St. Kitts to Nevis Ferry and Water Taxi: How to Get Across
There are two everyday ways to get from St. Kitts to Nevis: the St. Kitts to Nevis ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown, about 45 minutes and US$10 to US$11, or a water taxi from the Southeast Peninsula, about 10 minutes and 23 USD plus a 2 USD foot tax. There is no bridge and no regular flight.
By Mechiel Francis Dunrod, licensed St. Kitts taxi driver and tour guide ·
Quick answer: Walk from the Port Zante cruise pier to the Basseterre ferry terminal and take a passenger ferry to Charlestown: about 30 to 45 minutes and EC$25 to EC$30 (about US$10 to US$11) one way. For speed, take a water taxi from the Southeast Peninsula to Oualie Beach: about 10 minutes, 23 USD plus a 2 USD foot tax.
Ferry vs water taxi: the options compared
The passenger ferry is cheaper and leaves from Basseterre, a short walk from the cruise pier. The water taxi is much quicker but leaves from the Southeast Peninsula, 25 to 30 minutes' drive from town.
| Option | St. Kitts side | Nevis side | Crossing | Cost one way | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger ferry | Basseterre ferry terminal, next to Port Zante | Charlestown | About 30 to 45 min | EC$25 to EC$30 per adult (about US$10 to US$11) | Lowest cost; cruise guests on foot |
| Water taxi | Southeast Peninsula: Reggae Beach pier (Cockleshell Bay) or Christophe Harbour marina | Oualie Beach | About 7 to 10 min | 23 USD per person plus a 2 USD foot tax | Short crossing; Frigate Bay and peninsula hotels |
| Car ferry | Major's Bay, Southeast Peninsula | Cades Bay (Sea Bridge) or Charlestown (iConnect) | Up to about 45 min | Ask the operator for vehicle fares | Taking a car across |
| Private boat charter | Arranged with the operator | Your choice of landing | Depends on the boat | Quoted per boat | Groups who want a set time |
Fares and times as of October 2026, from the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA), the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and our taxi and water taxi prices. Timetables can change, so check yours on the day.
The St. Kitts to Nevis ferry: Basseterre to Charlestown
The passenger ferry links the Basseterre ferry terminal with Charlestown, the capital of Nevis, in about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the boat.
Where is the Basseterre ferry terminal?
The terminal is on the Basseterre waterfront next to Port Zante, a 5 to 10 minute walk from the cruise pier gate, with an air-conditioned waiting room. Our Port Zante cruise port guide covers what else is nearby.
Ferry schedule
Several boats share the route, so weekday sailings come about every hour or more often. NASPA's Monday to Thursday timetable runs from about 6am to 7pm and lists boats such as the Lady B, MV Passions, MV Waterman, Apple Syder and New/Next Edition.
Sundays have about half as many sailings and finish earlier. Check NASPA's ferry schedule for your day, or the SKN Transit app recommended by the Nevis Tourism Authority.
Ferry cost and tickets
Adult fares are EC$25 to EC$30 one way, about US$10 to US$11, and children pay EC$15 to EC$20, depending on the boat. The EC dollar is fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1.
Tickets are sold at the terminal on the day, with no need to reserve. Bring cash, and see our St. Kitts currency and tipping guide for paying in EC or US dollars.
Water taxi from St. Kitts to Nevis
A water taxi is a small boat that crosses The Narrows, the two-mile channel between the islands, in about 7 to 10 minutes. It lands at Oualie Beach on Nevis, where NASPA runs a water taxi pier.
Where does the water taxi leave from?
On St. Kitts, water taxis use the Southeast Peninsula: the Reggae Beach pier at Cockleshell Bay and the marina at Christophe Harbour. The St. Kitts Tourism Authority says pickups currently run from Christophe Harbour Marina, while NASPA's timetable still names Reggae Beach, so confirm the pier when you book.
Cockleshell Bay is also one of the best beaches in St. Kitts, with Nevis right across the water.
Water taxi schedule and price
NASPA's Oualie water taxi schedule lists two operators, Blu Waves and Islanders Water Sports, with boats leaving St. Kitts roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from 6am until about 10:30pm. NASPA asks passengers to reserve water taxis ahead.
Our taxi page lists it at 23 USD per person each way, plus a 2 USD foot tax. Private charters cost more; confirm the price when you book.
Can you drive from St. Kitts to Nevis?
No. There is no bridge or road between the islands, so a vehicle has to go on the car ferry.
The Sea Bridge carries cars between Major's Bay on the Southeast Peninsula and Cades Bay on Nevis. The larger iConnect car ferry runs between Major's Bay and Charlestown. Both appear on NASPA's ferry timetable.
Ask your rental company first; some will give you a car on Nevis instead. You also need a local driving permit, covered in our guide to Uber, taxis and driving in St. Kitts.
