The Best of St. Kitts and Nevis – There are many reasons to visit the islands of a thousand treasures. To splash in warm, iridescent waters along pristine island shores. To dive ancient shipwrecks and virgin coral reefs. To sway to a soca beat, sipping local rum around a bonfire on the beach. But the most important reason is that you’ll share a smile with every new experience that unfolds on St. Kitts and Nevis. Both islands have mountain rain forests, uncrowded beaches, historic ruins, towering volcanoes, charming Georgian capitals, and restored 18th-century sugar plantation inns run by elegant and eccentric owners.
These lesser-known but luxurious islands in the Caribbean are breathtaking. St. Kitts and Nevis is a place for travelers looking for resort relaxation and picturesque landscapes with a touch of adventure and a dash of history. St. Kitts is the more outgoing island, with the widest selection of restaurants, bars and hotels. Quiet and lush Nevis has the seclusion that some want, Nevis doesn’t have a single streetlight!
Near-perfect packages – that’s how you you’ll think of St Kitts and Nevis. The two-island nation combines beaches with gorgeous mountains, activities to engage your body and rich history to engage your mind. The local culture is mellow, friendly and infused with a pulsing calypso beat. To learn more about all the beautiful beaches on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, visit here, or visit us on Pinterest.
St. Kitts and Nevis Weather – Best Time to Visit St. Kitts and Nevis
Temperatures on both islands are tropical and moderate year-round. The average air temperature on the islands is between 78 to 88 °F throughout the year, and humidity is usually around 71%. The extreme high temperature is approximately 95 °F, and the extreme low can dip to 65 °F. The islands experience low humidity and are cooled by the northeast trade winds, making the higher temperatures bearable.
The best time to visit St. Kitts and Nevis is in May and June, when hotels lower their rates to lure in travelers and the winter crowds thin out. But the peak season – December to April – does host Carnival, a party that might be worth weaving through the droves of tourists. The crowds disperse again in the summer months when the islands experience the Atlantic hurricane season. And keep in mind St. Kitts and Nevis’ average highs hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Best St. Kitts and Nevis Beaches
South Friars Bay (St. Kitts)
South Friars Bay (St. Kitts)South Friars Bay is a laid back beach running along the skinniest part of the southeast peninsula in St Kitts. There are plenty of things to do at South Friars, with water activities and dining available. The coast is lined with restaurants and bars from budget shacks to higher-end dining experiences. It’s also a great spot to go for a swim and a snorkel, with calm, clear water.
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Frigate Bay South (St. Kitts)
Frigate Bay South (St. Kitts)The beautiful white-sand beach is also popular for water sports such as bathing, windsurfing and personal watercraft riding. Over the weekend, the beach becomes the main nightlife hub on the whole island, with a string of bars known locally as The Strip. With plenty of people around, it’s never too difficult to find a taxi cab to and from Frigate Bay and anywhere else in St Kitts.
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Banana Bay Beach (St. Kitts)
Banana Bay Beach (St. Kitts)Banana Bay Beach is a secluded beach on the southeast coast of St Kitts. It offers a beautiful stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear water that is popular for those looking for a place to relax. However, it doesn’t quite feel as remote as it once did, with the development of the luxury Park Hyatt Resort and a few restaurants along the peninsula.
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Cockleshell Bay Beach (St. Kitts)
Cockleshell Bay Beach (St. Kitts)Cockleshell Bay Beach is the most visited of the beaches strung along the southeast coast of St Kitts. The protected bay is lined with white sand stretching for almost 3 km. Cockleshell Bay is popular among both locals and tourists alike. The beach is home to some restaurants and bars, including the famous Reggae Beach Bar at the eastern edge.
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Oualie Beach (Nevis)
Oualie Beach (Nevis)Oualie Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Nevis. The sandy beach is lined with palm trees and is great for bathing thanks to its beautiful blue water and a small pier. You can join in some water sports with windsurfing, kayaking, yacht charters and diving from Oualie Beach.
