How to Get from St Kitts to Nevis, and What Each Boat Costs

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iConnect Ferry

Getting from St Kitts to Nevis is one of the most common questions visitors ask, and one of the most confusing to figure out. Multiple ferry operators run different routes from different locations on different schedules, and the information online is often outdated or scattered across a dozen websites.

This guide cuts through the confusion. It covers every way to cross The Narrows between St Kitts and Nevis: passenger ferries, car ferries, and water taxis. For each option, you get the route, the cost, the travel time, and the practical details that matter when you are actually standing at a dock trying to figure out what to do.

Understanding the Three Options

There are three fundamentally different ways to get from St Kitts to Nevis. They leave from different places, cost different amounts, and serve different purposes. Here is the overview before the detail:

Passenger ferries run between Basseterre (St Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis). They carry people but not vehicles. The crossing takes approximately 25 to 45 minutes. This is the most common and affordable option.

Car ferries run between Major’s Bay on the southeast peninsula of St Kitts and either Cades Bay or Charlestown on Nevis. They carry vehicles and passengers. You drive your rental car onto the ferry and drive it off on the other side. This is the option for visitors who want to explore Nevis independently by car.

Water taxis run between Cockleshell Beach (or Christophe Harbour) on St Kitts and Oualie Beach on Nevis. They carry passengers only and take approximately 6 to 15 minutes. This is the fastest crossing and the most flexible in terms of timing.

Sailing Times

Every sailing on every day, for the passenger ferries, iConnect, Sea Bridge and the water taxis, is on our St Kitts to Nevis boat schedule. Sea Bridge does not publish its fares online, so ask at the ramp.

Our cars can go to Nevis on the car ferry. Tell us when you book.

Pick up your car at Port Zante or RLB Airport from US$65 a day.

Check prices for your date

Passenger Ferries (Basseterre to Charlestown)

This is how most visitors and locals travel between the islands. Several ferry vessels operate throughout the day on this route.

The Route

Ferries depart from the Basseterre Ferry Terminal, which is approximately half a mile from the cruise port at Port Zante. If you have a rental car from the cruise port, you can drive to the ferry terminal and park nearby, though finding parking can be difficult during busy periods.

Ferries arrive at Charlestown Pier on Nevis, right in the centre of Charlestown. Taxis wait at the pier, and some rental car company offices are within walking distance of the dock.

The Ferries

Multiple vessels serve this route. The main ones are:

  • Several boats work the route. Each sets its own fare and sells its own tickets at its own booth in the terminal
  • Apple Syder took on water leaving Basseterre on 29 June 2026 and was towed ashore. No return has been announced, though the published schedule still lists it
  • Mark Twain announced a suspension from 15 April 2026 over fuel costs and has been off the timetables since

The first boats leave Charlestown at 6:30am and Basseterre at 6am. Sailings run through the day, and Friday and Saturday go latest. Times change, so check the day’s schedule before you travel.

Cost

Adults pay EC$35 to EC$40 (about US$13 to US$15) one way, depending on the boat. Children pay less. Add an EC$1 port fee, and take cash: not every booth takes cards.

Travel Time

30 to 45 minutes on most boats, depending on sea conditions and the vessel.

Practical Tips for the Passenger Ferry

  • Ferries usually leave close to schedule, but 2026 has brought suspensions and cancelled days. Confirm your departure before you go
  • Download the SKN Transit app (Apple and Android). It lists the day’s sailings and flags delays. It is privately run, not official, so confirm with the boat
  • The Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority publishes the official schedule at naspakn.com/ferryschedule
  • The ferry terminal in Basseterre has air conditioning and restrooms
  • If you are a cruise visitor, the ferry terminal is walkable from Port Zante but it is a 10 to 15 minute walk. Budget this into your timing. Read our Cruise Port Guide for orientation
  • On the Nevis side, taxis at the Charlestown pier can be expensive and may pressure you to pay in US dollars cash only. Negotiate the fare before getting in

Car Ferries (Major’s Bay to Nevis)

If you want to have a car on Nevis, the car ferry lets you drive your vehicle across The Narrows. There are two operators.

