St. Kitts --> Nevis Day Trip

[MaryPoppinz]

If the ferry schedule were to make it feasible, what might one do with about 2 hours on Nevis? Walking distance sights, restaurant for lunch, and shopping suggestions would be great. If we have to, we'll take the ship's catamaran tour, but it's not my first choice.

 

Also...is this ferry schedule current?

http://www.nevisisland.com/printschedule.htm

(Is that right - $4-$6 each way for the ferry???)

[MaryPoppinz]

Thank you, Liz. :)

 

It looks like the ferry schedule is much more limited than I thought...

http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-nevis-ferry-schedule.html

[MaryPoppinz]

Now that I've done it, I thought I'd explain how we got to/from Nevis. :)

 

When leaving the ship at St. Kitts, walk out of the secured pier area from the dock, through the shops at the pier complex to the first street (Bay Road?) Turn left and continue walking on the sidewalk until you get to a green-roofed shelter area with some green snackette shops. You can't see this shelter from the ship, but it's just before you get to a bright blue-roofed building which you *can* see from the ship. (If the ferry is in, you'll be able to see it at the ferry dock, as well.)

 

The ticket booth is at the far side of the shelter. There was no one working at the booth when we arrived, but she got there in time for the ferry. First you'll pay 50 cents customs and receive a receipt. Then, you'll pay $20 ECU or $8 USD for a one-way ticket. If you pay with USD, expect to get ECU in change. Buy a one-way ticket, so you're free to use any ferry operator on the return trip. (Just use the ECU change to pay the return fare or cab fare at Nevis.)

 

We used the Carib Surf and Carib Queen, both of which took about 45 minutes to reach Nevis. There is seating on this ferry both in the A/C'd area below deck or up above. The first ferry leaves around 8, the next around 9:30 a.m.

 

When you get to Nevis, there is a small town at the dock called Charlestown. Walk out of the pier area, and there are taxis waiting. We used a driver named Stedroy Dore ("Smiles for Me" Taxi.) He was great and I really recommend him. You can find his contact info here:

http://www.nevis1.com/stedroy-dore-taxi-service.html

 

We took the taxi to Sunshine's bar/beach, which was Heaven on Earth until the crushing crowds of two fully-loaded snorkling tours arrived (11:30 or so.) :) If you get there early, it will be quiet and beautiful, and you'll have Sunshine's all to yourself. I believe the taxi was $8 each way for two of us. It's right next door to the Four Seasons resort.

 

To get back, check the ferry schedules on the ferry booths before you leave the pier when you arrive. There's a noon ferry, 1:30 and 4:00, same price - various ferry operators depending on the time and day of the week.

 

If anyone has any questions or wants a photograph of the ferry booth with the schedules on them, leave your email address and I'll send them to you.

[Laoghaire]

Hi MaryP...Would love the info on the ferries. Thanks for the post! We are going in a month, and sure want to get to Nevis! e-mail is hlearyo@comcast.net

 

Helen

[MaryPoppinz]

Give me a day or so to finish uploading my bazillion photos and I'll get those to you. :) Youmight be able to see in some of the photos that the schedule has been taped over to cancel certain trips (for instance, the Geronimo ferry is non-existent right now.) So things may change before your trip...........

[2boyzmom]

Thanks Mary. Which ferry did you take back? Does not seem like much time on the island with a 45 minute ride each way. Would you do it again or just hang out at St.Kitts?

[MaryPoppinz]

We went back around 1:30 but I don't recall the name of the ferry. We really wanted to go just to scope out the possibility of a land vacation at the Four Seasons, so just being there for a few hours was fine.

 

If I had children with me, there is no question that I would try to find another beach, if the crowd is similar to the crowd the day we were there. It pains me to say that, because Sunshine's is a great place when it's uncrowded. Sunshine is a character and a very good host, and the setting/food/beach is terrific. I'm telling you, it's Heaven On Earth when no one else is there!

 

If you/your children don't mind the possibility of a drunken crowd at 11 oclock in the morning, then I'd say try to go. :) But for me, unless I was assured of a relatively quiet day at Sunshine's (and I'm not sure there is such a thing with a cruise ship docked at St. Kitts) or another beach on the island, I would stay at St. Kitts. It's lovely in its own right.

[2boyzmom]

Thanks Mary. I just don't know what to do honestly. I just can't stand the idea of paying Princess almost $500.00 for the four of us for a hald day excursion (nevis sailaway). I may look into renting a car for the day and just hamging out on St.Kitts. Thanks for your info. Luckily we are the only ship in port that day. Were you?

[MaryPoppinz]

Yes, ours was the only ship in port.

 

For $500, you could take a pretty big chunk out of a day charter. :) Here are a few I found in my research before our trip:

 

http://www.stkitts-tourism.com/EnjoyStKitts/cruises.asp

http://www.bluewatersafaris.com/snorkel.php <-- I believe this is Princess' vendor for the sailaway

http://www.tropicalstkitts-nevis.com/english/nevis.htm

http://www.fishnevis.com/services.html <-- Also provides water taxi service to Nevis at $75 each way.

 

Other ideas:

http://www.caribbeanjourneymasters.com/Tours.cfm?Idz=10

http://www.caribbeanjourneymasters.com/Tours.cfm?Idz=12

[enymarsh]

Hi MaryPoppinz,

I would love to see the ferry schedule as well as your pictures!

You made it sound pretty simple and just what we like to do...

 

enymarsh at gmail dot com

 

thanks!!