St. Kitts is great. It’s got the history, the fortress, and that wild railway. But if you just sit on South Friars Bay for a week, you’re kinda doing it wrong. People forget how clustered the northern Leeward Islands actually are. You can literally see your next destination from the beach.
Honestly, the Caribbean islands near St Kitts are where the real texture of the region hides. You’ve got Nevis right there—literally a $15 ferry ride away—but then things get interesting when you look toward Statia, Saba, and the glitz of St. Barts. Most travelers treat these as separate trips. They shouldn’t.
I’ve spent enough time island-hopping this specific corner of the map to know that the "best" island depends entirely on whether you want a five-star meal or a muddy hiking boot.
The Nevis Factor: More than just a little sister
Nevis isn't just "near" St. Kitts; it’s a geographical shadow. Separated by a shallow two-mile channel called The Narrows, it feels like a different planet. While St. Kitts is bustling and developing, Nevis is... quiet. Like, "goats have the right of way" quiet.
The center of the island is dominated by Nevis Peak. It’s a 3,232-foot volcano that stays draped in clouds most of the time. If you decide to climb it, bring gloves. You’ll be pulling yourself up by tree roots. It’s muddy. It’s sweaty. It's awesome.
Down at sea level, you have places like Sunshine’s Pinney’s Beach. You have to try a Killer Bee rum punch, but for the love of everything, stop at two. They use local honey and a lot of passion fruit, but the rum content is basically industrial-grade.
The history here is dense. Alexander Hamilton was born in Charlestown. You can walk through his childhood home, which is now a museum. It’s tiny. It makes you realize how far a kid from a "forgotten spot in the Caribbean" actually went. Then there’s the Bath Hotel, built in 1778. It was the first luxury hotel in the Caribbean, sitting right on top of volcanic hot springs. People still soak in those springs today to soothe their joints. It smells a bit like sulfur, but it works.
Why St. Eustatius is the weirdest neighbor you'll love
Look north-west from St. Kitts. See that big, flat-topped mountain in the distance? That’s "Statia." Officially St. Eustatius, it’s a special municipality of the Netherlands.
It’s one of those Caribbean islands near St Kitts that almost nobody visits. Why? No real white-sand beaches. The sand is volcanic gray. But if you’re a diver, this is your Mecca.
Oranjestad was once the richest port in the world. They called it the "Golden Rock" in the 18th century. Because the Dutch were willing to trade with anyone (including the rebellious American colonies), the harbor was packed with hundreds of ships. Eventually, the British got annoyed and Admiral Rodney basically sacked the place.
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Today, much of that history is underwater. You can dive through ruins of 18th-century warehouses that slid into the sea. You might even find a "blue bead." These were Dutch West India Company trade beads. Legend says if you find one, you’re destined to return to the island. Don't take them, though—it's technically illegal to remove artifacts. Just enjoy the flex of finding one.
The Quill is the island's dormant volcano. The hike is surprisingly easy compared to Nevis Peak. Once you reach the rim, you can actually hike down into the crater. It’s a micro-jungle inside. Massive silk cotton trees and orchids grow there because the crater walls create a protected greenhouse effect. It’s silent. It’s eerie. It’s perfect.
Saba: The rock that shouldn't have an airport
If you take a flight from St. Kitts or a ferry from St. Maarten, you might end up at Saba. It’s basically a five-square-mile pinnacle sticking straight out of the ocean.
No beaches. At all.
What it does have is "The Road." For decades, Dutch engineers said a road couldn't be built on such steep terrain. So, a local guy named Josephus Lambert Hassell took a correspondence course in engineering and built it himself with the help of the locals. It’s a marvel of hand-laid stone and terrifying hairpin turns.
The airport, Juancho E. Yrausquin, has the shortest commercial runway in the world. It’s about 1,300 feet long. Landing there feels like landing on an aircraft carrier. The pilots have to be specially certified. It’s a rush, but maybe don't look out the window if you're squeamish about heights.
The main town is called The Bottom. Ironically, it’s up in the mountains. The houses are all uniform: white walls, red roofs, green shutters. It looks like a toy village. Saba is where you go when you want to disappear. There is zero "hustle" here. Just hiking Mount Scenery and eating Winair-flown supplies.
The glitz of St. Barthélemy (St. Barts)
If Saba is the rugged hermit of the Caribbean islands near St Kitts, St. Barts is the supermodel cousin. It’s about 40 miles north.
You’ll know you’ve arrived because the yachts in the harbor cost more than the GDP of some small nations. It’s French. Very French. You pay in Euros. You eat baguettes that taste like they were flown in from Paris this morning (because they often are).
