Nevis West Indies is an island in the Caribbean near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 220 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and roughly 50 miles west of Antigua.  The 36 square-mile island is part of the Leeward Islands.  Together with Saint Kitts, Nevis constitutes the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The two islands are separated by a 2-mile (3.22 km) wide channel.  Although some claim Charlestown to be the capital of Nevis, because Nevis is technically part of the Federation Of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the official capital is Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Nevis is conical in shape, with a volcanic peak at the centre (Mt. Nevis) and is fringed by long strands of golden sand beaches, which are mostly protected by coral reefs. These reefs cause the waters surrounding Nevis to be calm and ideal for swimming, diving, or other water sports. In the lush interior, rivers and ponds fill up seasonally, and the gently sloping coastal plain also has natural fresh water springs, especially along the west coast.  Nevis was named Oualie ("Land of Beautiful Waters") by the Caribs and Dulcina ("Sweet Island") by the early British settlers.  The name Nevis is derived from Spanish, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves ("Our Lady of the Snows"), a name given the island in 1493 by Christopher Columbus who thought the clouds over Nevis Peak made the island resemble a snow-capped mountain.

The majority of the approximately 12,000 inhabitants of Nevis are of African descent. English is the official language and the literacy rate, 98 percent, is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere

Nevis is considered by everyone who visits to be a paradise for nature lovers.  From nearly anywhere on the island you can listen to the monkeys chattering in the trees, or catch a glimpse of the beautifully-colored tropical birds that make the island their home.  There is excellent snorkeling just offshore and scuba diving around wrecks and natural reefs that surround Nevis.  For those more interested in land exploration, there are archaeology sites to visit, or explore the ruins of centuries-old sugar plantations, a lime kiln, or Amerindian sites.  Several archaeology projects led by university researchers from England and the United States continue each year on Nevis.

Hiking in the rain forest on Nevis is a must for everyone, whether it be the short hike through the nature trail at Golden Rock Plantation Inn or a day-long climb to the top of Nevis Peak (3,232 feet).  Walk on the beach and learn about the nesting of sea turtles with a biologist as your guide, or go snorkeling with a marine biologist to learn about life under the sea.  There are even night beach walks available, to study the stars, seemingly light years away from the glare of the cities.

Exploring the shops in town more to your liking?  Walk up and down the streets of the delightful Charlestown and see one of the best remaining examples of the colonial era in the Caribbean. The lack of modernization has kept much of Charlestown in its original state, and local efforts are underway to preserve the original buildings.  There are numerous 18th and 19th century buildings that are Georgian in style and fit into a certain scale.  Most of them in town were built with stone first floors and wooden structure upstairs.  The first floor were shops and the merchants lived above them. 

Although the pace of life on Nevis is very relaxed and laid-back, you won't get bored....there is plenty to see and do to keep even the most energetic visitors busy!

The following pages contain additional information specific to the island of Nevis.

Internet Availability
Cell Phone Coverage
Utilities/Electric Info
Local Water Quality
Personal Safety
Getting Around
Banks/Exchanging Money
What to Wear / Topless Attitude
Getting Married on Nevis

Additional Resources

• Activities
• Local Tours
• Golf Courses
• Beaches
• Water Sports
• Shopping/Local Markets
• Hiking & Nature Trails