Come and see the historical highlights of St. Kitts when you dock for the day. You can also enjoy some beach time on this relaxing combo excursion of the island.
You'll meet your guide at your St. Kitts cruise terminal and then board your comfortable transport to start your adventure. They will fill you in on the people, culture, history, and natural beauty of the island along the way. The day starts with a drive through the capital city, Basseterre, of the Caribbean Island Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The architecture is a mix of French and English influences as it was founded in 1625 by French settlers. The center hub of the city is called the Circus, a replica of London's Piccadilly Circus. It was built after a fire that destroyed a large part of the city and was designed to allow fire trucks easy access. You'll drive through Independence Square (formerly Pall Mall Square) where the poor offered their wares and slaves were sold. The Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built as a Catholic church, was taken over by the Anglicans, and then again became a Catholic church. Demolished in 1927 the new church was erected in 1928. St. George Anglican Church is the largest in Basseterre and has a past rocked by fire, earthquake, and hurricane but still stands at the top of Church Street. Basseterre is the gateway to the popular South Friars Beach, known for its great swimming, snorkeling, and body surfing.
You'll continue with a scenic coastline drive to your first stop, Romney Manor where you'll have 30 minutes approximately to take pictures and admire its beauty. This house was previously owned by Captain Samuel Jefferson, the great great great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. The manor is now owned by Caribelle Batik, whose artisans produce what is considered the best in the world in wearable art. There are demonstrations daily so you can see how these beautiful fabrics are created. The gardens are a horticulturist delight with a huge variety of exotic palms, flowers, and a 400-year-old Samon tree. Also hidden in the garden is an old bell tower where the owners could watch the slaves work the sugar fields.
Your second stop is the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (An entrance fee of $10 per person is required), a UNESCO World Heritage site. This well-preserved fortress was designed by the British and built and maintained by African slaves. The fort was strategically placed on the top of an 800 ft. volcanic outcrop with views of the mountains and valleys of the island plus the neighboring islands. You can walk along the battlements and see the barracks occupied by the British Redcoats stationed there.
As you drive to the east your guide will entertain you with amusing stories about the history and folklore of the island. You'll be able to see small villages, mountains, hills, fruit trees, and local flora and fauna. Then you'll be at Timothy Hill which is the perfect photo location, so don't forget your camera and get some amazing shots to help you to remember the day. Timothy Hill is located on the tip of the southern peninsula of St. Kitts island. It is a grassy hill that overlooks where the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet here and the views are one of a kind. You can see the neighboring sister island of Nevis as well. The island is located just off the coast and located on the Narrows, the channel that runs between the two islands.
To end up your day, you'll have an optional beach break stop where you'll have approximately 2 hours to play, relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches of St. Kitts. Depending on how crowded is the beach, the first choice is Friars Bay (Carambola Beach Club), but if the beach is too busy you'll visit Ship Wreck or Cockleshell Beach. There are facilities available at any location to purchase food and drinks or rent water sports such as jet skis or snorkeling. Pricing and availability are determined on-site and at your own expense. For those wishing to skip the beach, the guide will take you directly back to your ship's cruise terminal (and then go back for the beachgoers). The length of this St. Kitts Sightseeing Excursion without the beach break is approximately 3.5 hours. Please consider this excursion requires a minimum of 2 people per reservation.
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