St. Kitts, one of the two islands of the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, receives its fair share of visitors in December, which is the unofficial start of the cooler dry season in the region. This is a time of year that is characterised by comfortable temperatures, wonderfully dry weather and a plethora of sunshine. It makes for an absolutely ideal winter beach destination.
The average temperature this month is 25°C, a one-degree decrease since November, while January has a similar average temperature. The afternoon temperatures average 27°C, which is ideal for visits to the beach; the nighttime temperatures range around 22°C, also amazingly warm. Swimming is a delightful activity in December, the temperature of the Caribbean Sea averaging a comfortable 27°C.
The chance of a sunny day is 80%, which basically is a guarantee that you are in for a sun-soaked vacation. Each day in December has 9 hours of sunshine on average, which actually is what nearly all days have in St. Kitts. This is an exceptionally sunny destination year-round.
With a total rainfall of 90mm, December is significantly drier than the previous few months. Not that they were really extremely wet, but there is a noticeable difference. December has 15 days with some type of rainfall, implying that there are also 16 days without any rainfall. When it does rain, it is almost certainly light rain. This type of rainfall occurs on 68% of those 15 days with rainfall. Moderate rain might happen as well, but is less likely, recorded o 24% of those days. Thunderstorms have become very rare, now only occurring on 7% of the wet days.
December is one of the most popular times of year to visit St. Kitts. This is when many people want to escape the winter weather back home and spend some time enjoying warm temperatures and some sunshine. This is the place to do just that.
Where to Stay
December is one of the absolute top tourist months in St. Kitts as many people from more northerly locations visit the island to escape the winter weather at home. Therefore, if you are one of them, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance. A great place to stay is St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino, considered to be one of the best resorts in the entire Caribbean. It offers luxurious guestrooms and has eight restaurants, two lounges, a huge casino, an exquisite spa and an 18-hole golf course.
Another suggested hotel is Sugar Bay Club, a comfortable retreat set within 5-acre gardens and just behind a beautiful sand beach. It lies in popular Frigate Bay and features 89 rooms and suites, free Wi-Fi, a lush tropical garden dotted with palm trees, two swimming pools, four restaurants, a souvenir shop and a mini-supermarket.
You might also want to check out Bird Rock Beach Hotel, a lovely hotel located on the coast and offering accommodation in units with one, two or three bedrooms, and in studio apartments. Communal facilities include a fitness centre, two restaurants, a beach bar and grill, a dive centre and a private secluded beach.
Hit the Beach
December with its matching afternoon temperatures and sea temperatures of 27°C is a marvellous time to visit this tropical paradise. The most popular beach in St. Kitts is South Frigate Bay, which is lined with beach bars, a nightclub, restaurants and many hotels. This is without question the busiest and liveliest mile on the entire coast of St. Kitts. The beach itself consists of soft golden sand; the water is ideal for water sports and swimming. Afternoons in South Frigate Bay are pleasantly quiet, while the nightly parties can go on until the morning hours.
Eating and Drinking Out
One of St. Kitts' best beachside restaurants and bars is Bohemia Beach Pool Bar at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. This large poolside venue features a swim-up bar, a covered patio, four separate bars and a terrace. Its menu includes everything from beers to cocktails and from salads to burgers and fries.
Another beach bar is Vibes Beach Bar, situated in Frigate Bay. This superb venue is a restaurant during the day and a club in the evening. Its menu includes everything from juicy burgers to barbecue chicken and seafood, and from cocktails to local beers. Although this is a classy beach club, the atmosphere is casual and pleasantly laidback.
For a quick mid-morning or afternoon snack, you can head over to the Rituals Coffee House in the heart of Basseterre. This is one of St. Kitts' premier coffee houses, serving a variety of gourmet coffees, great sandwiches and snacks.
Things to Do
December, as the first month of the dry season in St. Kitts, attracts a large number of tourists to the island's beaches and gloriously warm sea water. The place to enjoy the excellent weather and partake in a huge variety of activities is St. Kitts Water Sports. This water sports centre offers more activities than any other company in the Caribbean. There are no fewer than 26 different things to do, ranging from paddle boarding, sea kayaking and jet skiing to water skiing, paragliding, sailing and flyboarding.
Another recommended thing to do in St. Kitts at this time of year is scuba diving. The clear, tropical waters surrounding the island are home to several beautiful coral reefs. A great example is Coconut Tree Reef, one of the area's largest reefs and featuring abundant marine life. This reef is suitable for everyone, from beginners to professionals. Many tour operators and dive centres organise diving excursions to the best reefs in the areaheck out Dive St. Kitts or Pro Divers St. Kitts.