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Turtle Beach (St. Kitts)
Turtle Beach (St. Kitts)Similar to other beaches on the south coast, it looks straight across the Narrows to the island of Nevis. Turtle Beach is specifically one of the best beaches for bathing and snorkeling. Underneath the clear water, you’ll find a coral reef and an amazing variety of colorful fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins or whales in the bay, especially during winter.
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Best St. Kitts and Nevis Restaurants
Marshall’s $11 – 30
The pool area of Horizons Villa Resort is transformed into a stylish eatery thanks to smashing ocean views, potted plants, serenading tree frogs, and elegant candlelit tables. Jamaican chef Verral Marshall fuses ultra fresh local ingredients with global influences. Telephone: 869-466-8245 Web: Marshall’s.
Carambola Beach Club $11 – 30
Casual lunches take full advantage of the beachfront setting, with white tents and beach beds. But nighttime is truly spectacular, with outdoor fiber-optic fountains, a sleek interior with an eat-in wine cellar and tile-and-layered-wood sushi bar. Starters include the original maki rolls. Seafood such as breaded grouper in orange beurre blanc is masterfully executed; nothing at Carambola is overcooked. Telephone: 869-465-9090 Web: Carambola Beach Club.
Serendipity $31 – 60
The ambitious menu of starters and main courses reflects co-owner-chef Alexander James’s peripatetic postings, includes crispy fried Brie, spring rolls with plum dipping sauce, mahi mahi with a cheese-and-basil crust, or teriyaki-glazed tiger shrimp. The wine list is well considered; vegetarians will be delighted by the many creative options; and very affordable lunches feature gargantuan tapas-style selections. Telephone: 869-465-9999 Web: Serendipity.
Sprat Net Bar & Grill $11 – 30
This simple cluster of picnic tables sits on a sliver of sand. It is an island hot spot. There’s nothing fancy on the menu: just grilled fish, lobster, ribs, and chicken served with mountains of coleslaw and peas and rice. But the fish is amazingly fresh: the fishermen–owners heap their catches on a center table from which you choose your own dinner, then watch it grilled to your specification before dining family-style on paper plates. Telephone: 869-466-7535 Web: Sprat Net.
Hermitage Plantation Inn $11 – 30
After cocktails in the inn’s antiques-filled parlor (the knockout rum punches are legendary), dinner is served on the veranda. Many ingredients are harvested from the inn’s herb garden, fruit trees, piggery, and livestock collection; the scrumptious cured meats, baked goods, preserves, and ice creams are homemade. Telephone: 869-469-3477 Web: Hermitage Plantation Inn.
Best St. Kitts and Nevis Nightlife
The Dock Bar
The Dock is located on the far edge of The Strip, adjacent to the Timothy Beach Resort. A fun place to enjoy Happy Hour Monday through Friday and one of St. Kitts finest local bands on Sunday night! Telephone: 1-888-229-2747 Web: The Dock Bar.
Vibes Beach Bar
Vibes Beach Bar is the new incarnation of the former Ziggy’s Beach Bar, whose slogan is “Morning, Noon & Night,” and that remains the case. Great beers, great nightlife and great food. Telephone: 869-465-8423 Web: Vibes Beach Bar.
Ziggy’s
The party starts early at this jamming shack and goes late. It’s open all day, starting with breakfast, and there’s live music on weekends. Telephone: 869-662-3104 Web: Ziggy’s.
Buddies Beach Hut
The Rainbow Beach Bar and Grille has a very casual environment where tourists and local residents relax and enjoy great drinks, ribs, and other dishes. It is also located in a region where diners can appreciate beautiful sunsets. They are known for their Friday night DJ dance party. Telephone: 869-669-4178 Web: Rainbow Beach Bar & Grille.
Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack
Long considered one of the best beach bars in the Caribbean, Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack is effectively the headquarters of The Strip. It’s worth a visit on any trip to St Kitts and Nevis. Telephone: 869-663-4578 Web: Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack.
