Basseterre St Kitts: Beaches, Fortress & Scenic Railway

Officially, your ship is docking at Port Zante in the capital of Basseterre St Kitts and Nevis. Most cruise itineraries just say Basseterre St Kitts, so that’s what I’ll use in this post. The two islands, St Kitts and Nevis, are part of the Leeward Islands, a chain in the Lesser Antilles, in the northeastern Caribbean, about 1,200 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. Larger cruise ships will dock at Basseterre, while smaller cruise ships may dock in Nevis, the sister island just 2 miles to the south.

In this guide, I’ll share the top things to see and do in Basseterre St Kitts, including how to get to the closest beach, Frigate Bay. A half day trip to Nevis to enjoy Pinney’s Beach and to see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton can also be done, as the Basseterre Ferry Terminal is a short walk from the cruise port. I’ll also share a few popular excursions such as the St Kitts Scenic Railway and the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

But first, a bit of historical context! Christopher Columbus first sighted St Kitts and Nevis in 1493. The English established the first European settlement on St Kitts in 1623, followed by the French in 1625. St Kitts quickly became a major centre for sugar production & the lucrative trade meant that St Kitts changed hands between the British and the French several times. St Kitts and Nevis finally gained independence from Britain in 1983 as a federated state and today, about 1 in 4 locals work in tourism.

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Basseterre St Kitts: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎 Needs Hustle

I rated a DIY excursion at Basseterre St Kitts as 😎😎😎 Needs Hustle. There’s certainly stuff to do around the cruise port but it’s unlikely to occupy you for more than an hour or two, so a bit of hustle is needed to see more of St Kitts:

• Easy Stroll into Basseterre Town Centre: The start of Basseterre Town Centre is just a stone’s throw from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port. For those adventurous DIY cruisers, you can grab a shared taxi (ie. local transport in a van) from The Circus – that’s where the hustle comes in! I’ve got official private and shared taxi rates below 👇
• Next Door to Ferry Terminal: Keen to hop to Nevis to see the birthplace of Alexander Hamiliton? Then the ferry terminal is conveniently located almost next door to Basseterre St Kitts cruise port. Ferries run every 30 minutes.
• 15 minutes to Frigate Bay: Heading straight to the beach? Then Frigate Bay is a 15-minute drive away. It can be hard to get yourself a taxi with hundreds of cruisers disembarking…

Basseterre St Kitts Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know

• Official Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), pinged to the US dollar at US$1 = EC$2.70. I’ll be using US$ below for ease of conversion. US$ are widely accepted (in cash) but you may receive cash back in EC$.
• Language: English
• Official Websites:
  • Tourism Website: Official tourism website is Visit St Kitts
  • Official Taxi Rates: Taxi rates published by Government of St Kitts and Nevis – scroll down the PDF to see rates to/fro Basseterre. The fares listed under 5 or more passengers are public mini-van shared ride prices. The easiest place to catch a “bus” (ie. shared rides) is from the Circus (see below) in Basseterre town centre, a few minutes walk from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port.
• eSim for roaming in St Kitts & Nevis: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout – if you’re on a Caribbean cruise, then buy the Island Hopper, valid in 27 Caribbean Islands!

Basseterre St Kitts Cruise Port Map

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Basseterre St Kitts: Top Things to Do

1. Explore Basseterre Town Centre

Basseterre Town Centre is less than 5 minutes walk from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port (aka Port Zante). There are a few attractions which would make an interesting DIY walking tour for an hour or two:

• Independence Square: This main square in Basseterre was once a salve market but now, a popular gathering spot for locals. The streets around Independence Square will give you a flavour of the colourful Caribbean architecture style and if you’re looking to sample some local street food, food trucks tend to congregate on the north side of Independence Square, making this a good pit stop before or after your excursions! See the food trucks marked on my Basseterre St Kitts Cruise Port map as “North Square Food Trucks“.
• The Circus (aka Berkeley Memorial): Modeled after Piccadilly Circus in London, The Circus is a roundabout featuring a clock tower – the Berkeley Memorial – surrounded by colourful buildings housing shops and restaurants. It’s quite quaint and is a nice photo stop, despite being quite tiny compared to Piccadilly Circus!
• Amina Craft Market: Just a few minutes from the Circus is the Amina Craft Market – drop by if you’re on the hunt for local souvenirs. The Pelican shopping mall next door is another good place for browsing or souvenir shopping
• National Museum of St Kitts: Guide books may direct you to the National Museum, close to the Circus but unfortunately it’s currently closed for renovations, as of November 2024 when I’m writing this.

