St. Kitts Beach recommendations

[zabs]

We're looking for advice on a nice beach in St. Kitts. Beach chairs, beverages (adult) and bathrooms needed! Anyone have any experience, good or bad that they want to share? How about transportation to/from?

We're on the Feb 22 Solstice sailing and craving some warm sun!

Z

[glenneagle]

We are on the same ship.

We also want a great beach ..

any one have any advise?

[woodofpine]

We are on the same ship.

We also want a great beach ..

any one have any advise?

 

I enjoyed S. Friars beach. Easy cab from the pier... looks out toward Nevis... big Rock at one end... grilled lobster, booze, and the rest. Old carib type beach bumming.

 

Alternatively, I've not been to the Mariott but it gets good reviews too.

[robtulipe]

The best beaches that are easily accessible are south of Bassetere on the southern peninsula starting at Frigate Bay. South Frigate beach has become very rocky since they put in a exclusive housing development on the heights just north of it. Last time I was there, four years ago, I heard that a lot of rock rumble was dumped into the sea during construction of the housing estate which washed up on that beach. North Frigate beach, where the Marriott is located, is nice but the water here can be very rough with high waves since it is completely exposed on the Atlantic side.

The next beach, Friar's, is just past or after Timothy Hill on the south side and is much nicer and you can photograph the mongooses that live in that area. They especially like to raid the trash barrels behind the beach huts there.

Turtle beach on the east side at the southern tip of the southern peninsula has a nice reef close to shore and a beautiful view of Nevis. There was a troop of green Vervet monkeys that resided there and they would steal food and drinks from the outdoor restaurant tables . The restaurant had to put monkey bars on the windows of their kitchen to keep them out since they would scurry through to grab food. We use to bring bananas and peanuts there to hand feed them. We once saw one juvenile steal and drink a half full plastic glass of strawberry daiquiri and within a 1/2 hour there was one very drunk monkey swinging through the trees. It fell out of one tree, crashed landed on a table and scurried away to the shock of the patrons sitting there. It is definitely worth while spending time there but it is a long taxi ride from the cruise pier in the center of Basseterre.

Friar's beach is also very nice but no close to shore reef and less than 1/2 the distance to go if you want to do this on your own in a taxi.

 

[Oceangoer2]

The best beaches that are easily accessible are south of Bassetere on the southern peninsula starting at Frigate Bay. South Frigate beach has become very rocky since they put in a exclusive housing development on the heights just north of it. Last time I was there, four years ago, I heard that a lot of rock rumble was dumped into the sea during construction of the housing estate which washed up on that beach. North Frigate beach, where the Marriott is located, is nice but the water here can be very rough with high waves since it is completely exposed on the Atlantic side.

The next beach, Friar's, is just past or after Timothy Hill on the south side and is much nicer and you can photograph the mongooses that live in that area. They especially like to raid the trash barrels behind the beach huts there.

Turtle beach on the east side at the southern tip of the southern peninsula has a nice reef close to shore and a beautiful view of Nevis. There was a troop of green Vervet monkeys that resided there and they would steal food and drinks from the outdoor restaurant tables . The restaurant had to put monkey bars on the windows of their kitchen to keep them out since they would scurry through to grab food. We use to bring bananas and peanuts there to hand feed them. We once saw one juvenile steal and drink a half full plastic glass of strawberry daiquiri and within a 1/2 hour there was one very drunk monkey swinging through the trees. It fell out of one tree, crashed landed on a table and scurried away to the shock of the patrons sitting there. It is definitely worth while spending time there but it is a long taxi ride from the cruise pier in the center of Basseterre.

Friar's beach is also very nice but no close to shore reef and less than 1/2 the distance to go if you want to do this on your own in a taxi.

 

Almost sounds as though you've lived there! Thanks for the information.

