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Nevis map
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Special Interests
As a small island, Nevis doesn’t have an enormous depth for people with special interests, but there are some things that it does better than almost anywhere else.
Please click on the relevant section to reach detailed descriptions of the topic:
The best feature of Nevis is really its Natural Life. This is not so much the gardens even, though they are lovely and there is a nice Botanical Garden, but it is more the forest and rainforest on the flanks of Mt Nevis in the centre of the island. The Flora of the island is wonderfully revealed by a small group of guides, listed under Hiking. They will also tell you about the island’s history, the birdlife and the limited fauna.
Nevis’s friendly carnival is held towards the end of July and into August, at their celebration of Culturama. It is small but lively, and sees activities such calypso competitions and costumed street parades as well as drama presentations, beauty pageants, and general jump ups (West Indian parties). Generally the Music in Nevis is fairly international, though you may hear calypsonians at carnival time and a string band at other times of the year.
In the sporting arena it is not as developed as other islands, but there some good opportunities for mountain bikers and hiking of course. The Four Seasons golf course is excellent. On the water there are limited but good Watersports, including Windsurfing, and although the island is not renowned for its Scuba Diving, there is enough to spike the interest if you are going for other reasons. The Sailing is limited, though the island is a charming stopover on a journey along the island chain. Just a few Cruise Ships stop at the island.
Nevis is such a charming island that it is well worth considering for a Wedding or honeymoon. Most of the hotels will help you. Also, with its villas and lovely hotels it caters quite well for children. There are fewer options for Solo Travellers, but because the hotels are so small and personable they will make sure that you are looked after well.
There are several options for travellers wanting a spa. The Four Seasons Hotel spa is superb. If you are looking for Healing or Holistic Activities then those are available too.
Food and Cooking. The food on Nevis has improved considerably over the past few years. See Restaurants. |
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Sports
Watersports
The liveliest beach for watersports is Oualie Beach in the north of the island, where many sports are available through Windsurfing Nevis, including kayaks, windsurfers and small sailboats, but you can also find some sports on Pinney’s Beach.
Kayaking
Kayaks (sit on) are a good way to isolated snorkelling spots. They are available through a number of the hotels and also through Windsurfing Nevis at Oualie Beach. You can also take a trip through Turtle Tours, t 469 8503, who set off from Oualie Beach and head down the west coast of the island to the Four Seasons. Another good choice is Jim Johnson, Top to Bottom, t 469 9080 - ocean kayaking is a great way to birdwatch.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling gear is available through most of the hotels, who will lend you a mask and fins. There are reefs around the island, but some of the best places to snorkel include Gallows Bay close to Charlestown, Herberts Beach close to the airport and Long Haul Bay near the Medical school.
Under the Sea, Oualie Beach, t 762 3975
Under the Sea is the brainchild of American marine biologist Barbara Whitman, who has lived on Nevis since 1998. Her idea is to give people a greater appreciation of the underwater environment, so that they recognise and understand more of what they see when they are snorkelling, in the animals and their behaviour. There is more out there than you would ever imagine. And if you’re apprehensive of the environment, it will explain what to expect and how to avoid trouble.
There are three main stages, in the classroom, the aquarium and then in the sea itself and it is very much a hands-on experience. You actually get to handle some of the creatures. See more details.
Sports fishing
Fishing for deep sea fish such as marlin, kingfish and tuna is available mainly through island fishermen who go out to catch for their restaurants. They are happy to take fishermen with them, and although anything that you catch belongs to the restaurant concerned, they will be happy to serve you some. An annual deep sea fishing tournament, held each October, attracts boats from around the islands.
Contact:
Nevis Watersports, Oualie Beach, t 469 9060
The fish you catch is served up when you return at the Gallipot, a beach bar and restaurant in Tamarind Bay north of Pinney’s Beach.
Deep Venture, t 469 5110, mattlloyd@caribsurf.com
Matt Lloyd is from Le Bistro in Charlestown and takes fishermen out in Deep Venture.
Sea Brat with Captain Julian Rigby, t 469 9690
Scuba Diving
See details of scuba diving.
Surfing
Nevis is not known for surfing but there are places where you can do it. The waves at Nisbet are good for beginners and there are bigger waves at Newcastle and Indian Castle. There are other less accessible places with larger waves, contact Windsurfing Nevis, t 469 9682.
See details of windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Land-based sports
Cycling
There is quite a lot of interest in cycling on Nevis at the moment, largely due to Winston Crooke of Windsurfing Nevis. The island has hosted a number of regional mountain bike races and there is a successful road racing team.
Mountain Bike are available for rent from Windsurf'N'Mountainbike Nevis, t 469 9682, www.bikenevis.com, but Winston also takes out mountain biking tours. There are three main rides (though if you want to go out more than that in a week others will be found for you) and they tend to climb on road to start with and then have an off-road section and descent. One ride follows the Upper Round Road, which has some excellent single track through dry and then damper forest. There are also ½ day and island tours. See details of the tours.
