Best Beach in St. Kitts

[twscott1961]

We are looking for a good beach with some facilities, maybe not too far from the cruise ship. Someone told us not to bother going to beach there, but I'm sure their are some nice areas. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Chris]

how far away from the dock are these beaches?

thanks

chris

[pbk917]

When we were at Turtle Beach in 2001, there were many monkeys there. The monkeys stay in the trees at the back of the beach. We got there early & were the first ones on the beach that day. The monkeys came out for some fruit we had with us. It was pretty neat but, they are wild animals & have big teeth. BTW one of them jumped on my wife and held on for a while (kind of funny), it did not hurt her. There was also a few cows that crossed on the beach. The facilities were nice. Plenty of free lounge chairs, a nice little restaraunt for a quick bite and bathroom facilities.

[Boatingmom]

South Friars or South Frigate? Which is bst for a 8 & 6 yo looking for calm waters and some watersports?

[Dgonza]

forget about the snorkeling at Frigate bay. I wouldnt say Frigate bay has calm waters either. It is a black sand beach that drops off as you enter the water. I saw quite a few adults fall down with a combination of the tide and the drop off. I cant speak for the other beaches as I was not there. There were some snorkelers but they didnt see much of anything. I didnt even bother taking my snorkel gear out. They said it was the worst snorkelling they have ever seen in the caribbean. This couple has been to 3/4 or the islands.

[Zeno]

forget about the snorkeling at Frigate bay. I wouldnt say Frigate bay has calm waters either. It is a black sand beach that drops off as you enter the water. I saw quite a few adults fall down with a combination of the tide and the drop off. I cant speak for the other beaches as I was not there. There were some snorkelers but they didnt see much of anything. I didnt even bother taking my snorkel gear out. They said it was the worst snorkelling they have ever seen in the caribbean. This couple has been to 3/4 or the islands.

 

As Liz says, it is NOT a black sand beach. The snorkeling is OK - definitely not what I consider good (but I've snorkeled many places) BUT I did see an octopus there - VERY neat. And is certainly NOT the worst snorkeling in the Caribbean ( I have been to most islands in the Caribbean). When we spent a week there the water was rough for two days (storm offshore) and then quite calm.

 

Beach at south Frigate Bay:

http://www.timothybeachresort.com/

For those who want to see what a "real back sand beach" looks like:

The following is a picture of one in Hawaii:

http://www.volcanogallery.com/Places-Punaluu.htm

[sunshine3360]

What is the best way to get to White House Bay? We were thinking of going there and then to Turtle Bay. Is it hard to get down to the beach at White House? Thanks

[P&Bcrew]

We want to go to Banana Bay beach on St. Kitts. What do you think the cost would be to get a taxi ride down?

Are there chairs and shade or a place to get a drink ?

[P&Bcrew]

Thanks, we will definetely go to a beach there. I guess Banana beach is secluded because it doesn't have shade, and drinks. The beaches look beautiful:o

[Spanky My]

I have tried twice to contact thenang06@yahoo.com and have never gotten a response back as to prices for his taxi sevices . Are you sure that is a good address ?

[CanuckCruizer]

Spanky My - I e-mailed Thenford - he took over 2 days to answer, but he did answer. From reading these posts, Liz apparently has never used him herself, but recommends him highly? She keeps saying that he will give you a ride to the beach etc. Well, we asked him about specifically taking us to Brimstone Hill Fortress and then to the beach and we specifically said that we do not want a "generic" island tour and told him where we DIDN'T want to go - his response described the same "generic" tour that everyone goes on (so, in other words, he totally ignored our request). He says that he will not discuss "times" or any changes to the tour until 1 month before you come. Well, he just lost our business. We are tendering that day and the timing is very important to us. The whole idea is to book a tour and then you don't have to worry about anything. His idea is to book the tour and then with a month to go he will see what he can do type of thing. I have contacted other "tour guides" or "taxi drivers" on other islands for tours on our upcoming cruise and it is really amusing to me. You see - all these "experts" recommend these people and say that they will give you a "customized" tour and this does not seem to be the case at all. Every e-mail response I have received has been the same. It is like they are not listening at all! I specifically tell them where we don't want to go and they e-mail me back telling me they are taking me there - lol. I have enquired about private tours for the two of us, so we can customize it. Yes, you can have a private tour for two, but it will be exactly the same as the "generic" tour only they want to charge you $200 for two, instead of $25 or $30. It is like their cars only know how to go to certain places-ha ha. My DH figures that they get kickbacks from certain tour stops and that is why they don't want to deviate. Anyhow, these are just my thoughts and experiences with communicating with several of these tour guides. By the way - Thenford takes 16 people at a time for $38 each (including entrance fee to the Fort) but won't reveal how long you get in each place and when you will leave and when you will return. We have decided to just get a taxi at the tender pier and forget about a "generic" tour. Good luck to you!

