The biggest draw in
the Caribbean always has been - and probably always will be - the beaches. Much like the
most popular islands in the region, St. Kitts has enough fantastic beaches to keep any
family busy. However, St. Kitts' beaches also demonstrate a remarkable natural diversity
that is unmatched anywhere else in the Caribbean. From the black, volcanic sands of the
Atlantic shores to the expansive stretches of white sand near the island's best resorts,
St. Kitts truly has the perfect beach for any activity.
One of the most popular beaches
on St. Kitts is located at Friars Bay. On the south side
of the bay, plush sand faces the peaceful Caribbean Sea. Both local and visiting families
gather here to enjoy the sunshine, play in the water and snack on the food and drink
available along the sand. Though the atmosphere on the southern end of Friars Bay is
usually pretty lively, families will still find plenty of space to relax, while the water
offshore is safe and warm year-round. Surfers and those looking for a more windswept beach
experience will want to visit the north end of Friars Bay where the rockier shore meets
the majestic Atlantic Ocean.
Many of St. Kitts best resorts are located near the southern end of Frigate Bay and its incredible beaches. Much like the Caribbean
side of Friars Bay, the southern end of Frigate Bay is a popular destination for swimming
and water sports. At night, Frigate Bay is also one of the best places to find the
exciting party atmosphere that has made the Caribbean such a popular destination. The
north end of Frigate Bay is equally as beautiful as the Atlantic side of Friars Bay, but
generally experiences more peaceful conditions. On most days, swimming and relaxing are
the activities of choice here, while surfing is possible in some parts.
Visitors looking for an exotic beach experience will want to visit Turtle Beach and
Banana Bay on the southeastern end of the island. Home to little else beyond a charming
beach bar and some precocious vervet monkeys, Turtle Beach is one of the best spots on the
island to enjoy a peaceful swim and watch the sunset. Likewise, Banana Bay offers visitors
seclusion, sunshine and perfect sand for picnicking or sunbathing. Though these beaches
are far from most resorts on St. Kitts, they are still easy to reach by taxi or rental
car.
One of the strangest beaches on St. Kitts is the stretch of black sand known as Dieppe
Bay Beach. Sheltered by a large coral reef, the water at Dieppe Bay is remarkably calm and
perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. Just offshore, visitors can catch a glimpse of
numerous species of tropical fish, while sunbathers can enjoy the sunshine and the swaying
palm trees overhead. The unique volcanic and coral sand beaches continue along the
Atlantic shore to Conaree Beach, the most popular beach on the Atlantic side and a great
site for bodysurfing and other adventurous water sports. Snorkelers and scuba divers will
also want to visit the beach at White House Bay, home to a beautifully preserved coral
reef, an incredible array of underwater creatures and the popular tugboat wreck dive.
Two of the most romantic, white sand beaches on St. Kitts are located at Sandy Bank and
Turtle Bay. Though located on the Atlantic side of the island, the conditions at Sandy
Bank are generally very calm, allowing visitors to bath in the warm waters and take
barefoot strolls through the soft sand. Not to be confused with Turtle Beach on the
southeastern end of the island, the beach at Turtle Bay is located adjacent to Sandy Bank
and known for its seclusion and gorgeous Caribbean atmosphere.
If you want to enjoy some of the best beaches in the Caribbean while admiring
incredible natural diversity, St. Kitts should be at the top of your list.
Justin Burch writes
articles about travel
in St Kitts for the Marriott Resorts.
Frigate_Bay: St. Kitts Liveliest Beach
Destination
By : Justin Burch
Each
year, tourists in St. Kitts, after experiencing everything the island has to offer, return
to one destination over and over – Frigate Bay. By day, the Frigate Bay area
exemplifies the relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. The large beach at Frigate Bay fills up with
families relaxing in the sun, while children swim in the calm water and adventurous
tourists cruise the waves on jet skis further offshore. At night, Frigate Bay transforms
into St. Kitts best nightlife destination when the beachfront bars and restaurants open
their outdoor patios and dance floors. Some of St. Kitts best resorts and shops can also
be found along Frigate Bay, making this area a great place to sample all of the island s
luxurious highlights.
For many travelers, Frigate Bay Beach resembles the ideal Caribbean destination. The long
stretch of soft sand at Frigate Bay Beach is bookmarked by a pair of large hills that jut
into the Caribbean. In addition to providing protection to the calm waters offshore, the
picturesque hills allow the beach to feel like a secluded cove. Throughout the sand,
visitors will find coconut and sea grape trees that offer hints of shade and plenty of
tropical flare. When the time comes to enjoy the crystal clear waters offshore, visitors
of all ages will find plenty of calm areas to swim or wade, while activities like
kayaking, jet skiing and snorkeling are possible further from the shoreline. Of course, as
is the custom in the Caribbean, relaxing in the sun is also a popular activity at Frigate
Bay Beach.
