Cruise port guide
St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide
St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide: Port Zante in Basseterre
Every cruise ship visiting St. Kitts docks at Port Zante, right on the waterfront of Basseterre, the island's capital. We live here and meet cruise passengers at the port on every tour day, so this is our practical guide to the cruise port: what's at the pier, how to get around and how to make the most of your hours on the island.
- Where you dock
- Port ZanteBasseterre waterfront
- Currency
- EC dollarEC$2.70 = US$1 · US$ widely accepted
- Language
- English
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- UTC−4 (AST)No daylight saving
- Typical port call
- 8 am – 6 pm
At the pier
Port Zante has two cruise piers. The second pier was completed in 2021, which is why you will often see several ships in port on the same day (see the St. Kitts cruise ship schedule). As you walk off the ship you come straight into the port area, with duty-free shops, restaurants and bars, local vendors, a tourist information desk, ATMs and restrooms. The taxi and tour stand is just outside the port gates, and our tour pickups are at Port Zante too.
What you can walk to
Downtown Basseterre starts right at the port. A few minutes on foot takes you to The Circus, the little roundabout with the green Berkeley Memorial clock, the National Museum and the shops on Fort Street and Bay Road. Independence Square is about a 10-minute walk.
Beyond downtown, not much is within walking distance. The beaches, Timothy Hill and the plantation estates are all a drive away, so after a short walk around town most visitors take a taxi or a pre-arranged tour.
Getting around from the port
Taxis wait at the stand outside Port Zante. Fares to the main sights are fixed rather than metered and are usually quoted per person. Before you get in, confirm the price, whether it is in US or EC dollars, and the time you need to be back. Bring small US bills, because change for large notes can be hard to get.
Remember that St. Kitts drives on the left. Roads are narrow and winding outside town, and downtown Basseterre gets busy on big cruise days, so allow extra time to get back to the ship.
| From Port Zante to | Distance / drive |
|---|---|
| Timothy Hill Overlook | about 15 minutes |
| Frigate Bay | about 4 miles |
| South Friars Bay Beach | about 6 miles |
| Cockleshell Bay Beach | about 8 miles |
| Brimstone Hill Fortress | about 12 miles |
| St. Kitts Scenic Railway station | under 2 miles |
The easy way to see St. Kitts from Port Zante
We meet you at the port, show you the island's best views, beaches and history in about 4 hours, and get you back to your ship on time.
Book Your TourFrom $125 per person · pickup at Port Zante · back to your ship on time, guaranteed
Planning your port day
Most ships are in port from about 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, around 10 hours. A good plan:
- Morning: head out early for the best light and the fewest crowds at Timothy Hill and the beaches.
- Midday: beach time at Cockleshell Bay or South Friars Bay, with lunch at a beach bar.
- Afternoon: walk around The Circus and the port shops close to the ship, and be back on board before all-aboard, usually 30 to 60 minutes before departure.
Ship time vs. island time: St. Kitts is on Atlantic Standard Time all year. Some ships keep a different "ship time", so always go by the all-aboard time in your cruise line app.
Our St. Kitts Photography Tour fits this plan exactly: about 4 hours, with pickup at Port Zante, Timothy Hill, Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor, the rum distillery at Wingfield Estate and two beaches, and we guarantee your return to the ship.
Weather and what to bring
St. Kitts is warm all year. Showers are common but usually short, and the sun is back quickly. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, a swimsuit if you plan a beach stop, and a light layer for air-conditioned vans and shops. Bring your cruise card and photo ID, since you will need them to get back on board.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk from the St. Kitts cruise port?
Yes, downtown Basseterre is right next to Port Zante. The Circus, the National Museum and the shops are a few minutes' walk, and Independence Square is about 10 minutes. For beaches, Timothy Hill or Brimstone Hill you need a taxi or a tour.
Do I need Eastern Caribbean dollars in St. Kitts?
No. US dollars are widely accepted in St. Kitts, often with change given in EC dollars. The rate is fixed at about EC$2.70 to US$1. Small US bills are the easiest to use.
How far is the beach from the St. Kitts cruise port?
Frigate Bay is about 4 miles from Port Zante, South Friars Bay about 6 miles and Cockleshell Bay about 8 miles. All need a taxi or a tour, and our photography tour includes two beaches.
What is the best thing to do in St. Kitts on a cruise?
Most visitors want the views from Timothy Hill, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, then a beach and a taste of island history. Our St. Kitts Photography Tour covers all of that in about 4 hours, with professional photos included and pickup at Port Zante.
Which cruise ships are in St. Kitts on my day?
See our day-by-day St. Kitts cruise ship schedule, or find your cruise line on the cruise lines page.
