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A cruise to St. Kitts will take you to Basseterre, the island’s bustling capital, an intriguing mix of whimsically colorful Caribbean architecture and stately Georgian buildings that date back to the 18th century.
St. Kitts and Nevis, its sleepy neighbor, may be small, but both islands offer plenty to see. Explore lush rainforest dominated by towering volcanoes, or unwind on long, sandy beaches. Admire the vibrant coral reefs and green, rolling countryside. Visit Brimstone Hill Fortress, one of the most impressive military structures you’ll see on a Caribbean cruise. There are also grand old country estates to explore, and a vintage railway to carry you through verdant landscapes and along the surf-pounded coastline.
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Brimstone Hill Fortress is a formidable citadel, regarded as one of the most impressive fortifications of its kind. It’s dubbed the “Gibraltar of the West Indies” due to its impenetrable nature. The fortress, which clings to the side of a hill 800 feet above sea level, was designed in the late 17th century by British military engineers and built over the course of a century by African slaves. Today, Brimstone Hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Learn about the island’s lush nature on a guided hike through the Wingfield-Phillips Rainforest, just outside Basseterre, along one of the many marked trails. You’ll most likely spot vervet monkeys in the trees, as well as lizards, mongoose rustling through the undergrowth, and colorful tropical birds. Combine the hike with nearby Romney Manor, a sugar plantation dating back 350 years. See its gorgeous botanical gardens, 400-year-old rain tree, and batik studio.
Basking in tropical gardens, the magnificent Fairview Great House offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the wealthy in 18th-century St. Kitts. The old house, built by the French in 1701, has been painstakingly restored and furnished in authentic colonial style. You can tour the grand dining room, the master bedroom, with captivating views across the water to Nevis, and the bathhouse and old kitchen. In the gardens, there’s an apiary, a tapas bar, and a chance to taste local rum.
The enchanting, narrow gauge St. Kitts Scenic Railway was built between 1912 and 1926 to transport sugar cane from the plantations to the sugar processing factory in Basseterre. Today, it’s a wonderful way to see the island’s rolling countryside on a 30-mile, three-hour loop. The double-decker train rattles along the remote coastline pounded by waves, past the remnants of old plantations and tiny villages where local children wave as you pass
Volcanic Nevis lies across “The Narrows,” a short stretch of water separating it from St. Kitts. A 3,230-foot volcano, often wearing a cap of clouds, sits at its center. In Charlestown, the capital, you can see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, now a museum, as well as other fine examples of Georgian architecture. Explore the town and a local craft village before driving to Pinney’s Beach to cool off, enjoy lunch, and look out for the vervet monkeys that scamper through the trees.
The waters around St. Kitts are rich in coral reefs, which teem with life, from angelfish to striped butterflyfish and brilliant blue tang. You could also spot graceful sea turtles, eagle rays, and bigger fish such as barracuda and snapper. Local boat crews know the best snorkeling spots. Typically, a snorkel safari will include a stop at a beach bar for refreshments and sunbathing.
You’ll find an abundance of Caribbean flavors when visiting St. Kitts & Nevis. The islands are blessed with fertile volcanic soil in which everything from soursop and breadfruit to lush mangos and sweet bananas thrive. Locally grown spices include ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves.
Popular entrees include goat water stew, a rich stew of slow-cooked goat meat, green papaya, onion, chilis, and tomatoes, as well as conch fritters. Conch aside, lobster, wahoo, and mahi mahi (also called dolphin but not related to the marine mammal) are the best seafood to try. The national dish is stewed saltfish. For dessert, don’t miss out on the tasty snack of sugar cake, made from sugar, coconut, and ginger.
St. Kitts was named in 1493 by the explorer Christopher Columbus after St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, and later shortened to the more familiar St. Kitts. The first non-Spanish colony in the Caribbean was established by the British in 1624, after which sugar cane became the island’s main industry, in turn establishing St. Kitts as the epicenter of the slave trade in the region. By 1775, there were 68 sugar plantations on the island. European powers struggled for control over the Caribbean—St. Kitts was shared between Britain and France for nearly a century—and pirates prowled the seas.
Slavery was abolished in the British colonies in 1834, prompting the decline of the sugar cane business, although the last factory was closed as recently as 2005. St. Kitts & Nevis became independent from Britain in 1983, and while the islands remain part of the Commonwealth, they have their own government and prime minister. Tourism has replaced sugar cultivation as a source of income. And while you’ll still see elements of “British-ness” in the Georgian architecture of Basseterre, the passion for cricket, and driving on the left, the islands very much have their own character. Locals are warm and friendly, and you’ll hear many references to “limin’”—the art of hanging out with friends, chatting, and doing very little.
Cruises to St. Kitts pull into bright and colorful Port Zante, which leads straight to downtown Basseterre. Purpose-built for cruise ships, Port Zante encompasses 30 acres of shops, bars, restaurants, pedestrianized walkways, and the cruise terminal itself. You’ll find everything you need here, from tourist information to restrooms, and free Wi-Fi at some of the bars.
The main shopping area of Basseterre is located just steps from the pier, in Port Zante. Head further into Basseterre, though, for more authentic purchases, from paintings by Caribbean artists to antique maps and handmade flip flops and purses. Other popular souvenirs to bring home with you from St. Kitts include handmade batik prints, clothing and jewelry, Caribbean dolls, rum, spicy sauces, and locally made arts and crafts.
The main shopping area of Basseterre is located just steps from the pier, in Port Zante. Head further into Basseterre, though, for more authentic purchases, from paintings by Caribbean artists to antique maps and handmade flip flops and purses. Other popular souvenirs to bring home with you from St. Kitts include handmade batik prints, clothing and jewelry, Caribbean dolls, rum, spicy sauces, and locally made arts and crafts.
The official currency of St. Kitts is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), pegged to the U.S. Dollar at a rate of EC$2.7 to $1. U.S. dollar bills (not coins) are also accepted at most places. Even if paying with U.S. dollars, change is usually given in the Eastern Caribbean dollar. You can find ATMs in Basseterre. Most stores and restaurants take credit cards, but keep some cash handy for buying things in markets or at street stalls. For tipping, check if the service charge is already added to the bill. If not, it is generally expected to leave 10% to 15% of your total bill. For taxis, also expect to tip 10% to 15% of the total fare.
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