St Kitts & Nevis

THE BEST BEACHES IN ST KITTS & NEVIS

The beaches on St Kitts and Nevis, this under-the-radar island duo, come in every shade, from pale gold to volcanic black, with a mix of lively hangouts and chilled, secluded bays. Here are some of our favourite spots to kick back and get a taste of island limin’.

Frigate Bay – best for after-dark buzz

Frigate Bay stretches wide, with a run of hotels and cafés along its curve. It’s where you’ll find St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort & Spa and Royal St Kitts Hotel, where days roll from the pool to the golf course and on to dinner by the sea. Walk a few minutes over to the Caribbean side and the pace lifts; The Strip’s open-air bars pour cocktails to a soundtrack of steel pans.

Banana Bay – best for barefoot luxury 

Tucked away at the southern tip of St Kitts, Banana Bay has a calm, exclusive feel, with soft white sand, clear shallows and open views across The Narrows. It’s home to Park Hyatt St Kitts Christophe Harbour, a super-sleek haven with contemporary rooms and villas that frame stunning views of Nevis.

Dieppe Bay – best for reef-sheltered swims 

On the island’s northern coast, Dieppe Bay’s black volcanic sand and sheltered reef make it one of the best beaches for swimming and snorkelling. Backed by the fishing town of the same name, it’s steeped in history as the site of the first European settlement in the Eastern Caribbean.

Cockleshell Beach – best for local flavour 

Cockleshell Beach draws a lively crowd when the cruise ships are in, with Reggae Beach Bar and Spice Mill serving drinks by the sand. On weekends, locals roll in for grilled snapper and a game of dominoes. Kayaks, jet skis and boat trips to Nevis all set off from the St Kitts Watersports centre.

South Friars Bay (Shipwreck Beach) – best for beach bars

On the south coast, this golden stretch, close to Royal St Kitts Hotel and St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, has a natural, unpolished beauty and a sociable atmosphere. Pull up a plastic stool at the laid-back Shipwreck Beach Bar and watch the waves roll in or wander along to the hacienda-style Carambola Beach Club, where loungers are available to hire.

Pinney’s Beach – best for the backdrop

This is the headline act of Nevis’ beaches – palm-edged and perfect for snorkelling and basking in the Caribbean heat. We love the backdrop of Nevis Peak and the Killer Bee cocktails at Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill. The sand gives way to a few pebbly patches, so pack reef shoes if you fancy a swim. The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa sits close by, so you can wander from pool to sea in minutes.

Oualie Beach – best for low-key vibes 

Also on Nevis, Oualie Beach is a sheltered bay that’s great for paddleboarding and wading in warm shallows. Oualie Beach Resort sits right on the sand, with pastel-painted cottages and green vervet monkeys swinging through the gardens.