My son, another teen and the guide climbed this amazing tree called "Nature's Ladder." 

Day 1 – Adventure, Rainforest, and History

Get an overview of the island's layout and history in an action-packed day. I did this with my teenager, but I've included tips for modifying it for younger kids.

Morning

Hit the ground running (or rather hit the sky flying) on your first day by zip-lining with Sky Safari Tours. This was my first time ever zip lining, and while I was very nervous, our kind and comedic tour guides put me at ease. You will soar through the trees at heights of up to 250 feet with incredible views. The longest zip line spans 1,350 feet and took about 30 seconds to cross. My son and I agree that zip-lining was our favorite activity in St. Kitts—10/10 recommend! It's a great way to start your adventure.

At the same location, you can take a guided rainforest walk with O’Neil Mulraine, who is a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. My son got to climb a tree called "Nature's Ladder" and we learned about local wildlife. (We were bummed to not spot any monkeys, but apparently they are shy.) 

O'Neil provided walking sticks, which were helpful, and we were grateful we wore sneakers! Our hike lasted about 90 minutes, which was perfect for us, but I would recommend doing a shorter one if you have kids under 10.  

Lunch

Arthur's is a great beachside restaurant at the Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort. It offers traditional seafood plus classic kid favorites. And truly, the views can't be beat.

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a historic site with extraordinary panoramic views.

Afternoon

Take a scenic drive up the coast to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a historic site with an added bonus of extraordinary panoramic views. There is a short video you can watch before heading to the fortress, where you are then on your own for a self-guided tour. Leave the stroller in the car, because you'll need to climb about 200 steps to the fortress. 

Dinner

Try the conch shell soup and other local favorites at the casual Boozie's Beach Bar and Grill. This is where we learned about the beloved Caribbean drink Ting—and subsequently ordered it at every meal for the rest of our trip. It's sweet and tangy and may be the way to get your non-grapefruit eaters to try grapefruit for breakfast when you get home! 

It's the perfect mother-son, action-packed, gorgeous, bonding vacation.

Day 2 – Beach and Water Sports 

Because you can't visit the Caribbean without a beach day!

When it comes to beach time, you have several options. We chose Cockleshell Beach, where we could lounge in front of the Reggae Beach Bar and Grill and order lunch and drinks. We also loved that St. Kitts Watersports was set up here, so we rode jet skis (core memory!) and paddled in a glass-bottom kayak.  

Another popular beach is South Frigate Bay, great for swimming and lounging. For adventure seekers, North Frigate Bay and Dieppe Bay offer big waves. For a quieter experience, check out Banana Bay and Sandy Bank Bay. 

Don't leave St. Kitts without stopping at the Timothy Hill Overlook. This is an iconic photo opportunity where you will see the Atlantic Ocean meeting the Caribbean Sea. Snap pics of the view, your family in front of the view and the cool #StKitts sign. This is a short detour that is holiday-card worthy. 

Dine with beach views at Spice Mill.

For dinner, head to Spice Mill, also at Cockleshell Bay. It's got Caribbean fusion on the menu plus gorgeous views of the beach and neighboring Nevis. If you've got picky eaters, fear not, as there are plenty of pizzas on the menu, as well as vegan options.

Sailing, snorkeling, cruises, water taxis, and more: pick your water sport adventure. Photo by Thomas Hayes

Day 3 – Sailing and Snorkeling

End your vacation by exploring another island and getting sporty on the water.

Set sail on a catamaran with Blue Water Safaris, which has options for half-day or full-day snorkeling cruises with lunch included. We opted for the full day sail to Nevis, leaving at 10am and arriving back to the port at 5pm. We sailed, snorkeled around a ship wreck, and relaxed on the beautiful beach at Nevis. While we loved our full day at sea, for families with younger children, I'd recommend a more laid back half-day cruise.  

The half-day option still offers lunch and snorkeling, just not the stopover at Nevis. Still want to see Nevis? No problem. If you have a car, take the ferry that runs between St. Kitts and Nevis, a gorgeous, 45-minute journey. Without a car, I recommend taking a water taxi, which is faster at about 10 minutes and equally as gorgeous. 

