Apart from being incredibly beautiful, St Kitts has something to get everyone’s holiday vibe going. From adrenaline adventures and nature to luxury hot spots and fabulous food, read on for the best things to do in St Kitts and Nevis…
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About St. Kitts and Nevis
Contents
St. Kitts and Nevis is a small island located in the Caribbean Sea sitting between Antigua and St. Maarten. The peak of Mount Liamuiga, an extinct volcano, punctuates the centre of the the lush island landscape and is surrounded by dense rainforest.
The coastline veers from steep rocky cliffs and white powder sand beaches to black volcanic shorelines.
The Caribbean island of Saint Kitts has something for everyone. It’s the perfect romantic destination for couples, while families will find something to keep all ages happy. Foodies will be tempted by St Kitts’ food and restaurant scene, and luxury lovers will want to check out the island’s luxe list.
History buffs will enjoy visiting historic sites like Brimstone Hill Fortress, the National Museum and the Alexander Hamilton Museum together with old plantation houses and the historic capital of Basseterre.
For sun-worshippers, St Kitts’ beautiful beaches are sandy and fringed with palm trees, while adventure junkies and nature lovers can also get their kicks in St Kitts. As you can see, the top things to do on this beautiful island cover a whole range of interests.
If you’re arriving on one of the many cruise ships to visit St Kitts, there are plenty of amazing things to do in just one day on St Kitts.
Read on for the best things to do in St Kitts and Nevis…
20 Things to do in St Kitts and Nevis
1. Take the Sugar Train
One of the top things to do in St Kitts is a ride on the Sugar Train. The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is up there with the best for beautiful railway journeys. The train was built between 1912 and 1926 and originally transported sugar cane from sugar plantations to the mills. Nowadays, it’s one of the top attractions in St Kitts and takes passengers on a journey through the stunning Kittitian countryside.
The double-decker train has open observation carts for breathtaking views of Mount Liamuiga, the lush vegetation of the rainforest and across St Kitts to the surrounding islands. Drinks are included in the price, so get free rum punch or daiquiri top-ups whenever you want. Book the St Kitts
Book the St Kitts 3-hour scenic train tour and your three-hour tour will pass sights such as Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, Mount Liamuiga, and Saddlers Village, then complete the circuit by bus along the Island Main Road.
2. Explore the Rainforest in Central Reserve National Park
Over 25% of St Kitts is covered by the National Forest Reserve, and a foray into the dense, green jungle is a must.
St. Kitts central mountain chain soars to nearly 4,000 feet and is covered in verdant rainforest. Any land above 1,000 feet is national forest reserve so much of the island’s rainforest is protected. The area is one of the rarest kinds of forest in the world known as American Oceanic Rainforest and is expanding all the time. Which is great news for the planet.
On this four-hour walking tour, you’ll enjoy a hike beneath the canopy of ancient treets, past a waterfall, listen to the sounds of the rainforest and spot all sorts of wildlife. There are hundreds of flora and fauna species including towering trees and flowering plants.
>>> Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
>>> Check rates and availability for St Kitts Half Day Rainforest Tour
3. Fly High on a Zip Line
St Kitts is home to some of the longest zip lines in the Caribbean Sea, and you can enjoy a monkey’s eye view of the rainforest as you whizz above the tree canopy with Sky Safari Tours.
Build up from a short practice zip to the longest adrenalin-loaded 1,350 ft line, and competitive zip-liners can race each other to the end of the dual zip line. One of the most fun things to do in St Kitts!
Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
4. Bring on the Batik
Drop by Carribelle Batik at Romney Manor to see how batik is made, buy some of the vibrant fabrics and visit the island’s most colourful washing line.
The manor was the downtown Basseterre home of the owners of the Wingfield Estate sugar plantation and the batik shop is a popular tourist spot.
There’s a gorgeous botanical garden in the grounds with a 350-year-old breathtaking raintree. Visit the lovely little cafe and bell tower viewing gallery with fabulous rainforest views. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop for souvenirs.
>>> St Kitts Half Day Bus Tour – Check rates and availability
5. Climb a Volcano
Mount Liamuiga, the island’s dormant volcano, last had a pop over 200 years ago. If you’ve got the energy for the three hour hike you’ll be rewarded with epic views from the island’s highest point. Take a peep into the ‘Giant’s Salad Bowl’ – the foliage-filled mile-wide crater at the summit. This is probably one of the most energetic things to do in St Kitts.
