The South East Peninsula: calm bays and views of Nevis

Why go

This is the side of St Kitts for beach lovers. The bays here face the Caribbean or The Narrows, the channel between the islands, so the water is usually calm, and almost every beach looks straight across to the cloud capped cone of Nevis Peak. The drive itself is one of the most scenic in the region.

Timothy Hill

A few minutes from Frigate Bay, the highway climbs to **Timothy Hill**, a viewpoint where you can see the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean on the other, separated by a thin ridge of land. Stop at the lookout for the photo every visitor takes, ideally in the morning when the light is soft.

The beaches

**South Friars Bay** is the first big beach, calm and sandy with a few bars, including **Shipwreck Beach Bar**, a rustic spot where monkeys often visit, and **Carambola Beach Club**, a stylish club with a pool and restaurant. Further along, **Cockleshell Bay** and neighbouring **Banana Bay** form a wide arc of sand facing Nevis. **Reggae Beach Bar and Grill** on Cockleshell rents loungers and kayaks, and the **Spice Mill** restaurant is a lovely place for dinner on the sand. **Turtle Beach**, near the end of the road, is good for snorkelling, with views of Nevis.

Most beaches have bars that rent loungers, which is how many people spend the day. Bring sun protection and drinking water, because there is little shade on the open sand.

Nature

The peninsula is dry compared with the rest of St Kitts. The **Great Salt Pond** and smaller ponds attract herons, egrets, stilts and migrating shorebirds, and green vervet monkeys live in the scrub. Drive carefully, because monkeys and goats often cross the road, and never feed the monkeys.

Christophe Harbour

At the southern tip, **Christophe Harbour** is a private development with a superyacht marina, villas and the **Park Hyatt St Kitts** on Banana Bay, the island's most polished resort. **Salt Plage**, a sunset bar built around old salt works, is open to visitors and a fine place for a drink as the sun sets behind the hills.

Crossing to Nevis

At **Majors Bay**, the **Sea Bridge** car and passenger ferry crosses to Cades Bay on Nevis several times a day. Water taxis from the peninsula beaches also make the short crossing, which is handy if you are staying here and want to visit Nevis.

Where to stay

The Park Hyatt is the main resort, with villas and private homes for rent around Christophe Harbour. Budget travellers usually stay in Frigate Bay and come here on a day trip by taxi.

Getting around

There are no public buses on the peninsula, so you will need a taxi. Agree a pickup time with your driver, or ask the beach bar to call one for you when you are ready. Fares from Frigate Bay and Basseterre are fixed by the taxi association.

Combine it with

Pair a peninsula beach day with the view from Timothy Hill, then return to Frigate Bay for the evening, or cross from Majors Bay to Nevis.