Sea Bridge

Route: Major’s Bay (St Kitts) to Cades Bay (Nevis)
Travel time: About 25 to 30 minutes
Cost and schedule: We could not confirm either for 2026. The fares quoted online go back years, and the boat is missing from some current timetables, so check before you plan around it
Reputation: Sea Bridge often runs late, and commercial vehicles get priority when it is busy, so there may not be room for every waiting car.

iConnect

Route: Major’s Bay (St Kitts) to Charlestown pier (Nevis). Since 10 April 2026 every trip uses Charlestown, not Long Point
Travel time: About 40 minutes
Cost: EC$100 (US$40) one way or EC$200 (US$80) return for a car and its driver, and EC$25 (US$10) one way for each extra adult. Pay online, or on board by cash, card or cheque
Schedule: Leaves Major’s Bay at 9am, 12:30pm and 5:30pm, and Charlestown at 7:30am, 11am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sunday it runs at 9am and 5:30pm from Major’s Bay, and 7:30am and 4pm from Charlestown. Booking is recommended but not required. iConnect started in May 2024 and has been more reliable than Sea Bridge

iConnect is the newer, larger ferry with a modern air-conditioned lounge, Wi-Fi, upper viewing deck, and restrooms. The vessel holds about 30 to 35 cars. You reverse your car onto the ferry and staff direct you where to park.

Getting to Major’s Bay

Both car ferries depart from Major’s Bay at the southern tip of the southeast peninsula. If you are coming from Basseterre, the drive takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes along the peninsula road. You pass through Frigate Bay, over Timothy Hill, and past the turn for Cockleshell Beach before reaching Major’s Bay at the end of the road.

Can You Take a Rental Car on the Car Ferry?

Ours can. Tell us when you book, in the comments box on the booking form, and your temporary permit covers both islands.

Not every rental company allows it, so ask before you book with anyone else. If yours says no, take the passenger ferry and rent a separate car on Nevis near the Charlestown dock.

For full details on rental costs and what is included, read How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in St Kitts.

Water Taxis (Fastest Crossing)

Water taxis are the quickest way across The Narrows. They are small speedboats that carry passengers (not vehicles) between specific points on each island.

The Main Route

From St Kitts: Water taxis depart from the dock at Reggae Beach Bar on Cockleshell Beach, or from Christophe Harbour Marina. The Park Hyatt hotel also has water taxi service from its pier.

To Nevis: Water taxis arrive at Oualie Beach on the northern tip of Nevis, or at the Four Seasons pier.

Cost and Timing

Fare: Approximately US$15 to US$20 per person one way. Charter (1 to 4 people): approximately US$80 one way.
Travel time: Approximately 6 to 15 minutes depending on sea conditions and route.
Departure tax: Approximately EC$5 (US$2) per person.

Practical Tips for Water Taxis

  • Water taxis can be hired on a schedule or chartered at times that suit you. This is their main advantage over the fixed ferry schedule
  • Book in advance, especially during cruise season. Contact Islander Water Sports (869-662-7081) or ask your hotel concierge to arrange
  • Taxis are not always waiting at Oualie Beach on the Nevis side. Arrange your return transport before you leave St Kitts
  • The water taxi is ideal if you are already spending the morning at Cockleshell Beach and want to add a quick Nevis trip in the afternoon
  • Sea conditions matter. The crossing can be rough on windy days. If you are prone to seasickness, the larger ferries are a smoother ride

Which Option Is Best for You

If You Are a Cruise Visitor with One Day

Honestly, most cruise visitors are better off staying on St Kitts. The island has more than enough to fill 6 to 8 hours of port time, and the ferry transit eats into your limited day. If you have already visited St Kitts before and specifically want to see Nevis, take the water taxi from Cockleshell Beach to Oualie Beach (15 minutes each way) and hire a taxi on Nevis for a quick tour. Budget at least 3 to 4 hours for the entire Nevis side trip.

For what to do with your day on St Kitts instead, read One Day Driving Itinerary for Cruise Passengers.

If You Are Staying 3 or More Days

Dedicate one full day to Nevis. Take the morning passenger ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown. Explore Charlestown on foot (Alexander Hamilton Museum, Artisan Village), drive or taxi to the Botanical Gardens and Bath Village hot springs, have lunch and Killer Bees at Sunshine’s Beach Bar on Pinney’s Beach, and take the late afternoon ferry back.