In June they stage the 50-mile King of the Road cycle race and in September they hold the 60-mile Independence Road Race. For details, check www.neviscycleclub.com. Also see details of the Nevis Triathlon.
Golf
See our details for Golf, Hiking, which is Nevis is well established on Nevis and excellent, and Horse riding.
Running
A 10 kilometre fun run is held each year at the end of May. See below for details of the Nevis Triathlon. A 32km Round-the-Island race (for teams and individuals) is held in April. Contact Windsurf'N'Mountainbike Nevis above.
Tennis
Tennis is available through a number of hotels. Hotels with courts include the Hermitage, Nisbet Plantation and the Four Seasons. Hill Rise House is a villa with a private tennis court. Stephen Webbe, t 469 2696 gives private tennis lessons.
Karate
Nevisians have long had an interest in martial arts. For many years the only cinema showed mainly Kung Fu movies - Karate Kid and Bruce Lee films – but then in the 1990s a professional trainer, Nevis-born Vincent Maynard, returned from the United States and set up a Goju Karate dojo on Nevis. The group started small but has gained popularity over the years. Participants range from young children to mature adults, including tourists sometimes. Visiting instructors also come to demonstrate other techniques.
On an island like Nevis, Karate is used for exercise as opposed to self-defence, but in September 2006, Hermitage Plantation Inn and Oualie Beach Resort staged the first International Martial Arts Tournament which will hopefully become an annual event.
Triathlon
The Nevis Triathlon is staged early each year, usually in March, see www.neviscycleclub.com).
There are different distances (Olympic distance, Sprint and a ‘Try a Tri’), but they all transit in Charlestown in the TDC car park on the waterfront. In the Olympic distance the swim begins at Gallows Bay, heads into town, the cycle section takes the new road up to the airport runway and back and then the run is to the Four Seasons and back.
Windsurf'N'Mountainbike Nevis stages training camps in the run up to the Triathlons and mountainbike races. For details, see www.bikenevis.com.
Swimming
In March, they hold a ‘cross-channel’ swim, across the straits between Nevis and St Kitts.
Spectator Sports
Cricket
Cricket is the most popular sport with the Nevisians and the season runs from January till mid-July, with on-island and inter-island matches. Regular fixtures are held on Thursday evenings at the Grove Park ground in Charlestown.
While no matches from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 were played in Nevis, its sister-island St Kitts played host to one of the early Group stages of the tournament.
Horse racing
Horse racing is a popular sport with the Nevisians and the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club stages regular meets at the racetrack at Indian Castle in the southwest of the island throughout the year. One of the leading lights of Nevis racing is Richard Lupinacci of Hermitage Plantation Inn. They keep their own horses, which are available for rides.
Race meets are held about a dozen times a year, usually monthly on a Sunday but including Easter, Labour Day (early May), Whitsun, Midsummer, at Culturama in July, at the Independence Day celebrations in September, Thanksgiving and on Boxing Day. |
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Taxis
Taxi rates are fixed rather than metered. There are just not that many taxis on the island, so it is advisable to arrange them in advance.
Fares from the airport are as follows:
Charlestown – US$14 (EC$37)
Pinney’s Beach – US$14
Montpelier Plantation Inn – US$21 (EC$55)
And from Charlestown:
Four Seasons Hotel – US$7 (EC$18)
Hermitage Plantation Inn – US$10 (EC$27)
Nisbet Plantation beach Club - $12 (EC$32)
There are taxi stands at the airport, Newcastle Taxi Stand, t 469 9790, and in Charlestown, t 469 1483 / 5631.
Taxi drivers are all qualified as guides and will conduct island tours. An island tour by taxi lasts around three hours and costs US$59 (EC$133). See Tours of Nevis.
You can also get a water-taxi to run you over to the southern end of St Kitts, to a beach or the Turtle Beach Bar. They leave from Oualie Beach. Contact Nevis Watersports, t 469 9060, Scuba Safaris 469 9518 or Tambo, t 469 0920. |
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Telephone
The IDD code for Nevis +1 869, which is followed by a 7 digit number, usually beginning with 469. (Mobile and cell numbers begin with 662-5). When on island, dial the full seven digits. Many hotels offer Internet access, and e-mail facilities. If you are staying in a villa do check to see if the phone allows international calls, as some have debars, which will need to be lifted, and for which there is normally a deposit.
Cellular phones can be rented or a roaming feature can be added to your own mobile phone if it is compatible with the local network, through Cable & Wireless in Charlestown, t 496 5000. Phone cards for use can be purchased throughout the island. |
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Time Zone
Nevis is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT, ie Britain in winter, and five hours behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.
