While the island of St Kitts was much prized and fought over in its past life as a British colony, in more recent times it’s been something of an overlooked destination. However, it’s now reinventing itself as a place that offers an authentic Caribbean experience but with plenty for those seeking adventure.

Here, loveEXPLORING's Simon Ward reveals five amazing activities you can do on this historic island, from flying over rainforest on spectacular ziplines to soaring over the seas...

Sky Safari’s ziplines offer a very different view of Brimstone Hill, the fort where the British looked out to the lush blue Caribbean Sea in fear of enemy fleets. After an initiation line, a 4x4 bounces over the rough rainforest terrain to take you up to the highest point. This is the launchpad for De Boss, which certainly lives up to its name by launching you down a 1,350-foot-long (411m) line over 1,000 feet (305m) above sea level.

You’re flying faster than the local green vervet monkeys, whose population outnumbers that of humans on the island, as you soar above the green canopies. You can see a breathtaking panorama of blue sky, blue sea and the historic fort in the distance.

The next two lines, Mango Tango and Brimstone Blast, also offer exhilarating perspectives of the island. The last line, River Rocket (although the Wingfield River in the valley below was dry when we visited), allows you to race someone down the last heart-pumping stretch to the final landing tower.

To get an even higher 360º view of the island (weather permitting) but at a less frenetic pace, you can tackle the hike up Mount Liamuiga. The 3,792-feet-high (1,156m) volcano last erupted 1,800 years ago and the ash of its crater has long since been taken over and coloured green by the rainforest.

Local guide O’Neil Mulraine has been making the trek up the mountain most days for the best part of 40 years. His guided trek adds layers of colour to the thigh-straining walk, as he points out the flora and fauna, and what the various plants and leaves were used for in the past, and what they’re still used for today (including a plant that could be described as a natural kind of Viagra).

He urges walkers to “rush slowly”, something of a mantra around these parts, and be rewarded by the journey as much as the destination.

It should be said that the trek to the top of Mount Liamuiga requires a reasonable level of fitness. The reward on a clear day is to see out across the Caribbean Sea and to the islands of Sint Maarten/St Martin and St Barts in the distance. Or if it’s cloudy, it feels like you are in the tropical sky itself. The walk down is another adventure, clambering over gnarly tree roots and down the earthy path, past half-eaten mangoes discarded by the monkeys.

If you feel like treating your tired body once you’ve made it back, the Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort near the trailhead offers fine dining and fine massages with yet more stunning views out to sea and the islands beyond.

Back on ground level, you can get great views looking up Mount Liamuiga on a thrilling quad bike tour from Spectrum ATV. But keep your eyes on the road too as you navigate the bumpy back route in the west of St Kitts, passing (short-haired) sheep grazing and zipping past people's backyard washing lines.

But there are plenty of places to stop to get that postcard shot of the mountain and Brimstone Hill.

If being on the water is more your thing then make the most of the crystal-clear coast here. You can hire a hobie cat and set sail from the famous Frigate Bay beach on the trade winds from £41 (US$55) from Beach Addiction.

These small catamarans only have two sails so are (relatively) easy to operate with just a little bit of instruction on dry land first. Once you get the hang of navigating the winds you can zip along the ocean waves, where you might spot dolphins and turtles. It’s a fun way to cruise the coastline with just Mother Nature giving you a helping hand. And you might spot your next beach bar to visit while you're out there...

Another, more dramatic way to see the sights from the sea is from the sky with a parasailing experience from St Kitts Water Sports. The two-person tandem parachute shoots you 600 feet (183m) into the sky off the back of a speedboat. The thrill of soaring to a bird’s-eye view is only heightened by dangling in your seat above the sea. And it offers an incredible 360º panorama of the islands.

If you're lucky, the boat operators will give you a refreshing dip in the ocean on the way down. St Kitts Water Sports also hires out snorkelling gear, jetskis, flyboards, kayaks and paddleboards. 

St. Kitts can be easily reached from the UK via twice-weekly flights from London Gatwick with British Airways. There are also direct flights from the US.

Accommodation
Simon stayed at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and Royal St. Kitts.

Rooms at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa (pictured) start from US$250 (plus taxes) per room per night, on a room-only basis. To book, call +1 869 466 1200 or visit www.marriott.com

Rooms at the Royal St. Kitts start from US$230 (plus taxes) per room per night, on a room-only basis. The Premium three-bedroom villa starts at US$1,800 and includes a private pool and golf cart access. Minimum seven days booking. Premium amenities included, plus additional features such as in-suite laundry, four Smart TVs, private bathroom for each bedroom, master walk-in closet, fully-equipped kitchen featuring wrap-around island, breakfast bar for four plus dining table for eight, covered and open outside deck space. 

For more information on St. Kitts, go to www.visitstkitts.com