The Scenic Railway on St Kitts

St Kitts is best known for having beautiful beaches, and for being an up market destination for those looking to travel to the Caribbean, but there is much more to see and do on this picturesque island, and there’s so much it’s likely to be tricky to fit it all in. 

One attraction that shouldn’t be missed is the St Kitts Scenic Railway, as it is one of the few operational railways left in the Caribbean. It was originally constructed back in the 1920’s as a way of transporting sugar cane from plantations around the island, to the processing factory in the capital city of Basseterre. Nowadays, it is purely a tourist attraction as the sugar cane industry finally shut down in 2005.

The train crosses over 24 bridges, and passes by several sidings that were used to load the sugar cane. Passengers can travel in antique railway carriages from the quaintly named Needsmust station, passing by the slopes of St Kitts dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga, as well as many Atlantic facing beaches, and the crumbling remains of grand plantation homes and estates. It is a great way for seeing a little more of the island, and is perfect for first time visitors, or anyone who doesn’t have very much time for sight-seeing. 

It is easy to see why it is such a favourite with cruise ship visitors, especially as it passes right through several villages, offering a tantalising glimpse of everyday life. About halfway around, passengers are transferred onto sightseeing buses for the remainder of the tour, before returning to Needsmust station. The tour only takes around three and a half hours, but is an excellent way for anyone to orientate themselves with the charms of St Kitts.

Exploring the Many, Many Beaches on St Kitts

St Kitts has an abundance of absolutely gorgeous beaches, and most people visiting the island do so because they are hoping to spend at least part of their holiday on the beach. There are beaches for every occasion, and while those on the south of the island are beautiful white sand, those further north become progressively darker due to the islands of volcanic history.

One of the most popular beaches is Friars Bay which is on the Caribbean side. The water is very calm and ideal for swimming. It's a very popular beach and the atmosphere can get pretty lively.

Those who enjoy surfing should head to North Frigate Bay which is on the Atlantic side of the island. It's perfect for just relaxing and windsurfing and surfing, and some of the major hotels are located on this beach. South Frigate Bay is just a short walk away on the Caribbean side so the sea is slightly calmer here, and perfect for swimming and numerous other watersports. It's also one of the liveliest beaches on the island.

If you simply want to get away from it all then head to Sandy Bank which is a relatively sheltered Atlantic beach. It's very quiet and private as there are no restaurants or watersports available. Another quiet, beautiful beach is Banana Bay which is right on the tip of the south-east peninsula.

It's perhaps the classic Caribbean beach with pristine waters and coconut trees, and is blissfully quiet. Those new to diving and snorkelling will probably appreciate Pump Bay which is perfect for beginners. This beautiful black sandy beach lies in the shadow of Brimstone Hill Fortress. St Kitts has a beach for every level of activity, or even inactivity.

Activities on St Kitts

St Kitts has to be one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands to visit, and it's hardly surprising that there are a wide range of outdoors activities available. The mountains are covered in rainforest and it’s very enjoyable to take a hike through the lush vegetation, or even visit Mount Liamuiga which is St Kitts dormant volcano.

If you do want to take a hike in its worth going with a local guide as they are very knowledgeable and are able to identify native plants, local flora and fauna and most also know a lot about the island's history and culture.

Learning which plants are used for medicinal uses and the identity of that bird you just took a photo of can make a trip much more enjoyable. St Kitts is also good for keen golfers, and the beaches are perfect for going horseback riding. Other popular activities revolve around the inviting waters of the Caribbean that are perfect for diving, snorkelling, swimming, sailing and fishing.

The best beaches to be found are around the southern end of the island as they are the classic, picture perfect white sandy beaches. The further north you go the darker the beaches become due to the volcanic origins of the island. The best beaches to visit include Frigate Bay, Friars Bay, Banana Bay, White House Bay and Cockleshell Bay. The beaches on the western side face the Caribbean Sea and tend to be calmer, while those on the eastern side are better for surfing, and are also extremely good for boating.

Exploring Points of Interest on St Kitts

One site that shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting St Kitts is the UNESCO world Heritage site of Brimstone Hill Fortress. This fortress was built to protect the island, as at one stage sugarcane production was so high the island was exceptionally wealthy and would have been an excellent prize for any country.

Brimstone Hill Fortress was built nearly 800 feet above the Caribbean and took more than 100 years to construct. It's easy to see why it was placed here as the views extend all the way from St Martin to Montserrat. British fears were well founded as in 1782 a large French fleet arrived and Brimstone Hill became the scene of one of the largest military battles in the Caribbean. Brimstone Hill Fortress has been beautifully restored, and the views are pretty spectacular as well.

