St Kitts and Nevis Travelers Recommend

Although far less frequented than its larger West Indies neighbor, St. Kitts, Nevis is well worth a detour. The diminutive Caribbean island is blessed with swathes of lush rainforest and gorgeous white-sand beaches. Here are the best options for exploring Nevis on a day tour from St. Kitts.

Highlights

• Enjoy spectacular views of the Caribbean islands as you cruise between St. Kitts and Nevis. 

• Learn more about Alexander Hamilton, who was born in Charlestown, during a visit to the Museum of Nevis History.

• Visit Nevis attractions and historical sites such as the Old Bath House, the Nevis Botanical Gardens, and the Nisbet Plantation on a guided island tour.

• Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and water sports at Pinney’s Beach or Oualie Beach.

• Relax on the beach or order a traditional rum punch at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis beach bar.

Things to Know

• The island of Nevis is located just southeast of St. Kitts, separated by the Narrows strait, and is reachable only by boat or chartered plane. 

• It’s possible to visit Nevis from St. Kitts on a half-day tour (3–5 hours) or full-day tour (7–8.5 hours).

• Ferries typically leave from St. Kitts’ Port Zante in Basseterre harbor and take about 45 minutes to reach Charlestown on Nevis.

• Be sure to bring your swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel.

• Full-day tours often include hotel or port pickup, and lunch either on board or at a beachside restaurant.

At just 18 miles (29 kilometers) long and 5 miles (8 kilometers) at its widest point, St. Kitts is pretty small. But despite its diminutive measurements, this Caribbean island has an array of beaches to choose from. Here are a few of the best beaches on St. Kitts. 

Cockleshell Bay Beach

Extending for almost a mile along the southern peninsula of St. Kitts about nine miles (14.5 kilometers) from Basseterre, Cockleshell Bay Beach is widely considered to be one of St. Kitts’ best. The water is warm and shallow, and facilities, from loungers to water sports operators to reggae beach bars, are plentiful. From here, sunbathers should be able to see across to St. Kitts’ neighbor, Nevis. 

North Frigate Bay

Because of its off-the-beaten-track locale on the Atlantic-facing edge of the island, North Frigate Bay is rarely crowded. With wind and big swells commonplace, it’s particularly good for windsurfing, though there are swimming areas too, which are sheltered by a lengthy reef. 

Sand Bank Bay

A crescent-shaped curve of white sand on the southeast peninsula, Sand Bank Bay is one of the loveliest places for a barefoot stroll on the island. While there has been some development here, including a beach club, the beach still feels pristine. Be warned: Swimming conditions can be treacherous here. 

South Friars Beach

A beloved local hangout, palm-dotted South Friars Beach is the place to go for a taste of Caribbean flavor. In addition to calm waters and clean sand, the beach also has a couple of great places to eat and drink, many of which rent loungers to patrons who want to get comfortable. 

Turtle Beach

Soak up the silence on quiet Turtle Beach, located on the southeast peninsula. In addition to soft sands and clear waters, it also has a well-populated coral reef, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling.

St. Kitts is a must for travelers interested in Caribbean history, culture, and natural beauty. Home to Basseterre, the capital city of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies, the island has something to offer cultivated travelers interested in colonial heritage sites and sun-worshiping pleasure seekers alike. Originally claimed for the Spanish by Christopher Columbus in 1493, the region experienced a rich colonial history, alternately occupied and administrated by the French and British governments. Since attaining independence, St. Kitts has relied almost entirely on tourism, and it’s easy to see why. The beautiful beaches, culturally rich cities and plantations, and the warm, friendly local population all make the island a rewarding destination.

Day 1: Basseterre The capital Basseterre is filled with remarkably well-maintained examples of colonial architecture. The city is dived into two main areas, The Circus, the main tourist area, and Independence Square, the center of cultural life on St. Kitts and home to the courthouse and most of the older buildings. An excellent base of operations for explorations throughout the island, a full day ought to be set aside solely for the exploration of Basseterre.

Day 2: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and St. Kitts Scenic Railway Begin the day at the pier at Port Zante in Basseterre, where travelers board buses that transport them to the double-decked cars of the St. Kitts Scenic Railway. Easily the best way to see the island, this line, the last functioning railroad in the region, allows travelers to choose between the lower level “parlor” cars, complete with air-conditioning, cocktails, and luxury, or the 360-degree views to be had on the open-air observation deck. Once you’ve concluded the trip, pause for refreshments at Independence Square before wrapping up the day by taking in the sunset at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, one of the best-preserved examples of military fortifications in the region, dating from the 17th century.

