Laid-back, mellow, and peaceful, Saint Kitts and Nevis is a dreamy destination for nature lovers, marine life enthusiasts, history and culture aficionados, and vacationers in search of a party-friendly island with an understated glamour offering all the Caribbean cliches, from fine-sand beaches and azure waters to swaying palms, bobbling super yachts, and heart-stopping sunsets. While here, feel free to kick back at one of the several luxury hotels and resorts, wander the sugary shores, discover amazing natural landscapes, and pamper your eyes with sights and things very few people get to see in a lifetime, such as those included here. As you are about to find out, though, this guide is just the tip of a huge iceberg waiting to be explored!
Mount Liamuiga is an impressive 1156-metre-high (around 3790 feet) volcano on the western part of Saint Kitts that last erupted some 1800 years ago. Besides being the highest peak across the entire Leeward Islands region, Mount Liamuiga is also considered a prime hiking destination that pampers hikers, trekkers, and mountain climbers with slopes full of dense tropical rainforest and unsurpassed panoramas and seascapes.
When the first Europeans settled on the island, the mountain was called Misery to reflect the hardship the settlers faced when they first came to Saint Kitts and the sufferings of the enslaved Africans that worked the land during those times. Over the years, it became a symbol of freedom for the enslaved Africans, who sought refuge in its slopes that were only accessible through a narrow passage, in 1639. They were eventually all recaptured except for one, who managed to escape his captors for a longer period of time and became a local legend. Another runaway called Marcus (aka King of the Woods) also fled to the mountain in 1834 and remained there for three years and was never captured.
If you wish to hike to the crater of Mount Liamuiga, expect a challenging hike not suitable for beginners. The terrain is at times steep and quite bumpy. However, if you manage to reach the summit, chances are your eyes have never seen anything like what awaits you there!
Cockleshell Beach is rightfully one of the most popular beaches in Saint Kitts featuring spellbinding views of Nevis island across the Narrows. That aside, the crescent of sugary sand with the transparent, calm, and shallow waters offers ample space for everyone to enjoy their beach time doing whatever pleases them the most – from sunbathing and indulging in a refreshing cocktail to swimming and snorkelling. The lengthy stretch of beach is also perfect for barefoot walks along the shore, enabling you to explore the scenic landscape featuring rock walls and sandy paths with palms, while feeling the breeze in your hair.
Without a doubt, Cockleshell Beach is one of the very few places on earth where a beach offers breathtaking lush mountain views straight ahead without them being connected to the mainland. Getting here is a 30-minute drive from the Basseterre port if visiting the island via a cruise ship or a 20-minute drive from the airport that won’t feel that long because of the incredible scenery that will surround you along the way, especially the part when the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are divided by a narrow stretch of road!
The only downside is that the beach can be particularly crowded when cruise ships arrive unless you visit the shore either late in the day or early in the morning. And, if you need a break from the heat, feel free to get a drink, snack, or lunch from any of the many bars and restaurants in the area, while spoiling yourself with the numerous shades of turquoise blue that extend off to the horizon!
Saint Kitts is a great destination for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts who can claim a fair share of excitement across the several different snorkelling and diving locations. Expect clear and deep waters that are home to a wide array of fish and invertebrates and a major reef system with massive boulders and rocks, especially on the western part of the island.
Some of the best snorkelling (could also be great for diving) sites in Saint Kitts and Nevis are:
There is also Pelican Rocks, White House Bay (a great site for shipwreck diving), South Pinney’s Beach, Salt Plage Wreck, and boat-accessible-only Shitten Bay.
