Seasters trip to Saint Kitts and Nevis
By Kirsti Scott
“Girls’ trips are the best, especially when they are seaster trips,” says Lynne Brady, who organized a trip to Saint Kitts with four beachcombing friends this year. Lynne had visited Saint Kitts seven years before, and the beach glass was great. When Lynne mentioned going back, Sandy Goranson, Chris Pavlick, Ruth Smethers, and Lizzy Beckley were on board. Sandy says, “Without hesitation we had five ‘I’m ins!’ It didn’t seem to matter that some of us had never met or even spoken to each other.”
Two of the group flew from Ohio, one from Pennsylvania, and two from the West, converging on the island of Saint Kitts for the big adventure. The group had developed through meeting online and at beach glass festivals around the U.S. Some had gone beachcombing together or been on trips together, but never all five at once.
The trip was planned about a year in advance. “Lynne handled organizing the dates and accommodations: she’s a whiz at that,” says Sandy. “Lynne Brady is our ‘Travel Planner,’ adds Chris. “She has been all over the world glassing, so I know if she is picking a place for us, it’s usually a great place to explore.” For everyone except Lynne, this was their first trip to Saint Kitts.
The adventure begins
“Immediately upon landing at the Saint Kitts airport you feel that you have arrived somewhere special,” says Sandy. “The welcoming warm tropical air greets you as you de-plane and walk across the tarmac into the airport terminal.” The group grabbed their luggage and hired one of the taxis outside the terminal. “Now it’s time to ‘rush slowly’—the Saint Kitts way,” laughs Sandy.
“I was introduced to fresh coconut water right off the airplane on the way to the resort,” says Chris. “They chopped off portions of coconut and made a small hole to sip the water straight from the coconut. After the water was gone, they cut open the coconut and we were able to eat the fresh flesh. Oh, my goodness!”
The group stayed at Sugar Bay Club Suites & Hotel in Frigate Bay, on the Atlantic side of the island. “There are enough restaurants, small grocery stores, coffee and ice cream shops nearby that it is easy to find what you want or need without renting a car,” says Sandy. “It was a ten-minute ride to the city, airport, and local beaches for swimming and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, but we could still enjoy the beautiful waves of the Atlantic,” adds Lynne.
Beach treasures
“Saint Kitts was first visited and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Throughout the 1600s the small island was colonized by British and French,” Sandy explains. “What was left behind by the early colonization of the island provides a mixture of smooth beautifully colored sea glass, printed pottery, marbles, bottle parts, and more.”
“Sea glassing was amazing in Saint Kitts,” Lynne says. “Any taxi driver knows where to go sea glassing.” With a variety of beaches to choose from, the group visited as many as they could on their nine-day trip. “The beaches we visited all had their own personality, from those where one can just sit and sift through the sand and rocks, to those that required substantial walking, navigating hills, climbing over rocks, snorkeling, and wading,” says Sandy.
“The terrain varied depending on the side of the island,” says Chris. “The Atlantic coast behind our resort is sandy—no glass—but lots of great finds for scavenging the beachside. (Sandy and Ruth’s specialty!) On the Caribbean side, there are plenty of pebble-covered and sandy beaches. “The waves are wild on the Atlantic side and provide for different treasures than the Caribbean side. “Long morning walks along the high tide line yielded a collection of lost lobster and conch shells, bits of rope, netting and even a message in a bottle.”
“Basseterre Bay always had some glass on it and if snorkeling, lots of interesting finds in the water,” says Chris. “I found the first marble of the trip in the bay.” It’s easier to find marbles if you snorkel, but since the city sewers empty into the bay, the group decided not to submerge in the water. “There were a few people snorkeling and finding marbles,” says Lynne. “We just walked the shoreline and found a few, which was fine with us.”
“The calm blue and beautiful Caribbean side offers beach glass and pottery,” Sandy says. “Treasures were found by everyone in the group. Plenty of colorful and frosty glass, quite a few marbles, one stopper (with appropriate stopper dance performed by Chris), coins, pottery, shells and my favorite find, a horseshoe crab skeleton.”
“Sea Glass Beach on the Caribbean side was a favorite for finding the most amazing smooth, rounded, sea foam, and white pieces,” says Chris. “I even found some sea biscuits to bring home for the grandkids.” There were plenty of areas to explore on Sea Glass Beach from east to west. “What an adventure we had,” says Lynne. “You have to go down an incline, which is not that bad, but the glass is everywhere. You could sit and pick up glass all day.”
Lost and Found
“There is one story surely to be repeated for years,” says Sandy. One time when they went to Sea Glass Beach, Chris attached her phone in a waterproof case to her beachcombing bag so she could take pictures and videos underwater while she was snorkeling. “By the time we trekked up the hill to where our taxi driver Sheldon was picking us up, I couldn’t find my phone,” Chris says. “I started to panic and looked around where we were standing. Nope, no phone.”
The group enlisted the help of everyone, including a couple enjoying a sunset glass of wine on the beach. They even asked Sheldon’s fiancée to try to call the phone and see if they could hear it. Then Chris remembered she had a daily alarm set on her phone that would flash the phone light. Everyone headed back to the water to see if they could see the light and told the couple about the plan. “As we looked out into the water, the girl yelled, ‘I see it!’ and without hesitation ran and dove into the water to collect my phone that was floating and flashing in the ocean,” says Chris. “We were definitely thanking our lucky stars,” says Sandy.
