Best Things to Do in St. Kitts on a Cruise
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St. Kitts Cruise Port and Things to Do
Are you heading off to St. Kitts on your Caribbean cruise?
If so, you are in luck! St. Kitts is the perfect place to hit up the beach.
Continue reading for basic information about the St. Kitts cruise port (Port Zante), shopping tips for St. Kitts cruise port, the best excursions in St. Kitts for cruise travelers, the BEST thing to do in St. Kitts. (Giveaway: it’s going to Carambola Beach Club to enjoy South Friar’s Bay!)
St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide: The Best Thing to Do in St. Kitts
Getting straight to the point, if you are searching for the best things to do in St. Kitts, I highly recommend going to the Carambola Beach Club to enjoy South Friar’s Bay beach.
However, you can also do an excursion in St. Kitts.
Continue reading for:
1) photos of the St. Kitts cruise port
2) the best excursions in St. Kitts
3) details on how to get to the Carambola Beach Club and South Friar’s Bay from the St. Kitts Cruise Port
St. Kitts Cruise Port: Basic Info
The name of the St. Kitt cruise port is Port Zante.
The St. Kitts cruise port is probably one of the nicest Caribbean cruise ports. The St. Kitts cruise port also has one of the most places to shop.
St. Kitts Cruise Port Map
St. Kitts Cruise Port Welcome Area
St. Kitts Cruise Port Shops & Shopping
Out of all the cruise ports that my mom and I visited during our last Caribbean cruise, the St. Kitts cruise port probably has the most shops.
The St. Kitts cruise port (Port Zante) is known for having luxury shops, as well as lots of shops selling t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, beach bags, and rash guards.
St. Kitts also has some great jewelry stores selling matching necklaces and earring sets that either look like the real thing or are real.
If you want to buy high-quality jewelry on your cruise, I think that the St. Kitts cruise port is the best place to shop.
Shopping Tips for St. Kitts Cruise Port (Port Zante)
Like all Caribbean islands, I would recommend against buying fancy jewelry while shopping in St. Kitts. The jewelry is over-priced in my opinion.
However, some of the dupe jewelry sets in St. Kitts cruise port were well priced and look just as good as the real thing.
I’d also recommend against buying any UPF shirts in the stores. I found a Guy Harvey shirt in St. Kitts for $65 that was only $35 on Amazon. I LOVE my Guy Harvey shirt from Amazon. I bought the men's shirt in a size small. It is so, so soft!!
You could also buy one for women:
What are the best things to do in Basseterre, St. Kitts?
The 3 best things to do in Basseterre, St. Kitts are to snorkel at Shitten Bay and Ballast Bay, swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, and go to the beach.
St. Kitts Cruise Port Excursions: Best Things to Do in St. Kitts for Cruise Travelers
1. Snorkeling at Shitten Bay and Ballast Bay
2. Swimming with the dolphins
3. Go to the beach (I love South Friar’s Beach the most)
More St. Kitts Cruise Port Excursion Options
Brimstone Fortress is a popular excursion, but I wouldn't suggest visiting the fort. There are better things to do in St. Kitts.
Brimstone Fortress is 10 miles away from the St. Kitts cruise port and a 25-30 minute drive.
The Romney Manor (6 miles away) is also a popular excursion for cruise travelers. However, Romney Manor wouldn't make my list of the top 5 best things to do in St. Kitts.
Carambola Beach Club: Best DIY Excursion and Thing to Do in St. Kitts
When my mom and I go to St. Kitts, my favorite thing to do is go to Carambola Beach Club.
The Carambola Beach Club has a beautiful beach (South Friar's Bay Beach), a swimming area, beach chairs, and great WI-FI.
Photo of Carambola Beach Club and South Friar’s Bay Beach
Cruise Excursion Price to Go to Carambola Beach Club
The cruise charged $44.95 per person for a ride to Carambola Beach Club and entrance into the beach club.