>>> Hike Mt. Liamuiga Volcano in St Kitts – Check rates and availability
6. Get Fortified at Brimstone Hill Fortress
Soak up Kittitian history and spectacular views at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and learn about the island’s shady past with France and Great Britain.
A St Kitts sightseeing tour with a local guide will immerse you into the culture and history of this beautifully preserved fortress. The fortifications were designed by British Army engineers then built and maintained by enslaved Africans.
When the fortress was built, Britain held the middle third of St Kitts, surrounded by French-occupied land, leading to the island’s nickname of ‘the Gibraltar of the West Indies’.
Kids will love exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 17th-century citadel. Look out over the cannons on the ramparts at the stunning panorama of the ocean and neighbouring islands.
The fort is accessed by climbing a steep path with a series of ramps and stairways.
7. Take to the Water
The average temperature in Saint Kitts ranges from 25°C in January to around 28°C between June and October. The clear waters are warm, rarely below 26°C at any time of year, and water sports abound whether you’re looking for adrenaline-fuelled kicks or a peaceful paddle.
Kayaking, jet skiing, surfboarding and paddle boarding are just a few of the ways you can get out onto the water in St Kitts and Nevis.
Head for Cockleshell Bay (Reggae Beach) and book at St Kitts Water Sports.
St Kitts Mini Speedboat and Snorkel Tour – check rates and availability
8. Take in the Views
Take a scenic drive and head for Timothy Hill near South Frigate Bay and look out over the peninsular to spot the island’s narrowest point. You’ll be greeted by a view of verdant land surrounded by startlingly blue sea, white surf and sandy beaches. The waves of the Atlantic ocean reach the shore one side and to the other are the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Over on the horizon, you’ll spy tiny Nevis Island and the volcano of Nevis Peak with its head in the clouds.
9. Visit Nevis by Catamaran
Nevis, Saint Kitts’ little sister island, is just 2.5 miles away by boat. The island has its own volcano, usually sitting with its head in the clouds, lush greenery and beautiful white sands.
Check out Sunshine’s Bar and drink the obligatory Killer Bee rum cocktail. They say you haven’t been to Sunshine’s if you haven’t had a Killer Bee.
From Basseterre – Half Day Nevis Island Tour – check rates and availability
Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
10. Meet the Locals
St Kitts has heaps of charm and authenticity, and the locals are some of the friendliest around. Drop by the busy Saturday market to check out where the local people shop. I can recommend the chilli sauce sold there, but beware – it packs one hell of a punch.
The twice-weekly farmers market on Bay Road is a great place to enjoy street food and local banter.
11. Get that Festival Feeling
Saint Kitts is big on festivals, and the biggest and best is the St Kitts Music Festival, held in June each year. The event attracts international stars, and the island rocks to the beat of soca, reggae, soul, salsa, jazz, R&B and gospel at the Warner Park Stadium.
In October, there’s a Latin Festival, and in July, the annual food and restaurant festival whets the island’s appetite.
Sugar Mas, St Kitts-Nevis National Carnival, rocks up around Christmas and New Year when islanders dress in spectacular carnival costumes for a dance-off to calypso rhythms and soca. Sugar Mas is a time for live music, parades and parties.
12. Monkey Around
St Kitts and Nevis have been home to Vervet Monkeys since they were introduced to the country over 300 years ago, and there are now more monkeys than humans. You’ll see them out in the fields stealing the crops and scampering through the branches of roadside trees.
13. Try a Rum Punch
Rum is made on the island at the Brinley Gold distillery, and Rum Punch is served in all the restaurants and beach bars. Each establishment has its own recipe, but the best Rum Punch I had was my first at Ocean Terrace Inn.
If you don’t drink alcohol, then try a ‘Ting’.
Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
14. Picture This
Drop by Gallery Cafe in Basseterre and check out the art scene. Local artists have packed the gallery with their vibrant art, meaning you can buy a piece of Caribbean colour to take home.
