St Kitts / Beaches

As a mountainous, volcanic island with areas of coral growth along its South-east Peninsula, St Kitts has a variety of sand, giving beaches with glistening black/grey beaches in some areas and others that are golden or blond. The coastline in the North tends to be rocky, but there are some inlets, and here the sand is usually jet black or the colour of dark molasses. Further south, where the underwater land flattens out towards Nevis and corals grow in greater numbers, the colour of the sand becomes paler. Along the peninsular you will find coves with superb mounded golden sand that are often deserted.

Click on the map to see an interactive map of St Kitts Beaches.

Here is a selection of the best St Kitts beaches...

Banana Bay - Backed by a few coconut palms, a secluded spot on the tip of the South East Peninsula. No facilities but you will find ruins of a former resort. Excellent views of Nevis.

Cockleshell Bay - Another fairly quiet spot just above Banana Bay, which has a stretch of light golden sand. There are now three beach bars including Lion Rock Beach Bar and Reggae Beach Bar & Grill – the latter moved from Turtle Beach and operates on similar lines, with some watersports, including kayaking and snorkelling. There is often a live steelband on Sundays, which makes for a good day out. Renowned for its visiting green monkeys, which inhabit this part of the island.

Conaree Bay - Popular bodysurfing beach with a narrow strip of dark golden sand on the breezy Atlantic side of St Kitts, to the North of Frigate Bay. Half Moon Bay to its south has darker coloured sand and Hermitage Bay to the north offers similar conditions. They are all good beaches for walking, however swimming is not recommended due to dangerous currents.

Dieppe Bay - A dark sand beach on the north east corner of St Kitts which is good for snorkelling and windsurfing, but is not a swimming beach due to strong currents. The Golden Lemon Inn sits at the top of the beach and is a nice spot for a posh lunch in a plantation house setting – famous for its Sunday brunch.

South Friar’s Bay - Set on the South-east Peninsula, South Friar’s Bay is the nicest beach on the island and a favourite with Kittitians as well as visitors. It has a wonderful stretch of mounded golden sand, backed by palms and sea grapes, excellent views and good swimming (it is on the calm Caribbean side). There is a trio of beach bars such including the Shipwreck, the Godfathers and Sunset Bar. A salt pond and mangrove to the rear of the beach is home to vervet monkeys, crabs and varied birdlife. This marvellous stretch of beach has finally fallen prey to developers and a 4 acre marine park (to include dolphin encounters and a stingray lagoon) was under construction at the northern end of the beach. The park was due for completion mid 2006 however all work on the project ceased during the early stages of construction, and the entire project is currently on hold. North Friar’s Bay is on the Atlantic side of the peninsular and so it is much wilder.

Frigate Bay (South) - St Kitts busiest beach and the most popular outside those down on the South East Peninsula. The sand is quite dark in colour and the beach offers lovely views down towards the peninsular. There are some good areas for swimming and a range of watersports including kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing and jet skiing. On weekends beach volleyball is popular with locals. There are a number of beach bars and grills to choose from including, Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack, Monkey Beach Bar, Ziggy’s and Inon's. North Frigate Bay is on the other side of the island in the same bay. A number of condominium developments have sprung up along this section of coast, including a colossal Marriott resort in the midst of the bay. North Frigate Bay is on the Atlantic side and so the sea is choppy, however the beach stretches for some distance and is good for walking or horseback riding.

Major’s Bay - On the tip of the South East Peninsula, below Banana Bay, a strip of white sand backed by a salt pond.

Pump Bay - A dark sand beach in the north west of the island, just off the Sandy Point National Marine Park. It has good snorkelling and scuba diving.

Sand Bank Bay - Tucked into the north-eastern side of the South East Peninsula looking along the Atlantic coast, Sand Bank Bay is unusually sheltered and isolated cove – take a picnic. There are shallow waters for swimming and a crest of golden sand.

Turtle Bay - Popular beach at the end of the peninsular (also a regular stop on the tour route), Turtle Bay has pale golden sand and good swimming. There is a good beach bar and restaurant, hammocks hanging in the trees and some watersports.

White House Bay - A small rocky cove just north of the Great Salt Pond on the southern peninsular, with good snorkelling reefs, and a number of sunken wrecks offshore.

Hazards

You should be careful when swimming on the Atlantic side because there are often currents. Take advice.

Beware of manchioneel trees, which can be found on some of St Kitts' beaches. They are fairly large trees, with small dark green leaves and small yellow/green apples. Contact with the sap of the tree or apples will cause blistering. In fact even rain water dripping off the leaves can have the same effect, so do not shelter under them during rainfall. The small apples are fairly prevalent. You should seek immediate medical advice if they are consumed.