After living in St Kitts for the last 5 years we have explored a lot of the beaches here and in this post we will let you in on the best beaches in St Kitts including some hidden gems. Whether you are looking for conveniences like bars, restaurants and sun loungers or if you are looking for something romantic to do in St Kitts with a more secluded vibe, this post has you covered.

Are All Beaches in St Kitts Public?

Yes, all beaches in St Kitts and Nevis are public beaches so regardless of if a fancy hotel has been built on the beach front public access still has to be provided.

In the case of Banana Bay beach you have to go through the Park Hyatt hotel to reach the beach but it is perfectly allowed. Same goes for Frigate Bay north beach and the Marriott Hotel. However they may charge you a fee to use the sun loungers if you are not a guest at the hotel.

Is St Kitts Worth Visiting?

St Kitts is widely considered to be the Caribbean ‘how it used to be’ meaning that it is not completely built up with hotels and tourist traps. Here in St Kitts you will find a chilled out vibe, tons of things to do, loads of history and friendly locals so yes we absolutely think St Kitts is worth visiting.

It is worth mentioning though that unlike some of the other Caribbean islands not all beaches in St Kitts are white sand. When you think of a Caribbean island do you picture palm trees and white sandy beaches? If so then St Kitts may not be for you.

In fact, most Caribbean islands are volcanic in origin, so the beaches are actually black sand beaches or a mixture of the black and white sand.

What is the Nicest Beach on St Kitts?

The popular opinion is that Cockleshell beach on the southeast peninsula is the nicest beach on St Kitts. We agree that Cockleshell is the nicest white sand beach on St Kitts but our favourite black sand beach is Fig Tree Bay.

1. Cockleshell Beach

For your picture-perfect ‘Instagrammable’ Caribbean white sand beach head down to Cockleshell beach on the southeast peninsula.

Combining the white sands with the warm turquoise Caribbean Sea, palm trees and uninterrupted views of Nevis. Cockleshell beach is everything you could imagine and more.

A popular location for cruise ship visitors it can be very busy at times with tourists. You will have to pay to use the sunbeds and umbrellas at most of the beach bars but for one of the best beaches on St Kitts it’s a small price to pay for a day in paradise.

2. Fig Tree Bay

Fig Tree Bay is located just after Sandy Point Town on the southwest side of the island. The black sand beach is popular with locals and unheard of with tourists. We love visiting because we are always welcomed by everyone we meet and have had some fantastic and memorable conversations.

On Fig Tree beach you will find Rum Dawg Bar and Grill which serves delicious locally caught fish and lobster and awesome cocktails that are reasonably priced. On Sundays the beach is incredibly busy with locals ‘liming’ and the bars often have live music playing.

If you want the beach to yourself we recommend going during the week or early on a Saturday. There are no public facilities on Fig Tree beach but there are plenty of bars nearby where you can use the bathroom.

Best Beaches in St Kitts for Swimming

3. Frigate Bay South

The Strip in Frigate Bay is a popular hangout for locals and expats. Situated on Frigate Bay South Beach or Timothy Beach as it’s sometimes known, it has a plethora of bars and restaurants to choose from.

It is an easy walk from the Marriott Hotel and others located on the Zenway Boulevard. So if you want a change of scene, or if you are tired of the resort vibe and want a different beach day, there is no shortage of sunbeds and umbrellas.

4. Frigate Bay North

Frigate Bay North Beach is the home to the Marriott Hotel and some private apartment complexes. Found on the Atlantic side of the Island, the water is crisp and clear.

At times the waves can be overpowering with strong currents if you get too far out. Near the shore however, the water is shallow enough to swim in and if you head past the Marriott Hotel the beach is clean and well-kept with minimal people.

If beach resorts are your thing purchase a resort day pass and you can enjoy the full amenities at the Marriott Hotel.

5. Dieppe Bay

Further North you will find most of the black sand beaches. Head to the northern most point of the island to Dieppe Bay for a beautiful black sand beach at Arthurs restaurant.

Part of the Belle Mont Farm development, the fresh seafood is a little pricey but so tasty.

Dieppe Bay is one of the most peaceful beaches on St Kitts that has public facilities. It’s worth taking the trip up here with some beach towels and having a dip where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.

6. Banana Bay

Banana Bay on the southeast peninsula is home to the Park Hyatt resort. Like all beaches on St Kitts public beach access is allowed and the beaches are free to use.

However, to enjoy the sunbeds and umbrellas and to access the facilities of the Park Hyatt you will need to buy a resort day pass.

The day pass is pricey but includes pool and beach access, use of towels and sunbeds a two-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks plus an additional 20% off other resort purchases including spa treatments.

Best Snorkeling Beaches in St Kitts

Check out our post on the top snorkelling spots on St Kitts!

7. South Friars Beach- Discovery Beach Bar

If you’re on the hunt for a beach with hammocks hanging from palm trees and tasty rum punch, head to South Friars beach.

Hit up the Discovery Beach Bar where Morsi, the owner makes the best rum punch on St Kitts.

