Summary
For a destination that has only experienced large-scale tourism for a few years, St. Kitts offers a surprisingly diverse range of attractions and activities for visitors to experience, including a well-preserved British fortress, hikes to an extinct volcano, and of course day trips to neighboring Nevis. Here’s a list of enjoyable things to do while visiting St. Kitts.
Brimstone Hill
Towering above the St. Kitts coastline is the massive Brimstone Hill Fortress, built by the English to defend the island against French attack in the 18th century. The complex, especially the central Fort George, is remarkably well-preserved and offers visitors a genuine sense of what garrison life was like for soldiers, families, and slaves who lived in the citadel and beyond.
The views from atop the fortress — a UNESCO World Heritage site — are outstanding. A museum includes a short film, and visitors can explore intact officer’s quarters and even a vintage (and still functional) indoor latrine.
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Caribelle Batik Factory
One of the most beautiful spots on St. Kitts, Romney Manor houses the Caribelle Batik Factory. Artisans utilize hot wax and dye to create distinctive and colorful batik fabrics and patterns, commonly for dresses and shirts but also for pillow covers, scarves, wall hangings, and more.
Every visit to the shop starts with a batik demonstration; visitors are then encouraged to explore the store and grounds, including the ruins of a historic sugar plantation and paths leading to a nearby rain forest. Just outside the gates, you can find pre-Columbian petroglyphs left by the Carib Indians.
The Cane Train
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway, also known as “The Cane Train,” is an ideal way to take in the scenic beauty of St. Kitts while learning a bit of history as well. Until very recently, sugar was the main crop in St. Kitts, and many parts of the island are still adorned with shimmering fields of sugar cane.
The Scenic Railway operates over narrow-gauge tracks once used to transport the cane from the fields to processing plants in Basseterre. Passengers sit in covered, open-sided cars for the tour, which features passages over slender bridges, vistas of oceans and rainforests, along with glimpses of small towns.
Frigate Bay Beach Bars
While there is some nightlife in Basseterre and at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the beach bars along Frigate Bay offer the real “limin'” experience. Mr. X’s Shiggity Shack is perhaps the most famous, featuring a Thursday night bonfire accompanied by fantastic lobster and barbecue dinners.
Ziggy’s starts the party early; this open-air bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to cold Carib and Stag beers. Rainbows is recognized for its lively Friday night DJ-led dance party. The Monkey Bar attracts both locals and tourists, while the Oasis Sports Bar serves as the perfect spot to catch your favorite game on TV.
Basseterre Sightseeing and Shopping
Basseterre presents an authentic Caribbean city experience, being easily accessible to tourists yet not overly commercialized. Begin your walking tour at the Circus, the bustling town center featuring the much-photographed Berkeley Memorial at its core.
At the Circus, you’ll find a Caribelle Batik store, with the Ballahoo Restaurant situated upstairs, offering excellent views of the town. Small shops dot Fort Street and Cayon Street, including Kalabash, famously known for its cheesecakes. Don’t miss Independence Square, a town green bordered by historic Georgian homes and public buildings.
Southeastern St. Kitts and Turtle Beach
Frigate Bay marks the entry point of the winding Dr. Kennedy Simmonds Highway, offering access to the mostly undeveloped southeastern region of St. Kitts. This area is generally more arid and rocky compared to the rest of the island, featuring secluded beaches, goats grazing in the valleys, and a few local hangouts like Turtle Beach.
This beach consists of a narrow stretch of sand, occasionally visited by cows alongside tourists. However, the neighboring bar and grill provides delectable conch and lobster dishes, and it’s worth visiting just to observe the giant pig and wild monkeys that roam nearby.
Plantation House Dining
Amid the cane fields and rainforest found in the St. Kitts backcountry, a couple of historic plantation homes offer both lodging and fine dining in a tranquil colonial atmosphere.
Rawlins Plantation features guest rooms created from a historic sugar mill, complemented by a buffet-style lunch showcasing local cuisine like curried chicken, sweet ginger meatballs, fried fish fritters, beans and rice, and fried plantains.
Ottley’s Plantation offers luxury accommodations alongside the indoor-outdoor Royal Palm Restaurant, serving “New Island Cuisine” poolside.
Hike to Mt. Liamuiga
If you’re seeking adventure during your St. Kitts visit, consider requesting your hotel concierge to recommend a local guide for a hike through the rainforest to the peak of Mt. Liamuiga, a dormant volcano that serves as the island’s 3,800-foot spine above sea level.
The hike may be challenging; however, the reward includes stunning panoramic views of neighboring islands such as St. Maarten and Saba. Ambitious climbers can also opt to use provided ropes to gently rappel down inside the peaceful crater of the volcano, now enveloped in lush vegetation.
Scuba and Snorkel
St. Kitts is gradually becoming recognized as a dive destination, featuring a good range of scuba and snorkeling opportunities suitable for beginners as well as advanced divers. Various reefs and shipwrecks await exploration; the Coconut Tree Reef is located just 10 minutes offshore by boat.
Divers can also explore a wrecked tugboat and the remnants of the River Taw, a 144-foot freighter that sank in 1985. Local outfitters include Dive St. Kitts, ProDivers St. Kitts, and Kenneth’s Dive Center.
Daytrips to Nevis
Just 2.5 miles off the southeastern tip of St. Kitts lies the sister island of Nevis, accessed via a 45-minute ferry ride from Basseterre to Charlestown.
Nevis is well worth a visit, as daytrippers can enjoy nature hikes, lush botanical gardens, and the reconstructed Herbert’s Heights village with spectacular views from atop Nevis Peak. Moreover, Nevis features a variety of historic homes throughout Charlestown and beyond, including several intriguing museums. History enthusiasts will find that the island is rich with sites related to Lord Horatio Nelson, who famously married here.
