St. Kitts & Nevis Things To Do

The smallest nation in the Americas, St. Kitts & Nevis is a two-island country in the West Indies. The two islands are separated by a 2-mile wide channel called "The Narrows". Enjoy a low-key beach retreat, take a night walk and star gaze, or choose daybreak to visit the rain forest and hidden ruins. Wild monkeys, butterflies, herbal plants and strange trees might cross your path, and you'll be invited to sample exotic fruits and drinks.

Great for: easygoing beaches, scuba diving, casino and plantations-turned-inns
Location: Leeward Islands, part of Lesser Antilles
Population: 43,000
Size: 101 sq miles
Capital city: Basseterre, St. Kitts
Airport: Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, Basseterre, SKB
Language: English with a Creole accent
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD) - check exchange rate
Time Zone: UTC-4
Area code: 869

Did you know?
St. Kitts & Nevis is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere. Both islands were formed by volcanic activity and have mountain peaks, which are old volcanoes.

Protected by a preservation-oriented culture, Nevis is less commercialized than most Caribbean islands. Absorb the island's tranquility from a prone position on pink sands, or set out for a soft adventure along a volcanic mountain trail (keeping in mind that all activities are optional).

If you've the urge to explore, visit with local potters, deep-sea divers, and plantation owners or shop for local batik fabrics. Munch on succulent conch meat, and sip sweet rum punch mid-afternoon. Come evening, mesmerize your senses with the cuisine, hospitality and island folklore of Miss June at Jones Plantation, then let lapping waves lull you into tranquil slumber.

St. Kitts & Nevis also has championship golf courses. The Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course, at the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, is one of them. The other one is the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, located in the Frigate Bay area.

Nature

Landmarks

Beaches

Diving & Snorkeling

There are plenty of adventures to choose from on both islands. Each has a volcano, along with mountain trails for hiking, a fortress, plantation houses and of course a number of beaches.

Nature:

Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts - The volcano that dominates the island of St. Kitts is 3,790 feet high. Guided tours are available.

Nevis Peak, Nevis - The highest point on Nevis, Nevis Peak is the volcanic mountain that in ancient times created the island. The peak rises to over three thousand feet.

Landmarks in St. Kitts & Nevis:

Brimstone Hill Fortress, St. Kitts - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often called "The Gibraltar of the East". Designed by the British, the fortress was built between the 1690s and 1790s on St. Kitts. The remains are reminders of the island's colonial history. St. Christopher (St. Kitts) was the first Caribbean island to be permanently settled by the British and the islands became an important part of the British colonial holdings in the Caribbean, thanks to the international sugar trade. Brimstone Hill Fortress is situated on the upper slopes of an 800-foot high mountain with superb views.

Old Road Bay, St. Kitts - The first permanent English settlement in the West Indies. St. Christopher (St. Kitts) was permanently settled by both, the English and the French (who shared the island between 1627 and 1713) and it served as a model for English and French colonialism in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Alexander Hamilton House, Nevis - Alexander Hamilton, the great American statesman was born on Nevis in 1757. The house where he spent his childhood up until the age of eight is open for visitors.

Clay Villa Plantation House & Gardens - Established in 1763, this 10-acre plantation is still working. Its trustees are descendants of the original Carib Indians.

Montravers Great House, Nevis - This plantation on Nevis produced sugar for export for more than 300 years.

Fort Charles, Nevis - Designed also by the British, Fort Charles was built to protect Charlestown, on Nevis.

Montpelier House - The sight where Horatio Nelson and Frances Nisbet celebrated their marriage, on March 11th 1787.

St. John's Fig Tree Church - This small church is best known for its archive, which has a copy of Horatio Nelson’s marriage certificate.

St. Kitts & Nevis Beaches:

Frigat Bay and Friar Bay, St. Kitts - St. Kitts' probably best beaches are located at Frigat Bay and Friar Bay.

Cockleshell Beach and Banana Bay, St. Kitts - On the southern part of St. Kitts sugar-white-sand beaches wait for sunbathers and water sport lovers.

Turtle Beach, St. Kitts - Located on the southeast corner of St. Kitts, Turtle Beach is a popular beach and dive spot. The nearby coral reef is good for snorkeling.

Pinney's Beach, Nevis - The longest beach on Nevis is close to Charlestown the capital of Nevis. At the northernmost end of Pinney’s Beach is another favorite, known as Cades Bay Beach.

Windward Beach, Nevis - A long sand beach located on the southeastern (windward) part of Nevis.

Newcastle Beach, Nevis - Located on the northern side of Nevis, this beach is facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Diving and Snorkeling in St. Kitts & Nevis:

Dieppe Bay - An ideal bay for snorkeling.

Coconut Tree Reef - A large reef, ideal for diving.

Wreck of the River Taw - The wreck of this large freighter was rated by Skin Diver Magazine as one of the top 20 in the Caribbean. The 144-foot ship sank in a storm in 1985.

• A valid U.S. passport is required for entry. No visa is necessary for U.S. citizens.
• Beginning in December 31, 2005, a passport or other accepted document will be required to enter or re-enter the United States.
• Non-U.S. citizens, please contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you are traveling to determine your entry/visa requirements.
• Passport, visa and travel advisory information may be found at the U.S. Department of State's St. kitts & Nevis pages. Although most travel to international destinations is completed without incident, Caribbean-TravelDeals.com urges passengers to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories prior to booking.