I've stayed in the tents and baresite at Cinnamon, a month at Maho and have never had more than a dozen mosquito bites (maybe i payed my dues growing up in Northern Minnesota... our state bird). The flaps stay tight, a gecko or two in the tent helps the #'s down, a mosquito repellent candle near the door helps, also showering with peppermint soap seemed to help. Best suggestion is the battery racquets for entertainment when the sun goes down, swatting and watching them sizzle gave us a perverse pleasure... after all, they're not endangered species. Did see folks at Maho with the netting, I'd pack one if you're reactive to bites or coming in the really rainy season.

Once you get the tent closed up I don't think there is too much of an insect problem in these tents. The insects get in more often than not when you are entering and exiting. I'd suggest that you concentrate more on keeping a Deet containing repellent around your ankles. And remember that all that the different %s of deet influence is the length of line the protection lasts.

Cathy, I noticed you have stayed at both Maho and Cinnamon Bay. Which do you prefur? Could you help me with the advantages/disadvantages of both? We are planning to go in Feb or March. Thanks.

Jenn,

I'm taking the family to the USVI on Saturday and staying for 1 week @ Cinnamon. After considerable research online, I decided against Maho for several reasons:

1) Can't beat the price for a baresite @ Cinnamon ($27 +$7/person additional) and there's no tax (unlike the tents and cottages). While it's less convenient to have to bring your own camping supplies, I'm sure our own tents will provide the maximum protection from mosquitos and no-see-ums, which seems to be most folks' major concern.

2) Proximity to beach - I've read that the walk to/from the "treehouses" @ Maho can be arduous and slippery when wet, although the food and view at the Pavilion restaurant is often rated better than T'ree Lizards.

Drop me a line in a couple of weeks and I'll let you know how it went.

GSH

ok. here's why:

1. price. you can't beat it.
2. the bare sites (bring everything on your own, are on the beach, or darn close)
3. Yes. the platform tents are pretty old school compared to maho bay. But. we didn't notice bugs or have those types of problems. at sundown put some avon skin so soft on and call it a done deal
4. the beach doesn't have to have stairs to get to it!
5. don't forget to bring a roll of qtrs to put your valuables in a locker!

We ruled out maho bay based on these reasonings. now mind you - i camped in tents like cinnamon bay in girl scouts so i'm used to the no frills.

no there aren't any fans - you don't need em
no there isn't any hot water - neither have it - but bring a solar shower (found at walmart $6) - one for each person and that should help with the warm bath

there's nothing special about the propane lantern and grill or cookware provided. We ate at the cafe - which open's on time but may or may not serve food for an hour or two later.

I haven't stayed at Cinnamon Bay, but I wrote about our stay at Maho in early December in my trip report posted on Dec. 24 ("December STJ Trip Report" or something like that). I liked Maho a lot more than I expected to after reading other postings on the message board. I would definitely go back to Maho. I wasn't there during high season though. We didn't have any trouble with bugs in the tent. I didn't find the steps to be a big deal, but we didn't go to the beach there often. We had a car, so drove to a lot of different beaches. Cinnamon is a beautiful beach, but the water was fairly rough the day we were there and the snorkeling okay, but not as good as some other places. Maho Bay (which you can walk to via a trail from the campground) was much calmer and the snorkeling better.

Posted by: @jp-stl

Can anyone tell me about the tents at the Cinnamon Bay campsite? Specifically, I'm wondering about mosquito netting. The photos in their brochure show old-fashioned canvas tents...the kind with flaps, rather than the more modern nylon tents with zippered screens of "no-see-'um" netting. That concerns me. Flaps don't seal out bugs very well. Will we be able to sleep comfortably, or will we have bugs buzzing around us all night?

I'm wondering if we should bring mosquito netting to hang over our cots to sleep comfortably.

Any suggestions?

Hi! I just plan to visit the Cinnamon Bay campsite. Immediately after self-isolation is complete. Have you ever visited it? Liked it? I'm also worried about the issue of the tent. I'm even considering this option https://gadgets-reviews.com/review/747-best-beach-tents.html
Waiting for your reply)

@lala
I do not believe the campground will be opening to campers anytime soon. They are still recovering/rebuilding from Irma and Maria hurricanes. The operator at that time has since folded and the contracted awarded to current company who is making serious improvements. They came across asbestos piping issues prior to the pandemic which delayed things and of course all work has been down during the VI shut down. I would not anticipate camping until late 2020 or early next year.