Top 10 things to do in St Kitts – for cruise visitors

I loved the relaxed and authentic Caribbean charm of St Kitts, one half of the twin island nation of St Kitts and Nevis. There’s something for everyone as you discover the island’s history or take a rainforest walk.

Get active on the water or lime like a local on one of the island’s beaches. Here are my top 10 things to do in St Kitts, especially things to do near the cruise port or if you’re visiting on a cruise.

This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. A relaxed walk around Basseterre

Looking for things to do in St Kitts near the cruise port? Start your island visit with a stroll around St Kitts’ relaxed island capital of Basseterre. From Port Zante pass through the archway of the Old Treasury to the Circus roundabout (St Kitts has no traffic lights!)

Spot the green Berkeley Memorial clock, a well-known St Kitts landmark. On Fort Street and Bank Street, you’ll pass market stalls and food vendors. Buy anything from fruit smoothies, to local lunchtime dishes – if you enjoy food why not also take this Basseterre food and walking tour?

Read more about St Kitts: The stylish traveller’s guide to St Kitts

Nearby is the shady Independence square which was once the island’s slave market. The small doors at the base of nearby colonial houses lead to basements where the slaves were imprisoned before they were sold.

2. The Old Treasury and National Museum in Basseterre

For things to do in and around St Kitts cruise port, visit The Old Treasury. This impressive 19th century building is built of black volcanic stone, on the edge of Port Zante.

The central archway is known as ‘The Gateway to Basseterre’. Visitors would pass through it from the port and upstairs you’ll find the small National Museum.

The displays are charmingly old fashioned, and there are plenty of fascinating insights into the history and culture of St Kitts. You’ll also find colorful carnival costumes and national dress on display.

Discover 10 views of St Kitts that would make the perfect postcard

Looking for a hotel in St Kitts? Check these St Kitts hotel options and best prices.

3. Sugar history at The Wingfield Estate

The stone chimneys and windmills of a once thriving sugar industry can be found all over St Kitts. At Wingfield Estate you can visit the ruins of an old sugar mill for an insight into the sugar industry.

The aqueduct once brought water from the slopes of Mount Liamuiga to power the mill wheel. The old rum distillery has been uncovered, with plans to start making rum again in the future.

Wondering what to do in St Kitts from the cruise ship? The estate is included in many cruise excursions and island tour. There are information signs if you visit independently by taxi and entry is free.

Explore Mount Liamuiga on foot during this guided hiking and sightseeing excursion

4. Romney Manor and Caribelle Batik

Adjoining the Wingfield Estate is Romney Manor, the estate’s Great House named after the Earls of Romney who owned it for 200 years. It is surrounded by botanical gardens with green lawns and flowering shrubs. The sounds of birds and glimpse of butterflies makes this a peaceful setting where the gardens blend into the rainforest.

Wonder at the stories that the majestic 400 year old Saman tree could tell. Visit the Caribelle Batik workshop where you can buy a colourful batik handicrafts and clothing. (there’s a small entrance charge). You can reach Romney Manor and Caribelle Batik by taking a taxi from Basseterre.

Read about The Hermitage Nevis – historic plantation hotel in the Caribbean

5. Step back in time at Fairview Great House

At Fairview Great House you’ll glimpse the lifestyle of a wealthy plantation owner in the 18th century. There are elegant porches and balconies and a dining room laid with antique silver. Upstairs is the bedroom where Prince Charles stayed when the house was a hotel.

Some tours also include a rum tasting or cookery demonstration. After your visit you can enjoy the well-kept gardens. The house is close to other historic sites such as Wingfield Estate and Brimstone Fort so best reached by taxi as part of an island tour. (there’s a small entrance charge)

On this Panoramic Tour of St Kitts you’ll see landmarks of cultural, natural, and historical significance

6. The canons and views at Brimstone Fort

A winding road brings you up through narrow stone gatehouses to Brimstone Hill Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site was built by the British colonial powers in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

Known as ‘The Gibraltar of the West Indies’ the fortress supported the ambitions of the English to dominate the sugar rich islands of the Caribbean. This is one of the best things to do in St Kitts from your cruise ship.