 

Canuck

[JXR]

Canuck cruiser: You are lucky, it only took thenford 2 days to reply. I've been waiting for over 3 weeks, and I've given. Have started looking elsewhere....

 

Joanne

[CanuckCruizer]

Joanne - Yes - I know what you mean - I am still waiting for Royston or Rolston to reply. For St. Kitts and some of the other islands, like I said, the guys I contacted will not deviate from their "tour". I only wanted to skip one garden-type place and two guys told me just to get a taxi to go where I want. I was thinking to myself "aren't you a taxi?" They consider themselves "tour guides" as opposed to "regular" taxi drivers. Apparently, you have to be careful though, as some people have said that they have hired a taxi and agreed to go to x and y and then once they are in, the driver picks up say another couple and the new couple says that they want to go to y but not x and the original couple missed seeing x - are you following me -ha ha. In other words - you have to spell it out in black and white and get the fare organized. Other people have reported that they changed the price of the fare that they agreed upon once arriving at the destination. I think that if you don't care that you are going with a lot of other people, you don't care what you see/where you go or for how long and you are not interested in having your own shopping time before boarding the ship - by all means book one of these tours. But, if you are like us and like to have your own free time at each place - these tours are not for you. Good luck in your search!!

 

Canuck

[JXR]

Joanne - Yes - I know what you mean - I am still waiting for Royston or Rolston to reply. For St. Kitts and some of the other islands, like I said, the guys I contacted will not deviate from their "tour". I only wanted to skip one garden-type place and two guys told me just to get a taxi to go where I want. I was thinking to myself "aren't you a taxi?" They consider themselves "tour guides" as opposed to "regular" taxi drivers. Apparently, you have to be careful though, as some people have said that they have hired a taxi and agreed to go to x and y and then once they are in, the driver picks up say another couple and the new couple says that they want to go to y but not x and the original couple missed seeing x - are you following me -ha ha. In other words - you have to spell it out in black and white and get the fare organized. Other people have reported that they changed the price of the fare that they agreed upon once arriving at the destination. I think that if you don't care that you are going with a lot of other people, you don't care what you see/where you go or for how long and you are not interested in having your own shopping time before boarding the ship - by all means book one of these tours. But, if you are like us and like to have your own free time at each place - these tours are not for you. Good luck in your search!!

 

Canuck

 

Canuck: I've contacted Royston, and he has been awesome to deal, but of course, we are looking more for a tour than a taxi. He's been pleasant, and replies to my e-mail's. I will probably give Royston a go.

 

Joanne

[CanuckCruizer]

Joanne - Good - you have given me hope! I will wait to hear from Royston.

 

Canuck

[Spanky My]

I have tried twice and waited a week each time with no response! So that concludes my efforts. If someone is advertised yet fails to respond in a couple of days,that tells me all I need to hear about how good of service I Might get. Oh well I will look elsewhere, but thanks for responding . I thought MAYBE that was a bad address. Apparently just a bad place to consider doing buisness......

[CanuckCruizer]

Spanky My - You're welcome!

 

Liz - We don't just want to get to A and B. We wanted a tour but didn't want to go to Romney Manor/Caribelle Batik for example, and wanted to get back with a little time left for shopping at the pier. My point is, that I am finding upon communicating with these "tour guides" that none are willing to "deviate" from their "generic" tour, no matter that they say they can customize the tour for you. Everytime I ask if I can make a little change, like miss 1 stop, or have a little longer somewhere else, it doesn't fly. For a private tour for just the two of us, all they do is up the price to sky high, but the "generic" tour remains in place - what is the point of having a private tour and paying through the nose if you can't go where you want? Yes, you are right - we will get a taxidriver at the pier because I think they will be much more flexible than all of the drivers recommended on this site, tripadvisor and other St. Kitts sites. It is not only the drivers in St. Kitts I am speaking about. I found the same thing when investigating St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Barbados. At least the guy in St. Thomas gives you the choice of having 1, 2 or 3 hours for shopping in the tour and gives you the option of going to or missing the beach - now there is a little bit of flexibility!

