What is there to do for visitors to Nevis?
When we go to Nevis we spend most of our time outside. There are many lovely beaches to visit: Pinney's Beach is long and white, with beautiful views of St Kitts and gorgeous swimming. It has a number of great beach bars, such as Double Deuce, as well as some newer ones that we haven't yet explored. Oualie Beach is the site of a smaller somewhat funky hotel with a good restaurant. Many of the boat charters that explore the local waters and offer snorkelling leave from Oualie. Nevis Yacht Charter provides great trips that are suited to all. There are also less discovered beaches which are fun for a picnic, a walk and a swim.
Nevis has lovely restaurants that range from the extravagant to the simple. Examples of the first are Golden Rock, Montpelier and Nisbett Beach. Slightly less splashy but very authentic old Caribbean is the Hermitage, which is supposed to have the oldest wooden structure in the Caribbean. The Gallipot has relaxed hours but is great for lunch or dinner. Bananas is very nice and Double Deuce is relaxed, has delicious food and is always fun.
There are walks up the mountain to the source of fresh water for the island and guides will direct you and explain some of the island’s natural features. Finally, the island is fun to explore by car. There are lots of lovely places to discover and wonderful people to meet.
Nevis allows a visitor to safely experience the joys of the East Caribbean: beautiful scenery, lovely beaches, charming people and good food. It will be of interest to those of you who want to wander a bit from the regularly trodden path but to do so in a place that is safe and accessible.
Getting to Nevis
It is getting easier to get to Nevis, but one of the reasons it is so unspoiled is that large air planes cannot land on Nevis. There are other great Caribbean islands to visit, but many are spoiled by unchecked development that is not found in Nevis.
Most flights go to St Kitts (which is an easy boat ride away). You can take a taxi to the ferry (and we can assist with that); or, if you wish, we can provide contact information for a water taxi that takes you to Oualie Beach on Nevis. The water taxi option is more expensive, but is flexible. The ferry schedule is available on line, and again we can assist.
There are direct weekly flights from Toronto to St Kitts on Air Canada. American Airlines and US Airways serve St. Kitts daily from Miami and Charlotte, respectively There are frequent flights from London to nearby Antigua. There are various short connecting flights, some of which take you directly to Nevis.
The most common places from which there are smaller flights are Antigua, St Maarten and Puerto Rico.
Car Rentals
Amaranth is only accessible by taxi or car. Renting a car is easy and driving around the island is an adventure, but not threatening.
The island is small and fun to explore. Traffic moves slowly and you will need to be prepared to share the road with Nevesian goats!
We recommend Mervin's Car Rental, an independent agency operated by Mervin Powell. While your arrangements are made directly with him, we have always rented from him and have found him to be very reliable and warm. It is often possible to make arrangements to have him pick you up at the airport or ferry when you first arrive. We can help put you in touch with Mervin.
