MAP OF ST. KITTS: http://www.skyviews.com/skyviews/maps/st-kitts/
MAP OF BASSETERRE: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/st-kitts-and-nevis/st-kitts/basseterre
Ships dock in the capital of St. Kitts, Basseterre. Sugar cane used to be the main industry on St. Kitts but most of the plantations have shut down and they are now focusing on tourism.
The island is fairly poor so keep that in mind when dealing with the locals. When you take an island tour with a reputable tour guide, they know what areas to stay away from on the island and you are generally safe. If you stick to the main streets in town, you shouldn’t have any problems either.
If someone offers to let you take a picture with them, a monkey or a bird…be aware that they expect a tip ($1-$2 at least) for the opportunity of doing so. Always ask in advance if they will charge a fee!
A craft market is located just to the left, past the cruise terminal shops. This is a great spot to buy souvenirs and, if your bargaining skills are sharp, there are some great deals to be had. Many of the vendors sell the same, or similar items, so if the price isn't right in one spot, you can probably find it in another kiosk.
In Basseterre, you should check out the 'Circus' area which is modelled on London's Picadilly Circus, to honor their British Colonial heritage. There are lots of shops and restaurants around the Circus. For those who are interested in history, you can also check out St. George's Anglican Church and Independence Square both within walking distance of the pier.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Sun Surf Internet Café at TDC Mall, Fort Street or ask around the terminal area as sometimes a new spot has opened up.
EXCURSIONS
GREG’S SAFARIS – http://www.gregsafaris.com/ - offers a wide variety of tours and gets great reviews on the discussion boards.
BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS – http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org/ - entry fee $8pp. It is a World Heritage site designed as a fortification by the British and built by African slaves. A great stop if you love history!!
ROMNEY MANOR AND CARIBELLE BATIK - http://www.caribellebatikstkitts.com/
An historic estate that boasts delightfully lush gardens and a batik factory where they use traditional wax and dye techniques to produce batik fabrics used in wall hangings and clothing. You can browse their gift shop for some unique batik gift items.
RIDE ST. KITTS - http://ridestkitts.com/ - enjoy touring the island on your very own scooter (one seater for $55US and two seater for $75US). You rent the scooter by the day and have the run of the island. Check out the fortress or stop at a beach. They will only rent to those who have had previous experience on scooters or motorcycles. There is one main road around the entire island and not a lot of traffic to deal with! We did this tour in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic time!! Daniela and Tim have a great set-up and give good advice and suggestions for your day on St. Kitts. We got a whole new appreciation for the island and the people by seeing it by scooter vs taxi.
ISLAND TOURS
Most island tours will take you to Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor and Black Rocks, which are large volcanic rock formations along the coast - beautiful!!!
THENFORD GREY – good reviews about the island tours offered by this gentleman. $40pp. Contact ‘thenang06@yahoo.com’ if you would like to book with him.
ILVA WALLACE – we took an island tour with this lady the first time we were on the island. She knows the island very well and is an excellent tour guide. She will stop wherever you want…and will take you to South Friar’s Beach for about an hour at the end of the tour. $40pp but you may be able to get $30pp if you bargain. Likely depends on demand. Contact ‘ilvawallace@yahoo.com’.
ROYSTON/ASHTON - Royston and his cousin, Ashton, get consistently high marks from past visitors for their great island tours. You can reach them at 'roystontours@hotmail.com'.
LIZ PEREIRA - http://lizpereirastourstore.shutterfly.com/ - Liz has taken over the old 'Tour Store' operation that used to exist on the island. She gets excellent reviews.
BEACHES
The beaches on St. Kitts are not the most attractive in the Caribbean. The sand has a high coral concentration and is a dirty beige color and quite gritty. At several beaches, there is usually a quick drop-off into the water that can be hard on your feet as there are tons of shells and coral bouncing around in the surf. Having said that, the water is warm and you can enjoy some great waves. If you collect shells, then you will love searching the water line for treasures. We have only been to South Friar’s.