Are there flights between St. Kitts and Nevis?
Not on a regular schedule: NASPA's flight list for Nevis airport shows no flights from St. Kitts. With a 10 to 45 minute boat ride, the sea is the practical way across.
Getting to the dock on St. Kitts
For the ferry, cruise guests can walk: the Basseterre terminal is a few minutes from the Port Zante gate.
For the water taxi you need a ride to the Southeast Peninsula, about 25 to 30 minutes from Port Zante. We drive guests to the water taxi and pick them up when they come back:
- From the Marriott: 35 USD per person, round trip.
- From Basseterre, including the cruise pier: 40 USD per person, round trip.
- Groups of up to 14 fit in our bus.
Send your crossing times and we'll time the pickups to them. Flying into SKB and heading straight to Nevis? We can meet you at arrivals; see airport transfers.
Fees, ID and what to bring
- Foot tax: water taxi passengers pay 2 USD on top of the fare.
- Port fees: NASPA also lists an Oualie Water Taxi Facility fee and a Charlestown Port Development fee; ask if they are in your ticket price.
- ID: St. Kitts and Nevis is one country, so there is no immigration between the islands. Carry photo ID anyway; cruise guests also need their ship card.
- Cash: small notes in EC or US dollars for tickets, fees and Nevis taxis.
Nevis day trip from the cruise port
A Nevis day trip can fit a long port day, but it is tight. Try it only if your ship is in from morning to late afternoon, and plan the return around your all-aboard time, not the departure time.
How the time adds up
Each way, allow about 1 to 1.5 hours by ferry (walk, wait, 30 to 45 minute crossing) or about an hour by water taxi (drive, wait, 10 minute crossing).
On a typical 8am to 5pm port day with all-aboard at 4:30pm, that leaves about 3 to 4 hours on Nevis once you add a safety margin. That is enough for Charlestown and a beach, not a full island tour.
Why the return needs a margin
Ships do not wait for passengers on independent trips. The boat timetables are marked "subject to change", and weather or a full boat can push you onto the next sailing.
Plan to land back on St. Kitts at least two hours before all-aboard. Sundays have fewer ferries, so check the last sailings before you go.
Short port day? See Nevis from St. Kitts instead: Cockleshell Bay looks across The Narrows, and our tours for cruise passengers come with our back-to-ship promise: we get you back to the ship on time.
Getting around Nevis
The ferry lands in Charlestown, so you can walk around town straight off the boat. Beyond town, or from Oualie Beach, you need a Nevis taxi.
We can get you a quote from a reliable Nevis driver, so a car is waiting when you land. Contact us with your crossing time and plans.
Need a ride to the Nevis boat?
Send your date, group size and pickup point. We'll get you to the boat and back, and can line up a Nevis driver. A 20% deposit holds your day.
St. Kitts to Nevis FAQ
How long is the ferry from St. Kitts to Nevis?
The passenger ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the boat. The water taxi to Oualie Beach takes about 7 to 10 minutes, plus a 25 to 30 minute drive from Basseterre to the Southeast Peninsula.
How much is the ferry from St. Kitts to Nevis?
As of October 2026, adult fares are EC$25 to EC$30 one way (about US$10 to US$11) and children pay EC$15 to EC$20, depending on the boat. Buy tickets at the terminal on the day. The water taxi is 23 USD each way plus a 2 USD foot tax.
Do you need a passport to go from St. Kitts to Nevis?
No. St. Kitts and Nevis is one country, so there is no immigration check between the islands. Carry photo ID anyway. Cruise passengers should also bring their ship card, which they need to get back on board.
Can you do a Nevis day trip from a cruise ship?
Yes, on a long port day. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours each way by ferry, or about an hour by water taxi including the drive, and land back on St. Kitts at least two hours before all-aboard. On a short port day, a St. Kitts tour or beach is safer.
Can you take a rental car from St. Kitts to Nevis?
Only on the car ferry, from Major's Bay on the Southeast Peninsula to Cades Bay (Sea Bridge) or Charlestown (iConnect). Ask your rental company first, as some will give you a separate car on Nevis instead. You also need a local driving permit to drive.
Are there flights from St. Kitts to Nevis?
NASPA's flight schedule for Nevis lists no regular flights from St. Kitts. The boat is quicker anyway: about 7 to 10 minutes by water taxi or 30 to 45 minutes by passenger ferry.
Sources
- NASPA ferry schedule (Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority), checked October 2026.
- NASPA ferry and water taxi prices, checked October 2026.
- NASPA Oualie water taxi schedule, checked October 2026.
- Nevis Tourism Authority: ferry services, checked October 2026.
- St. Kitts Tourism Authority: getting around, checked October 2026.