Chin Chilla’s
The beautiful thing about The Strip is the mix of locals and travelers — everybody just seems to get along swimmingly. And that’s nowhere truer than Chinchilla’s, which features terrific Mexican food as well. Get ready to dance. Telephone: 869-465-2477 Web: Chin Chilla’s.
Best St. Kitts and Nevis Hotels
I think I’ve heard of St. Kits but not Nevis Island. Both of them sound amazing.
As I look at the picture of the road going up the mountain (or is that a hill), I can picture myself walking or riding a bicycle and listening to the tropical birds while taking in the fresh smell of the ocean.
That and relaxing on one of those amazing beaches and no street lights would be like heaven to me. Relaxing, soaking in the sun… when does the next plane leave? The sky must be amazing at night.
Don’t know about you but, if money was no object, I’d be there in a blink.
There is just something about the majesty and magnetism of a tropical resort. Wouldn’t you agree?
Wayne
I would agree Wayne, and if I won the lottery I would be living in a place like this. It would be pure heaven for sure! Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I’ve never heard of St. Kitts or Nevis islands, so this was a fun read! Especially as they have the Botanical Gardens in Nevis! I love botanical gardens and it would be absolutely awesome to visit one on the islands! To see the different plants the more tropical places have, just wow! Thanks for this!
You are very welcome Jade. I am glad you enjoyed reading my St Kitts and Nevis Travel guide. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi there
Many thanks for the awesome review and if it looks as good as the images portray, it would make a great tourist destination.
The beaches and the trails look very attractive and the feature on the Brimstone Hill Fortress interests me greatly as I have a keen interest in history.
You have done this destination a great service by highlighting its uniqueness and attractive features.
Thanks again for the great review
Cheers PB
You are very welcome Phil! Thanks for visiting St Kitts and Nevis Travel. Come back again when you are ready to plan your trip!
What a great review of these beautiful Caribbean islands. I was actually on a cruise to Caribbean a couple of years ago and I loved it. Too sad, I didn’t have access to your site back then. It could’ve been so much better if I did. I have just added it to my list of favorites. Thanks
You are welcome Marcus, thanks for reading!
I love the Caribbean! This looks like my kind of place. I really like the historical buildings and history in general. I am a big fan of secluded or less crowded places. If I go to a tropical island I want it to feel like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. I really like they way you have described this destination. Your words are so colorful I can imagine being there. It makes me want to be there. Superb job! St. Kitts and Nevis will be on my list of places to go for sure, hopefully in 2018!
Hi Jason, thanks for visiting St Kitts and Nevis Travel. Yes, I think that you probably could and would feel like the rest of the world did not exist on St Kitts and Nevis. They are definitely two wonderful Caribbean islands with less tourism than most.
Since I live in Europe, I pretty much didn’t know that this island exists. Your post was so full of information that I don’t have to look elsewhere for traveling information. Seems to be a really pleasant traveling location and I sure will consider it for my next year’s traveling plans.
What time of the year do you think would be the best to visit St Kitts and Nevis? When I travel I try to avoid the periods when everywhere is packed with tourists.
Erik
Hi Erik, From June thru August is going to be the best months to travel, as this is their low season and everything is less crowded. If you want to enjoy St Kitts and Nevis without the crowds, plan on this time to vacation here 🙂 Thanks for visiting St Kitts and Nevis Travel.
Wow, what a load of helpful information. St. Kitts is on our list of places to visit for sure. I will definitely use this as a source when we are ready to vacation there. We could plan out our entire trip just from your site! I look forward to reading your other posts to see if I have been to any of the places or want to explore!
Hi Kyle and I am glad I could provide the information you are looking for. Please let me know when you are ready to start planning, as I would love to help you get the best deals. Thanks for visiting the St Kitts and Nevis Travel guide.
You always seem to give beautiful reviews, Leahrae!