Carambola Beach Club Excursion from the Cruise Ship for 2 People= $90
DIY Price to Go to Carambola Beach Club from St. Kitts Cruise Port
My mom and I went to Carambola Beach Club solo. We paid $28 for the taxi round trip ($7 per person each way) plus $30 for the beach club entrance for two people.
$30 includes two beach chairs and an umbrella.
Taxi to Carambola Beach Club Plus Two Beach Chairs and an Umbrella (Carambola Beach Club Day Pass) for 2 People = $58
So, instead of paying about $45 per person through the ship’s Carambola Beach Club excursion, we enjoyed the Carambola Beach Club for $29 per person.
Carambola Beach Club St. Kitts Day Pass
If you don’t want a beach chair and an umbrella, a Carambola Beach Club Day Pass is $5 per person.
If you buy an umbrella ($10) and a beach chair ($10), the $5 Day Carambola Beach Club Day Pass fee is waived.
The Carambola Beach Club Day Pass fee is also waived if you buy food or drinks.
The Food at Carambola Beach Club
The Carambola Beach Club has food, which is nice.
However, plan on your food taking 45 minutes to arrive. They are on Caribbean time. 😊
A burger and fries cost us $22 at the beach club, so it isn’t cheap. However, the $22 included the tip and all taxes, which was nice.
Carambola Beach Club Menu
The Carambola Beach Club menu for lunch includes sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and chicken entrees.
The Taxi Ride to Carambola Beach Club from St. Kitts Cruise Port
The taxi ride to St. Kitts Carambola Beach Club/South Friar’s Bay is $7 per person each way.
It is a 15-minute taxi ride to South Friar’s Beach.
Plan on 20 minutes though. Most taxis stop at a beautiful lookout point at Timothy Hill.
The Water at South Friar's Bay
The water is beautiful at South Friar's Bay! And the water is super calm at the Carambola Beach Club. 🙂
I personally ALWAYS get cold in the water (unless I am in Florida), so I always pack a light wet suit when I travel on a cruise. Believe me...this wet suit is a game changer! It keeps you warm and protects you from the sun.
Best Trick to Staying Warm in the Water: Wear a Wet Suit
Timothy Hill St. Kitts: Lookout Point on the Way to South Friar’s Beach
Timothy Hill is a spectacular place to take photos in St. Kitts.
Most taxis stop at Timothy Hill for 5 minutes to snag an Instagram-worthy photo.
If you so dare, you can also take a photo with a small monkey in a diaper. Kind of gross in my opinion, but you do you. 😉
FAQs about Carambola Beach Club
Here is some helpful information about Carambola Beach Club.
How much is the entrance fee to Carambola Beach Club?
The entrance fee to the Carambola Beach Club is $5 per person.
However, you can rent a beach chair for $10 and an umbrella for $10. This waives the entrance fee.
My mom and I got two lounge chairs and an umbrella at Carambola Beach Club, so we paid $15 per person.
How do you get from St. Kitts cruise port to Carambola Beach Club?
To get to Carambola Beach Club from the St. Kitts cruise port, enter the Port Zante cruise terminal and take an immediate right. That’s where all the shuttle buses are.
You’ll need to grab a taxi/shuttle with at least 4 people total.
How long does it take to get to Carambola Beach Club from St. Kitts cruise port?
It takes about 15 minutes to get from the St. Kitts cruise port to the Carambola Beach Club in St. Croix.
FAQs about Basseterre, St. Kitts Cruise Port
Here are a few FAQs for cruise travelers going to St. Kitts while on a cruise.
What is the name of the St. Kitts cruise port?
The name of the St. Kitts cruise port is Port Zante.
How far is Nevis from St. Kitts cruise port?
Nevis is a 45 minute to an hour water taxi ride from the St. Kitts cruise port.
Where do cruise ships dock in St. Kitts?
The cruise ships dock in Basseterre, St. Kits at Pont Zante cruise port.
How much is the ferry from St. Kitts to Nevis?
The ferry from St. Kitts to Nevis is about $7.50.
