Destination Guide

The small island of Nevis, with its unsophisticated beauty, is a reminder of the West Indies as they used to be, with grand Plantation Houses and a gentle, laid back, friendly atmosphere.  With neighbouring  St. Kitts, it is an independent country within the British Commonwealth and there are strong ties with Britain.

Only 6 x 8 miles in size, it is almost circular in shape and dominated by the 3232’ Mt. Nevis with its perpetual cloud cap.  One main road extends around the coast with access to the island’s lovely sandy beaches, the most famous of which is the three mile long, palm fringed Pinney’s Beach on the west coast.  Others include Nisbet Beach, a picture postcard sandy beach also fringed with coconut palms, and also with a beachside bar and restaurant.  Oualie Beach, between the airport and Pinney's Beach, offers a good selection of watersports facilities, as well as a beach bar/restaurant.

Although there has been tourist development, including the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Hotel, with its 18-hole Robert Trent Jones championship golf course,  on Pinney’s Beach, the island still retains a quiet charm.  The quiet, sleepy capital of Charlestown, has attractive colonial stone buildings, painted in pastel colours, their balconies decorated with gingerbread trim.

As well as golf, the Four Seasons Resort offers windsurfing and other popular activities on the island include sailing, snorkelling, diving, horse riding and walking.  Eco-tourism is strong in Nevis and there is an active Historical and Conservation Society.  Horse racing is a tradition in Nevis and is fun to attend, as it is inevitably accompanied by an almost carnival-like atmosphere.

As a contrast, day trips can be taken to the neighbouring islands of St. Kitts, St. Barts, St. Martin, Saba or Montserrat

The main town of Charlestown has a supermarket, open until 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday (until 12 noon on Sundays) where food supplies can be purchased. Gourmet items can be hard to come by, so if there are any food items you feel you cannot live without, it is a good idea to bring them with you.

There are now direct flights to St. Kitts from London, from where there are frequent flights and ferry crossings.  Nevis can also be reached via Antigua, Puerto Rico or St. Martin, where charter flights can be arranged to meet international flights.  A rental car is essential and can be arranged in advance to meet flights.