During the day, many of the bars and restaurants that line the
beach offer food and drinks from walk up counters or sandy seating areas. Beachfront
restaurants such as Inon s, Ziggy s Beach Bar and Grill and Mr. X s Shiggidy Shack serve
food right on the beach throughout the day, while those in need of a drink can pull up a
seat at one of Frigate Bay s many sand locked bars. At night, Mr. X s Shiggidy Shack, as
well as famous Caribbean destinations like Monkey Bar, strike up bonfires across the
beach, while live Caribbean music blends with the sound of gently lapping waves. Known
locally as The Strip, this collection of beachfront restaurants and bars has grown
steadily over the last several years to become St. Kitts premier dining and nightlife
spot.
Those that want to enjoy the excitement of Frigate Bay throughout their stay in St. Kitts
can take advantage of the hotels and resorts located on the beach, including the St. Kitts
Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino. As the largest resort on Frigate Bay Beach and one
of the island s top lodging destinations, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort serves as the
centerpiece of the area s vibrant culture. The St. Kitts Marriott Resort, in conjunction
with other resorts along Frigate Bay Beach, also provides the bustling area a wealth of
shops and fine dining options. Throughout the year, the resorts along Frigate Bay Beach
also serve as the best lodging destinations for some of the island s top annual events,
including the famous St. Kitts Carnival and the St. Kitts Music Festival.
Located just three miles from downtown Basseterre, Frigate Bay is a convenient beach and
entertainment destination for anyone visiting St. Kitts. During the day, families can
enjoy relaxing in the sand or playing in the water, while those in search of more action
can mingle at beachfront bars or explore the wonders of the Caribbean offshore. At night,
much of the island meets here to enjoy the wonderful weather and exciting tropical
atmosphere. When visiting St. Kitts, Frigate Bay is a destination that should be on
everyone s list.
With an interior landscape dominated by immense, dormant volcanoes - including the
3,800-foot Mt. Liamuiga - it is certainly no stretch to say that St. Kitts is home to some
of the Caribbean's most unique geography. While Mt. Liamuiga provides excellent hiking and
ecotourism opportunities, another strange feature helps St. Kitts stand out as an
incredible beach destination. Southeast of the towering mountain interior, a long
peninsula separates the placid waters of the Caribbean Sea from the dramatic scenery of
the Atlantic Ocean. On each side of the peninsula, visitors will miles of unique beaches,
including picturesque rocky landscapes along the northern side and soft stretches of sand
beside calm, blue water on the southern side. One of the most popular beaches in St. Kitts
- South Friars Bay - sits on the southern side of this peninsula, just minutes away from
Basseterre and many of the island's top resorts.
Known as one of St. Kitts' top family-friendly destinations, South Friars Bay is a
great place to enjoy everything from swimming and snorkeling to sunbathing and picnicking.
The beach at South Friars Bay resembles the idyllic Caribbean paradise, boasting a wide
stretch of white sand bordered by palm trees, while the water offshore is warm, shallow
and crystal-clear. Though South Friars Bay has long been a popular weekend destination for
local families, tourists will always find ample room to relax or play in the sand. Though
South Friars Bay isn't the most popular snorkeling destination in St. Kitts, the coral
reefs that protect each end of the beach offer a number of unique sights and conditions
are almost always very favorable for young explorers. Families hoping to enjoy snorkeling
and other water sports at South Friars Bay will find several rental shops and tour
operators along the beach offering a variety of kid-friendly activity options.
Just off the beach, visitors will find scenic natural areas that include placid salt
ponds and dense mangrove swamps that serve as home to numerous species of sea birds. On
the northern side of the peninsula, those in search of more dramatic shoreline sights can
visit North Friars Bay - a rocky, windswept beach that feels like a world away from the
sandy landscapes of the protected southern beaches. As the waters offshore from North
Friars Bay are subject to consistent trade winds, the area is popular with surfers and
travelers that enjoy the sight of crashing waves. Nearby Sir Timothy's Hill - accessible
from the Simmonds Highway, the main road along the peninsula - is another popular
sightseeing destination, as visitors can enjoy views across the entire beach and the
sparkling blue Caribbean Sea beyond.
Despite serving as one of the top family beaches in the Caribbean, South Friars Bay is
also home to one of the island's most vibrant beach bar scenes. The numerous friendly
cafes and bars located along the beach are known for serving affordable drinks and snacks
during the day, while several remain open well into the evening and feature live
entertainment and special events. Most of the beachside eateries also offer lounge chairs
for rent, each complimented with palapa shades.
Conveniently situated as the first southside beach along the Simmonds Highway, South
Friars Bay can be reached easily by shuttle or taxi. As South Friars Bay is located less
than a mile east of Frigate Bay and many of St. Kitts' top resorts, the beach can also be
reached via bicycle or on foot.
As tourists flock to St. Kitts each year to experience some of the Caribbean's most
diverse natural sights and outdoor recreation opportunities, the island's southeastern
peninsula has become one of the top beach destinations in the region. Best of all,
travelers staying in Basseterre and other southern shore resort areas can reach the
peninsula's top beach - South Friars Bay - in just a matter of minutes.
Learn More about St Kitts by visiting our other St Kitts Pages
