There’s Plenty of Things to Do on the Sister Islands of St. Kitts & Nevis
The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Islands, commonly referred to as “St. Kitts” or “SKN”, is a two island nation in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles’ Leeward Islands. The St. Kitts and Nevis islands are actually the tops of a submerged volcanic mountain range. The green islands are covered with rolling folds of volcanic peaks and lush valleys. Regular ferry service connects the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, which are approximately 2 miles (3 km) apart. St. Kitts is only a few miles from its closest neighbours, Sint Eustatius to the north-west, Barbuda and Antigua to the East and Montserrat to the south.
While no trip to St. Kitts is complete without seeing Brimstone Hill Fortress, the picturesque south-east peninsula or visiting the capital Basseterre, there are plenty of other amazing and fun things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis – If you know where to look. Our personal favourites include:
Experience Unique and Historical Attractions in Saint Kitts
Sit back and relax while you see the island from the “last railway in the West Indies” – A train, built in the early 1900s for the sugar industry, now operates a unique scenic railway tour. The train ride takes you around the rugged north-east coastline, then bus transportation takes you along the west side of the island, giving you a great all-round island experience.
For the history buff, Brimstone Hill Fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must see. With it’s formidable structure and spectacular views of the Caribbean sea, this well preserved fortification makes for an imposing sight. Located on the west side of the island, the fortress is an excellent example of British military architecture of a bygone era. Covering almost 40 acres (150k sq. m), the main features of the multi-leveled fortification include it’s massive stone wall, with it’s commanding view (and cannon range) of the surrounding coastline and Caribbean Sea, along with it’s main building the Citadel, also know as Fort George.
Another structure of historical significance is the Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation. The Ruins are located in the Central Forest Reserve National Park on the west side of the island, adjacent to the more popular Romney Manor. Old stone structures outline the remains of a once majestic set of buildings – Imagine the ancient sugar mill, rum distillery and more. While you’re in the area, one of the more interesting things to do in St. Kitts is to find the 17th century petroglyphs.
For a unique and interesting geological site, check out the “Black Rocks” on the rugged north-east coast near the village of Bellevue. These ancient lava formations on the edge of the sea, provide a reminder of the island’s volcanic past.
OK, so you’re looking for some rum… Local tour operators can take you to the Fairview Great House for some tasting, or on a Rum Runner’s Tour of the capital Basseterre, along with south-east peninsula sightseeing and 5 Rum / Bar Stops.
For more information, including tour operators who will take good care of you, click on our Things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis – Land Excursions page
Revel in the Natural Beauty of Saint Kitts
Romney Manor, on the west side of the island is one of the most popular things to do in St. Kitts and is well worth a visit – Their botanical gardens showcase a variety of local flora, including a 400-year-old SAMAN tree as well as colourful ‘lipstick’ palm trees. A Bar and the Caribelle Batik are also on the grounds – You can even watch a local artist make the famous Batik clothing.
Fairview Great House & Botanical Gardens is a restored 18th century home and grounds. Your tour there includes the great-house and gardens, which feature local flora. Located on the west side of the island, you’ll also enjoy great views of the south-western shoreline and Caribbean Sea.
One of the more relaxing things to do in St. Kitts, is to take-in the best views of the islands, without having the climb a volcano or mountain. Journey to a place called Timothy Hill, approximately 3.5 miles (5km) south-east of the capital Bassettere. From this vantage point you can see all the way down the lush and hilly south-east peninsula of the island, along with Nevis peak in the background.
For those looking for a nice nature walk, you can take a leisurely stroll in the Central Forest Reserve National Park on the west side of St. Kitts. Also visit the St. Kitts Eco-Park in the north-west corner of the island – Stretch your legs while you enjoy a variety of greenhouses, gardens, and orchards, before grabbing some shade at the tea house.