[wolfganghowell]

We initially went to Cockleshell. We got off asap but by the time we got to the beach there, no chairs or umbrellas available. It was packed with people. The staff at Reggae were curt or rude. All the tables were "reserved" so we could sit at the bar but the small beach was completely covered with people. Flies everywhere. We left almost immediately since we knew it was going to go from bad to worse. We went to the Marriott. Heavenly beach. Fabulously beautiful, great water to swim in, plenty of room. Since we arrived fairly late at this point, we sat at the back in loungers under a covered palapa. Drink service was available. We did see a sign as we left saying that loungers were for hotel guests even though the beach is public access. But there were plenty of available loungers so we didn't feel as if we inconvenienced any guests. If we go back to St Kitts, we will definitely go here again. Cockleshell - no way.

[glenneagle]

Thank you neighbor.We live in Plano.Will definatley try the arriot.

[wolfganghowell]

Do you live by Gleneagles? :D Yep - we're neighbors, we're on the Richardson/Plano border. If you gamble, the Marriott casino has a little special - give them your ship card and they give you a card for $20 free play and some match play coupons. Mr Wolf used the match play and struck out but I used the free play and turned $20 into $40 and then $20 into $30. :)

 

Someone else on our sailing said Frigate Bay was nasty too. But I admit that is second hand information.

[glenneagle]

We used to live on Glenneagles at coit and campell.We are now at preston and parker near glenneagles.Yes frigate is nasty. Went there last visit.Thanks for marriott info.

[robtulipe]

Almost sounds as though you've lived there! Thanks for the information.

Been there on land based vacations for a total of four weeks and twice on cruise stops. We rented cars while there on land vacation so we travelled all over the island many times. Turtle beach was my favorite but I never went there when a cruise ship was in port which was not often until they put in the new cruise dock in Basseterre about five years ago. Prior to that they used the small commercial pier south of that town near Bird Rock beach which had maybe one or two cruise ships in per month.

Turtle beach is on Cockleshell Bay. On my map the restaurant on turtle beach is called Turtle Beach Bar and Grill. Here is their website

http://turtlebeach1.com/

Also you can check reviews at

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147374-d150234-Reviews-Turtle_Beach-St_Kitts_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html

South Friar's beach review is at

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147374-d148268-Reviews-South_Friars_Beach-St_Kitts_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html

[zabs]

The best beaches that are easily accessible are south of Bassetere on the southern peninsula starting at Frigate Bay. South Frigate beach has become very rocky since they put in a exclusive housing development on the heights just north of it. Last time I was there, four years ago, I heard that a lot of rock rumble was dumped into the sea during construction of the housing estate which washed up on that beach. North Frigate beach, where the Marriott is located, is nice but the water here can be very rough with high waves since it is completely exposed on the Atlantic side.

The next beach, Friar's, is just past or after Timothy Hill on the south side and is much nicer and you can photograph the mongooses that live in that area. They especially like to raid the trash barrels behind the beach huts there.

Turtle beach on the east side at the southern tip of the southern peninsula has a nice reef close to shore and a beautiful view of Nevis. There was a troop of green Vervet monkeys that resided there and they would steal food and drinks from the outdoor restaurant tables . The restaurant had to put monkey bars on the windows of their kitchen to keep them out since they would scurry through to grab food. We use to bring bananas and peanuts there to hand feed them. We once saw one juvenile steal and drink a half full plastic glass of strawberry daiquiri and within a 1/2 hour there was one very drunk monkey swinging through the trees. It fell out of one tree, crashed landed on a table and scurried away to the shock of the patrons sitting there. It is definitely worth while spending time there but it is a long taxi ride from the cruise pier in the center of Basseterre.

Friar's beach is also very nice but no close to shore reef and less than 1/2 the distance to go if you want to do this on your own in a taxi.