2. Relax at Frigate Bay – Closest Beach to Basseterre St Kitts Cruise Port

Frigate Bay is the closest beach from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port. There’s two patches of sand, on either side of the Bay – see both marked in my Basseterre Cruise Port map above:

• Frigate Bay South: On the Caribbean Sea side, this is great for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. The waters are calm and you also have the proximity to “The Strip”, a lively stretch of beachfront bars and restaurants. Though most cruisers won’t be staying overnight, “The Strip” is where the buzzing nightlife happens in St Kitts!
• Frigate Bay North: This bay faces the Atlantic Ocean and is more of a rugged coastline with good waves for surfing and windsurfing. It’s also a popular spot for watersports like jet skiing and kayaking.

The Timothy Hill Lookout is a really popular spot for photos, as it’s the only spot in the St Kitts where you can see both the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean side of the island. Ask your taxi driver to stop there first, before dropping you off at Frigate Bay. It may not look very far from Frigate Bay but the roads are winding and have no pavements, and IMHO, not suitable for a walk up.

If you’d like to travel further, then alternatives further south are Friars Bay and Cockleshell Bay – see these marked in my Basseterre Cruise Port map above.

How to Get From Basseterre Cruise Port To Frigate Bay

The easiest way to get to Frigate Bay is via a private taxi or a shared taxi. Private Taxis are available at Basseterre Cruise Port and costs US$20 (for up to 4 people). A shared taxis – equivalent to local buses but in a mini-van – is US$5 one-way. You can get the shared taxis from The Circus at Basseterre, about 5 minutes walk from Basseterre cruise port.

If you’re traveling as solo or as a couple, you can also share a ride with fellow cruisers straight from the cruise port. Frigate Bay is probably the most popular beach resort that cruisers head to from Basseterre Cruise Port, so you definitely won’t be the only cruiser heading there!

3. Ride the St Kitts Scenic Railway

The St. Kitts Scenic Railway (aka the “Sugar Train“) was originally built in the 1920s to transport sugar cane from the island’s plantations to the central sugar factory in Basseterre. Today, it’s known as the “Last Railway in the West Indies“.

The train follows a 18-mile route along the island’s northeastern coastline, offering stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, black sand beaches, lush green fields and dramatic cliffs. The train itself is a double-decker with open-air observation decks on the upper level. You’ll inevitably see this excursion being sold by your cruise line but it’s also possible to do the excursion with a third party operator, with return transfers.

4. Explore Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the West Indies“, the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A remarkably well-preserved fortress on the volcanic peak, Brimstone Hill, it was built by the British in the 17th century, mostly with labour provided by enslaved Africans.

The hilltop location provides excellent views of the Caribbean Sea and you’ll definitely see all the way to the neighboring island of Nevis, as well as the lush landscapes of St Kitts. The Fort George Museum exhibits tell the story of the fortress, the sugar industry and the island’s cultural heritage.

• How to Get There: Taxi from Basseterre Cruise Port cost US$20 (to Sandy Point / Fig Tree area). I would advise joining a tour instead, so you don’t need to worry about the return trip. Alternatively, you can also rent a car for the day (although I’m usually reluctant to do this, as it’s quite a hassle.)
• Entrance Fee: US$15 adults, US$7.50 for kids. If you’re joining a tour, do check whether admission fees are included.

5. Take a Half-Day trip to Nevis

Nevis, the other half of St Kitts and Nevis, is just a short ferry ride away. As the Basseterre Ferry Terminal is about 5 minutes walk from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port, a DIY day trip to Nevis is relatively straightforward.

