Nevis Ferry Schedule: St. Kitts to Charlestown

Updated: August 2026

The public passenger ferry runs between Basseterre on St. Kitts and Charlestown on Nevis. It is the cheapest way across and the option most locals use, but it is a fixed-schedule boat service, not a door-to-door airport transfer. Sailing times change from time to time, so check the latest official schedule before you travel.

If you are looking for the Nevis ferry schedule – also searched as the St. Kitts to Nevis ferry schedule, or the Charlestown ferry schedule – this guide explains how the Basseterre to Charlestown crossing works, where to find the current official times, and when a private transfer is the easier way to reach your hotel.

If you are arriving at SKB Airport, the public ferry is only one part of the route – you will also need road transport on both islands. To compare the alternatives, see all the ways to get to Nevis.

Where to check the latest Nevis ferry schedule

Book Nevis does not operate the public ferry and does not set the timetable, so always confirm departures against an official source close to your travel date. The two we recommend:

• NASPA ferry schedule – the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority publishes the current passenger ferry times, with separate Sunday, Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday timetables, plus ferry prices.
• Nevis Tourism Authority – Ferry Services – an overview of the passenger ferry, car ferry and water taxi options, with onward links to the published schedules.

The public ferry schedule can change, especially around public holidays, weather, and day-to-day operating conditions. Treat any times you see in older articles or forums as a rough guide only, and check the official schedule before you set out.

How the Basseterre to Charlestown ferry works

The ferry leaves from the ferry terminal in Basseterre, the main town and port on St. Kitts, and arrives at the pier in Charlestown, the capital of Nevis. The crossing takes roughly 25 to 45 minutes depending on which vessel is running and the conditions on the day.

Tickets are normally bought in person at the terminal ticket booth on the day you travel, rather than booked online in advance. Several operators and vessels run the route, so the boat and the exact times vary through the week. It is worth arriving 20 to 30 minutes before departure, especially in the busy December to April season, and luggage handlers are usually on hand at both ports if you have more than a carry-on.

If you want the wider picture – ferry, water taxi and private transfer side by side – see our guide on how to get from St. Kitts to Nevis.

Using the ferry after arriving at SKB Airport

Most visitors to Nevis land at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) on St. Kitts. The public ferry can work from there if budget matters most, but it is a multi-step trip rather than a single ride:

• SKB Airport → taxi to the Basseterre ferry terminal (about 20 minutes by road)
• Basseterre → ferry across to Charlestown (about 25 to 45 minutes)
• Charlestown → taxi to your hotel or villa on Nevis

That chain is fine for budget travellers and day trippers who are travelling light and have time to spare. It is less comfortable if you land with several bags, have young children, arrive late in the day, or have a tight gap before a hotel check-in, because you are matching your own arrival to a fixed ferry timetable and arranging two separate taxis around it. For a step-by-step look at the timings, see our guide on how to get from St. Kitts Airport to Nevis.

Charlestown ferry vs private water taxi or private transfer

Staying at Four Seasons? See our Four Seasons Nevis airport transfer guide before choosing the public ferry.

Both options get you to Nevis. Which one suits you comes down to budget, timing, and how much luggage you are moving.

Public ferry

• Lower cost
• Runs on a fixed published schedule
• More self-managed – you buy your own ticket and arrange taxis at each end
• Often suits travellers who are already near Basseterre or Charlestown and are comfortable managing each leg themselves

Private transfer or water taxi

• Timed around your flight or an agreed pickup time
• Luggage handled as part of the route
• Better for hotel arrivals and airport pickups
• Better when timing matters, or when you are travelling with family or a group

A private transfer with Book Nevis covers the whole route – the meet-and-greet after customs at SKB, the drive across St. Kitts, the water crossing, and the Nevis-side taxi to your hotel – so you are not managing terminals, tickets, or timing yourself. Our airport pickups are listed by route on the SKB airport arrival transfers page.

Getting from Charlestown to your hotel

Charlestown is the arrival point for the public ferry, but for many visitors it is not the final stop. Taxis wait at the pier, and most accommodation is a short onward drive from there. A few examples of how far the main properties sit from Charlestown:

• Four Seasons Nevis – one of the closest major resorts by road from Charlestown, though guests may use different arrival points depending on their arrangements, so it is worth checking the best route before choosing the public ferry
• Paradise Beach and Hamilton Beach – also on the Pinney’s Beach stretch, a few minutes apart
• Montpelier Nevis and Golden Rock – inland and uphill on the southern and eastern side, a longer ride
• The Hermitage – in the hills above Gingerland, on the eastern side
• Mount Nevis Hotel and the Oualie area – toward the northern end of the island

Which arrival point suits you best depends on your specific hotel rather than which coast it sits on. Montpelier Nevis and Hermitage are generally quicker to reach from Charlestown than from Oualie, and Golden Rock is roughly comparable from either; the longer onward drives from Charlestown are to places such as Oualie, Hamilton Beach and Mount Nevis, where a private water taxi landing at the Oualie Bay pier can work out better. If you are staying in or near Charlestown, the public ferry drops you close to where you want to be.

When to book a private transfer instead

A private transfer is usually the easier choice when:

• You are arriving at SKB Airport and want one arranged route through to your accommodation
• You are travelling with several bags
• You are arriving later in the day or after dark
• You are connecting to a hotel check-in and want the timing handled
• You are travelling as a family or a group
• You would rather not match your arrival to a fixed ferry timetable

We track your flight, so a delay or a next-day arrival does not add a cost, and there is no extra charge for night arrivals. Child seats are available on request.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ferry from St. Kitts go to Charlestown?

Yes. The public passenger ferry runs between the ferry terminal in Basseterre, St. Kitts and the pier in Charlestown, Nevis, with several sailings a day on a fixed schedule.

Where do I check the Charlestown ferry schedule?

Check the official NASPA ferry schedule, which lists current passenger ferry times. The Nevis Tourism Authority ferry services page also gives an overview and links to the published schedules. Book Nevis does not operate the public ferry or set its timetable.

How long is the ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown?

Usually around 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the vessel and conditions. Check the official schedule for exact sailing times.

Can I take the public ferry after landing at SKB Airport?

Yes, but it is a multi-step trip. From SKB you take a taxi to the Basseterre ferry terminal (about 20 minutes), then the ferry to Charlestown, then a taxi on the Nevis side to your hotel. It works well for budget travellers, but a private transfer is simpler if you have luggage, children, or a late arrival.

Is the Charlestown ferry best for Four Seasons Nevis?

Not always. Four Seasons guests often have more than one possible route into Nevis, including options that avoid travelling through Charlestown. If you are flying into SKB, check your arrival time, luggage, and hotel arrangements before deciding.

What is the easiest way from SKB Airport to a Nevis hotel?

A private transfer is the simplest. We meet you after customs at SKB, drive you across St. Kitts, handle the water crossing, and take you to your hotel on Nevis – one arranged route, with your luggage handled and your flight tracked. See how to get from St. Kitts Airport to Nevis for the full timing.

Do ferry times change?

Yes. The public ferry schedule can change with public holidays, weather, and operating conditions, and different vessels run on different days. Always check the latest official schedule before you travel.