TIP #1 – if you take a cab to the beach, the drivers will come back for you if you tell them a specific time. Do not pay for the trip until you are back at the pier. Most drivers won’t require payment because they want the fare both ways…but you should clarify before you get into the cab that he/she only wants you to pay on return and what the price will be.
TIP #2 – vendors can be quite aggressive at some of the beaches. You need to say a firm “no, thank you!”. If you start asking them questions, then they figure you are fair game. For example – some vendors patrol the beach offering massages with aloe vera. They will offer to give you a ‘free trial’ however, they won’t tell you when the ‘free trial’ part ends and the paid portion begins. After 25 minutes, they will ask for the money! Unless you are interested (and there are great reviews about the massages…if you decide to get one) don’t take the free trial. Cost is usually about $20 for 25 minutes.
COCKLESHELL BEACH – Cab $26 each way for 1-4 people. Chair rental $6. This beach has the best reviews…not generally very crowded as it is a bit of a drive to get there. Lots of nice shells to be found. The views are better down by the Lion’s Beach Bar. Wilbur the pig (700 lbs) can be found near one of the beach bars and there are usually a couple of monkeys around as well. Some pretty good snorkeling to the left end of the beach.
SOUTH FRIAR’S BEACH - $15 cab each way (1-4 people). Lots of shells. Not a very wide beach and drops off quickly at entrance to the water. We were at this beach in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic massage from 'Magic Fingers' and his mother, Laverne ($30 for 30 minutes - set your price and time at the beginning). Nothing could beat laying on a beach chair on a Caribbean island enjoying a fantastic massage!!
SOUTH FRIGATE BAY aka ‘The Strip’ – this is the beach closest to the pier so it is usually quite crowded. $10 cab each way (1-4 people). It has lots of restaurants and beach bars, bathroom facilities, places to rent snorkel equipment. You can rent chairs and umbrellas at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack (not sure of cost but probably around $15 for two chairs and an umbrella). Lots of great comments about the massages offered by Dennis.
NORTH FRIGATE BAY – $10 cab each way (1-4 people) or you can walk about 30 minutes from South Frigate Bay across a narrow part of the island. Word is that the views of the Atlantic and Caribbean waters are fantastic and make for some great pictures. The Marriott hotel is on this beach and you can pay for a day pass to access their facilities.
MARRIOTT DAY PASS - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/ - You can also spend the day at the Marriott Hotel property. A day pass costs $35pp or you can rent a room for $65 (plus tax/fees) if you want a place for you and your group to change or for the kids to have a nap. You get full run of the resort's beach and pool but drinks and food are extra. You don't have to make your arrangements in advance but if there are several ships in port, they may run out of available rooms.
NEVIS
On one of our stops to St. Kitts, we took the ferry over to the island of Nevis for a change of scenery. The ferry docks in Charlestown, the main town on Nevis. The ferry terminal is located, at most, a 10 minute walk from the Port Zante Cruise terminal (exit and walk to the left) and it costs $6-$8US pp each way and takes about 45 minutes to make the crossing. You also may have to pay a small customs fee (generally not more than $1). They say that they start selling tickets about a ½ hour before sailing but, when we were there, they only opened the ticket window right around when the schedule said the ferry would leave. There are two main ferries that cover the run to Nevis – the Carib Breeze and Carib Surf (sometimes the Carib Queen runs). Quite often, only one of them will run at a time and schedules can change so you should confirm schedules on leaving so you know for sure when the return ferries run. The general rule of thumb is to go over on the earliest ferry you can manage and return on the 1pm ferry if your ship’s ‘all aboard’ is before 5pm. This will generally give you about 3 hours on the island.
You can check the published ferry schedule here: http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-nevis-ferry-schedule.html
Nevis is a beautiful island but there is not a lot of activity. You can take a tour by arranging with a cab driver at the ferry dock or just catch a cab to a beach on the island.
Check out this link for a list of sights to check out: http://www.nevisisland.com/Landmarks1.htm
There are several beaches on the island but the most popular beaches are Pinney’s Beach and Oualie Beach (Resort). Pinney’s is about 3 miles long and runs along the coast starting just outside Charlestown. You should catch a cab to Oualie. The beach is part of a resort but they are very welcoming of day visitors.
