The Southeast Peninsula is the thin arm of St. Kitts that points at Nevis. One road runs down it, past the island’s best-known viewpoint to a string of beaches at the far end. It is one of the best rides on the island.
The road
The peninsula highway, named for Sir Kennedy Simmonds, opened in December 1989 and runs about 6ΒΌ miles from Frigate Bay to Majors Bay. A tunnel on the route opened in 2016 to keep traffic clear of falling rock.
How far is Cockleshell Beach from the cruise port?
Cockleshell Bay is 16.1 km (10 miles) from Port Zante by road, and Google Maps gives 20 minutes by car, via Bay Road (checked 2 November 2026). Our own measurement on OpenStreetMap agrees at about 16 km. Both are map figures, not signposted ones.
The stops on the way are closer. By road from Port Zante, Frigate Bay Beach is 5.9 km and 9 minutes, Timothy Hill is 6.2 km and 9 minutes, and South Friar’s Bay is 8.0 km and 13 minutes.
Those are car times at the traffic of the day. We have not yet timed the ride on a scooter. A swim, lunch and the viewpoint stops make the day far longer than the drive, which is why Cockleshell Bay needs six to eight hours ashore.
Fill up before you leave Basseterre
There is no fuel station on the peninsula. Fill the tank in Basseterre before you head out. You need to bring the scooter back at the level you collected it anyway.
The stops, in order
Frigate Bay
The start of the peninsula. North Frigate faces the Atlantic, South Frigate the Caribbean, and the beach bars on South Frigate are known as the Strip.
Timothy Hill
The lookout where the Atlantic is on one side of you and the Caribbean on the other, with Frigate Bay, Friar’s Bay and Nevis in view. Pull fully off the road to stop. In cruise season tour buses stop here too, so expect company.
South Friar’s Bay
A Caribbean-side beach with bars and food. Vervet monkeys are often around. Keep food in your bag and leave nothing on the scooter seat.
The Great Salt Pond
Once a source of salt, now opened to the sea for the Christophe Harbour marina. Some beach clubs inside the Christophe Harbour development are for members only, so ask before you ride in.
Cockleshell Bay
A good place to turn round. It faces Nevis across the Narrows and has beach bars along the sand, Reggae Beach Bar among them. This is where you stop, swim and eat before the ride back.
Majors Bay
The end of the highway, and the landing for the Sea Bridge car ferry to Nevis. You can take our scooter across, but agree it with us in writing first.
Does it fit a cruise day?
Timothy Hill fits most port calls. Cockleshell Bay needs six to eight hours ashore once you count the ride, a swim and lunch. Collection at Port Zante runs from 8:00am to 12:00pm and the scooter is back by 4:30pm, so an early start is what makes the beach work. The cruise passenger guide covers the timing, and the routes page has the shorter rides.
Before you go
- Traffic drives on the left. Read the safety page if that is new to you.
- Carry your temporary licence, your licence from home and your passport.
- Take water and sunscreen.
- Something wrong on the road? Send your location on WhatsApp and we come to you.
Staying on the island? We deliver the scooter free to your hotel, villa or Airbnb. Either way, check availability for your dates.