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Gustavia is the main hub. It’s chic. It’s expensive. But here’s a secret: the beaches are public. You can park a rental Moke near Colombier beach and hike down. It’s one of the most beautiful coves in the world, and it doesn't cost a dime to swim there.
The vibe here is "barefoot luxury." You’ll see celebrities, sure, but they’re usually wearing salt-crusted linen shirts and flip-flops. It’s not about showing off; it’s about knowing you’ve made it to the most exclusive rock in the Atlantic.
Antigua: The 365-beach powerhouse
A bit further east (about 50 miles) lies Antigua. If St. Kitts is about mountains and Saba is about rocks, Antigua is about sand.
They claim to have 365 beaches—one for every day of the year. I haven't counted them all, but I’ve seen enough to know they aren't lying about the quality. Dickenson Bay is the "tourist" spot, but if you want something wilder, head to Half Moon Bay on the Atlantic side. The water is electric blue.
The real draw for history nerds is Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only working Georgian-era dockyard in the world. It’s where Admiral Horatio Nelson lived for a few years. Walking through the stone capstans and old sail lofts makes you realize how brutal and impressive 18th-century naval life was.
Sunday nights at Shirley Heights are a rite of passage. It’s a lookout point over the harbor. There’s a steel drum band, lots of jerk chicken, and a sunset that usually ends in a collective round of applause. It’s touristy? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Getting around: The logistics of the Leewards
Navigating Caribbean islands near St Kitts isn't always as easy as a Google Maps search makes it look.
The ferry between St. Kitts and Nevis is easy. The Kittitian Spirit or the Sea Hustler run multiple times a day. You just show up at the pier in Basseterre or Charlestown.
Getting to Statia or Saba? That’s trickier. Winair is the primary airline. Their planes are small Twin Otters. You’ll be sitting right behind the pilot. Sometimes you can see the fuel gauges. It’s loud, it’s bumpy, and it’s the only way to get to the smaller islands unless you charter a private boat.
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Then there’s the Makana Ferry. It’s a relatively new high-speed catamaran service that connects St. Kitts, Statia, Saba, and St. Maarten. It’s changed the game for budget travelers who don't want to pay $200 for a 15-minute flight. Check their schedule online before you go, as it changes based on the season and "island time."
What most people get wrong about these islands
The biggest misconception is that if you've seen one, you've seen them all.
St. Kitts is British-influenced, volcanic, and lush.
Statia is Dutch-influenced, dry, and historic.
St. Barts is French-influenced, posh, and polished.
Saba is... well, Saba is just its own thing entirely.
The currency varies too. St. Kitts, Nevis, and Antigua use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is pegged to the US Dollar at $2.70. Statia and Saba use the US Dollar officially. St. Barts uses the Euro. If you're doing a multi-island hop, keep a mix of cash. Most places take cards, but the "Lolo" (local food stand) selling goat water stew definitely won't.
How to actually do this trip
If you’re planning to explore the Caribbean islands near St Kitts, don't try to see four islands in a week. You’ll spend the whole time in customs and immigration.
Pick two.
St. Kitts and Nevis are a natural pair. You can stay in St. Kitts and spend two days in Nevis easily.
If you want something more adventurous, fly into St. Maarten (SXM). It’s the regional hub. From there, you can take a day trip to Anguilla (incredible flat beaches) or a 12-minute flight to Saba.
Actionable Steps for Your Island Hop
- Check the Ferry Schedules: The Makana Ferry is your best friend for connecting St. Kitts to Statia and Saba. Book in advance during peak season (December to April).
- Bring Your Passport Everywhere: Even if you can see the next island, it's likely a different country. St. Kitts and Nevis are one nation, but Statia is the Netherlands and St. Barts is France.
- Book a "Moke" in St. Barts or Nevis: These little doorless buggies are the best way to get around. They handle the steep hills better than a cheap rental sedan and let the breeze in.
- Hike Early: If you're hitting Nevis Peak or The Quill, start at 7:00 AM. By 11:00 AM, the humidity will turn the trail into a sauna.
- Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Many of these islands, especially the Dutch ones, are very strict about protecting their coral. Regular sunscreen is being phased out or banned in several spots.
The Caribbean isn't just a monolith of palm trees and pina coladas. When you start hopping between the Caribbean islands near St Kitts, you realize it's a patchwork of colonial history, rugged geology, and wildly different vibes. Get off the cruise ship path. Take the small plane. Eat the goat water. That's where the actual magic is.
Next steps for your trip:
Check the current sailing schedule for the Makana Ferry to see if a day trip to Statia fits your itinerary. Then, look into Winair's multi-city "island hopper" fares if you want to hit Saba and St. Maarten in one go. Finally, make sure your travel insurance covers "small aircraft" travel, as some standard policies have weird exclusions for the tiny planes used in this region.