St. Kitts, an island in the West Indies, was the first Caribbean island to be permanently settled by both the French and the English and is now the independent island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. With cruise ship traffic just emerging, St. Kitts remains a relatively hidden gem in the Caribbean.

Is your next Caribbean cruise stopping in St. Kitts? If so, you are in luck! St. Kitts is home to many historic landmarks, pristine beaches, and authentic experiences with less tourism traffic than most other Caribbean islands. With so much to do and see, you will want to make the most of your time spent on this lovely island. So in this post, we give you our 5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a cruise.

DB and The Princess in St. Kitts

5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a Cruise

Take an Island Tour

With so much rich history, an island tour definitely makes our list of the 5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a cruise. You will visit notable landmarks for a brief exploration and photo opportunity. You might even learn something in the process. An island tour will give you a quick taste of what St. Kitts has to offer and lure you back for more.

Your island tour will likely begin in the island’s capital city, Basseterre, where you will drive through Independence Square viewing various sites along the way including churches, government buildings, the police station, the Berkley Memorial Clock, and more while en route to Romney Manor.

Gardens at Romney Manor

Romney Manor is home to magnificent gardens and natural landscapes, including the 350 year old Saman tree that consumes over ½ acre of the property. It is also home to Caribelle Batikwhere you can watch demonstrations on ancient dyeing techniques used to create an array of products.

Fort George at Brimestone Fortress

No St. Kitts island tour would be complete without a stop at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. This UNESCO National Heritage site has plenty to explore including Fort George Citadel, the remains of the Prince of Wales Bastion and other forts, and a museum. This is also one of the best vantage points on the island to take in the coastal vistas and stunning views of neighboring islands.

Ride the St. Kitts Scenic Railway

If you want to explore a bit more of the island then maybe a ride on the St. Kitts Scenic Railwaywill peak your interest. This 3 hour long ride consists of a 30 mile circle around the island- 18 miles on a narrow gauge train and 12 miles by bus.

Photo Credit Stephen Rees|Source| CC BY 2.0

This “Last Railway in the West Indies” was built between 1912 and 1926 and was originally used to transport sugar cane. Today, the railway provides visitors with a scenic view of the island while learning a bit of history…and sipping on a few complimentary drinks!

Tickets can be purchased at many local hotels as well as your cruise line’s shore excursion deck for either just the railway or in combination with a catamaran sail. This is sure to make your list of the 5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a cruise too!

Hike Mt. Liamuiga

If you are out for a bit of an adventure then hiking Mt. Liamuiga is certainly one of the 5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a cruise! A dormant volcano, Mt. Liamuiga is St. Kitts highest point of elevation at 3792 feet above sea level and certainly another one of the great spots to admire the coastal views of the island.

Photo Credit Eric Hutton|Source| CC BY 2.0

The approximately 2.5 hour hike to the top through lush rainforest is considered strenuous so you should consider your fitness level first. If you do make it to the top, you will be rewarded with amazing views…and maybe even a picnic lunch while you rest? The total hike is about 6 miles so by the end you might be referring to this peak by its former name, Mt. Misery!

Spend the Day at a Beach

St. Kitts is home to many pristine beaches so why not take advantage of one of them during your visit to this island. South Friars and Cockleshell Beach are popular among cruisers. South Friars is located just beyond Frigate Bay and is a great place to relax and catch some rays. If you venture a bit further down the southeast peninsula, you will find another stretch of sandy heaven at Cockleshell Beach. Here, you will have amazing views of sister island, Nevis.

Pinney’s Beach, Nevis – Photo Credit bencampbell|Source| CC BY 2.0

If you want to explore Nevis a bit, hop on a ferry or one of many catamaran excursions over to this sister island of St. Kitts and enjoy a relaxing beach day at Pinney’s. Voted as one of the best beaches in all of the Caribbean, you might even rub elbows with the rich and famous here.

Frigate Bay, St Kitts – Photo Credit slack12|Source| CC BY 2.0

Or, you might choose to venture to Frigate Bay, home to St. Kitts major tourist hotels and a string of beach bars referred to as “The Strip”. This popular tourist area is sure to provide you with a little fun in the sun. You can also purchase resort day passes to the popular St. Kitts Marriott.

Visit Wingfield Estate

No trip to St. Kitts would be complete without a visit to Wingfield Estate. Wingfield Estate was the first working estate on the island for tobacco, sugar, and rum. You might want to tour the remains of the old sugar mill and rum distillery while learning some history about this estate which was originally owned by Sam Jefferson, the great-great-great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson.

Or, you might want to be a bit more adventurous by hiking the Wingfield Forest Trail or by ziplining through the lush rainforest with Sky Safari Tours. Either way, you are in for a great time and amazing photo opportunities. Be sure to have your GoPro ready as you won’t want to miss out on any of the action. We love ziplines, rainforests, and adventure so this definitely ranks number one on our  5 Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a cruise!

Ready to Explore St. Kitts?

Now that you know the 5 Best Things to Do in St Kitts on a cruise, what are you waiting for? Plan your visit now! We visited for the first time in 2014 onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas and can’t wait to get back there again this year. This island will surely be a highlight of your next Caribbean cruise.