Do cruise ships go to Nevis?
From my research – NO – cruise ships don’t go to Nevis. The larger cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and Carnival to go St. Kitts instead of Nevis.
What should I wear on a trip to St. Kitts?
St. Kitts is in the Caribbean, so it will be warm.
Wear summer clothes such as shorts, a t-shirt, and a hat in St. Kitts.
You'll also want to bring sunblock and a water bottle for walking around St. Kitts.
Is St. Kitts safe for tourists?
In my opinion, yes, St. Kitts is safe for tourists. My mom and I went there on our last Caribbean cruise and felt safe. We have also traveled to St. Kitts previously and felt safe as well.
Like always, however, stay in the main tourist areas. We also are back on the cruise ship by 5 pm, so we never went out in St. Kitts at night.
FAQs about the Best Beaches Near St. Kitts Cruise Port
Here is some info about the best beaches in St. Kitts.
What are the best beaches in St. Kitts for cruise travelers?
The 3 best beaches in St. Kitts for tourists are Cockleshell Beach, South Friars Bay Beach, and Majors Bay.
South Friar’s Beach is the best beach in St. Kitts for cruise travelers (in my opinion).
Note: I'd avoid Majors Bay Beach.
Majors Bay Beach in St. Kitts has small jellyfish that you can’t see. I got stung twice last time we went. (No fun!)
What’s the closest beach to St. Kitts cruise port?
The closest beach to St. Kitts cruise port is Frigate Bay Beach. Frigate Bay Beach is a 9-12 minute drive from the St. Kitts cruise port.
However, I much prefer going to South Friars Bay Beach. South Friars Bay Beach is a 13-15 minute drive from the St. Kitts cruise port.
For more details on each beach in St. Kitts, check out this St. Kitts beach guide.
FAQs about St. Kitts and Nevis
Have a question that’s not answered below about St. Kitts and Nevis?
Please leave a comment and I’ll help you out. 😊
Is St. Kitts open to cruise ships in 2022?
Yes, St. Kitts is open to cruise ships in 2022.
My mom and I went to St. Kitts on our Holland America Caribbean cruise in February of 2022.
What is the local currency in St. Kitts?
The local currency in St. Kitts is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$).
However, the US dollar and major credit cards are accepted throughout St. Kitts.
It’s helpful to have lots of one-dollar bills with you in St. Kitts, as any change will be given in EC.
What is the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis?
The capital city of St. Kitts is Basseterre.
What is the difference between St. Kitts and Nevis?
St. Kitts and Navis is a two-island nation.
Nevis is the smaller of the two islands and Nevis is about 2 miles southeast of St. Kitts across a water channel known as The Narrows.
What is the national dish of St. Kitts?
Goat water stew used to be the national dish of St. Kitts.
However, stewed saltfish with coconut dumplings is now the official dish of St. Kitts as of 2003.
What is the official language of St. Kitts and Nevis?
English is the official language of St. Kitts and Nevis.
What is St. Kitts best known for?
St. Kitts is known for its three distant groups of volcanic peaks and its beautiful sandy beaches.
St. Kitts is also known for its rain forests, mountains, and beaches.
Cruise Port Guides & Cruise Outfit Ideas
Planning an entire Caribbean cruise vacation? Check out these guides to plan everything out.
Caribbean Cruise Port Guides & Cruise Guides
Holland America Rotterdam Ship Review
Cruising Tips for New and Expert Cruise Travelers
Holland America Nieuw Statendam Ship Review
What to Pack for a Cruise (things you may not think of that are super helpful!)
The Best Hotels Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (where to stay before your cruise)
Vacation Outfit Ideas for Women
The Best Plus Size Tropical Dresses for Cruise Vacations and Plus Size Resort Wear
Super Cute Beach Vacation Outfits with Dresses, Sandals/Heels, and Jewelry
Comfy and Cute Travel Outfits for Women
Cute Beach Outfits for a Day at the Beach (or the Pool)
