Island guide

Things to do in St. Kitts

Volcanic peaks, a UNESCO fortress and two coasts, with calm Caribbean to the west and Atlantic surf to the east.

17.30° N · 62.72° W6 places

St. Kitts is the larger of the two islands of St. Kitts and Nevis: a volcanic spine of rainforest, ringed by old sugar estates and beaches. Basseterre, the capital, sits on the south coast, and the Southeast Peninsula runs out from it towards Nevis.

Getting there

Most visitors fly into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, just outside Basseterre. Cruise ships dock at Port Zante, in the middle of town.

Getting around

One main road circles the island, and the peninsula road runs south from Frigate Bay. Driving is on the left.

Map of St. Kitts

6 places · tap a pin to open it

6 pins

2 places

History

Forts, estates and the stories behind them.

St. Kitts · Saint Thomas Middle IslandBrimstone Hill FortressA UNESCO World Heritage fortress on the northwest coast of St. Kitts, with views to Sint Eustatius and Saba.17.347° N · 62.837° W

St. Kitts · Saint Thomas Middle IslandRomney ManorBatik workshops and an old saman tree in the gardens of a restored estate above Old Road.17.337° N · 62.798° W

2 places

Beaches

Where to swim, and which side of the island to do it on.

St. Kitts · Saint George BasseterreFrigate BayTwo beaches on one isthmus, with calm Caribbean on the south side and Atlantic breakers on the north.17.286° N · 62.683° W

St. Kitts · Saint George BasseterreCockleshell BaySoft sand at the southeast tip of St. Kitts, looking straight across The Narrows to Nevis.17.221° N · 62.624° W

2 places

Views

Lookouts worth the drive, best early or at sunset.

St. Kitts · Saint George BasseterreTimothy HillThe pull-off on the peninsula road where the Atlantic and the Caribbean show at once.17.269° N · 62.666° W

St. Kitts · Saint Mary CayonBlack RocksLava that ran into the Atlantic and set hard, now a line of black cliffs on the northeast coast.17.370° N · 62.738° W