Port Review: St Kitts, Eastern Caribbean

St Kitts is one half of the St Kitts and Nevis island duo, both diminutive in size and separated by three kilometres of azure ocean. And there are good reasons why holiday makers love visiting here on a Caribbean cruise.

The Facts

Location: The eastern Caribbean. 

Language: English.

Currency: East Caribbean dollar, but the US dollar is also widely accepted.

Docking/Anchoring: Ships dock at Port Zante which is located just outside Basseterre, however, if a large number of vessels are in town on the same day, some will use the cargo port, or anchor off Basseterre and use tenders.

Transport: There are taxis lined up at the port, but the town centre is just a five or 10-minute walk, and you can explore Basseterre on foot comfortably in an hour. If you are keen to explore further afield, you can also rent a car.

Overview

St. Kitts is a volcanic island which has a somewhat of a turbulent history. It was first discovered and named by the Spanish under Christopher Columbus in 1493, and later fought over by the Spanish, British and French, who also made it a hub of the West Indian slave trade. Along with Nevis, St. Kitts separated from the British Empire in 1967, finally becoming independent over 30 years ago. The island enjoys a lush landscape, with tropical rainforest surrounding Mount Liamugia, a dormant volcano, and it also has interesting wildlife and plenty of unspoiled beaches. Visitors love it for it laid back charm and authentic atmosphere.

Don’t Miss

St. Kitts has many beaches including the three-kilometre stretch between Cockleshell Bay and Banana Bay, which is also good place for having lunch. More quiet is Sandy Bank Bay, which has calm surf but not much in the way of facilities, and South Frigate Bay is busier but good for swimming and water sports, including windsurfing. 

Brimstone Hill Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dubbed the “Gibraltar of the West Indies”. A huge complex of fortifications built by the British, it offers visitors a fascinating slice of the island’s history along with panoramic views and plenty of photo ops.

Basseterre Marketplace is not so much a shopping opportunity beyond buying local exotic fruit including mangoes and guavas, as a place to enjoy the local vibe and do some people watching. Nice, colourful photo ops abound here too.

Black Rocks and Carib Petroglyphs is an integral part of St. Kitts’ unusual landscape. The Black Rocks are large lava deposits sculpted by the ocean located on the northeastern shoreline, while the petroglyphs are north of Basseterre, and a series of drawings etched onto large black rocks by the original inhabitants of the island.

If you have a long day in port, or you have visited St. Kitts before, consider taking the local ferry to neighbouring Nevis, which is less busy and has coral reefs and plenty of beaches to enjoy. 

Best Photo Op 

There’s no denying St. Kitts is a photogenic island, with plenty of gorgeous beaches which look stunning at sunset, but if you’re looking for something a bit different, Brimstone Hill Fortress, should be on your list. If you climb to the top on a clear day you can see up to six other islands in the distance including Nevis, Monserrat and St. Barths. Another spot combining history with a spectacular view of Mount Liamugia, is Bloody Point; it’s the site of a bloody massacre of more than 2,000 Caribs in 1626.

Shopping

If you don’t fancy venturing far, there’s a shopping complex at Port Zante with plenty of souvenir and jewellery shops, and casual clothing including t-shirts and thongs. This is also a place to score some free Wi-Fi if you need it. The capital, Basseterre, also has some shopping opportunities at The Circus, including duty free jewellery, watches, perfume and crystal.

Food and Drink

Some great spots to people watch, while enjoying a cold drink, casual eats and the local vibe, are the beach bars on The Strip on South Frigate Bay. Others to consider including those on the beaches of Cockleshell Bay and Banana Bay. Otherwise the island has a wide variety of restaurants from resorted plantation houses to casual beach shacks. The cuisine to try is Creole, and local delicacies including stewed goat, plantains, and conch. 

Pick of the Excursions

An island sightseeing tour which includes Brimstone Hill Fortress, at least one beach and Romney Manor is a great way to become acquainted with the island and take in some of its top sights.

St. Kitts has some top quality dive sites and snorkel spots, including Booby Shoals, which is famous for tropical fish, stingrays and turtles. For snorkelling, a tour to Shittens Bay involves a scenic cruise with swimming and snorkelling in a secluded cove abundant with tropical fish and coral.