Cinnamon Bay Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]

by Nichole | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 | St. John, Best Snorkeling Caribbean

As experienced snorkelers who have explored some of the world’s most incredible underwater destinations, including remote Rangiroa, Indonesia, the Maldives, Moorea, and Belize, my husband and I are always searching for beautiful beaches with good snorkeling.

If Trunk Bay feels too crowded, we recommend checking out nearby Cinnamon Bay Beach. The beach is absolutely gorgeous, and in our experience, the snorkeling is actually better than what we found at Trunk Bay.

In this guide, I’ll share how to get there, the best spots to snorkel, and what kinds of fish you might see based on our time in the water.

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Table of Contents

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St. John Snorkeling Rating System

My husband and I are avid snorkelers on a mission to find and evaluate the best snorkeling locations like Cinnamon Bay.

Please see my personal rating key below.

OVERALL SNORKEL RATING KEY

🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = World-class snorkeling and worth traveling just for the snorkeling alone!

🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = Incredible snorkeling and should be on your list of top things to do!

🤿 🤿 🤿 = Decent snorkeling and worth the effort!

🤿 🤿 = Worth consideration if you are running out of things to do!

🤿 = Not worth it!

Snorkeling is a must-do in St. John.

Check out my go-to guide featuring 11 amazing snorkel spots we’ve explored and loved on the island!

Snorkeling map of top St. John USVI Snorkeling Sites

Cinnamon Bay Beach Snorkeling

Cinnamon Bay Beach

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Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿

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How to Get There

Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off North Shore Road.

Parking is plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach.

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Cinnamon Bay beach parking lot

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Snorkeling Map

Map of where to snorkel at the Cinnamon Bay beach in St. John US Virgin Islands

Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay.

Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind.

There is also supposed to be excellent snorkeling on the eastern (right) side of the beach as you face the water, but we did not have time to snorkel there.

In addition, if you are up for a short hike to Little Cinnamon Beach, you can snorkel to a small plane wreckage, but I heard it is not too impressive.

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Entry

With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward.

Don’t forget to pack your own snorkeling gear. St. John is full of amazing spots to explore underwater and having your own equipment makes it so much easier and more enjoyable.

Here’s the gear we personally bring on all of our snorkel adventures (or as we like to call them, snorkations).

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St. John Fish Sightings

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish.

The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached.

Sergeant major at Cinnamon Bay in St. John USVI

Sergeant majors at Cinnamon Bay

Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Bay Beach was a fun spot to snorkel and noticeably less crowded than some of the more popular beaches. Parking was easy, which made the visit even more convenient.

While there are better snorkeling spots on St. John like Waterlemon Cay, Haulover Bay North, and Grootpan Bay, we still enjoyed hopping in the water to see what it had to offer.

And the highlight? We spotted a shark from a safe distance, which made the stop even more memorable!

I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.

My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.

Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!