 

Canuck

P.S. Still holding out hope for Royston - lol

[flarad]

We will be in St. Kitts in March of 07. We have booked an interesting tour through Shoretrips.com. They have more personal service but with a guarantee. We've used them at other ports and always been well pleased. You might want to check them out.

[crisp1]

Our last time in St Kitts we hired a wonderful woman Ilva Wallace. She has a new van that can accomodate up to 12 pax. I believe she charged us $30pp. She will customize the day to whatever you want to do. If she is not booked for the day you arrive, I'm sure you could negotiate a price for a private tour for 2. I believe this is her current email address ilvawallace@yahoo.com

Seas the Day!

C

[AllenF]

I have Royston booked for our up coming visit in March. He is providing a beach and snorkel tour for us just tell him what kind of tour you want he does many. He answerd my emails fairly quickly he did say his PC goes on the fritz now and then. He can do a tour for 2 people or up to 14 according to his emails. Here was his reply

 

 

hey Allen,

2 people $40 each

4 $30

6 $25

the snorkel trip is 3 - 4 hours, if you like you can add $10 to

those and

see the high points of the island and still have enough time to

do

the

snorkeling or spend the whole time you're here beach hopping.

that

would

include lunch and drinks, if its the 3 - 4 hour then snacks and

drinks.

the snorkel trip is along an undeveloped peninsula about 8 miles

with lots

of beaches that we'll go to

three of them that are great for snorkeling and lots of scenic

spots from

the top of hills overlooking the caribbean and atlantic ocean.

 

if you prefer just the two of you, totally fine. you'll have

some

secluded

beaches to yourself.

Royston

 

His web site http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-adventure-with-royston-tours.html

Royston Island Tours SKB <roystontours@hotmail.com>

[OOM]

I tried getting confirmed reservations several times with Thenford Grey but he would never commit as I wanted a Private Tour for 2- 4 people. However, Royston on the other hand, immediately confirmed a Private Tour.

 

It appears Mr. Grey wants the big groups versus the smaller groups, which is fine but an honest reply would have been apprecaited.

 

Also, I thought this was pretty ironic that Liz keeps pumping Thenford, but I saw her name listed as a travel agent on Royston's web site?

[Host CJSKIDS]

I tried getting confirmed reservations several times with Thenford Grey but he would never commit as I wanted a Private Tour for 2- 4 people. However, Royston on the other hand, immediately confirmed a Private Tour.

 

It appears Mr. Grey wants the big groups versus the smaller groups, which is fine but an honest reply would have been apprecaited.

 

Also, I thought this was pretty ironic that Liz keeps pumping Thenford, but I saw her name listed as a travel agent on Royston's web site?

 

Isn't that interesting. On all the forums that I've been to she keeps pushing him all along never having used him.

 

Liz, if you don't have personal experience it's better not pushing someone that will help your business as a TA since that is somewhat against the rules here. You keep saying he'll do a personalized tour, however the members here who have contacted him have found out he will not.

[weenie51]

Turtle Beach is an OK beach, but with a great view of Nevis. No snorkeling worthwhile. Great beach bar/restaurant and the highlight of a trip there are the small monkeys that show up around noontime. In addition, when we were there several years ago, a huge pig wandered in, by the name of Wilbur and proceeded to eat all the food on every picnic table. It was the biggest pig I have ever seen- and I'm from Indiana!!! He was the highlight of our day. The cab ride to Turtle Beach is beautiful.

[Liz Pereira]

Yes, I have used Thenford's services! He picked me up at the airport in December and on another ocassion he has taken me to the beach.

 

In the past I would recommend him as I have received feedback from other clients and friends who said he was excellent.

 

When I went home in December I made sure to book his services so I could give first hand feedback. :)

 

I receive no compensation from Thenford. As I am 1/2 Kittian and a St. Kitts Specialist I enjoy promoting local companies.

[Name game]

Looking at pictures on mrxshiggidyshack.com, this looks very much like a party beach. Is that the case? Do they have lounge chairs? What about shaded areas? Public restrooms?