Your visit to St. Kitts/Nevis can be as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be!
MAP OF BASSETERRE: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/st-kitts-and-nevis/st-kitts/basseterre
Ships dock in the capital of St. Kitts, Basseterre. Sugar cane used to be the main industry on St. Kitts but most of the plantations have shut down and they are now focusing on tourism.The island is fairly poor so keep that in mind when dealing with the locals. When you take an island tour with a reputable tour guide, they know what areas to stay away from on the island and you are generally safe. If you stick to the main streets in town, you shouldn’t have any problems either.
If someone offers to let you take a picture with them, a monkey or a bird…be aware that they expect a tip ($1-$2 at least) for the opportunity of doing so. Always ask in advance if they will charge a fee!
A craft market is located just to the left, past the cruise terminal shops. This is a great spot to buy souvenirs and, if your bargaining skills are sharp, there are some great deals to be had. Many of the vendors sell the same, or similar items, so if the price isn't right in one spot, you can probably find it in another kiosk.
In Basseterre, you should check out the 'Circus' area which is modelled on London's Picadilly Circus, to honor their British Colonial heritage. There are lots of shops and restaurants around the Circus. For those who are interested in history, you can also check out St. George's Anglican Church and Independence Square both within walking distance of the pier.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Sun Surf Internet Café at TDC Mall, Fort Street or ask around the terminal area as sometimes a new spot has opened up.
EXCURSIONS
GREG’S SAFARIS – http://www.gregsafaris.com/ - offers a wide variety of tours and gets great reviews on the discussion boards.
BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS – http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org/ - entry fee $8pp. It is a World Heritage site designed as a fortification by the British and built by African slaves. A great stop if you love history!!
ROMNEY MANOR AND CARIBELLE BATIK - http://www.caribellebatikstkitts.com/
An historic estate that boasts delightfully lush gardens and a batik factory where they use traditional wax and dye techniques to produce batik fabrics used in wall hangings and clothing. You can browse their gift shop for some unique batik gift items.
RIDE ST. KITTS - http://ridestkitts.com/ - enjoy touring the island on your very own scooter (one seater for $55US and two seater for $75US). You rent the scooter by the day and have the run of the island. Check out the fortress or stop at a beach. They will only rent to those who have had previous experience on scooters or motorcycles. There is one main road around the entire island and not a lot of traffic to deal with! We did this tour in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic time!! Daniela and Tim have a great set-up and give good advice and suggestions for your day on St. Kitts. We got a whole new appreciation for the island and the people by seeing it by scooter vs taxi.
ISLAND TOURS
Most island tours will take you to Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor and Black Rocks, which are large volcanic rock formations along the coast - beautiful!!!
THENFORD GREY – good reviews about the island tours offered by this gentleman. $40pp. Contact ‘thenang06@yahoo.com’ if you would like to book with him.
ILVA WALLACE – we took an island tour with this lady the first time we were on the island. She knows the island very well and is an excellent tour guide. She will stop wherever you want…and will take you to South Friar’s Beach for about an hour at the end of the tour. $40pp but you may be able to get $30pp if you bargain. Likely depends on demand. Contact ‘ilvawallace@yahoo.com’.
ROYSTON/ASHTON - Royston and his cousin, Ashton, get consistently high marks from past visitors for their great island tours. You can reach them at 'roystontours@hotmail.com'.
LIZ PEREIRA - http://lizpereirastourstore.shutterfly.com/ - Liz has taken over the old 'Tour Store' operation that used to exist on the island. She gets excellent reviews.
BEACHES
The beaches on St. Kitts are not the most attractive in the Caribbean. The sand has a high coral concentration and is a dirty beige color and quite gritty. At several beaches, there is usually a quick drop-off into the water that can be hard on your feet as there are tons of shells and coral bouncing around in the surf. Having said that, the water is warm and you can enjoy some great waves. If you collect shells, then you will love searching the water line for treasures. We have only been to South Friar’s.
TIP #1 – if you take a cab to the beach, the drivers will come back for you if you tell them a specific time. Do not pay for the trip until you are back at the pier. Most drivers won’t require payment because they want the fare both ways…but you should clarify before you get into the cab that he/she only wants you to pay on return and what the price will be.
