The Best Shore Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis

The only excursion to go on when visiting Basseterre St Kitts & Nevis

What’s the best thing to do on a shore excursion in St Kitts and Nevis? Explore the island in one day, of course!

While cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Sea, the inevitable happened that one always worries about when sailing during hurricane season: the itinerary changed. What was planned to be a stop in Bermuda turned into new location, Basseterre St Kitts & Nevis.

While I was excited to visit a new country, #56 to be exact, I was nervous to plan an excursion for this port in less than twenty-four hours. However, planning you next trip doesn’t have to complicated, and that applies even if the trip is the next day. So what did we do on our last-minute port stop in St Kitts & Nevis. We explored the entire island on a half-day tour, which ended up being a highlight of the entire trip.

The Tour Details

I found the tour on Viator, which is a my go-to site to finding tours no matter who much time I have to plan.

Travel Big Sis Tip: When planning any trip, these are my favorite sites to use when I’m looking for things to do.

Trip Advisor (Viator) | Tours By Locals | Get Your Guide

The tour group is called Gibraltar Tours & Taxi Services. Along with having availability for five people the next day, the reviews from past guests were very positive. The private half-day tour included four main stops and a drive who picked you up and dropped you off at the cruise port. The van we drove around in had air conditioning, and there was even a little cooler with drinks to enjoy throughout the day. It you do book this tour, ask for Elvis to be your guide for the day. He is kind, funny, and super patient as my friends and I asked a million questions and took even more photos.

Stop #1: The Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor

The first stop on the tour is Romney Manor, which is home to the world-famous Caribelle Batik. Beautiful botanical gardens surround a shop and studio that produces hundreds of hand-dyed fabric products. You learn about the method of hand-dying fabrics which artisans turn into bags, tapestries, t-shirts, and more. It is a great place to find a souvenir if you are looking to bring one back. However, if shopping isn’t your thing, there are botanical gardens to walk around and enjoy.

The benefit of being on a private half-day tour is that we controlled which stops we spent the most time at. None of were huge shoppers, considering were were all traveling carry-on only, so we spent less time here and more time at other places on the tour.

Stop #2: Brimstone Hill Fortress

A fun fact about me is that I love old, historical site, and St Kitts has an impressive one. The Brimstone Hill Fortress was our second stop on our excursion and my favorite stop of the entire day. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site of historical, cultural, and architectural significance. It was designed by British military engineers and was built by enslaved Africans over a period of 100 years. There is a lot to see and do, so make sure to give yourself time to walk around and explore.

In the park, we hiked up Money Hill and saw some incredible views. Fun fact, this hill also acts as the helicopter pad where Jeff Bezos often lands to have lunch. The fort does have a restaurant and if Bezos is flying there, I would assume the food is decent. More importantly, the views will amaze you, so make sure your phone is charged to take some pictures.

The fort is in incredible shape and maintains a large amount of its architectural and historical integrity. At the base, traditional guards stand at the entrance and you can take a picture with them. However, be prepared to have some cash if you do. The walk up to the fort is a bit steep but doable, and the views from the top are unforgettable. The fort is massive and there is loads to see. It highlights the life of the soldiers who lived there, and you can even ring a ball at the very top. This is a fun thing for kids to do, especially if they aren’t enjoying the history as much as the adults. I would also note that this is probably the best part of the tour to stop for a bathroom break, as the facilities are quite clean.

Stop #3: Timothy Hill Overlook

One place I didn’t expect to stop on our tour was a viewpoint where you can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time. This is called the Timothy Hill Overlook, where only half a mile of land separates the ocean and the sea. It’s an incredible view, but it is also a very popular tour site, so be prepare for crowds. Parking is limited, so the stop on the tour is short. Get your pictures, enjoy the view and be ready to move quickly. You might even need to elbow through a few strangers to get that perfect shot. Just hope none of them are on your cruise ship when you head to the Windjammer later!

Stop #4: South Friar’s Beach

No excursion in the Caribbean is complete without a stop at the beach, and South Friar’s Beach was the prettiest beach that we visited all cruise. The tour drops you off at the beach club for a few hours, which gives you plenty of time to relax, grab a cocktail, and enjoy the sunshine. Renting a beach chair does cost around $10 a chair, so we opted to lay our towels out in the sand. Along the way, we discovered what I am calling the “secret spot” of the tour that was not on the itinerary.

Secret Spot: Hidden Local Beach Bar

A short walk down South Friar’s Beach (to the left if you are facing the ocean) is a super cool local beach bar with $2 beers! It’s hidden in the trees, but you’ll see umbrellas and a small picnic table in the front of it. If you think. you’ve stumbled upon a wooden shack, you’re in the right place. It was the perfect way to the end tour. We sat on the beach, swam in the ocean, and drank a beer while discussing our highlights from the day. Boston could never!

Travel Big Sis Tip: Wear your bathing suit under your clothes. Less to carry around, and you can run straight into the ocean when you get there.

What started as a last-minute panic booking ended up being a highlight of our entire vacation. This half-day tour has everything you could need: cultural experiences, historical sites, and relaxing time on the beach. It’s billed as a half-day tour, but the total time is 6 hours which feels like a full day. By the time we were back onboard the ship, it was time to grab a drink and get ready for dinner. So, the next time you visit St Kitts on a cruise, don’t forget to book your tour with Gibraltar Tours & Taxi Services. It will be a day that you never forget!