I appreciate the details you give by sharing the best time to visit, transportation, etc. Too many times, I let the airfare dictates when I travel, as opposed to what time – in terms of the month – would work best for me.
All the places you showcase look exquisite, but the Romney Manor really spoke to me. I am an artist by nature, so to be able to watch artisans during the hand-printing process would be a treat.
I never even heard of St. Kitts or Nevis before…You’re just the gal to help me see more of this beautiful world, Leahrae!
Yes, Veronica and I hope I can help you see the beautiful world! I am so glad you enjoy coming back to my site. Thank you for visiting the Bonaire Travel Guide, another beautiful island in the Caribbean 🙂
Great review and fantastic site. We are in the midst of planning for our 2018 holiday and the Caribbean is top of our list. We’d looked at the usual places like Barbados and Jamaica, etc, but St Kitts was never on our radar for no apparent reason! However, this has really thrown a curve ball and I love the sound and look of this place. Thanks for sharing. A feel a visit in on the cards.
I am glad you enjoyed reading about St Kitts and Nevis Travel. They are really great Caribbean Islands that sometimes get over looked for sure. Please let me know if you need any additional information for planning your trip to the Caribbean, where ever you choose.
One more questions, I am wondering if it is possible to plan a trip to Barbados, and then catch a direct flight to St Kitts. Would this be feasible, not too expensive or hopefully a quick flight?
Yes Sean, this is totally possible. You are looking at about a 2 hour flight. Of course airfare can fluctuate, but I do know that you will be able to get a direct flight fairly reasonable. Of course the key is to plan in advance 🙂
Your tour guide is fabulous Leahrae, just going through the pages is like being on holiday already. There are places I even never knew existed. I am ashamed to say that for some of them I have to ask Google maps to show me where it is.
Our planet is really a paradise (in some places of course).
I wonder if you have had the privilege of visiting most of all of them?
I am still traveling with you Leahrae and I hope that one day soon my wife and myself will find THE place we want to visit.
Thanks for sharing.
John ツ
Oh, I have been to quite a few of the places, but there are also many that I have not. They of course, promptly went on my bucket list. I have friends who have traveled to many of them, and other resources I use. But, yes it does take us to paradise even if we are not actually there with our toes in the sand. I am glad you enjoyed reading St Kitts and Nevis Travel!
I love your reviews! The detail makes you desire to visit so badly. I love this island especially because of the temperatures. I live near Vegas and it can get almost 120 degrees F in the summers so these temperatures are nothing to me plus I love warm temperature water. Zip lining looks scary but I would love to try it and boy does that manor look gorgeous. Great post!
Thank you Melissa and thanks for visiting St Kitts and Nevis Travel. Yes, I know too well. I lived close to Vegas as well, and hot is just hot. The temperature in these two awesome Caribbean islands is perfect, and you would love zip lining!
I couldn’t wait to read this post. I was once a resident of St Kitts. I lived there for two years and it was heaven on earth! It’s so good to see so many familiar bars and restaurants are still operating. Was just looking for information on them, thinking about going back for a visit. Great information, and spot on!
I am glad my information agrees with a St Kitts Islander 🙂 You should go back, you know how great it is 🙂 Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
Wow ! Now THIS is what I call a comprehensive review of a dream Vacation Spot ! My girlfriend and I have always wanted to visit the Caribbean and it looks like St. Kitts and Nevis is a MUST VISIT after reading your review – I am so glad I found your site and I will make sure to bookmark it for future reference as I see that you have so many vacation spots reviewed here. I was surprised to read on your site that I MUST have a 6 months passport passed my stay to go and also proof of proper funds. Why is that ? Income Tax Invasion ?
Thank you Rico 🙂 Yes, you must visit St Kitts and Nevis. More like a dream Caribbean vacation destination for sure. The 6 month rule really stems from the fact that a Visa is not required. Most Caribbean Islands follow this rule, and it is best to renew your passport up to 9 months before traveling to be safe. Thanks for visiting St Kitts and Nevis Travel.