At a glance
- Best for
- Beaches, nightlife, golf and an easy first base
- Nearest airport
- Robert L. Bradshaw International, about fifteen minutes by taxi
- Time needed
- Ideal as a base for three to five nights
- Best time
- December to April for dry weather, any evening for the Strip
- Getting around
- Walking within the area, taxis to everywhere else
- Good base for
- Basseterre, the South East Peninsula and island tours
Why stay here
Frigate Bay puts you close to everything. Basseterre is a few minutes away, the airport is close, the South East Peninsula starts just over the hill and taxis are always nearby. You can walk between the beaches, restaurants and bars, which is rare on St Kitts. It suits couples, families, golfers and anyone who wants a lively but manageable holiday.
Two beaches, two moods
**South Frigate Bay** faces the Caribbean Sea. The water is usually calm and clear, the sand is soft and it is the best swimming beach close to town. This is where you find **the Strip**, a row of beach bars and grills right on the sand.
**North Frigate Bay** faces the Atlantic, so it is breezier, with more waves and a long stretch of sand that is wonderful for walking at sunrise. The big **St Kitts Marriott Resort** sits here. Swim with care when the surf is up and follow any flags or advice from hotel staff.
The Strip
The Strip is a short walk along South Frigate Bay lined with beach bars such as **Mr X's Shiggidy Shack**, famous for its bonfire nights, and a handful of smaller spots with music, rum punch, grilled fish and chicken. Locals and visitors mix here, and weekend evenings are the busiest. It is fun and generally relaxed, but go in a group if you can, keep an eye on your drink and belongings, and take a taxi back late at night rather than walking along dark roads.
Things to do
The **Royal St Kitts Golf Club** is an eighteen hole championship course stretching between the two seas. Dive operators run trips to nearby reefs and wrecks, and catamaran companies collect guests for snorkel sails and day trips to Nevis. Early risers can walk around the salt pond, where egrets and herons feed and green vervet monkeys sometimes cross the road. Up the hill to the east, **Timothy Hill** gives the classic view of the Atlantic and Caribbean on either side of the peninsula.
Where to stay
Frigate Bay has the widest range of accommodation on the island. The **St Kitts Marriott Resort** is the largest, with pools, a casino and many restaurants. **Royal St Kitts Hotel** sits beside the golf course, mid-range and a short walk from both beaches. **Timothy Beach Resort** is a simpler beachfront option at the quiet end of South Frigate Bay. There are also many condos and holiday rentals, good value for families or longer stays.
Food and drink
Beyond the beach bars, Frigate Bay has a cluster of restaurants serving sushi, Italian, Caribbean and seafood dishes. Prices are higher than in Basseterre, so try a local cookshop in town for lunch now and then. Supermarkets nearby make self catering easy.
Getting around
Taxis are the main way to get around and wait at hotels and along the Strip. Fares between Frigate Bay and Basseterre, the airport and the peninsula are fixed by the taxi association, so ask before you get in. Minibuses run along the main road to Basseterre in the day.
Combine it with
From Frigate Bay it is easy to explore Basseterre, spend a beach day on the South East Peninsula and take a tour around North St Kitts.
Questions about Frigate Bay
Is Frigate Bay a good base for St Kitts?
Yes. It is close to Basseterre, the airport and the peninsula, has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and is one of the few areas where you can walk between beaches and bars.
Which Frigate Bay beach is better for swimming?
South Frigate Bay, on the Caribbean side, is usually calmer. North Frigate Bay faces the Atlantic and can have waves and currents.
Is the Strip safe at night?
It is generally relaxed and popular with locals and visitors. Watch your drink and belongings, go with others when you can and take a taxi back late at night.
Can I see monkeys in Frigate Bay?
Often, yes. Green vervet monkeys live across St Kitts and are commonly seen around the salt pond, golf course and the road to the peninsula, especially early in the day.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