For a full comparison of both islands, read St Kitts vs Nevis, Which Island to Explore by Car.

If You Want to Drive on Nevis

Either take the iConnect car ferry from Major’s Bay, or use the passenger ferry and pick up a separate rental car near the Charlestown dock. Our cars can cross on the ferry if you tell us when you book.

A temporary driving permit covers both islands. It is issued for the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, so one permit is all you need.

What to Do on Nevis Once You Arrive

Nevis is smaller and quieter than St Kitts, but it rewards a slower pace of exploration. The highlights include:

  • Charlestown: The tiny capital. Alexander Hamilton Museum, Artisan Village, Cafe des Arts. Walkable from the ferry pier
  • Pinney’s Beach: 4-mile stretch of golden sand. Sunshine’s Beach Bar is legendary for its Killer Bee rum punch. Further up the beach, Turtle Time and the Nevis Peak craft brewery are newer additions
  • Bath Village Hot Springs: Free volcanic hot springs (40 to 42 degrees C) in the grounds of the historic 1778 Bath Hotel. Renovated in 2025, a small US$5 admission may apply
  • Botanical Gardens: 5 acres of tropical plants, orchid terraces, and fountains. 10 minutes inland from Charlestown. Nearby Montpelier Great House serves cocktails and lunch
  • The Hermitage: Oldest wooden structure in the Caribbean, now a boutique hotel and restaurant
  • Oualie Beach: Calm water, good snorkelling, and a quieter atmosphere than Pinney’s. This is where water taxis from St Kitts arrive

Costs Comparison at a Glance

  • Passenger ferry (Basseterre to Charlestown): about US$13 to US$15 per person one way. Cheapest option
  • Car ferry Sea Bridge (Major’s Bay to Cades Bay): fares not confirmed for 2026
  • Car ferry iConnect (Major’s Bay to Charlestown): US$80 return for a car and its driver
  • Water taxi (Cockleshell to Oualie Beach): ~US$15 to US$20 per person one way. Fastest option
  • Taxi on Nevis (island tour): ~US$60 to US$80 for a 2 to 3 hour guided tour

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ferry from St Kitts to Nevis?

Passenger ferry: 30 to 45 minutes (Basseterre to Charlestown). Car ferry: about 40 minutes on iConnect. Water taxi: 6 to 15 minutes (Cockleshell Beach to Oualie Beach).

How much does the ferry cost?

Passenger ferry: EC$35 to EC$40 (about US$13 to US$15) per adult one way, plus an EC$1 port fee. Car ferry: EC$200 (US$80) return for a car and its driver on iConnect. Water taxi: approximately US$15 to US$20 per person one way.

Where does the passenger ferry leave from in St Kitts?

The Basseterre Ferry Terminal, approximately half a mile from Port Zante cruise port.

Can I take a rental car on the ferry to Nevis?

Yes, on the car ferry. Ours can cross if you tell us when you book. Not every rental company allows it, so ask before you book with anyone else.

Is the ferry reliable?

Passenger ferries usually leave close to schedule, but 2026 has brought suspensions and cancelled days. The Sea Bridge car ferry has a reputation for running late. iConnect has been more reliable. The SKN Transit app flags delays.

Should cruise visitors go to Nevis?

If it is your first time in St Kitts, spend your full port day on St Kitts. The island has more than enough for one day. Save Nevis for a return trip with more time. If you have visited St Kitts before, a water taxi day trip to Nevis is feasible.

Is there an app for ferry schedules?

Yes. SKN Transit lists the day’s sailings and flags delays, on Apple and Android. It is privately run, not official, so confirm with the boat or with the ports authority schedule at naspakn.com/ferryschedule.

Do I need a separate driving permit for Nevis?

No. One temporary permit covers St Kitts and Nevis. Whether you can take a rental car across is up to the rental company. Ours can go if you tell us when you book.

Book Your Car Rental

Planning to explore St Kitts before or after your Nevis trip? A rental car lets you see the entire island at your own pace. We offer cruise port pickup and airport pickup, with driving permits arranged during the rental process. Book your car rental today.

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