A variety of tours available in St. Kitts will take you sight-seeing through the mountainous interior of the island by jeep, Land Rover or open air safari bus. This is a great way to really appreciate the natural beauty of the tropical island and one of the more popular things to do in St. Kitts. Many tours provide a picnic lunch and include a visit to an old Estate and/or Plantation.
For more information, including tour operators who provide island tours, check out our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis page
Visit the Capital, Basseterre
Sometimes, there’s nothing more relaxing than simply taking a break in a park accompanied by a leisurely walk around town. Basseterre is a great place in the Caribbean where you can wander around safely.
Independence Square is a short walk from the port. This former slave market location is now a beautiful and tranquil park setting – Sit on a bench and soak-up the Caribbean sun while enjoying the water fountain, the park’s centre-piece. In the background you can see the magnificent Church of Immaculate Conception. The equally impressive St. Georges Anglican church is also just a five-minute walk away.
Looking for more things to do in St. Kitts? On the outskirts of town, yet just a 15 minute walk from Independence Square, is the Government House – A large 19th century dwelling, now home to the island’s Governor General.
For more information, including tour operators who will take good care of you, click on our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis page
Go Zip-lining and Off-Roading in St. Kitts
Want to feel the rush of flying over cane-fields or jungle foliage? There’s a zip-line operator on the west side of the island, just next to the Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation. They have 5 zip-lines to experience and trying multiple rides involve 4×4 transport to get you from line to line.
ATV and Dune Buggy tours are also available on St. Kitts – Ride off-road country tracks, deserted beaches, up scenic mountain slopes and through cane-fields… Then enjoy some beach time and maybe a refreshing swim.
For more information, including tour operators who will get you on the move, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Land Excursions page
Cruise St. Kitts & Nevis by Sea
Get a unique perspective of St. Kitts and Nevis by sight-seeing from sea. At the sister islands, that means it’s west coast features, including Mount Liamuiga and Brimstone Fortress, the south-east peninsula as well as Mount Nevis.
There are a variety of sea-faring options available to you, including catamaran sailboats, power-boats and pontoon boats. Sight-seeing the western shores of the islands is spectacular and boat tours often include a beach visit and/or a BBQ lunch. Of course, Party Cruises and Sunset Cruises – featuring the chance to see the famous St. Kitts and Nevis ‘green flash’, are also available!
For the more adventurous, how would you like to rip around in a Mini Speedboat? A local boat operator offers guided tours with these ‘motorized dinghies for two’ – It’s a great way to explore the blue waters of St Kitts and Nevis.
For more information, including boat operators who will get you on the waves, check out our Things to do in St. Kitts & Nevis – Ocean Excursions page
Visit the Natural Beauty of Nevis
A short ferry ride will take you from St. Kitts to the island of Nevis, where you can enjoy peaceful natural beauty, all in the shadow of majestic Nevis Peak.
You can enjoy the local flora at the Botanical Gardens of Nevis on the south side of the island. Visit to the quaint village of Charlestown, the island’s capital, on the west side of Nevis – There you can learn about the island’s history at the Horatio Nelson or Alexander Hamilton Museums, or simply unwind as you bathe in the local hot-springs. On the north end of the island you can visit the Nisbet Plantation and kick-back with great views of St. Kitts from Oualie beach.
For a little more activity, you’ll appreciate a nature walk through the rain-forest, bird watching or looking for the Vervet or “green” monkeys that inhabit the islands. There’s even an Amerindian Site to explore. These are all great things to do in Nevis.
For the more intrepid, there’s exciting 4×4 off-road adventure tours as well as an equestrian centre where you can enjoy trail rides or even a beach tour.
For more information, including tour operators who will take good care of you, click on our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis page
Enjoy!
ACT Staff
Want to see a quick overview? Check out our Sampling of the Sights in Saint Kitts video on YouTube!
If you’re looking for more of a physical adventure, check out our Adventure Activities in St. Kitts & Nevis blog
For an overview of the amazing sister islands, take a look at our St. Kitts & Nevis Vacations page