TIP #2 – vendors can be quite aggressive at some of the beaches. You need to say a firm “no, thank you!”. If you start asking them questions, then they figure you are fair game. For example – some vendors patrol the beach offering massages with aloe vera. They will offer to give you a ‘free trial’ however, they won’t tell you when the ‘free trial’ part ends and the paid portion begins. After 25 minutes, they will ask for the money! Unless you are interested (and there are great reviews about the massages…if you decide to get one) don’t take the free trial. Cost is usually about $20 for 25 minutes.
COCKLESHELL BEACH – Cab $26 each way for 1-4 people. Chair rental $6. This beach has the best reviews…not generally very crowded as it is a bit of a drive to get there. Lots of nice shells to be found. The views are better down by the Lion’s Beach Bar. Wilbur the pig (700 lbs) can be found near one of the beach bars and there are usually a couple of monkeys around as well. Some pretty good snorkeling to the left end of the beach.
SOUTH FRIAR’S BEACH - $15 cab each way (1-4 people). Lots of shells. Not a very wide beach and drops off quickly at entrance to the water. We were at this beach in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic massage from 'Magic Fingers' and his mother, Laverne ($30 for 30 minutes - set your price and time at the beginning). Nothing could beat laying on a beach chair on a Caribbean island enjoying a fantastic massage!!
SOUTH FRIGATE BAY aka ‘The Strip’ – this is the beach closest to the pier so it is usually quite crowded. $10 cab each way (1-4 people). It has lots of restaurants and beach bars, bathroom facilities, places to rent snorkel equipment. You can rent chairs and umbrellas at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack (not sure of cost but probably around $15 for two chairs and an umbrella). Lots of great comments about the massages offered by Dennis.
NORTH FRIGATE BAY – $10 cab each way (1-4 people) or you can walk about 30 minutes from South Frigate Bay across a narrow part of the island. Word is that the views of the Atlantic and Caribbean waters are fantastic and make for some great pictures. The Marriott hotel is on this beach and you can pay for a day pass to access their facilities.
MARRIOTT DAY PASS - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/ - You can also spend the day at the Marriott Hotel property. A day pass costs $35pp or you can rent a room for $65 (plus tax/fees) if you want a place for you and your group to change or for the kids to have a nap. You get full run of the resort's beach and pool but drinks and food are extra. You don't have to make your arrangements in advance but if there are several ships in port, they may run out of available rooms.
NEVIS
On one of our stops to St. Kitts, we took the ferry over to the island of Nevis for a change of scenery. The ferry docks in Charlestown, the main town on Nevis. The ferry terminal is located, at most, a 10 minute walk from the Port Zante Cruise terminal (exit and walk to the left) and it costs $6-$8US pp each way and takes about 45 minutes to make the crossing. You also may have to pay a small customs fee (generally not more than $1). They say that they start selling tickets about a ½ hour before sailing but, when we were there, they only opened the ticket window right around when the schedule said the ferry would leave. There are two main ferries that cover the run to Nevis – the Carib Breeze and Carib Surf (sometimes the Carib Queen runs). Quite often, only one of them will run at a time and schedules can change so you should confirm schedules on leaving so you know for sure when the return ferries run. The general rule of thumb is to go over on the earliest ferry you can manage and return on the 1pm ferry if your ship’s ‘all aboard’ is before 5pm. This will generally give you about 3 hours on the island.
You can check the published ferry schedule here: http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-nevis-ferry-schedule.html
Nevis is a beautiful island but there is not a lot of activity. You can take a tour by arranging with a cab driver at the ferry dock or just catch a cab to a beach on the island.
Check out this link for a list of sights to check out: http://www.nevisisland.com/Landmarks1.htm
There are several beaches on the island but the most popular beaches are Pinney’s Beach and Oualie Beach (Resort). Pinney’s is about 3 miles long and runs along the coast starting just outside Charlestown. You should catch a cab to Oualie. The beach is part of a resort but they are very welcoming of day visitors.
Your visit to St. Kitts/Nevis can be as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be!
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