Sensational St. Kitts
Sustainability in St. Kitts
Words by James Liston
Even before you set foot in St. Kitts, you’ll get the feeling that this is a place that does things differently. Whether you’re flying into its airport or arriving by ferry from a neighbouring isle, the landmark that you’ll notice first is mighty Mount Liamuiga. Swathed in virgin rainforest, this dormant volcano dominates the landscape – but it’s all those tropical trees that make the mountain so remarkable. Covering a quarter of the island, this Central Reserve Rainforest is expanding thanks to regeneration efforts and strict development controls. It’s just one of many initiatives that highlight how this island nation has a serious commitment to sustainability. With finite resources and a landmass of less than 70 square miles, sustainability makes sense on St. Kitts. As well as taking steps to conserve native species and their habitats, sustainable developments here stretch to preserving cultural heritage as well as safeguarding natural resources.
All those extra trees on the mountain help to sustain St. Kitts’ freshwater springs – and they’re good for tourism too, providing plenty of opportunities for zip lining and immersive tours. And with a ‘Pro-People, Pro-Planet’ tourism strategy supported by initiatives such as the Heart of St. Kitts Foundation (which encourages community engagement in beach clean-ups and other environmental and cultural projects), St. Kitts ticks plenty of boxes for travellers keen to leave lighter footprints.
Perhaps the biggest adventure to be found in St. Kitts' pristine rainforest is a guided hike up to the rim of Mount Liamuiga's crater
From rainforests to railways
Perhaps the biggest adventure to be found in St. Kitts’ pristine rainforest is a guided hike up to the rim of Mount Liamuiga’s crater. Elsewhere, put your best foot forward to discover waterfalls and jungle pools; or head down to the coast for a hike to untouched Shitten Bay. Or for a memorable brush with wildlife, sign up for a sea turtle encounter to meet these ancient mariners in their natural environment.
Better still, all proceeds from the turtle tours support conservation efforts that monitor the island’s populations of these incredible creatures. But you don’t have to work up a sweat to experience St. Kitts’ greener side. Simply slow your pace and pause for a moment: you’ll make plenty of worthwhile discoveries, be it a hummingbird flitting between poolside blooms, or the stars in an inky night sky. Even touring comes with a gentler rhythm on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which was built to carry the sugarcane that was once the mainstay of the Kittitian economy. Nowadays it’s a heritage attraction – the Caribbean’s last working railway – that trundles at a leisurely 10mph from the capital, Basseterre, through former sugarcane fields dotted with the stone-built chimneys of historic estates.
Other heritage attractions to seek out include Brimstone Hill Fortress, whose bastions, barracks, and impenetrable walls are a World Heritage Site that’s so impressive that it’s been dubbed ‘the Gibraltar of the West Indies’. Wingfield Estate’s historic distillery is also packed with wow factor, not least for being brought back to life to make quality, small-batch Old Road Rum. Also keeping things contemporary are cultural attractions such as Caribelle Batik, which produces beautiful textiles; or perhaps try a paint-and-sip experience with a local artist.
Taste St. Kitts
Of course, one of the most rewarding ways in which to discover a nation’s culture is through its food and drink. All over the island, you’ll spot neatly laid-out vegetable plots and trees heavy with papayas and mangoes. Taste all this fresh bounty at local restaurants, where you can order dishes such as saltfish with ‘provisions’: a mix of seasonal pumpkin, squash and taro served with coconut dumplings. The Strip, on the seashore just outside Basseterre, is a great place to go for local flavours and a chance to ‘lime’ (hang out) with friendly Kittitians; or time your visit to coincide with Restaurant Week or St. Kitts’ annual music festival.
Keeping things contemporary are culture attractions such as Caribelle Batik, which produces beautiful textiles
But perhaps the most memorable meals of all can be found at a farm-to-table experience. Take a tour of Liamuiga Natural Farms’ coffee and citrus plantations, then dine at exquisite restaurants at the likes of Belle Mont Farm or Fari Organic Farm, where you can look out on surrounding plots that
produced the ingredients on your plate. Their secret, of course, is the rich volcanic soils of the island: a reminder that Mount Liamuiga dominates not just the landscape on lovely St. Kitts.
Good news from St. Kitts
The Central Rainforest Rainforest makes St. Kitts one of the world’s only nations whose rainforest coverage is expanding.
In a win/win for beachgoers and farmers, piles of seaweed washed up on the shore are harvested for natural fertiliser.
