Saint Kitts & Nevis

Nicknamed ‘The Mother Colony of the West Indies,’ St. Kitts and Nevis are twin islands that have stood together through the test of time. From being the first colonized islands by the British and French to present-day differences, it’s a genuine sibling relationship that makes for a beautiful Caribbean Island family that travelers worldwide can experience.

St. Kitts, the older of the two, was the first island that Christopher Columbus saw during his second voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean in 1493. Like an estranged parent, he only named the island after himself, St. Christopher (shortened to St. Kitts over time), but the island was never settled by the Spanish. The British and French explorers had a better appreciation for the island’s fertile land and adopted it as their own. As a result, the island’s western shore exhibits British influence centered around the former hub in Old Town, and the current capital, Basseterre, showcases architecture and history inspired by the French. St. Kitts & Nevis enjoyed a period of great prosperity from the 17th century thanks to the fertile land creating excellent conditions for sugarcane, tobacco, and cotton production. The islands became self-governing in 1967 and ultimately gained independence in 1983.

If the history of St. Kitts & Nevis intrigues you, either destination offers plenty to retrace its rich story. Visit sites like the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving a British military post built between 1690-1790. Climb aboard the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a historical scenic route hugging the coast, to experience the Caribbean’s only railway system that was once used for transporting sugarcane. Scour the ruins of Fort Charles on Nevis to find rusted cannons still stationed as if never told that the days of turmoil are long past. Gaze up at the cloud-shrouded summit of Nevis Peak before climbing up this sleeping volcano exhibiting flora untouched since the days of the Caribs inhabitants. Or encounter friendly Kittians enjoying a timeless life in small villages dotting the route ascending the Mount Liamuiga volcano, the highest point on St. Kitts.

With the volcanic landscape taking you to new heights, it’s the glistening beaches that bring you back down to Earth. From the resort-lined shore of Frigate Bay South just outside the capital Basseterre on Saint Kitts to the seductive beauty of Lovers Beach on Nevis, visitors can beachcomber through the soft sands, sunbathe in the tropical ambiance, and enjoy the range of water sports.

Choose your island preference or spend time on each, accessible via a 30-minute water taxi either way. Enjoy the scenic views departing from the dock and imagine yourself as a seafaring explorer ready to discover the wonders awaiting you on the island ahead.

Saint Kitts & Nevis

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