The beach at south friars is a mixture of black and white sand but no less beautiful. With the chilled vibe and reggae music it’s an easy place to spend the day.

This section of beach has a reef just as you enter the water however, so it’s not the best place for swimming or lazing in the water.

South Friars Beach- Shipwreck Beach Bar

Further down on South Friars Beach is Shipwreck Beach Bar. A livelier atmosphere than Discovery but with less reef off the beach, it is one of the most popular beaches on St Kitts.

Shipwreck beach is a great place to swim and rent snorkelling equipment and paddle boards if you fancy some activity.

The calm shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea and the floating deck which you can walk out to make Shipwreck a great place to laze in the sea.

The sunbeds and umbrellas here are also free to use if you buy something from the bar. With the tasty menu offerings, extensive cocktail list and ice cold drinks you may well bump into us down here!

South Friars Beach- Carambola Beach

For a beach with great snorkelling Carambola is your beach of choice. Think shoals of tropical fish, turtles and spotted eagle rays in a secluded bay.

The beach is free to access but if you want to use a sunbed and an umbrella be prepared to pay the fee. The Beach club itself is nice enough but the drinks are pricey, and it can get busy when the cruise ships come in.

Sometimes there may be a private event at Carambola beach club and security may try and stop you accessing the beach. Stand your ground and tell them you want to use the beach and they have to allow you access.

8. Turtle Beach

For a quiet beach and snorkelling day head down to Turtle Beach. Slightly off the beaten track, Turtle Beach is only signposted once and can easily be missed.

Follow the dirt road off the South East Peninsula road that leads to Cockleshell Beach. At the end you will be rewarded with a secluded beach that is popular with kite surfers on the Atlantic side of the island.

Unlike other beaches on the Atlantic side the sea here is not as rough because the beach is protected by a reef. Perfect for an afternoon of snorkelling.

9. Half Moon Bay Beach

Half Moon Bay beach is a great beach to walk and collect drift wood, although it’s not the best beach for sitting on. This is because it usually has a large amount of seaweed and it tends to gather trash that has swept into the bay.

It does however have a great reef in the middle of the bay which is full of life and great for confident swimmers and snorkellers.

Due to it being on the Atlantic side of the island the currents can be strong and so we only recommend snorkelling here when the sea is calm and if you are a strong swimmer.

10. White House Bay

The beach at White House Bay is sandy but quickly turns to rocks in the water so it is not the best beach for swimming in St Kitts.

It is a lovely place to relax and watch the sunset though because right on the beach is the now deserted Salt Plage restaurant which has a wooden deck that extends out into the water. This spot is often used by couples wanted a romantic moment in St Kitts.

It is also one of the best snorkelling spots in St Kitts due to the small wreck that lies at the bottom of the bay. The deck and the rocks also provide great hiding places for fish, rays and turtles. We have scuba dived in White House Bay and theres lots to see.

What is the Best Secluded Beach in St Kitts?

Whilst Banana Bay was once considered the best secluded beach that is no longer the case as it is the primary beach for the Park Hyatt hotel so it is usually filled with tourists.

We think the best secluded beaches now are Majors Bay, Sand Bank Bay or Sea Glass Beach which are all beautifully untouched by tourism and perfect for a quiet beach day to yourself.

11. Majors Bay

For complete tranquillity and a whole beach to yourself, head down to Majors Bay on the southeast peninsula.

This idyllic white sand beach on the turquoise Caribbean Sea is the most romantic beach on St Kitts for couples wanting a private beach day. However, it has no public facilities so prepare accordingly by taking your own drinks and snacks.

There are a few trees for shade and it is easy to access, you can park right next to the sand. But be warned you will have to use ‘natures bathroom’.

12. Sand Bank Bay

Sand Bank Bay also known as Gong Beach, is another peaceful beach void of tourists. It backs onto private villas of Christophe harbour and is a short walk to the beach from where you can park.

Again, it’s a little off the beaten track with no public facilities so you will need to take a picnic. There is also no shade on the beach, so a beach tent is good idea.

The yellow sand beach is in a protected bay on the Atlantic Ocean has some great waves in the super shallow waist-high waters, perfect for body boarding, surfing or just wave jumping.

This is our favourite secluded beach on St Kitts.

13. Sea Glass Beach

Sea glass beach is another black sand beach that is a hidden gem for arts and crafts people. Due to the close proximity to the brewery an abundance of sea glass can be found on the shore here.

Only a handful of beaches on St Kitts are unfrequented by tourists and Sea Glass Beach is amongst them and it is not well known about so accessibility is limited. Many people ask Where is Seaglass Beach in St Kitts? Go down the road across from Island Food grocery store in Camps, take a slight left at the bottom and park in the field on the right. The beach is to the south east of the field and is a short walk down some makeshift steps made from old tires to the beach.

If you want some sea glass souvenirs that don’t cost the earth, consider a stroll down here to collect your own mementos.

Have you enjoyed any of the best beaches on St Kitts? Which do you think would be your favourite?

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