Designated in 2011, St Mary’s Biosphere Reserve (which includes Brimstone Hill Fortress) is one of the Caribbean’s first such reserves.
Initiatives supporting small businesses like Link-Up Beach Bar & Grill bring opportunity and jobs to out-of the-way corners of the island
4 Faves in St. Kitts
Turtle-y Amazing
For a hands-on animal encounter that directly supports conservation initiatives, pitch in with the non-profit St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network. Although best known for the leatherback turtles that nest on the Atlantic coast’s dark-sand beaches, St Kitts is also a breeding and foraging ground for green and hawksbill turtles. Assist and observe research scientists as they gather data on juvenile turtles that helps to protect both the sea turtles and the habitats of these fascinating animals.
Yes, Chef!
If you really want to get to grips with Caribbean cuisine, why not book the Cook Like A Local experience. Talented chefs will demonstrate how uniquely regional dishes came about through the blending of Old and New World techniques and ingredients. Watch as they rustle up such favourites as jerk chicken, creole steamed fish and that everyday staple, rice and peas… then grab a fork, and dig in.
Brush strokes
Forget taking photographs: a do-it-yourself painting is a far more personal memento. Under the guidance of Sasha, The Artist, painting becomes a social experience with inspiration guaranteed by frequent sips of wine. Sasha Herbert is the ‘artrepreneur’ behind this fun initiative that allows participants to create their own masterpieces while simultaneously supporting Sasha’s after-school programme that exposes local kids to technical art skills, allowing them to nurture and explore their individual creative identities
Take a hike
Long before the British and French setup colonies on St. Kitts, the island was inhabited by indigenous Amerindians. The only trace of these people today are the petroglyphs that they carved into rocks. Discover them on a tour into a scenic, natural ravine; then head up the river to walk among the Central Reserve Rainforest’s giant trees, looking out for tropical flowers being pollinated by hummingbirds, as well as cheeky (but invasive) mongooses and monkeys.
Where to stay in St. Kitts
Sunset Reef
An exclusive hotel with only seven suites, Sunset Reef sits on Palmetto Point with views out to sea and is surrounded by tropical gardens. Championing their responsibility to minimise their impact on St. Kitt’s environment and resources, the owners have taken measures to provide a sophisticated getaway while continuously making strides towards an increasingly sustainable experience. From using solar energy to power the air conditioning while simultaneously heating the pools, hot tubs, and hot water, to conserving water and living plastic free, the resort also looks to the future with plans for wind turbines, hydrogen generators and a solar cube to allow the property to exist completely off the grid.
Belle Mont Farm
At this unique organic resort, Belle Mont Farm at Kittitian Hill, guests are encouraged to join and savour authentic culinary experiences prepared from locally grown ingredients by the creative resident chefs. The team gather fresh, aromatic produce from several locations around the island, which are delivered straight to your table. Working closely with neighbouring farmers and expert local foragers, Belle Mont Farm sources nearly all of the restaurants’ provisions directly from there, and their surrounding, farms in St. Kitts and Nevis. From every point on this sustainable farm resort with its expansive edible landscape, the pride of Belle Mont can practically be touched.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts
At Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, guests enjoy personalized luxury while discovering authentic experiences. Beyond the environmental efforts, such as the electric golf carts to transport you around the property, the resort’s desalination programme and the replacement of plastic water bottles with water boxes in guestrooms, the preservation of culture and heritage is woven into Park Hyatt St. Kitts. The architecture around the resort reflects historical elements on St. Kitts, such as Brimstone Hill Fortress and Wingfield Estate, and repurposing original stone from a former property where the resort is located. The resort is also actively involved in supporting the community, and over 95% of its colleagues are natives of the destination.
St. Kitts Marriott
Escape to paradise with an authentic Caribbean vacation at St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Among the many sustainable and environmental practises carried out across Marriott resorts globally, St. Kitts Marriott operates a huge desalination plant that pumps water from the sea, and filters it for use through the resort, helping to preserve natural resources on the island. They also supplement the aquifer and supply water to the Frigate Bay area, easing the strain on the government’s supplies. Moving forward, St. Kitts Marriott is also partnering with the Ocean Foundation to re-use sargassum (seaweed) as a fertiliser around the property
Want to find out more?
Read more from the Sustainable Caribbean supplement of Charitable Traveller, find out more about the island’s sustainability practices, or head to the St. Kitts page to find out more.
by net effect