Beachcombing in Nevis
Sandy, Chris, and Ruth took a day trip to Nevis via the fast ferry. “Ruth and Sandy had a plan and knew the area they wanted to explore. I came along for the adventure,” says Chris. They told the taxi driver where to drop them off and away they went climbing and investigating.
“We had little information to go on for beachcombing on Nevis but ended up committing to a whim, walking about seven miles towards our destination beach,” Sandy says. “This treasure trove offered beautiful big, colorful, chunky glass. We all found several very nice sea coins.” When they got back to the resort, Lynne was amazed by their finds. “I swear unusual things are always attracted to them,” she laughs. “They were gone for the day hiking. When they returned, they had shiva shells, buoys, a lifesaving ring, and skulls. Note: It all made it through customs.”
Beachcombing breaks
The group also took time to enjoy the island. “Locals are eager to share their rich and sometimes sad and bloody history, and are happy to point out restaurants, beaches and other highlights,” says Sandy. “The people, the climate, the history, and the beaches instantly engulf and claim a piece of you. The island is small and raw in originality. There’s plenty to see, but don’t expect anything fancy. The buildings have been there forever. Wonderful chipped-paint shacks, hand-painted signs, narrow roads, pop-up street food vendors, rum samples, fruit, veggies, fish and endless beautiful views entice your senses!”
On Saturday morning, the group went to the farmers’ market in Basseterre Bay, and they also took a tour of the island. “It was inexpensive and gave a great history of the island,” says Chris. “The taxi and bus drivers were also a wealth of information and always willing to answer our gazillion questions!”
“The day at Shipwreck beach was probably my favorite day!” Sandy exclaims. “Two of us left for the beach at 6:30 am for snorkeling. We arrived before the restaurant opened, stashed our backpacks behind a rock down the beach, and hit the water. It was like swimming in our own private aquarium. Brightly colored and patterned fish of all shapes and colors, shells galore, waving sea plants, seaweed, coral…so cool.”
After hours
When this group travels together they like to try the local restaurants and experience new flavors. “Our favorite restaurant was the Lebanon Restaurant, and no trip is complete unless you go to Sprat net for dinner,” Lynne says. “Locally owned by fishermen, and serving their catch from day, the lobster was the most amazing ever.” Chris agrees on the lobster but warns, “Be prepared to wait a while for your dinner!”
“When we exhausted ourselves, we would relax at the resort, crafting, or head to the pool,” says Chris. “We are not big on the nightlife, so we can’t tell you anything about that,” laughs Lynne. “Getting up at 5 and 6 am to beachcomb, these ladies are ready for bed by 9!”
Memories
As the week continued, the group shared life stories, experiences, challenges, trauma, and victories. “A knock here, a nick there, maybe the occasional bigger chip that softened with time,” explains Sandy. “Buffed into a softer, kinder, wiser version of themselves. And, as if by magic, the mermaids, sent us buffed and beautiful sea treasures as if to say, ‘Look! Here’s another one. Isn’t she beautiful?’”
Chris loves reflecting on the trip. “Every location with this group of ladies always conjures up great memories and treasures,” she says. “That’s the beauty of glassing with a group, there is always someone excited about your finds besides you! We each have a treasure from our trips and lots of fun stories to take back home.”
“The best part is the seasterhood. Ruth brought wave necklaces, and we mixed the black sand in resin and made the most beautiful matching necklaces—a keepsake forever,” Lynne says. The group has taken trips to Puerto Rico, Aruba, and Curacao. “We haven’t decided on our next adventure yet, but I know it will be somewhere amazing for sea glass and seasterhood.”
Saint Kitts Travel Tips
Dozens of non-stop, connecting, and charter flights depart daily from destinations throughout the world to Robert L. Llewyn International Airport (SKB). Pro tip from Sandy: “Have your online immigration form complete and be ready to show your QR code on your phone along with your passport as you move through customs screening process.”
There are plenty of taxis and minivans to take you anywhere on the island. “It’s always a good idea to get the name and number of your driver so you can call/text when ready to be picked up from drop-off locations,” says Chris. “Pricing is determined by the Saint Kitts government, however there are a few ‘independent’ drivers so prices may vary slightly.” You can pre-book taxis online and use WhatsApp to communicate with drivers.
Though the group didn’t rent a car, Lynne says she would consider renting one if she returns, though Sandy warns it’s not a simple task. “You need a permit even if you have an International Driver’s Permit. You need to navigate the narrow roads on the left side of the road,” she says. “The first trip through a roundabout—with no lane or other markings—made me grab for a handle and be thankful that I was a passenger.”
Because of the many beachcombing situations, Chris recommends packing for anything. “Bring comfortable walking/hiking shoes/sandals, loose fitting cool attire, and bathing suits!”
Learn more about the best beaches and destinations for sea and beach glass, seashells, fossils, rocks, and more beach finds around the world. Articles ›
This article appeared in Beachcombing Magazine Volume 50 September/October 2025.