Day 3: Old Road Town and Wingfield Estate Just to the south of the town of Middle Island, Old Road Town is the oldest settlement on the island, and despite being dwarfed in size by surrounding towns, possesses palpable local charm and the delicious island cuisine at Sprat Net. Before leaving Old Road, be sure to pay a visit to Wingfield Estate, recipient of the first land grant given by the King of England in the entire English-speaking West Indies.

The idyllic island of Nevis is a world apart from the usual Caribbean resort hotspots. It’s small enough that you can drive its ring road in an hour or so, yet so packed with beautiful scenery and friendly locals that you’ll have no reason to rush. That makes it the ideal spot for a long weekend getaway—three days to lose the watch, turn off the phone and just lime. 

Day 1

To understand the Nevis vibe it helps to start in the capital city, Charlestown. This is the urban center, but you won’t find much bustling. The locals live life at an easy pace, taking the time to 

stop and greet one another as they make their way. Take a slow stroll along the waterfront to the ferry ticket booth and pick up a map of the Nevis Heritage Trail, then follow the south road to 

explore the historic garrison of Fort Charles. After a morning of walking around, take your tired muscles to the historic Bath Hotel, where a bathing pool filled with healing mineral waters from the volcanically heated Bath Stream provides a relaxing afternoon soak. 

Day 2

Meet up in the morning with a local guide to explore the islands trails in the dawn light. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can attempt the challenging trek up Nevis Peak, or for something low key, start at the Golden Rock Plantation and explore the lush forests while your guide points out monkeys in the trees and local medicinal plants. Spend the afternoon on the north end, sunbathing and sipping rum drinks from the beach bar of Oualie Beach Resort until the sun goes down over nearby St Kitts. 

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast of fresh local fruits, grab a kayak and some snorkeling gear and set off along the pristine southern shore. As you glide through clear blue Caribbean waters and past picturesque sea cliffs, you can stop to stick your toes in volcanic vents. Paddle ashore at a remote beach to take the plunge on fish-filled coral reefs. Cap off your three-day escape with a private tasting dinner inside a 300-year-old sugar mill at Montpelier Estate’s Mill Privée, where the chef uses locally sourced ingredients to create a delightful blend of French and Caribbean cuisines. 

The tiny Caribbean island of Nevis was the birthplace of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and home of British Naval officer Horatio Nelson. Centuries of colonial occupation can be traced via the Nevis Heritage Trail, made up of 25 historic sites, which starts in the capital of Charlestown. Here are a few of the highlights.

Montpelier Plantation

Montpelier’s history dates back to 1687, but it is most famous as the setting for the 1787 marriage of Horatio Nelson to Frances "Fanny" Nisbet, niece of Nevis’ president, John Herbert. Today the plantation is a luxury hotel.

Charlestown Methodist Church

In the heart of Charlestown, this ornate Methodist church features beautiful stonework. Built by emancipated slaves in 1844, it continues to hold services today.

Hamilton Estate

The ruins of this sugar plantation, owned by the Hamilton family until the 1950s, are just outside of Charlestown. Set atop a hill, the site offers great views of the capital and across to St. Kitts.

Fort Charles

Fort Charles, which dates from 1698, was once the island’s largest fort. It was built to protect Charlestown from the French and Spanish. Abandoned in 1854, it now lies largely in ruins.

New River and Coconut Walk Estates

A stop at Coconut Walk Estates offers a chance to see the island’s largest windmill alongside the remnants of Nevis’ last working sugar factory. The ruins, on the island’s east coast, slope out to the sea, offering views toward Redonda Island and Montserrat.

With its unique blend of colonial history and West Indian cultures, the island of Nevis has yielded a number of ghost stories. If you’re keen to explore the darker side of the island, here’s what you need to know about the spooky sites of Nevis. Top Haunted Sites

• Wander the grounds of the Eden Browne Estate, believed to be haunted by the ghosts of a groom and his best man who killed each other in a fatal feud in 1822.
• Visit the eerie Jewish Cemetery in Charlestown or the small graveyard at St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church.
• Search the spooky sugar mill and plantation ruins of the adjoining New River and Coconut Walk Estates.
• Take a haunted hike along the Devil’s Copper Trail, thought to be haunted by the ghosts of those killed by volcanic vents.

Nevis’s Haunted History Nevis is a rustic island paradise today, but the island’s history holds some grim realities. The Arawak people, who first inhabited the island around 2000 BC, were wiped out by Caribs migrating from South America. When the British arrived in 1623, they discovered sugar cane, which led to brutal African slavery on the island, as well as frequent and often bloody conflicts with the French, who were trying to carve out their own part of the sugar economy. All this, combined with the untimely deaths of a few notable island figures, has led this quiet island to inspire its fair share of ghost stories.