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Cinnamon Beach Resort area

If the rocky nature of the beach at Cinnamon Beach Resort makes it unpleasant to swim in the ocean there, how far would I have to go north or south to find a suitable beach? Also, has the beach renourishment project had any impact on this area? Thanks.

Great question. Here’s a detailed take on the beach near Cinnamon Beach Resort (Palm Coast, FL), how rocky it might feel, where better swimming beaches are nearby, and what the current beach renourishment project might mean for you.

1. How rocky is the beach at Cinnamon Beach / Ocean Hammock?

Cinnamon Beach (part of the Ocean Hammock area) is known for its “cinnamon-colored” sand — that comes from crushed coquina shells, giving the beach a slightly coarse or shell-rich feel.

Based on vacation-rental guest reports, there *are* areas where the shoreline is described as “pretty rocky in some areas.” For example, someone staying nearby said: “Beach is pretty rocky in some areas, but enough clear areas for what we needed.”

In local discussions (e.g., on Reddit), some visitors warn that large rock or coquina outcroppings make certain spots less comfortable for wading or swimming: > “Flagler … the rocks are a killer … fell on rocks trying to go straight in and skinned my knees.” This suggests that while parts of the beach are rocky, others are more manageable — it may depend a lot on *exactly where* you enter the water.

2. If you want a more “swimmable” beach (less rocky), how far do you need to go?

Here are a few nearby beaches you could consider that may be more comfortable for ocean swimming or wading:

  • Matanzas Beach — According to Cinnamon Beach’s area overview, Matanzas Beach (just to the north) offers soft white sand on the Intracoastal side, and “beautiful cinnamon sand” on the ocean side. That white-sand part may feel smoother underfoot.
  • Flagler Beach — Also listed in the area description, Flagler Beach has more traditional beach access and is a well-known public beach. Depending on where you go along Flagler Beach, the terrain may be softer or more consistent than the rocky stretches near Ocean Hammock / Cinnamon Beach.
  • Marineland Beach — Slightly further north or accessible via nearby A1A, Marineland is quieter and may offer calmer entry zones (depending where you go), per the Cinnamon Beach area guide.

So, you don’t have to travel *very far* to find smoother and more swimmer-friendly spots. A short drive north or a local beach access path might get you into a more comfortable section.

3. What about the beach renourishment project — has it affected this area?

Yes — Flagler County (which covers the Palm Coast / Cinnamon Beach shoreline) is actively managing a beach-nourishment and dune-restoration program.

Here’s what’s happening now (or planned):

  • The county adopted a long-term Beach Management Plan (approved in 2023) to guide periodic beach nourishment and dune restoration.
  • Beach nourishment for “Reach II” is planned or underway. This reach covers a stretch that includes parts of the coastline near Ocean Hammock / Cinnamon Beach.
  • The Army Corps of Engineers is already dredging sand for a portion of the project, building up dunes and widening the beach in key areas.
  • According to the county’s FAQ and engineering team, the nourishment goal is not just cosmetic — they plan to maintain a wider “buffer” beach to protect infrastructure and dunes over the long term.
  • That said, for the *northernmost portion* of the county’s shoreline (which includes certain rocky areas), the plan explicitly notes minimizing “burial” of nearshore rocks — because they’re a protected habitat.
  • There’s also funding in motion: Flagler County is considering a special assessment tax on property owners to help pay for ongoing beach nourishment.

From what local engineers are saying, the project is designed to add a lot more sand (making the beach wider by up to 100–140 feet in places) and restore dunes, which could make beach entry smoother and safer over time.

However, because some of the rock / coquina areas are ecologically sensitive, they may not be fully buried by new sand.

4. What does this mean *for you* staying at Cinnamon Beach Resort?

- You may indeed run into rocky spots along the immediate shoreline — especially if you walk straight into the water from private access or less-managed areas.
- But you also have good nearby options (Flagler Beach, Matanzas, Marineland) where the sand may feel softer or more conducive to swimming.
- Over the next few years, the renourishment project could improve “swimmability” by widening the beach and building dunes — though it’s not guaranteed to eliminate all rocky areas, especially in protected spots.
- If you plan to swim a lot, you might scout local public beach access points or talk to your vacation rental host about their recommended “good spots” for wading or swimming.

Summary: Yes, parts of Cinnamon Beach / Ocean Hammock can feel rocky, but you don’t have to go far to find smoother beaches. And thanks to ongoing renourishment projects by Flagler County, beach conditions are likely to improve over time — though rocky outcrops may remain in ecology-sensitive areas.

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