The underrated alternative to a St Kitts and Nevis twin-centre
Enhance your clients’ Caribbean holiday from a simple fly-and-flop to an island-hop – eschewing St Kitts’ usual partner Nevis for St Martin, or even Saba and St Eustatius by way of a new ferry service
There’s a lot to be said for the lazy indulgence of fly-and-flop holidays. From the plunge pool of my suite’s rooftop terrace at Park Hyatt St Kitts, I’m gazing across the blue Caribbean towards sister island Nevis. It’s my second day here, and already I’ve settled into a relaxing rotation between this terrace, the adults-only pool and the beach. OK, so it may not be the most adventurous of agendas, but it’s not my fault that this high-end retreat suits do-nothing escapes so well.
I could easily stick to this routine and not set foot outside the hotel beyond visiting nearby beach bars for bursts of local colour: but that would be an injustice in such an action-packed, diverse area of the Caribbean. Instead, I’m splitting my St Kitts stay into a twin-centre, then further mixing things up with some island-hopping by ferry.
While the majority of Caribbean bookings are single-island stays (such trips make up three-quarters of Caribtours’ business, for example), demand for island-hopping holidays is growing. The obvious island to pair with St Kitts is Nevis (just 10 minutes away by water taxi) but recently added connections with Makana Ferry Service put St Kitts within easy reach of the Dutch isles of Saba and St Eustatius (or Statia), plus part-Dutch St Maarten and its French half, St Martin. I’ve opted to take in the latter two on a multi-stop itinerary.
BACK ON TRACK
But before I set off, I enjoy some St Kitts sightseeing, riding the St Kitts Scenic Railway, the Caribbean islands’ last working railroad. Built to carry produce from the 200-odd plantations back when sugar formed the bulk of the Kittitian economy, it became redundant when the sugar industry collapsed but has since been revived as a visitor attraction.
Pulling off with a whistle, the train rattles into the countryside at 10mph: perfect for taking in views of villages, mountains and black-sand beaches. For much of the way, we pass through scrubby grasslands that once were sugar cane fields, punctuated here and there by the chimneys and mills of former sugar estates. Later, back in town, I join a tour of Fairview Great House, a restored plantation owner’s home that sheds light on life in colonial times.
OPEN WATER
When it’s time to leave, I head to Basseterre’s Port Zante for the three-hour crossing to St Maarten (advise clients to arrive 90 minutes before departure to handle formalities). We’re sailing onboard Makana, a catamaran that carries 150 passengers in its air-conditioned saloon and on a sunny, open-air top deck. With round-trip fares to St Maarten costing $190 (£153), it’s less than half the price of a one-way inter-island flight.
We set off at speed, throwing up waves of spray as we power through a cobalt sea, passing Statia and St Barth’s before we pull into Philipsburg, where I’m stunned by Great Bay’s bright blue tones. From here, it’s a half-hour taxi ride to Secrets St Martin, located on Anse Marcel up on the French side of the island. As one of the brands within Hyatt’s new Inclusive Collection, this luxury all-inclusive resort offers an elevated experience with its spa, excellent French-inspired food and spacious, airy guestrooms.
I venture out to explore lovely Orient Bay’s white sands, plus even more famous Maho Beach, where planes landing at the airport pass directly over beachgoers’ heads. But for the most part, I’m happy simply to relax on Secrets St Martin’s Bay and admire the view framed by scrubby headlands across the sea to Anguilla.
Though familiar as a port of call on Caribbean cruises, the lack of direct flights to St Maarten/ St Martin has hampered the UK market’s demand for land-based stays. Makana’s ferries thus open up new opportunities and experiences without the need for clients to fly between islands. The potential to boost regional tourism is particularly profound for Saba and Statia: two islands with tiny airports and even tinier international profiles.
Being situated halfway back to St Kitts, either one makes for a convenient visit. I plump for Statia, as the ferry schedule fits better into my plans. I find that it’s sleepy and ramshackle but using the Old Gin House as my base, it’s perfect for a couple of days, with authentic charm, fascinating history, great diving and hiking trails up a dormant volcano.
Continuing on to St Kitts, my final stay is at fabulous Belle Mont Farm, a hilltop hideaway in the north of the island whose villas and cottages sit among fruit trees. This side of St Kitts isn’t short of attractions but despite the historic fort and a rum distillery to visit nearby, I’m far too happy enjoying the resort’s serenity to leave. But that’s all right, I think to myself as I do laps of my private infinity pool before stretching out on a lounger and casting my eyes out to sea towards Statia. By adding such a straightforward island-hop element to my trip, I’ve already packed ample experience into my Caribbean holiday.
Book it: Caribtours offer a nine-night island-hop from £3,749pp (departures until 31 October 2023), including international and inter-island flights, transfers and three nights each at Park Hyatt St Kitts (room only), Belle Mont Farm (B&B) and Secrets St Martin (all-inclusive); caribtours.co.uk. British Airways flies to St Kitts twice-weekly from Gatwick; (ba.com). For help planning St Kitts, see visitstkitts.com. Add value to your clients’ itineraries with a one-way ferry hop; (makanaferryservice.com).
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