yellowlegs’ spindly limbs. In winter, the semipalmated plover, known for its orange stilts, plays tag with the waves.

Cinnamon Bay Campground

For a deeper connection to the park’s natural beauty, Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground is the only place to camp within Virgin Islands National Park. Campers can choose from a range of accommodations to suit their comfort level, including glamping tents with electricity and cooking kits, bare sites on wooden platforms with tents, rain covers and grills, or cottages with ample amenities. Reserve early to secure a seaside spot and let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep. The campsite is closed Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 annually. 

Dining

Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and can purchase ice and drinks at the General Store. The campground’s Rain Tree Cafe is open to day-trippers or campers for breakfast and dinner, while lunch and cocktails are served from the on-site food truck. The cafe serves a variety of dishes to keep you fueled for snorkeling excursions, such as pancakes, prime rib and jerk chicken, or vegetarian-friendly options like lentil meatloaf and stuffed eggplant. The cafe is also a place to relax and get some shade, with tables for card games and free events like musical performances and ecological chats each evening.