Ferry from Basseterre St Kitts to Charlestown Nevis

• Ferry Schedules: Ferries typically run back and forth between the Basseterre Ferry Terminal and the Charlestown Ferry Terminal in Nevis every 30 minutes and sometimes more frequently during peak hour. Check the Ferry schedules published by Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority – once you click through, be sure to click the “day of the week” below the menu bar for the right schedule.
• Tickets: Buy these in person at the ferry terminal. Most trips are EC$30 (~US$11 one-way), with kids typically at half price.
• Arrival at Charlestown: From the Charlestown Ferry Terminal, the top things to do in Charlestown I list below are all within walking distance. But if you’d like to see the rest of Nevis, then it’s easier to rent a car.

Top Things to Do in Charlestown, Nevis

See these marked on my Basseterre Cruise Port map – all are within walking distance of the Charlestown Ferry Terminal.

• Museum of Nevis History: Famous for being the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, this is a small museum in a restored Georgian-style building. Besides exhibits dedicated to Hamilton, the museum also covers Nevis’s sugar planation era.
  • For those less acquainted with Alexander Hamilton (or haven’t seen the musical!), Hamilton was born out of wedlock in Nevis in 1757. He spent his early childhood in Charlestown with his mother and brother, with his father largely absent from his life. His mother died when he was 11 and he left Nevis to pursue his education in America. He never returned to Nevis.
  • Hamilton Estate Plantation: You can also hike up to the Hamilton Estate Plantation. It was owned by his father and grandfather and was a working sugar plantation during the 18th and 19th centuries. Alexander Hamilton never lived there. Today, the Hamilton Estate is largely in ruins, with remnants of the great house, windmill and boiling house still visible. I personally don’t think it’s worth the hike up, unless you’re a real history buff!
• Nevis Hot Springs: Located 15 minutes walk from Charlestown Ferry Pier, the Nevis Hot Springs is a fun, easily accessible experience before you head to the beach! As Nevis is a volcanic island, the waters from the Hot Springs are naturally heated up to 108°F (42°C). The area was once home to the first hotel in the Caribbean – the Bath Hotel and Spring House. Though the hotel is no longer operational, the hot springs remain accessible to the public.
  • Bring a Towel from the ship! If you intend to get into the hot springs, bring your own towel and swimsuit! It’s a cheap (free!) and cheerful experience, with the added bonus of encountering locals using the hot springs, so don’t expect any premium spa facilities!
• Nevis Artisan Village: On the way to Pinney’s Beach ⛱️, about 20 minutes walk from Charlestown Ferry Terminal is the Nevis Artisan Village. The village is set in a cluster of brightly colored traditional-style buildings. You’ll find handcrafted items from local artisans from textiles, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, paintings etc. If you’re looking for souvenirs or just want to have a chat with some locals, this is a great place to stop by!
• Pinney’s Beach 🏝️: The most famous beach in Nevis, and for good reason, Pinney’s Beach stretches for 3 miles along the western coast of Nevis. It’s a nice sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing, with kayaks and paddle board rentals available. Several casual beach bars and restaurants dot the shoreline but if you’re looking for a splurge, then stop by the Four Seasons Resort Nevis. There’s a few restaurants to choose from plus a rum bar.

If you’re more interested in Pinney’s Beach than the rest of the island, then the easiest way to get there is a beach transfer, which takes you directly from Basseterre St Kitts cruise port to Pinney’s Beach.

Featured image courtesy of Roger W on Wikipedia

If you’re got a Caribbean cruise coming up, I hope that this guide has given you some good ideas on how to spend your port day in Basseterre St Kitts! Having most of my last 6 months blogging about Mediterranean cruise ports, I’m just starting out on my blog posts for the Caribbean. So if this guide has been helpful to you, I would really appreciate you sharing it with your fellow cruisers in your roll-call groups. Thanks very much in advance and please drop me a line if I can help with any questions! As always, happy cruising!

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