Romney Manor is one of the most attractive plantation homes on the island and is also a well-known artisan centre. The estate was once owned by Sam Jefferson the second, the great, great, great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson who was the first president of the USA.

It was renamed Romney Manor after it was acquired in the early 17th century by the Earl of Romney. It is notable for being the first estate in St Kitts to emancipate slaves, as Lord Romney declared his slaves to be free men in 1834, contrary to instructions from Britain. The Manor is set in 10 acres of ground, and there is a beautiful 350-year-old Saman tree in its grounds which covers half an acre. These days the manner is best known for being home to Caribelle Batik and is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.

Exploring Points of Interest in St Kitts Capital City

Perhaps the best place to start exploring St Kitts is in its capital city of Basseterre. It is a French name that simply translates to mean lowland and it's thought it may have merely been a description written on a French sea chart at some point during the early 17th century.

The city has a dramatic backdrop of lush green rainforest, but still has much of its elegant colonial charm which dates back to Nelson's time, and its architecture is far more English than French. The Treasury building is right on the waterfront and as a reminder of the islands days as a major sugar cane producer. At one stage everything departing from St Kitts passed through this building.

The Circus is a roundabout in the centre of the city which has been modelled after Piccadilly Circus. Its centrepiece is the Berkeley Memorial Clock which is an ornate cast iron Georgian styled structure that is painted green. Independence Square was built in 1790 and was originally for council meetings and slave auctions.

It received its current name in 1983 when St Kitts and Nevis received independence from Great Britain. St George's Anglican Church wouldn't be out of place in the English countryside, but was originally called Notre Dame by the French in 1670. However it was destroyed four times before being built in its present Georgian style in 1869. The headstones in the graveyard date right back to the early 18th century.

St Kitts capital city is relatively small and easy to walk around, but it is well worth a visit and makes a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. It also gives a fascinating insight into the history which has shaped this beautiful island.

Things to do on St Kitts

Many people travel to St Kitts simply to take advantage of all the beautiful beaches and warm azure water, and it is easy to see the attraction of this refined Caribbean island. However there are plenty of things to see and do around the island, and it would be a shame not to discover something of St Kitts natural beauty and rich cultural history.

St Kitts is very easy to get around, as you can choose to tour the island with your own private driver, book a group tour or hire a rental car. The Scenic Railway provides a unique view of the island and is a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

You can also hop on the ferry and visit St Kitts sister island of Nevis. Ferries to the island run several times a day and you can tour downtown Charleston, the galleries and museums and plantation inns and Nevis botanical garden.

Lots of people come to St Kitts for the watersports, and the clear blue waters are certainly very inviting. You can choose to snorkel or scuba dive or can go windsurfing, deep sea fishing or sailing.

There are plenty of full day and half day trips for keen divers. St Kitts is incredibly beautiful as it has an expanding and very healthy rainforest. This is ideal for trekking through or you can choose to hire a mountain bike. There are a number of easy or more strenuous trails, and you can even trek all the way up to the top of Mount Liamuiga, St Kitts very own dormant volcano.

It's Hard Not to Fall in Love with St Kitts

It’s very difficult not to fall in love with St Kitts, as it is an incredibly beautiful island with lush rainforest and numerous beaches. However there's much more to discover, as it's great for history lovers.

It was originally discovered by Christopher Columbus who was so taken with the island’s beauty that he named it after the patron saint of all travellers, St Christopher, a name which was later to be shortened to St Kitts. Nations have fought over the island, and many people became extremely wealthy due to the sugar plantations.

It's quite difficult to imagine that such a peaceful and tranquil island could have been the scene of so many battles, but a visit to the world UNESCO heritage site, Brimstone Hill Fortress can be pretty enlightening.

Take a trip on the scenic railway to familiarise yourself with the island, as this will take you through several small villages and past the remains of the sugar plantations, giving you a glimpse of the rich cultural history. If you really want to experience the culture of St Kitts then visit the island during Carnival time during Christmas.

It's easy to get swept up in the whole romance of the island, and many people choose to get married here as they can choose to say their vows on the beach, in a historic church or even in historic ruins.

Some of the most popular locations include Romney Manor which is a tropical plantation garden which is a beautifully maintained and very colourful. The centrepiece of the garden is a 350-year-old Saman tree. Those who truly love history may well choose to get married on Brimstone Hill, while Turtle Beach is ideal for those who are always wanted to exchange vows on a beautiful white sandy beach.

