Weather Lowdown
February falls in the middle of the dry season in St. Kitts, part of the two-island country of St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Enjoying a wonderful tropical climate, this destination never gets cold and remains sunny and relatively dry throughout the yearlthough there are the occasional tropical storms in the wet season.
This time of year, however, is amazingly dry and is considered to be one of the best times to visit St. Kitts, which is what a lot of people choose to do. February is one of the top tourist months on the island, together with December and January, which are the peak tourist months. There is no more than 70mm of rainfall this month, making it the second driest month of the year together with March and April, which are similarly dry. February has 14 days with rainfallou can expect some type of rainfall one day out of two. However, precipitation occurs mainly as light rain, which is recorded on 72% of the days with rainfall and is nothing to worry about. Moderate rain might be experienced as well, although only on 27% of those days. The chance of rainfall in February is approximately 20%
February is not only wonderfully dry; it is also superbly sunny. (To be fair, though, all months in St. Kitts are sunny.) This month, there are 9 hours of sunshine on average each day. Sunny days happen 80% of the time in this region, this time of year.
When it comes to temperatures, February happens to be the coolest month of the year. That doesn't mean much, though, as the overall average temperature is still a brilliant 24°C. At night, visitors can still enjoy temperatures of 21°C on average; in the afternoons, they can hit the beaches and bask in average high temperatures of 26°C. The temperature of the Caribbean Sea happens to be exactly the same as the afternoon temperature in February6°C, ideal for swimming.
Where to Stay
One of the truly great accommodations in St. Kitts is the Ocean Terrace Inn, a welcoming four-star boutique hotel set on a picturesque hillside. This wonderful hotel has plenty of amenities, including a spa, two restaurants, a poolside bar, a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the beach, a fitness centre, room service, and meeting and event spaces.
Another superb place to stay in February is the historic Ottley's Plantation Inn. Set on 35 acres of undulating gardens and lawns, this inn was originally a 17th-century sugar plantation. It is a marvelous retreat in a lush corner of the island, offering great views of the ocean. Guests can stay in deluxe rooms, the royal suite cottage or the grand villa. Amenities include a mango orchard, a croquet lawn and a tennis court, a restaurant and bar, a spa, free Wi-Fi, a spring-fed swimming pool and walking trails in the rainforest.
SeaLofts is a wonderful community of condominiums located between the Caribbean Sea and the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course. All units have two or three bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens and living rooms, and sundecks. Amenities include two gazebos, a pool surrounded by gardens, a beach patio and a central barbecue area.
Hit the Beach
With 9 hours of sunshine per day and a sea water temperature of 26°C, February is a superb time for beach vacations in St. Kitts. Make sure to pay a visit to Turtle Beach, a wonderful stretch of beautiful white sand at the very southeastern tip of the island. Reached via a dirt road, this secluded beach is ideal for a quiet afternoon under the sun. It also happens to be home to a nice coral reef, which offers great snorkeling. In February, you might even spot the occasional dolphin or whale.
Eating and Drinking Out
The Clubhouse Grille at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course is arguably one of the most high-end places to grab a bite to eat. It is the perfect place to kick back after a round of golf with a drink or a mealt serves delicious appetisers and great sandwiches. Additionally, this is also a popular venue for weddings and meetings.
Located in Friar's Bay, Carambola Beach Club is one of the most renowned restaurants on the island. It is a popular venue among locals, tourists and cruise ship passengers. This superb restaurant is a laidback and busy beach club during the day and a stylish gourmet restaurant in the evening.
Another strongly recommended dining venue is Royal Palm Restaurant, located at the magnificent Ottley's Plantation Inn. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant is set into the stone walls of the plantation's sugar factory and offers a memorable dining experience. The views are phenomenal.
Things to Do
The calm weather in February makes it an ideal time for snorkeling in the pleasantly warm Caribbean Sea. Leeward Island Charters offers snorkeling trips on two different ships. These boat trips depart on the neighbouring island of Nevis and generally last three hours. Included in the price is snorkeling gear, an open bar and lessons for inexperienced snorkelers.
If you would rather stay on land, you can, of course, hit one of the gorgeous beaches that line the island. However, in case you're in the mood for something different, consider going on a bird watching trip. St. Kitts is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, from mountains to forests to beaches. Birds such as brown pelicans, cattle egrets, magnificent frigatebirds and royal terns are just a few of the more than 200 bird species that can be spotted on the island.
