Cruising and Chartering

St. Kitts and Nevis Resources

Check out Yachting's guide to where to eat, drink, shop and explore in St. Kitts and Nevis. Click here for photos.

By Mary South and Kim Kavin

Updated: April 19, 2013

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I’d only been to St. Kitts once. It was about a dozen years ago, and I was a guest aboard a charter yacht. We took the tender ashore on Turtle Beach and had lunch at a charming island rum shop. Green monkeys roamed free, waiting for the occasional handouts of sliced fruit. Fresh seafood sizzled on a kettle grill and the sound system played Caribbean music — a perfect accompaniment to the small waves lapping on the beach. The simple West Indies-style bar had a one-room apartment for rent above it, and for many years afterward, I’d pull up the restaurant’s website and think about leasing that apartment when I was craving an unpretentious island escape. So I was excited when the representative from the St. Kitts Tourism Authority said we’d conclude my recent island tour with a visit to Reggae Beach, the rum shop I had loved. To be honest, the 2 1/2-hour tour hadn’t done the island justice. During most of the day, the rep was snuggled into the van seat in front of me, mildly car sick, only weakly raising her head to point out the churches we passed. “There’s the Anglican church. … There’s the Catholic church. … There’s the Seventh Day Adventist church. … ” When we pulled into Reggae Beach, I realized the parade of churches was going to be the high point of the tour after all. Eddy Patricelli

NEVIS

Places to Dine and Lime

Sunshine’s Beach Bar: Home of the world-famous Killer Bee cocktail (never have more than one!), Sunshine’s is an island legend. Located on Pinney’s Beach, just down the road from the Four Seasons Resort.

Bananas: Above Charlestown, in the hills of Hamilton Estate, you’ll find this charming, atmospheric bistro with a gourmet menu that frequently changes to reflect the owner’s (delicious) whims — a local favorite, so make reservations.

Yachtsman Grill: This beachfront restaurant in Nelson Springs has a new, Argentine chef, who focuses on steak and seafood favorites. If you can tear yourself away from the nautical decor, enjoy an afternoon on the beach or poolside with attentive service.

Mango: The Four Seasons Resort offers this casual, waterfront joint with ribs and seafood and specialty tropical cocktails. Perched just above the waterline, it’s also a great spot to take in the spectacular sunset over St. Kitts.

The Rocks: Though the food is good, the magnificent view and very atmospheric gardens are the real draw to the Golden Rock Inn’s restaurant, so it is more popular at lunch. Owners Brice and Helen Marden have created a magical and distinctive place that’s worth the drive.

Places to Tie Up

Tamarind Cove Marina: This marina is still in development, but plans to offer up to 100 boat slips for yachts of all sizes at a full service marina with a boutique hotel and spa, shops, a yacht club with a lounge and restaurant.

Public and Private Moorings and Docks: There are moorings for boats under 90 feet stretching from Oualie Beach to Charlestown, which has a commercial dock and Customs and Immigration. If you’re just visiting for the day, then choose one of the many restaurants with a dinghy dock. It will get you by.

Places to Shop and Explore

Fanny’s Closet: How can anyone pass up a shop with that name? Look here for locally designed clothing and gifts. Ask a local for directions to the Hermitage, Gingerland.

Nevis Craft House: This is the place for handmade woven items and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Look for the shop at Pinney’s.

Newcastle Pottery: Local red clay is the stuff from which treasures are made at this Newcastle boutique.

Horatio Nelson Museum: The admiral married a Nevis woman in 1787, and the collection at this museum includes memorabilia from their life together. There’s a gift shop, too.

ST. KITTS

Places to Dine and Lime

Sprat Net Bar & Grill: The owners are fishermen, and you can’t get fresher fish or lobster anywhere. Pull up a seat at the simple picnic tables and enjoy everything from the day’s catch to ribs and chicken with peas and rice on the side.

Spice Mill Restaurant: Can you say ambiance? There’s an open-side beach bar topped with coconut wood, swinging crayfish basket traps and a beachfront view. Oh, yeah, and awesome Caribbean-inspired food on a menu that changes with whatever’s fresh.

The Pavilion: Part of the stunning Christophe Harbour resort complex, this spot is reserved for members during breakfast and lunch, but it’s open to the public for dinner Tuesday through Saturday with reservations.

Carambola Beach Club: Fine dining at its best for fish, sushi and desserts made by an executive pastry chef. You’ll also find delicacies like duck and oxtail on the dinner menu. Excellent service, too.

Shipwreck Beach Bar and Grill: Open daily from 10 a.m. till sunset, the Shipwreck is where you want to be for wings, nachos, ribs and tacos. Burgers and fish sandwiches are on the menu, too.

Places to Tie Up

Christophe Harbour: Once this resort’s marina is finished, it will have 300 slips designed to accommodate superyachts. Until then, there is Whitehouse Bay, an anchorage where the resort offers concierge services, including Customs and Immigration.

Port Zante Marina: Slips can take boats up to 70 feet LOA, and the pier can handle a 225-footer. An adjacent cruise ship pier is used for supersize superyachts. Grocery stores are within walking distance. Note: The fuel dock is currently inoperable.

Places to Shop and Explore

The Craft House: You’ve got to love a store that was created by an act of Parliament to be the premier craft-training and –producing spot on St. Kitts. You’ll find everything from bags to jewelry to dolls to shoes here.

The Circus: This is a shopping district in downtown Basseterre, named after London’s Picadilly Circus. Duty-free shops offer everything from crystal and china to tobacco and liquor. Go to meander and browse, at a minimum.

Caribelle Batik: Located at historic Romney Manor (which itself was once owned by the great-great-great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson), this spot has been producing handmade batik since 1974. Thousands of people visit each year to shop for clothing, accessories and wall hangings.