Cockleshell Beach
Cockleshell Beach
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- LizzyLizItaly548 contributionsMagnificent Cockleshell Beach!Not very long beach with numerous bars and mostly equipped. Arriving early in the morning, moving to the left you will also find a free beach... which I recommend since around 11:00 Cockleshell Beach is fully booked and honestly there is more tranquility outside the sunbed areas. Stunning landscape with the island of Nevis right in front of us, calm and crystalline sea with the seabed not exactly sloping so be careful with children because after a couple of meters it suddenly becomes deep. This is obviously due to my experience on the free beach, then moving to the right I don't know if the seabed is softer but certainly the water towards the shore was not clear and on the shoreline among the few shells you could see the black streaks of fuel dispersed by the various hulls and jet skis that are concentrated in that area. I recommend reaching the beach early in the morning, when people have not yet settled in, because the shoreline has an expanse of pink shells especially towards the left which, when caressed by the waves, produce an unusual and relaxing sound.Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 24 February 2024
- maurafabrisSpring City, Pennsylvania31 contributionsQuiet, shell filled beachBiggest thing is making sure you select a day where a cruise ship is NOT coming in, as it makes it very crowded I hear. This is a no-frills beach and it is fairly small. Portions have a lot of seaweed washed up on it, and smells bad, but if you can brave it, we found some of the greatest shells in that area. This is a shell lovers beach. We continued to walk it, as new shells kept coming in. Reggae Beach $20 for two chairs and an umbrella and it opened at 11a. We got there right around that time and were the first people. A $30 cab ride from the Marriot and arrange for a pickup to make it easy. You can do some snorkeling.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 August 2024
- Abbie21 contributionsGreat sceneryNice beach filled with beauty shells, unfortunately ruined my litter everywhere. Beer bottle lids, plastic and glass next to sunbeds. Sunbeds also very crammed together. We came from the cruise port which took about 20 minutes, had a stop on the way to see Tim Hill. Beautiful scenery of Nevis at the beach, all the ladies who work there are excellent. It is lovely area, just wish there wasn’t litter everywhere!Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 11 December 2024
- jgilliamjdParker, Colorado59 contributionsOur favorite cruise port stopEasy to get there from Taxi stand. We didn't know where we wanted to visit off of the cruise ship so we took our time in the town to decide. So we were not the first to arrive at this beach. We still easily got seats and umbrellas on the beach. We ate and set up at the Spice mill restaurant. Good service and decent food. My son loves to shell and this place did not disappoint!! We were occupied for hours. The beach and warm water are breathtaking!! We stopped on the way at St. Timothys hill. We thought it was a gimmick by the taxi driver to get monkey pictures or some cash out of us but it wasn't. No one harassed us. We took our own pictures of the most beautiful scene. All of my teenagers wanted to pose in the clouds. So glad that we listened to Mr. G the taxi driver and got out to take a look. Great day. A can't miss if you love the beach. Mr. G dropped us without taking payment and came back to pick us up at the designated time. super easy.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 January 2025
- DancianoAlsbach, Germany26 contributionsBeautiful beach, suitable for familiesWe took a taxi from the harbour to Reggae Beach (2 adults, 2 toddlers) beach section from Cockleshellbeach. The water is wonderfully clear, shallowly sloping and super suitable for the children.You can immediately see smaller fish and can snorkel. Sunbeds and umbrellas at moderate prices. There is also some water sports on offer we have not dealt with. A nice bar and friendly staff, a beautiful Touri beach. All in all, it seems a bit old, if you prefer it exclusive is not in good hands here. What I didn't like so much is that there's pot everywhere..well... other countries other customs..Visited January 2025Travelled with familyWritten 27 January 2025
- Andrew SDorchester, United Kingdom15 contributionsYou Save They Benefit Tour. Cockleshell beach.We had a You Save They Benefit (fb) taxi / tour. Bobby the taxi guy from Island Escape Taxi and Tours was nice guy. Clean car and good driver. Went to beach and dropped off at Reggae Bar, which has the smaller side of beach to left of pier, but it has calmer water. At Reggae bar we were served by waitress who tutted at us us because we didn't order food, had a expression that would curdle milk. Walked along beach to a bar, Sun and Fun, has an A board on shoreline... much more approachable. Rum punch was half the price, twice the quantity, and happy to be there. Food, hot and fresh but just a limited beach menu. Try the lady there for a massage.... aloe, naturalVisited January 2025Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.0
1,263 reviews
Excellent
555
Very good
440
Average
184
Poor
55
Terrible
29
Paige Holmes
Essex, UK70 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We have been to every beach on the island and this is our favourite, it’s a slightly longer drive away from the port so it’s always quieter than the other beaches.
As you get on the beach depending where the taxi drops you, look for a shack called Loxs-een, cheapest beers on the beach, it’s family run & the chicken wings are soooo good. Debbie & her daughter are so so sweet, we go back to visit them every year.
