Black Rocks
Wind and water have chiseled black lava belched up eons ago by Mt Liamuiga into fanciful coastal rock formations. Coming from the north, turn off the main road about on eighth of a mile past an old stone church in a field.

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
St Kitts’ historical highlight became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1999 for being an exceptionally well-preserved example of 17th- and 18th-century military architecture. Far larger than it looks from below, this vast old military stronghold was built by the British with slave labor and offers insight into the violent and tumultuous past of the former Caribbean colonies. Budget at least an hour, better yet two, to explore this rambling compound. (www.brimstonehillfortress.org/)

Romney Manor
This 17th-century sugar estate with its fecund gardens once belonged to the great-great-great-grandfather of Thomas Jefferson. Since 1964 it has been the home of Caribelle Batik, which sells handmade batik wraps, dresses, wall hangings and other items. As you drive up, note the black stones with Amerindian petroglyphs just past the nursery. (www.caribellebatikstkitts.com)

Basseterre
St Kitts’ bustling capital, Basseterre (pronounced ‘bass-tear’), has a compact downtown next to the cruise-ship terminal. At its centre stands the Circus, a roundabout anchored by a Victorian-style green clock tower. Nearby, locals ‘lime’ on grassy Independence Square, a former slave market framed by Georgian-era brick houses and a dignified cathedral.
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Cockleshell Beach
Enjoy great views of Nevis on this pretty but busy crescent, which offers calm and shallow waters and bars, restaurants and water-sports concessionaires.
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North Friars Bay Beach
There’s not so much as a cold-beer vendor in sight on this utterly wild Atlantic-side beach, which often has great bodysurfing swells (beware of strong currents and rogue waves). Park along the road and look for the narrow access trails.
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South Friar’s Bay Beach
There’s excellent tanning and snorkeling along this lovely beach backed by palm trees and sea grapes and bookended by two restaurants: the snazzy Carambola and the funky Shipwreck Bar & Grill.
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South Frigate Bay Beach
In season, the party never stops along the Strip, a bar-backed golden sweep of sand with mellow, kid-friendly waves.

White House Bay Beach
This facility-free beach has St Kitts’ best snorkelling thanks to offshore reefs and a couple of sunken wrecks.

Charlestown
The ferry from St Kitts docks right in pint-size Charlestown, Nevis’ cute capital, where banks and businesses coexist with tourist facilities and gingerbread Victorians. It’s a fun spot for a stroll and is rarely crowded. The closest beach, lovely Pinney’s, is a 15-minute jaunt north.
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Pinney's Beach
This 4-mile-long stretch of tan sand has decent snorkelling right offshore. Despite several beach bars and the Four Seasons, quiet patches abound.

Oualie Beach
Family-friendly Oualie has grayish sand, shallow water and sunset views of St Kitts. The eponymous resort provides sustenance, beach chairs and water-based activities.

Lover's Beach
Curtained off by sea grapes, mile-long Lovers Beach has white sands but its lack of facilities keeps it nearly deserted. Currents and a steep drop make the water less suitable for kids.

Nisbet Beach
This palm-lined strip of soft white sand next to the namesake resort is open to all. Windy conditions can make the sea quite choppy.

Botanical Gardens of Nevis
It’s easy to spend a couple of hours wandering around this lush symphony of orchids, palms, water-lily ponds, bamboo groves and other global flora interspersed with sculpture and fountains. In the Rainforest Conservatory parrots patrol the huge tropical plants, waterfalls and Mayan-style sculpture. A Thai restaurant serves lunches and refreshments. (www.botanicalgardennevis.com)
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