Weather Lowdown
St. Kitts, one of the two islands that make up the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, is an absolutely gorgeous destination for a January vacation. This time of year is arguably the best to visit St. Kittst is the driest, sunniest and coolest time of year.
"Coolest" is relative, though, as the average temperature is 25°C in January, which is similar to December. In the afternoons, visitors are able to enjoy an average high temperature of 27°C, while at night, the mercury drops no lower than the average low of 22°C. T-shirts and shorts are all you need during a holiday in St. Kitts in January, in other words. The sea temperature averages 26°C this month, which, mind you, is as cool as the Caribbean Sea ever gets!
January falls within the comfortable dry season in the Caribbean. It is, in fact, the driest month of the entire year, receiving no more than 60mm of rainfall, spread out over 16 days with some kind of rainfall. While 16 rainy days might seem like a lot, it is essential to know that the chance of rainfall is only 20% on average this month. If it rains in January, it will almost certainly be just light rain, which occurs on 73% of the days with rainfall. Moderate rain falls on 24% of those days.
With such low rainfall levels come fewer clouds and, as such, plenty of sunshine. The chance of sunny days is 80% this time of year and there are 9 hours of sunshine per day on average. This number of 9 sunshine hours per day could be considered to be the annual daily average, as it is basically sunny all-year round in St. Kitts. Only March and July are slightly sunnier with 10 hours of sunshine per day.
So, with more than pleasant temperatures, few raindrops and an abundance of sunshine, January is unquestionably a superb month to visit St. Kitts. If you do plan to visit, you can always check out our detailed weather forecast.
Where to Stay
Situated scenically between the Caribbean Sea and Mount Liamuiga, Belle Mont Sanctuary lies on 400 acres of lush farmland and boasts phenomenal views of the coastline and the islands on the horizon. This extraordinary organic farm has 84 guesthouses, 12 three-bedroom villas and 7 four-bedroom farmhouses. Amenities are excellent, including farm-to-table restaurants, a bar and a large swimming pool with sunbeds.
Another recommended place to stay in January is Timothy Beach Resort. This is, in fact, the only resort hotel located on a beach in St. Kitts, so if you're looking for a convenient beach destination, this is where you want to stay. Facilities range from a water sports centre to wedding venues and services, and a café and restaurant.
Hit the Beach
Cockleshell Bay is one of the most popular of the handful of beaches at the island's southeastern tip, a great place to enjoy the abundance of sunshine this time of year. A three-kilometer-long stretch of golden sand, it offers a beautiful view of neighbouring Nevis and boasts a number of great restaurants, grills and beach bars. It is a favoured place for locals during the weekends and on holidays as well as for cruise ships.
Things to Do
January with its abundance of sunshine and dry weather is a great time of year to explore St. Kitts and the Caribbean Sea. A catamaran cruise is a wonderful and popular activity. These boat trips take guests along the stunning coastline and include stops in secluded coves that offer great snorkelling. Catamaran cruises range from private charters to half-day trips to sunset trips. Check out Blue Water Safaris for more information.
Another rather popular pastime during a vacation in St. Kitts is golfing. This tropical island with its golden beaches, palm trees and spectacular weather is also home to a few world-class golf courses, all overlooking the coast and the sea. If you're looking to play a round, you can head to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club in Frigate Bay, the Four Seasons Golf Course in Nevis, or the Irie Fields Golf Club at Kittian Hill.
