St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts & Nevis, Statia, Saba & St. Maarten Island group

The North Eastern Caribbean is an intriguing area offering a blend of Dutch, British, French and native cultures on some of the most scenic islands of the Caribbean.

Sitting north-east of Monserrat, Guadeloupe and Dominica, these colourful and multi-cultural islands offer a lovely mix of above and below water beauty. The diving is diverse, with a wealth of coral colours on shallow pinnacles, walls, sandy gullies and deeper marine sea mounts. On land, picturesque coves with brightly coloured fishing boats, laid back villages and lush rainforests offer the chance to experience a little Caribbean life.

St. Kitts & Nevis, Statia, Saba & St. Maarten

The diving is diverse, with a wealth of coral colours on shallow pinnacles, walls to drift by, sandy gullies with wonderful light and deeper marine sea mounts at 20 - 30 metres. Sponges and sea fans crowd together in a low lying water forest for macro species and schooling fish to hide.

The marine life provides divers with multiple sightings of moray eels, hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracuda and stingrays and divers will also find frogfish, seahorses and nudibranchs buried in the reefs.

Usual water conditions are calm and warm with great underwater visibility. Across the islands, the dive sites offer fantastic hard and soft corals, reef plateaux, pinnacles and walls.

Owing to the structure of many of the reefs, the calm, warm water conditions and proximity to landfall, this destination also offers a fantastic holiday for snorkelers and non-diving partners.

The majority of the Caribbean Explorer II’s itinerary is spent in the area of Saba and St. Kitts.

Saba Marine Park and sea mounts

In 1987, the culmination of 3 years’ work between Tom van t’Hof (who played a key part in the set up of Bonaire’s marine Park in 1981), the Saban government, Saban locals, dive shops and fishermen resulted in the early establishment of Saba’s Marine Park. This has resulted in the conservation of its reefs to a very high degree and the benefits to fish stocks are clearly visible. It is also home to a hyperbaric chamber.

Saba offers 30 quiet dive sites, all within the confines of the park. Just off the west of Saba lies a smaller volcanic sea mount that offers 4 dive sites, with dramatic drop offs, walls and gullies.

St. Kitts & Nevis’ little wrecks

The wreck of the M.V. Corintian (The Tug) lies at an easy 18 - 20 metres, with a lovely reef encrusted around the bow, growing towards the surface.

M.V. Talata has a small volcanic vent to keep you even warmer around the wreck, close to the capital’s harbour of Basseterre, lying at less than 18 metres.

These shallow dives provide plenty of interest at the beginning or end of your liveaboard diving week.

Dive St. Kitts

Based on site and owned by Bird Rock Beach hotel, the friendly, hospitable dive staff will ensure you enjoy the wonderful reefs and the odd wreck too.

The diving is carried out from fast, fibreglass dive specific boats, offering quick and short access to a variety of sites including three wrecks. Most dives are carried out as single tank dives, as the dive centre is so close by with boats leaving directly from their jetty. Freshwater showers and storage lockers are available at the centre.

A simple shore dive site, Bird Rock reef, can be accessed from the shore. All dive sites accessed from Bird Rock Beach are relaxed with very little current; even the odd dive carried out on the Atlantic side tends to not be that challenging.

Dive Pack Prices

Includes: 2 boat dives per day, air tanks & weights (plus equipment if pre-paid).

Dive Courses

All prices quoted incl. 10% VAT, 10% service charge and 2% island enhancement fund.

Getting Around

Taxis, car hire and local excursions can easily be arranged through the hotel, your local agent representative or the liveaboard boat crew.

Climate

Average 27 ºC (air) year round.

Light, informal clothing may be worn all year, thought a light layer may be required for evenings in the winter months. You may want a relaxed outfit if dining in plantation restaurants. Guests should not wear skimpy clothing whilst visiting towns and villages.

Water Temperature

Slightly cooler during the Winter months at 24 ºC, rising to 29 ºC during the Summer.

Currents and Visibility

In general with the exception of a few dive sites, currents are gentle. Water visibility is usually very good year round at 20+ metres

Time

GMT -4 hours

Currency

£1 - $1 = 1.55 as of January 2011

Eastern Caribbean Dollar in St. Kitts also accepted. 2.7 XCD = 1 USD

Saba - ATMs are located in Windwardside and The Bottom

St. Kitts & Nevis – ATMs are located in Basseterre

Credit cards are widely accepted.

Tipping

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Tip around 10% of the boat cost is recommended.

Activities

Other activities include museums, horse riding, Mount Scenery walk, island crafts, beaches, small villages to wander around, bird life.

Flights

Into St. Kitts with British Airways*

Outbound: London Gatwick - St. Kitts (touchdown in Antigua)

Saturdays & Tuesdays: BA2157 LGW 10.40 - SKB 16:20  

Inbound: St. Kitts - London Gatwick (touchdown in Antigua)

Saturdays: BA2256 SKB 17:55 LGW 08:30 +1 next day   

Tuesdays: BA2156 SKB 18:15 LGW 08:50 +1 next day

A flight from St.Maarten to St. Kitts on LIAT Air or similar will be arranged on day of disembarking if required, as part of your package.

*Sample schedule as of January 2011. Please check your confirmation and tickets for final flight details.

Flight Duration: 9½ to 10 hours

Departure tax: $20 - $30. Please refer airline notes on confirmation.

Passports & Visas

Please always check your own entry requirements regardless of your nationality. Your passport should always have at least 6 months validity on date of return travel.

British Nationals are currently granted one month tourist visa on entry.

Always check for last minute changes in entry requirements on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. 

Nationalities other than British citizens should check with their own consular office.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider. 

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to St. Kitts & Nevis, but we always recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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