There is still water sports for those who want it but it’s down one end so easy to avoid if you want to. It’s safe, clean and cheap.
The taxi usually £10pp each way and the taxi will arrange to collect you.
As you get on the beach depending where the taxi drops you, look for a shack called Loxs-een, cheapest beers on the beach, it’s family run & the chicken wings are soooo good. Debbie & her daughter are so so sweet, we go back to visit them every year.
There is still water sports for those who want it but it’s down one end so easy to avoid if you want to. It’s safe, clean and cheap.
The taxi usually £10pp each way and the taxi will arrange to collect you.
Written 26 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PopeyeCT
Rowayton, CT427 contributions
Feb 2022
We loved this beach and went on the days when there were not many cruise ships in harbor since it can get very busy. On one end is Spice Mill Restaurant and the other is Reggae Grill, both waterfront and with beach chairs to rent. Many little bar beach shacks between, calm waters, great swimming and snorkeling.
Written 13 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley S
5 contributions
May 2022
The clear warm water. Lots of sun beds and parasols. Decent food and drink. A small gift shop and hand made jewellery that you can purchase for gifts at a reasonable price.
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
top-trippers
Bolton, UK620 contributions
Nov 2019
Located at the southern tip of the island, this is a long sandy beach stretching from the Reggae Beach Bar down to the Spice Mill Restaurant. We preferred the southern (Spice Mill) end – wide, clean, powder soft sand with calm, clear, shallow, warm water – perfect for swimming. Beautiful views over to Nevis. Chairs and umbrellas available for a charge. It was fairly quiet when we got there, but it soon filled up as the cruise buses arrived. The Spice Mill staff were really friendly and there was a real laid-back Caribbean buzz. The cocktails at the bar shack were generous and yummy. They served snacks here too, or you could opt for a larger meal at the main restaurant. The prices were very reasonable. Well worth the drive/taxi/excursion out.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
realrum
26 contributions
Nov 2019
Cockleshell Beach is home to Lion Rock and Reggae Beach bars. Both have good food and drink with a really pretty beach. You can arrange a water taxi to Nevis or a fishing boat. Half a days fishing will set you back 5 or 6 hundred for half a day. We did get a couple of barracuda and one really delicious wahoo. Expensive fish. Avoid going when the cruise ships are in Port Zante, as one other person posting mentioned that it can get crowded. When the ships aren't in port, it's all yours and really relaxing. For a local treat, get a cup of conch chowder with garlic bread and a cold Carib at Reggae Beach, the best. I used to enjoy snorkeling around the pier at Reggae Beach, but now it all depends upon the boat traffic. Family friendly.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NSD70
Wallkill, NY319 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We enjoyed spending the day at the beach. We walked further down the beach as the spot right in front of the Reggae Beach Bar & Grill was too crowded for us. Further down the beach was perfect, first row loungers and umbrella. We look forward to visiting again. Beautiful view of Nevis from the beach.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer R
Montreal, Canada192 contributions
Mar 2020
We heard this was the best beach on the island, so we took a taxi over from our cruise port. There are lots of chairs with umbrellas to rent, though some umbrellas are very worn down. There was a lot of plastic littering the beach. I didn't feel that locals or tourists were very concerned about keeping it clean. My husband and I did a lot of cleaning up on our own.
The water was very nice - setting was gorgeous with Nevis sitting just next door.
Very little services. You have to use the bathrooms at one of the restaurants if they will let you.
Reggae Beach restaurant was cute, but their beach was jam packed with people and had a party atmosphere. Food took 40 minutes to arrive.
Overall we were not super impressed with this beach or St Kitts in general.
The water was very nice - setting was gorgeous with Nevis sitting just next door.
Very little services. You have to use the bathrooms at one of the restaurants if they will let you.
Reggae Beach restaurant was cute, but their beach was jam packed with people and had a party atmosphere. Food took 40 minutes to arrive.
Overall we were not super impressed with this beach or St Kitts in general.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary Ann F
Saratoga Springs, NY3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Taxi from port was $7 pp each way. We were with friends 4 of us Taxi dropped us off at Debbies Hut, loxseen. When we stepped out of taxi a loud man approached us telling us 2 loungers with an umbrella is $20 each so it would be $40
I spoke up and said I would like to check other prices as there are side by side huts with different loungers
Then he said ok $10 each for 2 loungers and umbrella
So we paid him. Seems like there is a beach war going on and this man working for Debbies was obnoxious yelling to couples on the beach not to go anywhere else. We walked down the beach to see the Reggae hut which was actually nice. Looked like good food and entertainment
On the way back this same man was in our face yelling come rent from us! We told him we did and he said this is just for show. It was annoying all afternoon and he was ruining everyone’s afternoon. I would stay away from Debbies, the reggae bar look much better.
