Where To Go & What To See On Nevis

Nevis is especially known for its tranquility and its historical and natural beauty. Yet there is plenty to do if you can tear yourselves away from Island Time.

Beaches:

Nevis is ringed by beautiful beaches. You’ll never find any of them crowded, even in high season. Here is a sample of some of them around the island:

Pinney’s Beach on the west/north west side of the island is by far the longest of the beaches and runs from town ( Charlestown) to Cades Bay, approximately 3 miles. There are several eateries along the way, and the Four Seasons Resort is also located on Pinney’s Beach. Pinney’s Beach is easily accessed from several locations. It’s a great swimming and walking beach.

Oualie Beach, located at the Oualie Beach Hotel on the northwest side of the island, is a small beach with calm, shallow water, particularly good for kids. The hotel has many amenities, including a bar, restaurant and a low-key water/sports center adjacent to the beach, as well as a very interesting aquarium (can organize snorkeling lessons and trips).

Lovers’ Beach is on the northwest side of the island, not too far from the airport. It has beautiful white sand, and is very private. Bring a picnic because there are no amenities here (yet!).

Nisbet Plantation Beach is located at the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. It’s a beautiful white sand beach, with a beach bar and restaurant.

Windward Beach is not for sissies! Located on the east (windward) side of the island, this is a wonderful windswept beach with plenty of surf – and privacy.

Gallows Bay Beach on the southwest side of the island is not far from Charlestown.

Social Calendar :

There are several low-key spots where you can enjoy a fabulous meal, and at some, to dance or just listen to live music. Here’s a sample (some of the music is only during high season; the list is subject to change):

Monday nights book into Montpelier Plantation Inn for a gourmet dinner and live jazz.

Tuesday nights, live jam session at Oualie Beach Hotel; great local and ex-pat musicians. You can book dinner too.

Wednesday nights, island music at Eddy’s in Charlestown. Great local food too, and a favorite with the ex-pat community on Wednesday nights. Music doesn’t start ‘til late, so you can enjoy your dinner!

Thursday nights dance on the beach to a fabulous live band at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. Music is only from 7-10 pm, so get there early. They also have a delicious, optional, West Indian buffet that night too.

Friday night, go for dinner at Double Deuce on the beach or to Gallipot on the northwest side of the island on the main road. Or, you can pick up some grilled ribs or chicken at Mansas in Cades Bay and eat there or take it out.

Saturday night it’s Oualie Beach Hotel for live music and dancing and their West Indian buffet, or to Banana’s for a beautiful sunset and dinner, sometimes with live dinner music.

Sunday enjoy brunch at the Mt. Nevis Hotel or a mid-day lunch and swim at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, or at Sunshine’s Bar and Grill on Pinney’s Beach.

Some other great places for a meal: Café des Artes in Charlestown (breakfast and lunch) located next door to the Alexander Hamilton Museum; 1784 Bar and Bistro, located at the Botanical Gardens; have a lobster sandwich for lunch at Golden Rock Hotel, one of Nevis’ plantation inns located in a high tropical setting in Gingerland; Hermitage Plantation, the oldest residence in the Caribbean, now an inn; Miss June’s extensive West Indian buffet dinner; Coconut Grove Bar and Grill for gourmet dining on Pinney’s Beach; Wendy’s Deli where you can pick up a sandwich and have a picnic on the beach; Rumours , a casual restaurant near the airport. And there are “plenty more” restaurants to choose from.

Historic sites, museums, sports and other interesting things to do:

A few of the highlights:

  • See the Alexander Hamilton Museum in Charlestown, headquarters of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society;
  • Tour the Coconut Walk sugar mill ruins on the windswept shores on the east side of the island, and the nearby Lime Kiln, and the Indian River which operated as a rum factory until recent years;
  • Hike or drive to Hamilton Estate, an easily accessible sugar mill with many of the works and buildings intact;
  • See Cottle Church, a partially restored chuch built by a plantation owner for a place to worship with his family and his slaves;
  • Take a walking tour of historic Charlestown, organized by the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society;
  • Tour the Botanical Gardens and have lunch at the 1784 Bistro within the Gardens;
  • Play round of golf at the Four Seasons Hotel and lunch on their beautiful beach;
  • Go on a sailing and snorkeling adventure on one of the several charter boats on the island. Diving and fishing expeditions available too;
  • Ride the beach and island trails on horseback with the Nevis Equestrian Center;
  • Take a ‘round-the-island-tour with one of the many tour operators;
  • Hike through the rainforest or to the top of Mt. Nevis with resident biologist Jim Johnson;
  • Rent a windsurfer or a bike at Nevis Water Sports next to the Oualie Beach Hotel;
  • Tour the plantation inns of Nevis with a guide or on your own; Golden Rock, Hermitage, Montpelier, Nisbet, Old Manor. You can have a drink, or lunch or dinner at all of them, but it isn’t necessary if you just want to look.
  • Take a rum shop tour;
  • Visit Nevis Pottery, near Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, to see how pottery is made out of the local clay, and to buy and bring home an island treasure.