USVI-On-Line

How similar are these two beaches? We made it to Cinnamon but not Trunk last trip. While Cinnamon was nice it wasn't one of my fave beaches that we visted..those were Salomon and Maho. Maybe it was because it was rough or because we had rowdy neigbors (same scene but much worse on Hawksnest). Is it worth it to visit Trunk? I kind of want to just because it is so famous but someone told me last time that if you visited one, no need to visit the other because they are so alike. A big difference this time hopefully will be that the beaches will be less crowded since we are going in low season vs high (May vs March) and hopefully the waves will be calmer.

I visited STJ for the first time last March. I was avoiding Trunk because I thought it would be crowded. I loved Maho and other beaches and saw no reason to go to Trunk and be there with the crowd when I loved the other beaches. The lady I was renting from told me everyone needed to experience Trunk. She kind of insisted, so I made plans to go there one morning for just a few hours. Didn't take food, etc, because I wasn't going to stay long. I LOVED Trunk! I could not make myself leave. Even when I knew that I'd been in the sun too long, I could not make myself leave. I can't really explain why. I did appreciate the very nice, clean facilities at Trunk, but that is only part of the reason I loved it.

So I guess my advice is to go check it out and develop your own opinion.

I liked Cinnamon, too, but didn't have the problem of not being able to make myself leave.

They're obviously both incredible places.
If I were you, I'd check them both out,but be sure to make a stop at Hawksnest while you're in that area. You'll have to pack food & drinks, but you won't regret it.
Smiles-
MJ

Cinnamon and Trunk are quite different IMHO. Trunk is still one of the most stunning beaches you'll ever see, and you're short changing yourself if you skip it. Walk down to the left if you want to get away from people. I second Mahojim on Hawksnest, too.

Sold! I will definitely make Trunk a must see. And I do want to go back to Hawksnest...people were packed in like sardines and it must have been high tide because the beach was super skinny and the people right next to us were drunk and had beer bottles everywhere. Our freinds said it was one of their favorite beaches and th snorkeling was amazing. And to look at their photos, I wouldn't have believed it was the same beach! So I must see it in all its glory!

I personally love Trunk but I have a hard time getting my DH to go to Trunk. On our first trip to STJ many many years ago I insisted on going to Trunk just because it's Trunk Beach for heaven's sake!! I loved it. I think the sand there is the best of all the beaches on STJ (except for Scott Beach at Caneel)!! The problem he has is that there at some point you know that are going to be too many people. Even if you get there very early and have the beach to yourself you know that the invasion is coming so you know you're going to have to pack up and leave to get away from the eventual arrival of potentially bad neighbors. But I truly believe it's one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.

I always check to see what days do NOT have cruise ships in St. Thomas and pick that day to go to Trunk. You can check the cruise ship schedule on Vinow.com. Trunk is fantastic, you do need to go there.

Both are great, but Trunk is a must do, Our last trip we managed to hit it twice, Once when the high surf had the snorkelling closed and no fee was charged, no one was there, and the second time was after the sun left Jumbie, we hopped over and it was fabulous. Early or late to avoid the cruise crowd. (and checking the cruise ship schedule helps) But late afternoons at trunk are one of my favorites.


STJ06_71 by ross_mike40, on Flickr


TrunkAfternoons by ross_mike40, on Flickr

for some reason never really developed a love for cinnamon.

Hawksnest tip: to avoid the crowds, don't enter the beach from the main path from the parking lot. Instead, look to your left. You'll see a little trail. Follow the trail as far to the left as you can, and then pop out into your own private tree-shaded nook. You cannot get into the water from here (the reef comes up to the beach) but it's a deep sandy and shady spot to read or have lunch etc.

Here's the view:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854845407/" title="hawksnest 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/485 ... 42c4fa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="hawksnest 3"></a>

Just don't take my spot when I want to use it!

Thaks for the pictures and the Hawksnest tip! Where is Jumbie?

Last year when we were there which was about 10:00, we were out of there by 11:00. The beach area seemed narrow and steep. To many people-of course I remember coming to Trunk on a shore excursion (cruise) and thought it was great. Well our opinions have certainly changed. Cinnamon remains my favorite. Of course last year we were there in Oct., and a few days there were only at most 8 others on the beach-luv it.
Mricco

I too prefer Hawksnest. While it has no food, lockers, store or showers, i honestly think its more pristine, not to mention, we always go in late August and there is literally no one there, maybe another couple or too.
Ughh, just got back last than a month ago and already miss it...

In my opinion, Trunk is so beautiful, you don't want to miss it. We have been to STJ in May twice, and go to Trunk on days with no cruise ships in port. The beach may get a little crowded in the middle of the day, but its never been overly crowded for us. We always have grand plans to get to the beach early, but then morning villa gravity takes over, so we don't get there until between 10-11. We love this beach and have had very good snorkeling there. The good snorkeling surprised us because we expected the coral to be mostly dead and not many fish. We've seen lots of fish and some coral. Also saw an octopus and lobster.

We've only been to Cinnamon once and didn't care for it. The waves were high, it was very windy and crowded. Since so many people have this as their favorite beach, we've decided to visit it again next trip to give it another try.

Happy trip planning!

I think both Cinnamon and Trunk have their pros and cons. The sand on Trunk is like baby powder. Strange how the sand on that one beach seems so different and so much more white than the other beaches. Why is that? Also, I find people seem to like the "pack mentality" and huddle together. Go down to the far left of Trunk and watch the huddle of people in the middle closer to the snorkel trail and snack stands.

Cinnamon can get crowded but if you hike to your far left through the trail you'll end up on Little Cinnamon. The view from Little Cinnamon is what I imagine when I meditate. It is my nirvana.

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Little Cinnamon on a busy day.

Both beaches are great but if I cuold just choose one it would be Trunk. Theres a reason it is one of the most photograghed beach in the world, it's drop dead gorgeous. Head to the left facing the beach to get away from the crowds if it's busy, get there by nine or ten to get the primo spot. We love to set up in the rocks if the tide lets us.