One Of The Caribbean's Best Beaches Is A Serene St. Kitts Escape With Stunning Sunsets And Friendly Locals

A drive around St. Kitts reveals its natural charm and unspoiled beauty right away. While there are certainly perks of booking an all-inclusive resort when you're on a Caribbean vacation, much of St. Kitts is covered in lush rainforest, allowing you to experience a more authentic, less commercialized feel during your visit. It also helps that the nation is dedicated to community-based tourism, which helps preserve the environment along with the culture. 

Evidence of these preservation efforts is strong at Cockleshell Beach, located on the southern tip of the island facing the Caribbean Sea. Serene, sapphire-blue waters meet a pristine shore with gorgeous green hills as a backdrop. The beach lives up to its name as seashells carpet the sand, and the water is warm and inviting. Locally owned beach bars face the sea along the 2-mile stretch of sand, offering an enticing gateway into St. Kitts' food and drink culture. You can also support vendors by renting a beach chair and umbrella. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, it's less busy at the far end away from the resorts.

The best way to get to Cockleshell Beach is by taking a taxi, and a shared vehicle is the most budget-friendly option. A taxi from Basseterre takes about 30 minutes, with prices starting at $28. Taxis on St. Kitts only accept cash, so make sure you have enough on hand for your return journey as well.

While there are rows of beach chairs available at Cockleshell Beach, they do tend to fill up quickly as the cruise ships roll in, so be sure to arrive early to claim your spot and avoid the crowds. You'll want a comfortable spot to camp out for the day to enjoy the water and sample the delicious goods served at various beach bars. If you love to have authentic restaurant experiences while traveling, head to the Lion Rock Bar, a colorful local spot with irresistible fish, shrimp, and jerk chicken. Lion Rock Bar also serves up $5 rum punch — it won't exactly make you a Kittian Rum Master, but its sublime flavor makes it one of the Caribbean's most beloved cocktails. Another spot is Reggae Beach Bar at the far end of the beach, opposite the Park Hyatt. It serves a variety of tropical cocktails, appetizers, and entrees like chicken roti platters and grilled lobster. 

For those who love activities, there are a variety of exhilarating water sports to choose from on Cockleshell Beach. St. Kitts Water Sports offers jet ski rides, parasailing, and flyboarding. The company also rents kayaks, paddle boards, and even foil boards, a unique contraption that hovers above the surface of the water at various speeds and makes you feel like you are flying.

Beyond its beaches, St. Kitts offers all kinds of fun excursions, including full-day catamaran tours with snorkeling and a visit to Nevis, St. Kitts' sister island. Alternatively, the island offers a scenic railway tour on a historic train, providing views of the coast, old agricultural holdings, and important landmarks, such as Brimstone Hill Fortress. 

Accommodations are also lovely in St. Kitts. The island is home to both chain resorts and laid-back vacation rentals such as the Coconut Farm Cottage. The 350-square-foot home is just a 6-minute walk from the Cockleshell Beach and was described by a previous guest as everything they ever wanted. The Park Hyatt also resides at Cockleshell Beach, and the 5-star property offers butler service, rejuvenating spa sessions, and unique experiences such as ceremonial cacao rituals. Rated highly on Booking.com, the Sugar Bay Club offers clean, comfortable rooms at affordable prices, an on-site restaurant and bar, plus a glistening pool. The hotel is just a 15-minute drive from Cockleshell Beach, near the center.

If you want to take advantage of lower hotel rates, then visit St. Kitts in the offseason during May and June. However, if you don't mind crowds, book your trip from December to April during peak season. The island does experience storms during hurricane season, so you may want to consider delaying your trip during the summer months. International flights to St. Kitts land in the capital of Basseterre and are a 20-minute ride from the beach. Flights are available from North America, the U.K., Continental Europe, and several other Caribbean islands.