Nevis may not be the first destination to spring to mind when you think of the Caribbean. It’s got a more conservative persona than its neighbouring islands, but it’s one of the most beautiful and dynamic destinations in the Caribbean. This exclusive guide will introduce you to Nevis, and help you discover new holiday experiences outside the portfolio of Caribbean clichés.
A Petite Paradise
Nevis is one of the morsels of the Caribbean that remains free from the grip of high-impact tourism. At just eight miles long and six miles wide, Nevis is a mote of verdant foliage and unspoilt beaches hidden away behind higher profile Caribbean islands. Nevis is not a place for the follies of modern night-time antics or reckless consumerism. It’s a place to find tranquillity – real tranquillity – in the midst of white beaches, colourful beach bars, and quaint hotels that value intimate service. For holidaymakers who seek privacy and peacefulness, Nevis needs to be your next big discovery.
Weather & When to Go
May and June are the best times to visit Nevis, purely in terms of weather. The peak holiday season has just petered out, the wet season hasn’t begun in earnest, and hotel rates tend to be noticeably cheaper than the peak period December – April. The wet season spans July – November and does offer some excellent value holiday rates, but Nevis is caught by the hurricane season, so keep an eye on the weather before and during your stay. That said, November can yield some exceptional holidays: it brackets the end of the rainy season, so showers are much less common and fall in short sharp bursts, and you’ll benefit from outstanding value packages.
Things To Do
Nevis is clad with jungles and rainforest, sloping into pristine sands and emerald waters. It’s a great island for relaxing and enjoying the views, but there’s loads to get you out and about:
• Take a hike up the majestic Nevis Peak, a dormant volcano veined with an assortment of walking trails that afford striking views of the island
• Stroll along Montpelier Plantation & Beach, where Horatio Nelson was married in 1787, and take afternoon tea in the botanical gardens
• Delve deeper at one of the 40 dive sites across the coastal waters, coloured with magnificent reefs, caverns, and otherworldly marine life
• Do something turtly amazing and learn about endangered Seas Turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservancy
• Discover Nevis with a personalised island tour: the island’s compact proportions make it easy to circumnavigate its sweeping coastlines
Getting Around
The small 36 square-mile footprint of Nevis is easy to explore, encircled by a 20-mile main road. Taxis are an affordable method of transport; just look out for bright yellow licence plates that start with T or TA. Likewise, Nevis is small enough to safely traverse under your own steam by renting a car, and the island drives on the left like we do. All you need to do is spend about $20USD to get a local driving permit and rent the car that’s right for you. Nevis’s petite proportions also make bicycle travel viable, and many hotels and shops offer bike rental services. Biking is a super low-cost way of discovering the island, and you’ll never have to travel far to find something of interest.
Essential Knowledge
Currency
The official currency of Nevis is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC), but American Dollars are also widely accepted. Change will always be issued in Eastern Caribbean Dollars, and EC is the only currency dispensed from the island’s ATMs. If you intend to travel through the lesser-trodden areas of the island, we’d recommend taking some Eastern Caribbean Dollars. Local exchange rates don’t tend to favour the American Dollar, so keeping some EC on-hand will make sure you’re not short-changed. If you don’t plan on leaving your hotel, American Dollars will be fine. If in doubt, check the exchange rate here.
Emergency Numbers
We’re sure you’ll have a safe and enjoyable holiday, but here are some savvy numbers to keep on-file:
• Police: 469-5391
• Alexandra Hospital: 469-5473
• Fire Services: 469-3444
FCO Advice
Keep yourself in the loop with the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office right here.
Try Nevis
Now is the time to leave the beaten track and try Nevis. If you’d like to look at some excellent hotel options, use that handy blue button below.
Now is the hour for the road less travelled, Holidaymaker.