 

WOW! Thanks Robtulipe. Great info. Those drunk monkeys must be a site to see!:D

Z

[zabs]

We initially went to Cockleshell. We got off asap but by the time we got to the beach there, no chairs or umbrellas available. It was packed with people. The staff at Reggae were curt or rude. All the tables were "reserved" so we could sit at the bar but the small beach was completely covered with people. Flies everywhere. We left almost immediately since we knew it was going to go from bad to worse. We went to the Marriott. Heavenly beach. Fabulously beautiful, great water to swim in, plenty of room. Since we arrived fairly late at this point, we sat at the back in loungers under a covered palapa. Drink service was available. We did see a sign as we left saying that loungers were for hotel guests even though the beach is public access. But there were plenty of available loungers so we didn't feel as if we inconvenienced any guests. If we go back to St Kitts, we will definitely go here again. Cockleshell - no way.

 

Wolfgang, sorry you had a bad experience at Cockleshell, at least you saved some others from the same... flies and rude staff! Just what I'm looking to avoid. Thanks for your help!

Z

[pbrady]

Anyone have any info on Dawn Beach?

[LiLyjack]

anyone taking the Frigate beach expedition with X, on the 22/2

 

if you have take it before, how was it?

[zabs]

Bumping up. 7 more days until embarkation...

[Reader0108598]

I have to agree with the OP . While I loved swimming at this beach. The cab ride was long, driver never came back and the staff at the bar were rude! Flies evreywhere. YUK!

 

We did not rent chairs went down the other end of the beach which was secluded and very nice. I would not go here again though because of the distance from port, rude employees .... I just wanted a cold beer not a cold shoulder :(

 

Reader

[hcat]

if anyone wants a non-Beach alternative take a taxi to Frigate bay Resort--you can share with others headed in same direction...

 

no day pass charge, immaculate pool, swim up bar-great Rum punch!-treated us like Royalty . We had Lunch at the restaurant there-Jasmines --it was excellent. I walked down to the beach area--adjacent to the golf course...really nice-- a quiet day but that's what we a were looking for..It was heaven~

[signman]

go to Shipwreck on Friars.

[TRadle]

anyone taking the Frigate beach expedition with X, on the 22/2

 

if you have take it before, how was it?

 

We took this excursion in December and the beach was very rocky and had broken glass and other litter. We were not overly impresses because we had read that this was supposed to be a great beach.

 

We were there with an excursion group from the QM2. There were many with children from this ship and they were very unhappy with this beach. DH and I wore water socks so we were okay. Anyone in bare feet....not happy.

[joyinam]

Based upon a recommendation on this board, my husband and I had a lovely day in St. Kitts (Constellation Jan 2 - 12 '09 sailing). When we arrived in St. Kitts, we got off the ship, asked where we could get the Water Taxi (it was $10 pp roundtrip) and had a lovely ride to Frigate. The water taxi was run by the establishment where you arrive (have forgotten the name)...it looked nice, but more crowd potential than we wanted. We instead asked for confirmation of directions to the Marriott, and headed off on foot. I was less than confident that a "general point in a general direction on a basically deserted road" was smart :)....but off we went. Here are some more specific instructions to hopefully have you feel more confident: When you get off the water taxi, walk up past the bar, and straight down the road awhile....and then take a left at a little turnaround....and walk, walk, walk past timeshares, businesses, etc....and then you'll see the Marriott on the right side at the end of the road. It IS about a 25 - 30 min walk, and seemed shorter on the way back since we knew where we were. We actually cut through down to the beach prior to reaching the Marriott...so entered the Marriott FROM the beach vs through the hotel. We were approached by a local person who offered to set us up with chairs, etc...we knew better. We approached a uniformed worker to ask if we could rent some chairs / umbrella. We tipped him $5!! and bought a couple of beers...he gave us towels, chairs - we didn't take an umbrella. The water was lovely and we were sorry it was such a short port day. There WERE more vendors on the beach (not too pushy, and I find that if we're politely firm, they will easily leave) We allowed plenty of time to walk back to the same pier for the water taxi to leave (every 30 min on hour & 1/2 hour). No problem, left on time...very nice day!

[signman]

An even better way to the Marriott is via taxi right from Port Zante. You will pay about the same as above poster paid for water taxi and you won't walk at all.