The majority of people who visit Saint Kitt’s and Nevis probably never leave the island of Saint Kitt’s. Why? Because most of the tourists come to this Caribbean paradise for only a day on cruise ships. The port of Saint Kitt’s can accommodate between 1-6 cruise ships per day, and this accounts for a significant portion of Saint Kitts’ tourism. However, the true gem of this island pair is Nevis (pronouned Neevis). In this Nevis Travel Guide, I’ll tell you how to get there, and why you should visit Nevis. For more on Saint Kitt’s and Nevis, check out my post, How to Spend Three Days in Saint Kitt’s & Nevis.
How to Get to Nevis
An important part of the Nevis travel guide, is how to get to Nevis. Do not be fooled by overpriced transfers. You can book a private transfer, but the public transfers are just as good. To get to Nevis, you can take a taxi or drive to the Park Hyatt Saint Kitt’s or Reggae Beach Bar and get the Islander water taxi. The taxi is $22 round trip or $15 one way and runs relatively regularly throughout the day. The trip takes 7-10 minutes. If you want to double check the schedule, you can call the Park Hyatt and ask.
Where to Stay in Nevis
We did not stay in Nevis while we were there, but boy, would I next time. Nevis is definitely the more luxurious location of the two islands. I think this is partially because it’s more difficult to get to and has more privacy. So where should you stay on Nevis?
The Four Seasons ($$$$)
The Four Seasons is the second largest employer on the island of Nevis, and it is truly a compound. If you stay here, there is really not much need to leave. It’s located on Pinney Beach, the main beach on the island, and has a sprawling complex. It will cost a pretty penny, but could be worth it for a once in a lifetime stay.
Montpelier Plantation & Beach ($$$)
I visited this hotel while on my tour and was wildly impressed. Located on an old plantation up in the hills of Nevis, this beautiful complex seems like a private paradise. It has a gorgeous pool and restaurant as well as individual cabins for rooms. Note, it is not on the beach. The property has a private beach and they provide shuttles free of charge.
The Hermitage Hotel ($$$)
This hotel is also incredibly charming. I absolutely love the charm of the place. Also located in the hills of Nevis, the location has individual cabins for rooms and a pool. It’s particularly unique because it is the home of the oldest remaining wooden house on Nevis, built between 1670 and 1740. This house serves as the main dining area and bar of the complex.
Golden Rock ($$$)
Golden Rock is also located in the hills of Nevis, and has a slightly cooler climate because of this. This stone complex was built in the 1800’s and converted to an 11 room property with a lush botanical feel. It’s a secluded paradise on the island. You can even stay in a honeymoon suite located in the original sugar mill.
What to Do in Nevis
The Nevis travel guide wouldn’t be complete without describing the best sites to visit in Nevis. Nevis is such a cool, unique island with it’s own people and culture compared to Saint Kitt’s. Both are great places, but Nevis has a more laid back and private vibe. There is also a ton to do. Here are my recommendations for what to do in Nevis.
Go to the Nevis and Alexander Hamilton Museum
Arguably one of the most important sites in Nevis is the Nevis history and Alexander Hamilton museum. The island of Nevis is the proud birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, who was born and raised on Nevis. Hamilton was a founding father of the United States, a member of George Washington’s presidential staff, and of course, a staunch abolitionist. His views on slavery were greatly influenced by his upbringing on Nevis, where slavery was the norm at the time. The museum costs $10 and is a great thing to visit on the island.
Go to the 400 Year Old Hot Springs
Everyone talks about these hot springs on Nevis, and it’s definitely a good stop. However, they’re also very basic, so do not expect a bougie hot spring with amenities. The Nevis hot springs are open to the public and have been in use for 400 years. The locals go to them often, and they’re believed to cure minor ailments. It is pretty incredible. The water is 107F / 42C, and you’re supposed to take a 15 minute dip. I love hot water, but I don’t think I even made it 10 minutes. For reference, there is nowhere to change (at this moment), and the hot spring is basically one small pool, so it’s about a max 30 min stop.
Get Your Tan on at Pinney’s Beach
The main beach in Nevis is Pinney’s Beach. This long stretch of white sand is the main beach on the island, and it’s not to be missed. You can rent chairs from various restaurants and bars, and they beach is open to the public. This is the same beach that the Four Seasons uses. A good spot to start is at Sunshine’s Restaurant.
Visit the Stunning Resorts
Most island tours will actually take you to the amazing resorts on the island as a part of the half island tour. This is how I discovered Montpelier, The Hermitage and Golden Rock. Even if you don’t stay there, they’re definitely worth checking out!
Check out the Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens on Nevis are also beautiful. The entry fee (on top of a tour) is $19, so it’s up to you if you want to spend the money, but if you have the time, I think it’s worth it. I did not have the time when I was there, but I would definitely check them out next time.