Discover things to do in St Kitts on a cruise – that will suit all ages

There’s a visitor centre close to the car park. The most spectacular views are from the top of the stone citadel with an impressive array of canons pointing in all directions. The fort can be reached by taxi and is included on many island tours, like this full Island panoramic tour of St Kitts. Entrance $15US

7. A Rainforest walk

The mountains that form the backbone of St Kitts are covered with natural rainforest, teeming with birds and home to the Vervet monkeys. The most demanding walk is to the top of Mount Liamuiga, best done with a local guide and requires a good level of fitness.

For a gentle self-guided walk, follow the trails on the Wingfield Estate under the Sky Safari zip wire. Hear the cries of people zipping over your head mingle with the sounds of nature.

A stream trickles beside the trail and aerial roots and vines tangle in the tree canopy. To learn about the forest trees and medicinal plants in the rainforest, we recommend hiring a knowledgeable guide such as O’Neil Mulraine for your rainforest walk.

Zoom through the rain forest canopy on a zipline experience tour

Looking for a hotel in St Kitts? Check these St Kitts hotel options and best prices.

8. The St Kitts Scenic Railway

This narrow gauge railway was built in the 1920s to deliver sugar cane from the plantations around the island to the processing factory in Basseterre. While sugar production has ceased, visitors can still board the double-decker St Kitts Scenic Railway. This passes over the steel bridges with views over the fields on the slopes of Mount Liamuiga.

Rum punch is served while the guide gives an entertaining account sugar industry on St Kitts. At the end you’ll return by bus or by catamaran.

The 3-4 hour round trip is best booked as a cruise excursion since the timetable varies depending on the ships in port. If visiting St Kitts independently you can pre-book the Scenic Railway tour here.

This Best of St. Kitts tour offers an exciting, educational and comprehensive view of the island

9. Get active on the water

There are plenty of watersports options on St Kitts. Explore the glass-bottomed kayaks to exhilarating flyboarding, using water jets that shoot you high in the air.

Most beaches will have kayaks, snorkels or paddle boards to rent. The best range of watersports can be found at St Kitts Water Sports on Cockleshell beach.

Ask about their jet-ski safari where you’ll be taken to the best snorkeling spots nearby. A 4-hour sail and snorkel will give you an ocean side perspective of St Kitts and normally includes lunch. For more information check out the tours offered by Bluewater Safaris or Leeward Islands Charters.

Discover 15 amazing things to do in Nevis

10. Chill on the beach

Does all this activity sounds too much and you just want to lime like a local? We recommend a taxi ride to the beaches on the South East peninsula. Cockleshell Bay is one of the most popular beaches on St Kitts, with a wide range of beach bars and sun beds to rent. It can get crowded if there are a few ships in port.

Check out this luxury catamaran full-day cruise from St Kitts to Nevis with an island tour, lunch and beach time. For a quieter options, try South Friar’s Bay where you can rent a sun lounger at the Carambola Beach club. Or, bag a hammock at the more rustic Shipwreck Beach Bar at the other end of the beach.

Read about Montpelier Plantation & Beach – Caribbean boutique hotel in Nevis

More articles about St Kitts:

Shopping in St Kitts: where to shop for local crafts and souvenirs
Top 10 St Kitts food and restaurant experiences

Hotels on St Kitts

Visiting St Kitts on a cruise is a great way to get a taste of the island, but one day is never enough! So if you like what you see why not return for a longer stay? If you do here are some great hotels that we recommend;

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation, we suggest Marriott’s Resort. Although I didn’t stay at this hotel I did visit and it would be my choice for a luxurious stay on St Kitts.

Visitor Information for St Kitts

To plan your visit to St Kitts check out the tourism board website at www.stkittstourism.kn or follow their social media channels: Twtter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

British Airways flies to St Kitts from London Gatwick twice a week on Saturdays and Wednesdays with the flight going on to nearby Antigua. There are regular ferries every day to Nevis, with a journey time of 45 minutes from Basseterre, making it easy to plan a combined stay on both islands.

Check out prices and book hotels on St Kitts.

For a full range of private tours available check out these St Kitts tour options.

If you’re looking for a guide book for use on a Caribbean cruise, we recommend the DK Eyewitness Caribbean Travel Guide which covers all your likely ports of call, or for something more in depth try the Footprint Guide to St Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat.

Read Next

Read about the top 10 St Kitts food and restaurant experiences

Zoom Background

Feel free to download this image to use as your Zoom Background.

Pin It

My visit to St Kitts was hosted* by the St Kitts Tourism Board and some of the experiences and meals mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

Never miss an update! – Subscribe to receive our latest articles and newsletter