St Kitts and Nevis, Sugar and Rum

St Kitts and Nevis have a very rich history, being governed by both the French and the British. The islands finally achieved independence from Britain in 1983, and although politically stable, Nevis tried to break away from St Kitts in 1998, but a referendum held in Nevis failed to gain the necessary majority needed to achieve this.

The country achieves much of its income through tourism, offshore finance and service industries, and these have become even more important since the sugar industry was finally closed in 2005. The sugarcane industry had been important to the island for centuries, but ultimately turned into a loss-making business due to falling sugar prices throughout the world. The last sugarcane was cut on July 31^st in 2005.

When the sugarcane industry was operational, St Kitts used to produce its own rum, but nowadays there is just one small bottling and blending plant on the island in Basseterre which imports rum from Guyana before ageing it in French oak barrels left over from Baron Edmond Rothschilds involvement in rum production.

The Baron had decided that St Kitts water was some of the best in the Caribbean, and reasoned that the island would be able to produce some of the best rum in the world. The rum now produced in Basseterre can generally only be found locally, but does have a very good reputation. However rum lovers will find that all the bars in St Kitts have a large selection to choose from, as this is very much a Caribbean drink and some of these bars have been around for centuries.

Attractions on St Kitts

St Kitts has an awful lot to offer visitors, and although the main idea is to go there to relax and do at least a little bit of sunbathing and snorkelling, it's also nice to spend at least a day or two exploring the island.

There is a huge range of activities and attractions available, especially when you consider it's a relatively small island, and whatever your tastes you're sure to find something you'd like to do here.

The main city is called Basseterre and has a population of less than 20,000. It's one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean and was originally founded in 1627 by the French.

It has a pretty chequered history as it has been destroyed during colonial wars, as well as by fire, riots, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. In spite of this there are still a considerable number of colonial buildings in downtown Basseterre, and despite its small size this city has a large personality.

The scenic Railway runs from Sandy Point to Basseterre, and is an excellent way to discover a little more of the island. A round trip takes just a few hours using both the railway and sightseeing coaches, and it's a great thing to do relatively early on in your trip as it gives you a real feel for the island.

Although St Kitts used to be famous for its sugarcane production, it also is renowned for producing cotton, and it's still possible to visit the only remaining cotton ginnery on the island. Cotton was still produced until the 1970s, and the ruins date from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as these were major periods in the agro-industrial history of the island.

St Kitts Culture and Festivities

St Kitts has a very rich culture which is shaped by its past and which encompasses a number of traditions and customs from different countries. This culture shapes the food, dance and music of the island, but most of all can be seen in its carnivals.

One of the biggest carnivals takes place at Christmas time and the costumes, which have evolved over 300 years are a true art form. They include peacock feathered headdresses, fringed aprons, masks and decorations of bangles, ribbons and mirrors, while the dancers show elements of both African and European dance genres.

One of the most exciting things to see are the dancers who dress as Moko-Jumbies, dancing on 6 foot stilts along the parade route. Their exact origin isn't really known; some believe their costumes relate to the African god of vengeance, while others believe it is based around the macaw, which is a very tall palm tree covered in thorns.

Whatever the origin this is a fabulous time to visit the island, especially as it makes a wonderful escape during winter. This carnival is a true celebration which goes on for 40 days from the end of November until the beginning of January and is known as Sugar Mas.

If you can't visit the island in winter, then there is also a music festival in June which was launched in 1996 and since then has been held annually, generally over the last weekend in June. It has become one of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean and features a large range of musical genres.

The Beaches on St Kitts

Anyone visiting St Kitts is likely to spend at least part of their time on the beach, as the Caribbean is famed for having gorgeous beaches and St Kitts is certainly no different. In fact St Kitts has the advantage of having a choice of black sandy, volcanic beaches or gorgeous white sandy beaches. Some beaches are better for sunbathing and swimming while others are better for watersports and/or diving and snorkelling.

One of the best-known beaches on the island is at Frigate Bay in the south, and visitors can choose to visit the north or south side depending on their mood. The north side is fringed by the Atlantic, and is ideal for relaxing and swimming, windsurfing or surfing. The south side of the beach is fringed by calmer waters of the Caribbean. There are also numerous bars, restaurants and resorts in this area.