Nevis has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks change in summer the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as the eastern seaboard. |
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Tour Operators
There is a number of tour operators (UK and Europe) and wholesalers (US) that offer Nevis in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the cream of the bunch for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. Collectively we will call them 'travel organisers' because whether in the UK, Europe or the States, tour operators and wholesalers are generally speaking the principals. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public via travel agents.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection, and sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
We are beginning to look at the best travel organisers offering holidays to Nevis and the list that follows will be developed as we make progress.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to Nevis to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
The list of travel organisers for Nevis will appear below as we populate the section:
| | CaribtoursA lovely company that has not diluted its high standards of personal service for the sake of profit; excellent brochure; fairly priced holidays. Strong following of repeat clients, some famous, some infamous and others simply seeking consistently reliable service and value for money. | | CV TravelA long established villa holiday specialist with an extensive Caribbean programme. CV Travel offers a broad range of Caribbean villas of all sizes and prices in twelve islands, ranging from simple beachfront homes to substantial staffed villas, estates, even private islands. Also a selection of the region’s finest villa resorts and characterful hotels and inns. | | Just St Kitts & NevisJust St Kitts & Nevis is a specialist Caribbean tour operator that concentrates on just a small selection of islands in the region. The Just St Kitts & Nevis programme was only conceived in 2005 but builds on the specialist nature of the company's sister programmes Just Grenada and Just Tobago. Its portfolio represents the best that St Kitts and Nevis have to offer independent travellers in all price brackets, and includes their charming plantation inns, some hotels with villas and a few beach hotels. Very personal service, with a good knowledge base. | | Tropic BreezeA small and knowledgeable UK tour operator with a good depth of accommodation, particularly in the mid to upper price range, in twelve islands in the Eastern Caribbean, from the BVI down to Tobago. Tropic Breeze is friendly and offers tailor-made advice from long-time Caribbean specialists |
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Tourist Information
The Nevis Tourism Authority is based in Main Street, Charlestown, t (+1 869) 469 7550, f (+1 869) 465 7746, nta2001@caribsurf.com
Overseas there are Nevis Tourism Authorities offices in :
Great Britain, Nevis Island Estate, Elm House, Park Lane, Lower Froyle, Alton, Hants GU34 4LT, t 01420 520810, f 01420 22071, nta2001@caribsurf.com
United States (the St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authority), 414 East 75th St, New York, NY 10021, t 212 535 1234, 1800 582 6208, f 212 734 6511, info@stkittstourism.kn,
Canada (the St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authority), 133 Richmond St West, Suite 311, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2L3, t 416 368 6707, f 416 368 3934, office@stkittstourism.kn |
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Tours of Nevis
These are mainly taken by taxi drivers, who are all trained as tour guides as well. There is a standard three hour tour that takes in the sights of the island, price US$50 for one to four people. Each hotel will have their favoured drivers, but some worth recommending include TC, t 662 8301, Sarge (Ruel Sargeant), t 663 6936 and Hubert Jeffers, t 663 0181. |
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Water
The water piped into your room on Nevis is drinkable. You may however prefer to drink bottled water, in which case local brands include Nelson Springs and Nevis Spring Water. |
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Weather
Nevis has a tropical maritime climate with temperatures that range between 17 and 33 degrees Centigrade. November to May is generally drier and the island gets around 48 inches per year.
There is often a wreath of cloud around Nevis Peak (indirectly this is the origin of the island’s name – Nevis derives from Nieves, the Spanish word for snow, which the clouds are supposed to resemble) |
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Weddings
Such a pretty island makes a very attractive backdrop for a wedding, either on the beaches or in the lovely surroundings of one of the plantation hotels. Most of the hotels will assist you in your plans. They each have a ‘package’ which can be adapted to your particular needs. This is likely to include the services of an officiating minister, the flowers and photography and then of course the ceremony afterwards, the music and food.
Some villas will also allow you to marry on their grounds, but they may insist that arrangements are made through a local wedding organiser, and that the villa manager is in approval of the plans.
Here are the official regulations and legal requirements for getting married on Nevis:
- Couples should be on St. Kitts or Nevis for two full working (week) days before the wedding day.
- Both parties must have either a valid passport (photo ID US & Canada) and birth certificate (original or certified copy).
- If either party is divorced, a decree absolute must be presented. If documents are not in English they must be accompanied by a notarized translation.
- If either party is widowed, a copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented.
- If the ceremony is to be performed by a Catholic priest, it must take place in a Catholic Church, and a letter must come from the couple's resident priest verifying that they are unmarried and have received the necessary instructions.
- If an Anglican priest or other minister of religion is to perform the ceremony, a letter must come from the couple's resident minister verifying that they are known and unmarried. It the couple is resident in St. Kitts and Nevis for the stipulated period, a notary public and a marriage officer will have to be paid. Charges vary from officer to officer.