Have an ATV off-road adventure with your teens. Photo by Thomas Hayes

If you opted for the half-day catamaran cruise, you could still squeeze in another family-friendly St. Kitts adventure. My son really wanted to do an ATV tour because we heard that it's really fun for teens, and a great way to see the island. But we ran out of time!

Another cool option for seeing the island? The St. Kitts Scenic Railway (which used to deliver sugar cane) is now a double-decker, open-air train for tourists to learn about St. Kitts and enjoy spectacular views. 

Check out Rock Lobster for dinner, which is walkable from the St. Kitts Marriott Resort where we stayed. The whole family will want to don bibs and indulge in the mixed seafood platter with crab legs, lobster, clams, mussels, shrimps, bay scallops, and mahi mahi. 

Great St. Kitts Hotels for Families

Here are our favorite St. Kitts hotels and resorts for families, from all-inclusive resorts to beachside basic hotels. 

St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino

This is my #1 pick. We stayed here and were thrilled with every aspect of the hotel, which is perfect for families of all ages. It's got three pools, a golf course, a spa, seven restaurants, and lots of activities. Families can opt for an all-inclusive option. It's set along its own private beach. The family suites are equipped with kitchens, living and dining rooms, and patios.  Plus, the Marriott St. Kitts is only four miles from the St. Kitts airport. And if you've ever had a long airport drive after a long flight with young kids, you know what I mean!

Park Hyatt St. Kitts

This luxury beachfront resort in Banana Bay/Christophe Harbour boasts family suites in a tranquil setting. The Kids Club is free with your stay for ages 3-12, offering outdoor activities, storytelling, and arts and crafts. From family-friendly activities and wellness programming to a spa and some of the best restaurants on St. Kitts, this high-end resort is fit for a royal family.

Royal St. Kitts Hotel

This hotel assures that guests will experience "authentic Kittitian life" during their stay. A modern, comfortable option, the Royal St. Kitts has kitchenettes and other family-friendly amenities. There's even a market nearby to obtain provisions for your stay. On-site guests will find a fitness center, a juice bar, several dining options, live music, karaoke, trivia, and more.

Timothy Beach Resort

"Beach on a budget" sums up this family favorite, located conveniently right on the beach in Frigate Bay. The decor is Golden Girls meets the Caribbean, but guests rave about the cleanliness. Plus, they offer rooms with kitchens. 

 Sugar Bay Club Suites & Hotel

This affordable hotel in a relaxed setting offers self-catering accommodations, which are ideal for family travel. Its studios and two-bedroom cottages include kitchenettes. Babysitting can also be arranged through the front desk area.

Family Vacation in St. Kitts FAQs 

Q: Do we need passports to travel to St. Kitts? 
A: Yes, and they must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in St. Kitts.

Q: Which airlines fly to St. Kitts from the United States?
A: Delta, American, United, and JetBlue all have service to St. Kitts. Some cities offer non-stop flights (New York - JFK, Newark, Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte), while others will involve one stop. 

Q: What is the best time of year to go to St. Kitts? 
A: For the best weather, go between December and April. In December, St. Kitts has a huge party called Carnival that lasts all month long. There are fun things for kids and families during the day, but nighttime is more for adults (think Mardi Gras). For better prices, visit during the summer. 

Q: Do we need to rent a car? 
A: A rental car will give you more flexibility when you want to go on excursions, but note that they drive on the left side of the road. St. Kitts also has plenty of taxi services, which you can easily get from your hotel or resort. The island does not have Uber or Lyft. 

Q: How is the food in St. Kitts? 
A: We enjoyed all the food we ate in St. Kitts and found plenty of variety for all preferences. Warning: pack your patience when you go to restaurants. The staff seem to be on island time, so our food would always take a while. 

Q: Can I use US dollars in St. Kitts? 
A: Yes! While St. Kitts' currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US dollars are widely accepted.

Q: What language do they speak in St. Kitts? 
A: English is the main language in St. Kitts. 

Additional reporting by Jaime Sumersille

Unless noted, photos by the author

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