St. Kitts has expanses of sand that seem to rise across the island, and it doesn’t take long to understand why.
Called The Strip, it’s a beach bar set right on the sand along South Frigate Bay on the island’s tranquil Caribbean side. The day is a slow, warm scene with calm water and cold drinks, and the afternoon is the kind of afternoon you can lose yourself in. After the sun sets, it becomes the loudest, brightest and most enjoyable place in the entire twin island union.
Frigate Bay is actually two beaches sharing a narrow waist of land. The north faces the Atlantic Ocean, where the water is stronger and the sand is one of the best on the island, surrounded by coconut palms and sea grapes that can be picked straight from the branches. The southern part of the Caribbean is a bit more temperate and active. It’s quiet enough for children to play in the morning, and electric in the evening.
The headquarters of it all is one of the greatest names in Caribbean beach bar history, Mr. This is where X’s Shiggidy Shack is located. It sits at the end of a row, a landmark rising above the wooden walls to become a sort of informal living room on the island. You will be greeted in the spirit of the house motto of wasting time, and you will be treated to a rum punch with the perfect coral color, a hint of spice and just enough punch to remind you where you are.
The food is easy and happy during long beach days. There’s grilled chicken, ribs, lobster when you need a night out, and the famous shiggidy diggity dog. Thursday is the night everyone knows. Bonfires are built on the sand, music plays and fire eaters entertain the crowds as they round out the sun’s show on the water. There’s trivia on weekdays, karaoke on Saturdays, and a simple breakfast on Sunday mornings for everyone who’s had the weekend.
But the cabin is just an anchor. As you walk along the sandy beach, you can discover many different personalities. Vibes Beach Bar and Grill is the closest thing to a sports bar with a big screen for games, bold cocktails, fresh seafood and live music on the weekends. Boozies attract a loyal crowd. Chinchilla serves authentic Mexican food from Mexican chefs and is a happy surprise on the Caribbean beaches. And on the east end, the Dock at Timothy Beach Resort hosts local bands and DJs on Sunday nights and has a small dock where visiting sailors can tie up their boats and join the party.
But it’s not a single bar that makes Frigate Bay so fun. These are some essential Caribbean ideas that will allow you to mingle and spend the evening without a particular agenda.
It’s a rare place where everyone mixes. The bars share the same patch of sand, so at night you can slowly crawl from one set of speakers to the next, with a drink in your hand and no reason to rush.
If you want to see the sunset, arrive before 6pm, find a table close to the water, and order a rum punch. By the time the bonfire is lit, you’ll understand why this little beach is the heart of St. Kitts.
