Saint Kitts & Nevis

Government Independent from the United Kingdom since 1983 Capital Basseterre (on St. Kitts) Currency East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) Area 261km2 Population (2005) 42,696 Language English Islands 2 inhabited Economy Tourism, hit hard by Hurricane Omar closing down the 4 Seasons hotel in 2008 GDP per Capita $19,500 (65thworldwide) Links CIA Factbook, Wikipedia Page

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Saint Kitts and Nevis are a day sail south of St. Barths and the combined nation consists of two main islands. Both are volcanic in origin and have impenetrable cloud forests at their summits. My stay in Nevis was very, very short. I sailed into the harbour of Basseterre, which would seem to be a protected anchorage on the western side of the island. I arrived shortly before dusk and there were some large mega yachts anchored there, leading me to believe that the guidebooks might be in error about it being a “rolly” place to spend the night. I anchored and proceeded to prepare dinner and by the time the sun set all of the millionaire's vessel had weighed anchor and disappeared towards Nevis. I later learned why - it was by far the worst night I have ever spent aboard Zanshin as the swell was 90° to the wind and Zanshin I rolled so much that I had to crawl and slide along the cabin floor. The swell period was such that the boat would roll deeper with each wave until one came out of rhythm and the rolling would stop suddenly, only to start again a few seconds later. I swore never again to visit Basseterre

I left for Nevis in the dark as I wasn't getting any sleep and anchored there later. While the anchorage and mooring ball field outside of Charlestown doesn't look at all protected it turns out that this anchorage was one of the best, in terms of wave motion, that I slept in during all the months of travels.

For a map with clickable pictures from this site displayed geographically please click here

Abandoned sugar mill on St. Kitts [17°22'55.54"N 62°52'26.03"W (facing E)] Abandoned sugar cane fields and forest

What this picture does not convey is how incredibly rolly this anchorage is. (2009-03-02 23:32:50 DSC-N2 [f/4.0, 10/1600s] ISO 160) Charplotter display at Basseterre

Sunshine's bar at the beach underneath the large and imposing volcano, where the tip is always covered by clouds. [17°9'11.63"N 62°37'48.72"W (facing E)] Sunshine's ashore and cloud forest above

The remaining line and float after I cut it away from the aft of Zanshin I after I wrapped it in the propeller and shaft while motorsailing off Nevis. (2009-03-06 16:13:44 DSC-N2 [f/4.0, 10/5000s] ISO 160) Catching fish traps off St. Kitts

Nevis mooring field (2009-04-22 17:34:15 DSC-N2 [f/8.0, 10/8000s] ISO 160) 4 Seasons hotel, St. Kitts in background