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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Caribbean

Caribbean

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Two small volcanic islands where hawksbill and green turtles live on the reefs and seagrass of The Narrows.

Hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtle, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, with care. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard, as long as we work with the right local operator. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026. Sources: Capture and sale of marine turtles prohibited by law, SKNIS, 8 Mar 2023 (repost); Fisheries regulations, FAOLEX; Foreign travel advice Saint Kitts and Nevis, UK FCDO, checked 29 Sep 2026.

TurtlesCoral reefs

Why Saint Kitts and Nevis

Most visitors come for resorts, cruise days, Brimstone Hill and Nevis. Hawksbill and green turtles live on the reefs and seagrass, especially in the channel called The Narrows, and some beaches are used for nesting. Four turtle species nest here, and the leatherback is the main one. Turtle law here still describes a closed season for taking turtles, not a total ban, so we are checking it before we say anything more. We are still researching.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

United States of AmericaHaitiDominican Rep.BahamasMexicoBrazilColombiaPanamaCosta RicaNicaraguaHondurasEl SalvadorGuatemalaBelizeVenezuelaGuyanaSurinameFrancePuerto RicoJamaicaCubaTrinidad and TobagoThe Narrows, Saint Kitts and NevisSoutheast Peninsula, Saint Kitts and Nevis

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass, with care

Good with the right operator. Here is how we choose.

Reef turtles are real here, but the law still describes a closed season for taking turtles, so we cannot call them fully protected. We would only choose a no-touch guided watch and avoid unguided nights on nesting beaches. We do not swim with whales or dolphins. We are still learning.

Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.

Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
Places we are exploring

Where in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

The Narrows

Exploring

The water between the two islands, with seagrass and reef where turtles feed.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Hawksbill and green turtles (no touching, guided watch only, not yet a scored trip)

Southeast Peninsula

Exploring

Quiet southern tip of Saint Kitts with beaches and a marine management area.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Turtles (guided watch only, we keep our distance)

Animals

Animals recorded in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Hawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLeatherback hatchling crossing the sand toward the seaLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaSeen in 76 countries in the AtlasVulnerableLoggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGreat barracuda cruising in open blue water, showing jagged teethGreat barracudaSphyraena barracudaSeen in 84 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMale magnificent frigatebird perched on a mangrove branchMagnificent frigatebirdFregata magnificensSeen in 52 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSouthern stingray resting on white sand, St John, US Virgin IslandsSouthern stingrayHypanus americanusSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernQueen conch with a reddish spiny shell resting on seagrass over sandy seabedQueen conchAliger gigasSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCrowd of brown pelicans packed together on a coastal roost, one adult with a pale head and coloured bill facing the cameraBrown pelicanPelecanus occidentalisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCaribbean spiny lobster at the edge of a reef overhang with long antennae trailing across sandCaribbean spiny lobsterPanulirus argusSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasData Deficient
Dreaming of Saint Kitts and Nevis?

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There is no trip here yet. If enough people ask, it helps us decide where to go next.

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Also in Caribbean
AnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArubaThe BahamasBarbadosBelizeBritish Virgin IslandsCaribbean NetherlandsCayman IslandsCubaCuraçaoDominicaDominican RepublicGrenadaGuadeloupeHaitiHondurasJamaicaMartiniqueMontserratPuerto RicoSaint BarthélemySaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSint MaartenTrinidad and TobagoTurks and Caicos IslandsUS Virgin IslandsVenezuela

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