I spoke up and said I would like to check other prices as there are side by side huts with different loungers
Then he said ok $10 each for 2 loungers and umbrella
So we paid him. Seems like there is a beach war going on and this man working for Debbies was obnoxious yelling to couples on the beach not to go anywhere else. We walked down the beach to see the Reggae hut which was actually nice. Looked like good food and entertainment
On the way back this same man was in our face yelling come rent from us! We told him we did and he said this is just for show. It was annoying all afternoon and he was ruining everyone’s afternoon. I would stay away from Debbies, the reggae bar look much better.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oakley 56
Bridgnorth, UK11,337 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
It's Ten dollars each in a taxi for four to get here with our driver giving us a history tour from the port on the way.
So many big shells to find in the surf my wife was in Aw.
Beach chairs are available from the bars dotted along the front with drinks and food delivered to your chair absolutly loved it
So many big shells to find in the surf my wife was in Aw.
Beach chairs are available from the bars dotted along the front with drinks and food delivered to your chair absolutly loved it
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glyn W
27 contributions
Feb 2020
What a gorgeous location, take your snorkel or goggles and enjoy the underwater wildlife only a few yards from the beach. Got a taxi from the port which took a group of us to this beach, stopped for photos on the way back after return on the agreed time. Beach bars for food/drink and loungers/beach umbrellas very reasonable priced. Came here as part of a cruise stop off, well worth it.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this a good beach for 8 adults and 9 month, 4 yr. old, 6 yr. old.? Best way together to the beach?
Written 26 December 2024
Staying along the South-Eastern beaches in mid-June 2020 (Cockleshell, Turtle Beach, Banana Bay area).
According to cruise schedules online, there are only 2 ships coming in that week, both on separate days.
What kind of crowds should we expect during that time of year? I'm assuming the 2 days when the boats are docked could get pretty crowded...how about the rest of the week?
Written 1 March 2020
Get a cab to Cockleshell Beach, they drop you at the Reggae Club...however, if you walk past that small beach stretch, there’s a break in between, where a boat can be. Walk past and you’re at Loxseen, which has much more beautiful water, chairs are less $, $2.00 beers. Great day. If you encounter people selling things, a gentle ‘ no thank you ‘ is effective. . Enjoy!
Written 2 March 2020
Is there room to move our chairs & umbrella away from the line of chairs? Going in March
Written 8 November 2019
Sorry, just saw your question.
There is room on the beach to move a bit away from the line of chairs but I'm not sure whether you can move their chairs that far. If you have your own chair, yes, you can move away from others.
Written 25 November 2019
hello where should i go for my 1st attempt at snorkling ?
Written 14 October 2019
If you're in St Kitts then Cockleshell's good - warm and calm with decent sights.
Otherwise, Tobago is a snorkeling and diving paradise - Buccoo Reef, Castara, Englishman's Bay and the amazing Pirate's Bay in Charlotteville all have wonderful spots. Many professional dive shops on island to assist as well.
PM me for detailed info, if needed.
Written 15 October 2019
Did you eat while there? Where would you recommend? Going there in February. Thanks
Written 19 August 2019
We didn’t eat there, but the food at Reggae Beach Bar looked fantastic.
Written 20 August 2019
Hi There,
Can you get a shared ride in a taxi/van with other cruise passengers .....Did that in St Maarten......Main question how far away are the taxis from the port....Thank you..:-)...
Written 11 August 2019
We did not go there from a cruise. We were staying in a near by resort. I am sure you can share a taxi with someone from the port to the beach. Not sure how far it is.
Written 13 August 2019
Would you recommend a day at this beach for an active 90 year old - active but 90 😊 we will be going from a cruise ship in March and want to find a nice place to take her? Thank you for any information you can give us.
Written 7 February 2019
This is a nice beach with clear water and clean sand with that being said there is a drop off in the water so getting in and out of the water may be an issue for them other than that beautiful beach to spend the day.
Written 14 February 2019
2-2-19 Ciao Barbara, leggo vari commenti a proposito della Cockshell beach a St. Kitts che hai visitato. Parli di un taxi che vi ha preso (immagino) dalla nave, portati alla spiaggia e venuto a riprendervi ad un prezzo interessante, circo 10 euro + o -. Sapresti dirmi dove l'hai trovato e altre informazioni a riguardo. Grazie per il tuo tempo. Cordialità MARISA
Written 2 February 2019
6-2-19 grazie barbaraba per avermi risposto ancora. Ti faccio tanti auguri......
Written 6 February 2019
Hi there
How many people are allowed in a taxi?
There are 5 people in our party?
Thanks
Richard
Written 27 January 2019
Won’t be a problem. Many vans with multiple seats.
Written 31 January 2019
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