Honeymoon in St Kitts

The Caribbean Islands are among the most popular honeymoon destinations with couples – they are not only easily accessible but boast of some of the most scenic locations in the world. And one of these is St. Kitts Islands, formally as Saint Christopher Island. Politically Saint Kitts and the neighboring island of Nevis constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Exquisite Beaches

The best beaches on St Kitts are on its south-eastern peninsula with pale sands, clear waters and – at present – little development. The sea is calmest on the western, Caribbean side of the island, while the Atlantic coast is more wild and windy. Cockleshell Bay is perhaps the island's most popular beach; this secluded and mile-long gentle curve of yellow-grey sand has enticing views to Nevis. Banana Bay, a second crescent of sand, lies at its western end. For honeymooning couples though Major's Bay might be a better option. A quiet stretch of sand at the south-eastern end of St Kitts with a fine view of Nevis, this is usually frequented by couples and lovers looking for some romantic privacy; if you really wish to be all by yourselves, bear in mind that weekdays are quietest. On days that you feel up to a bracing beach walk, you can explore the Sand Bank Bay - a windswept arc of white sand on the island's southeast peninsula. Again close to the narrowest part of the island, South Friars Bay is an enjoyable sweep of grey-yellow sand on the sheltered Caribbean coast with two beach restaurants. This is a fine beach close to the centre of the island and a good choice if you don't want to travel down to the equally appealing sands on the south-eastern peninsula. For a lively evening on the beach, your best bet would be South Frigate Bay; this is St Kitts' beach party zone, a place for eating, drinking and liming beside warm Caribbean waters. The sand is ash-coloured and there is a large salt pond inland. Better known as “The Strip”, South Frigate Bay is lined with a parade of rum shacks, beach bars and restaurants that have an invitingly casual vibe. Here you can Bar hop, have a boozy jerk chicken lunch, play volleyball, frolic in the sea, dance under the stars.

Exotic Nature

If you and your beloved are nature lovers, St Kitts has loads to delight you – don’t miss touring the lava formations, tropical forests and blue-green lagoons. Even golfing is a real treat here, what with crystal blue waters to one side and an awe-inspiring volcano covered with lush tropical foliage to the other. You can drop in on one of St. Kitts' championship golf courses like the St. Kitts Royal Golf Club, but beware on holes 15, 16, and 17 -- lest you lose your ball in the Atlantic Ocean!

Apart from swimming, there are many other ways you can enjoy the cerulean blue waters at St. Kitts. For a day of sailing, hop aboard one of St. Kitts' many catamarans or go snorkeling and explore the vibrant sea life. Many tours will take you to the neighboring island, Nevis for a day where you can swim with the fishes and discover the wonders of the reef. Many packages include all the equipment for a day of snorkeling and some even offer a barbecue lunch on the beach.

Taste of history

Apart from natural attractions, St Kitts offers a wealth of sightseeing for lovers of history and culture too. St. George's Anglican Church is a well-frequented spot for visitors in Basseterre. Spooner's Ginnery makes for an interesting visit; located east of the town of Cayon is Spooner’s Estate, this showcases agro-industrial history spanning both the sugar and cotton periods. The site affords fine views of the surrounding countryside and contains the only surviving cotton ginnery on the island. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance. Over the course of 100 years, it became an almost natural outgrowth of the 800-foot hill from which it emerged. Romney Manor.

Owned and managed by successive Earls of Romney over the centuries, no visit to St. Kitts is complete without a tour of the Historic Romney Manor and its pristine gardens. One of the remarkable features of an island tour of St. Kitts is the system of public cisterns found in each of the villages, beautifully constructed of cut stone, each having its own design, the size reflecting the community the cistern was expected to serve.

For a truly memorable excursion on the island, take the St. Kitts Scenic Railway trip. St. Kitts has one of the few remaining operational rail tracks in the Caribbean. Begun in 1910 as part of the 20th Century modernization thrust in the sugar industry, this narrow gauge railway remains in use today. It runs around the major part of the island.
Among the newer attractions is Independence Square; originally called Pall Mall Square, it was renamed when St. Kitts and Nevis achieved political independence on September 19th, 1983. The Government first acquired Pall Mall Square in 1750 and it rapidly became the administrative, commercial and social center of Basseterre.

Finally when you are done with sightseeing, settle down for a romantic dinner with your beloved. Dining options are impressive on the island and you can enjoy everything from the day’s catch at the local fish shacks to five star gourmet meals at a resort.

Planning details

St Kitts is pleasant all year round with Average temperatures fall between 72 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit though the prime tourism season is between December and April. However plan your honeymoon to Avoid hurricane season, which lasts from June through the end of November.

St. Kitts is easily reached from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and rest of Europe. A wide range of international scheduled airlines and charter carriers serve the island regularly through the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport. Taxis meet every flight at the International Airport on St. Kitts and Newcastle Airport on Nevis. Getting around on the island is easy too. If you prefer to maintain your independence and explore St. Kitts on your own, simply rent a vehicle of your choice from any of the companies listed below. Vehicles range from luxury cars and vans to SUVs and motorbikes. However it is necessary to obtain a driver’s permit before you are allowed to drive in St. Kitts, even if you have an international driver’s license. Local transportation is available via mini-bus or taxis. Fares are available from the airport dispatchers, the Circus in Basseterre and from your hotel front desk. Finally the ferry is a great option for traveling between the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, There are six ferries operating between the islands to provide service, between Basseterre and Charlestown, leaving from the Southeast Peninsula and transporting vehicles to Nevis and back. The ferry ride between St. Kitts and Nevis takes about 45 minutes and provides beautiful views of both islands.

St. Kitts Islands virtually spoils you with options in accommodation. If you are looking to splurge on your honeymoon, you can choose from luxury hotels and resorts like St Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino, Ottley's Plantation Inn, Sugar Bay Club, Birdrock Beach Hotel, Ocean Terrace Inn and Timothy Beach Resort. Among comfortable guesthouses on the Island are Culture House St. Kitts and Ocean Waves Guesthouse, overlooks the Caribbean Sea. It is located in the historical village of Middle Island. Other than these there is the elegant Rockhaven bed and breakfast as well as apartments, condomiums and villas if you are planning to stay on the island for some time.