If you prefer something a little quieter then White House Bay is ideal, especially for snorkellers and divers, as the rocky reef harbours a sunken tugboat which is home to schools of colourful fish and marine life. It's also a great spot for just floating around in the water or simply sunbathing. Another good place for diving and snorkelling is Pump Bay at Sandy Point, and this volcanic black sand beach lies in the shadow of Brimstone Hill Fortress.

Another popular beach is Conaree Beach which lies on the Atlantic side. Although the beach is a relatively narrow strip of grey black sand, it is extremely good for snorkelling and body surfing. 

A more traditional beach can be found at Cockleshell Bay whose powdery white sands are typically Caribbean. The 2 mile long beach also offers gorgeous views of Nevis as it is directly on the Narrows which is the channel between the two islands.

St Kitts and Its History of Sugar Cane Production

If you visit St Kitts, it's nearly impossible to escape the fact that sugarcane production had a major effect on the island, as this influential part of its history is still present in a number of factories and plantation homes which have been beautifully restored and are now open to the public.

Sugarcane production reached its peak in the late 1700s, but declined in the following centuries, and nearly ceased production completely during the 20th century. Although its production had been responsible for bringing much of the wealth into St Kitts, the availability of sugar beet in Europe and the emancipation of slaves, combined with the number of countries choosing to produce their own sugar cane all contributed to the downfall of this industry.

The problem was that St Kitts used to be highly reliant on the industry which nearly became extinct in 1912, as it used to be a major part of the economy.

It was saved at that stage by the opening of the central sugar factory which was capable of processing the islands entire crop, replacing mills and boiling houses on individual plantations.

The timing was perfect, as the price of sugar soared during the First World War. However this reprieve was to be temporary and the sugarcane industry continued its gentle decline before all sugar estates were nationalised in 1974.

In 2005 production ceased completely and the island began to concentrate more fully on its burgeoning tourism industry. Nowadays the central sugar factory is designated as being a national treasure and major heritage site, and remains as a reminder of this part of St Kitts history.

St Kitts Colourful Past

St Kitts may be a beautiful holiday destination, but it also has a colourful past and a heritage created by the nation's indigenous people and Europeans and Africans. The island is located in between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, and was originally volcanic.

Columbus spotted the island in 1493, but long before this it was inhabited by indigenous Indians called Siboney who left very few traces behind. They were eventually overtaken by the Arawaks who were a group of farmers, who were in turn overtaken by the Carib Indians who were warriors. When the Europeans eventually began to arrive on St Kitts, the Carib Indians waged war against them.

The first British settlers arrived in 1623, while the first French settlers arrived around 1627. The two groups lived in relative harmony for a while and fought the Carib Indians and Spanish attacks together.

Unfortunately the harmony didn't last, and cumulated in a war which would last more than 100 years. In 1782 St Kitts and Nevis came under permanent British control after a bitter battle on Brimstone Hill. Once they regained control, the British began establishing sugar plantations which were originally maintained by Irish servants before being cultivated by African slaves.

A large percentage of the island's population is of African descent, and this influence is seen throughout their culture in celebrations, art, food and music. Eventually the sugarcane industry became unprofitable and has been replaced by tourism. It is now becoming one of the top luxury destinations in the world, and also has a growing reputation for eco-tourism.

St Kitts Is a Holiday Paradise All Year Round

St Kitts enjoys an enviable climate all year round, as temperatures rarely drop beneath 22°C at night and rarely exceed 30°C during the day. Even when the temperatures are high, the islands are cooled by the North East Trade winds. The climate in St Kitts is classified as tropical marine, which means it is influenced by the seas surrounding the area.

The high season is between December and February, as people from the northern hemisphere try to escape their own winters. During this time the beaches may be a little more crowded, and accommodation may cost slightly more.

A lot of tourists choose to visit during this time as it is also the Carnival season. The Carnival season begins on Christmas Eve and extends into early January. Celebrations include food festivals, parades, street dancing, masquerades and a number of other events.

The low season is during the summer months between June and August, and this is rather a nice time to visit as the beaches are a lot quieter and accommodation rates are a lot lower. The low season also has its fair share of celebrations and events including the St Kitts annual music festival in May and the St Kitts and Nevis regatta in June.

The wet season runs from May to October, and this is also the hottest time of year, and it's worth packing adequate rain gear if you intend to visit during these months. For most of the time, cool, light cotton clothing is best for staying comfortable. Even if you choose to visit during the rainy season, you will still see plenty of sunshine, and there are lots of activities and sites to keep you occupied when the weather is a little damp.