15. Tee off and Tuck in
Golfers can enjoy a round by the sea at one of the island’s excellent golf courses. Head for Royal St. Kitts Golf Club or St. Kitts Marriott Resort golf course at Frigate Bay, or the Four Seasons resort on Nevis.
If you’re looking for something a little different head to Belle Mont Farm Golf Course. The 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ian Woosnam is the only fully organic golf course in the world.
16. Dive into the crystal clear water
The clear waters around St Kitts have some great dive sites with plenty of tropical fish and sea turtles to be spotted if you fancy trying snorkelling or scuba diving.
If your luck’s in, you might spot a turtle and swim alongside for a minute or two. To swim with a sea turtle in the wild was a dream come true for me, and it’s one of my favourite things to do in St Kitts.
Take a St Kitts Deluxe Catamaran Snorkeling Tour With Lunch – Check rates and availability here
17. Saddle up
Take a gentle amble on horseback through the Kittitian countryside through the lower reaches of the mountain rainforest. You’ll spend a peaceful few hours meandering through the shady perimeters of the rainforest and past disused sugar mills and cane fields. Check rates and availability here.
An early morning ride through the surf on the beach is a great way to start the day.
Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
18. Stake out the Strip
The Strip on Frigate Bay is home to a row of rustic beach bars and shacks serving up rum cocktails and Carib beer by the beach. The bars offer Jerk chicken, spicy curry and roti in generous portions with a side dish of a reggae beat.
With names like Shiggidy Shack and Boozies, the Strip is the perfect place to ‘lime’ or chill out with the locals.
19. Hit St Kitts’ Beaches
After all that activity, you might want to do what most people visit the Caribbean to do and just kick back and relax on one of St Kitts and Nevis’ palm-fringed beaches. You’ll find some of the best beaches in the Leeward Islands here, with golden or white sands and turquoise waters.
Beaches like Banana Bay, Pinney’s Beach and South Friars Bay are the best spots to pull up beach chairs, soak up the sun and just chill…
Use this service by By D.A.C Taxi Tour Services to enjoy your beach holiday to the fullest
20. Soak up a Sunset
Take a few moments each evening to let St Kitts work its magic on you. Soak up one of the island’s spectacular sunsets as the sun dips below the horizon, slowly turning the Caribbean Ocean gold, orange, and red.
Many tours offer pick-ups from St Kitts cruise port in the island’s capital city of Basseterre.
Those are twenty reasons I love St Kitts. Have you seen the island? What’s your top thing to do in St Kitts?
Looking for somewhere to stay in St Kitts? Check rates and availability here
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British Airways flies to St Kitts from London Gatwick, stopping at nearby Antigua en route. Check the BA site regularly, as there are often special offers and flight discounts on this route.
My thanks to St Kitts Tourism Authority for arranging my visit to St Kitts, OTI and Timothy Beach for hosting my three night’s stay with them and to British Airways for flying me there. As ever, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
Suzanne Jones is a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny website which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. This serial traveller enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When she’s not indulging her wanderlust or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find Suzanne, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks on England’s South Coast.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne here…
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Bianca
Friday 31st of March 2017
Hey Suz. I'm planning on travelling a few places around the world and was wondering if this was your website/blogger site as I just need a bit of guidance of travelling and you seem to know about about travelling. Some times travel agents are not always honest and just want to make a sale. My email is [email protected]
Suzanne Jones
Friday 31st of March 2017
Hi Bianca - your travels sound exciting! Yes, this is my personal blog and I travel a fair bit. I'm not a travel agent so if I can help with any questions drop me a line on my contact page :)
restlessjo
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
You've found yourself a little piece of paradise with rum punch, Suze! :) I was surprised at how reasonable that offer was. I guess it's batik and riding the train for me, but I suppose I'd have to be energetic and hike that volcano at some point. :)
Suzanne Jones
Thursday 9th of March 2017
I think you need to be seriously fit to hike that volcano Jo - good luck!
Lucy
Friday 23rd of December 2016
Such a good (or should that be bad!) time to post this while it's so grey and chilly in England at the moment! You tend to think of the Caribbean islands as just beach destinations but it's so much more diverse than I expected.
Suzanne Jones
Monday 26th of December 2016
I was surprised at how much there was to do other than just soak up the sunshine. I'd like to go back!