Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and house on the property belonged to Dr Robert Oppenheimer, one of the inventors of the
atomic bomb. His daughter committed suicide and left the land and beach house to the chil-
dren of St John.
Longtime expats favor the beach because they can bring their dogs (illegal on park land).
Islanders also use the beach for communal parties to benefit social and environmental
causes. There's very limited parking.
Jumbie Bay
SECLUDED BEACH
Jumbie is the word for ghost in the Creole dialect, and this beach east of Oppenheimer's has
a plethora of ghost stories. Look for the parking lot on North Shore Rd that holds only three
cars. From here, take the wooden stairs and a short trail down to the sand. The remote, com-
pact location, lack of facilities and associated ghost stories keep crowds at bay. Snorkeling
is best along a shallow reef on the beach's right side, though be careful on windy days when
the water can be choppy.
While you are here, consider stories of how, during the revolt of 1733, rampaging slaves
cut up the local plantation owners and stuffed them down a well. The murders were in re-
taliation against a slave master who allegedly buried slaves in the sand up to their necks on
the beach and used the exposed heads as bowling pins.
Trunk Bay
ACTIVITIES BEACH
(adult/child $4/free; 8am-4pm)
This long, gently arching beach is the most popular
strand on the island and the only one to charge an admission fee. The beach has lifeguards,
showers, toilets, picnic facilities, snorkel rental, a snack bar and taxi stand. No question,
the sandy stretch is scenic, but it often gets packed. Everyone comes here to swim the un-
derwater snorkeling trail, which features plaques on the ocean bottom describing the local
marine life. Experienced snorkelers will not be impressed by the murkiness or quality of
what's on offer beneath the surface.
Cinnamon Bay
ACTIVITIES BEACH
You can easily spend a day at this exposed sweeping cove. The mile-long beach - St John's
biggest - is home to the Cinnamon Bay Campground and has showers, toilets, a restaurant,
grocery store and taxi stand. It also offers a full slate of activities through its
WaterSports
Center
(
Click here
). Two cool hiking trails cross the grounds (
Click here
), and there's an
active archaeology dig site to poke around (
Click here
).