- If the couple is resident on Nevis for the minimum period of two working days prior to the marriage, the license fee is US$80; if the couple is there for 15 days, the fee is only US$20.
- If parties have never been married before an affidavit is required confirming single status and can be obtained from a Notary Public in the home country or on island for a cost of US$20 or EC$50 (compulsory on Nevis)
The best places to stay if you wish to get married or spend your honeymoon on Nevis are: | Four Seasons Resort
A full service beach resort with Four Seasons exacting standards, in the magnificent setting of Pinney's Beach on the Caribbean coast of Nevis. | Montpelier Plantation Inn
An extremely refined plantation house hotel with fantastic views over the south coast of Nevis. Set in delightful hillside gardens, Montpelier’s restored stone estate house is redolent with history and romance, and with gracious hosts (the small hotel is family owned and run) it is a low key but very elegant tropical hideaway. | Hermitage Plantation Inn
A wonderful plantation inn, with gracious West Indian atmosphere, set on the flanks of Mount Nevis. Authentic style, intimate retreat for couples, Nevis weddings and honeymoons. | Hill Rise House
A charming 2-bedroom/2 bathroom villa in a cottage style set in wonderfully colourful gardens with superb views to St Kitts and Mt Nevis as a back drop. A second 2-bedroom cottage allows eight people to share. Good privacy for couples. | Amazing Grace
A stylish 2-3 bedroom Nevis villa with innovative design, excellent gardens and fabulous views, oriental furnishings and decorative art by the owner. | Coral Gate
Lovely 4-bedroom colonial style villa for Nevis rentals with private pool set above Pinneys Beach and the Four Seasons Resort with fabulous 360 degree views to Nevis Peak behind and across to St. Kitts. Excellent family villa. | Sugar Hill
A 4-bedroom Nevis villa in contemporary country house style set at 1100 ft on the flanks of Mt Nevis, giving fantastic views south to Montserrat and Antigua. Excellent choice for nature lovers and weddings. | Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
Unhurried, Unspoiled, Uncommon...is what they say about Nisbet, an elegant plantation house hotel set (uniquely) right on the beach; large and attractive rooms in cottages scattered around stunning grounds with tall palms; Great House refinement, excellent wedding venue. |
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What to Pack
Consider packing the following items when heading out to the Caribbean:
Adequate sun protection, high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach, suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day, cream for insect bites, beach mat/towel. Nevis is usually well stocked with batteries, but do not depend on there being camera film or batteries. Also bring an electrical adapter and you may want to bring a small torch.
Lightweight cotton is the best clothing, with elegant/casual attire for evenings. Note that the smarter hotels request men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. During the festive season people tend to dress up more. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings (Jan/Feb) sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day. You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing in St Kitts.
Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in their original packaging for clear identification by customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents. |
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Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
Windsurfing is available through Windsurfing Nevis, t 469 9682, www.windsurfingnevis.com, which is based at Oualie Beach overlooking the Narrows. The bay is protected and so it is ideal for instruction and early practise, but intermediate surfers can head out into the channel, the Narrows, where the winds are pinched between the islands and the winds are constant and strong. There is some bump and jump on the waves. For larger waves you can head round to Newcastle and Nisbet on the north shore.
Windsurfing Nevis offers packages with instruction, usually with the Oualie Beach Hotel.
There is no school for kitesurfing on Nevis, though a few people do kite in the Narrows, which is good if you are a competent kitesurfer. Unfortunately the best winds on Nevis are close to the run-in to airport, where of course it is not permitted. |
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Yoga/Holistic Activities
Nevis has a really special feeling about it, so it is a wonderful place to go if you are into holistic activities. There are endless magical spots for meditation where you will feel the benefits from the energy around you. The star-gazing on the beach at night is amazing. There is Reiki, yoga, pilates, reflexology and massage.
The Hermitage would make a wonderful venue for a private group retreat, as would be Oualie Beach Resort. The wife of the owner is a Reiki Master and there is a treatment room as well as plenty of space for yoga sessions. The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort is very holistic in that its spa is a lovely place just to be although there are no holistic activities as such. See also Complementary Health.
Nevis Yoga classes and sessions are run by Marie Wilson, t 469 1858, and Nicole Johnson, t 469 9080, at the Golden Rock beach bar on Mondays and Fridays. They are a blend of yoga and pilates and aimed at any fitness level. Private classes are available on request.
PHOTOGRAPHY
DefinitiveCaribbean wishes to thank the following for their photographic contributions to the NEVIS ISLAND GUIDE: Ian Hart, Jim Jonson, Winston Crooke, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Nevis Culturama, Deana Bellamy, Feona Gray and James Henderson.
Picture Editor, Alexander Gray |
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