Nevis – a Caribbean Island for Savvy Travelers

February 9, 2015 | Updated: February 11, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More

On Nevis, no building can be taller than a coconut palm – like these at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club.

Nevis wasn’t the first Caribbean island I visited. Like many travelers, I started with bigger, more obvious places. Some of these have international airports and almost all of them are on the cruise ship circuit. But what I wanted was an authentic experience, a chance to meet local people and learn about their culture.

So I kept looking, and when I arrived in Nevis, I knew my search was over. On this little patch of paradise, no building can be taller than a coconut palm and the local people are warm and friendly. I was immediately enamored with the beautiful beaches – strewn with nothing more than a few bits of driftwood – and the tropical rainforest that covers the slopes of an extinct volcano.

Nevis – no cruise ships, no high-rise resorts, just unspoiled beaches and warm hospitality.

In contrast to the other islands I’d visited, Nevis feels like a small town – in an everyone-knows-everyone sort of way.

Getting to Nevis in the British West Indies

We flew into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (RLB) on St. Kitts and were transferred by private boat two miles across the channel to Nevis.

Tropical plants and Asian sculpture is artfully juxtaposed at The Botanical Gardens on Nevis.

Things to do on Nevis

We saw a phenomenal selection of tropical plants at The Botanical Gardens of Nevis. These Gardens are a tranquil oasis punctuated with exotic plants in fanciful shapes and colors. Christi Douglas has artfully combined innovative landscaping and gorgeous Asian sculpture into a wonderful place to spend a few hours – or longer if you stay for lunch at the Thai-style restaurant.

Reggie Douglas of Nevis Adventure Tours led us on a memorable rainforest hike on the slope of Nevis Peak. Along the way, he showed us the huge ferns and vine-covered trees that thrive in this tropical environment. Reggie is a multi-sport athlete and West Indies champion who has competed in Europe, Australia, and North America. On Nevis he offers escorted hikes, bike tours, camping trips, and bike rentals.

Hikers on Nevis Peak couldn’t ask for a better guide than multi-sport athlete Reggie Douglas.

The best snorkeling we experienced was on a catamaran excursion to St. Kitts with Lennox and Fitzroy of Leeward Island Charters. The SCUBA divers we talked to on Nevis raved about the marine life they had seen with Scuba Safaris.

Nevis based Leeward Island Charters takes guest to nearby St. Kitts for snorkeling.

Ditto the Nevis Equestrian Centre where John Guilbert leads islands tours on horseback. Everyone loves seeing the sights this way.

Where to stay and dine on Nevis

Most of the lodging on Nevis is privately-owned, which is great, because nothing spoils an authentic experience in a pristine location like a corporate logo. Instead, the small, unique properties on Nevis add to the island’s laid-back charm.

My personal favorite is Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, built on the grounds of an historic sugar plantation once owned by Lord Horatio Nelson and his wife Fanny Nisbet. Here, lodging is in creamy yellow cottages scattered around a lush lawn. The cottages hold 36 elegantly-casual rooms and suites, each with a balcony or patio.

The Avenue of Palms leads to a picture-perfect beach complete with hammocks, chaise lounges, and umbrellas. Nearby, the swimming pool, hot tub, Coconuts Restaurant, and Sea Breeze Beach Bar all share the sea view. Nisbet also offers tennis, croquet, and The Palms Spa.

Dinner is served in the Great House Restaurant, which dates from 1778. Afternoon tea is provided daily on the Great House “tea patio.” Everywhere on the property, the staff goes out of their way to meet every need.

Some guests opt to enjoy all their meals at Nisbet, and others use their rental cars or taxis to sample the island’s other dining choices. My husband and I enjoyed meeting Richard Lupinacci and his family, owners of the 15-room Hermitage Plantation Inn. The Great House here is 340 years old and contains 18^th-century furnishings. The West Indian feast at the Hermitage is an authentic cultural food experience.

When her marriage was on the rocks, Princess Diana retreated to the more modern and formal Montpelier Plantation. The 19-room hotel is set up in the hills of Nevis, but the management provides transportation to their private beach.

Golden Rock Inn occupies 100 acres on the slopes of Nevis Peak.

Another not-to-be-missed spot: Golden Rock Inn, which sits on 100 acres on the slopes of Nevis Peak. This 11-room hotel and restaurant was restored by artists Helen and Brice Marden. They preserved the historic elements of the 19th-century mill, while adding colorful art and magnificent gardens.

Nisbet Plantation Beach Club supports the local primary school, which the children of staff members attend.

Helping school children on Nevis

Before we left San Diego, I’d picked up a few school supplies to share with the local primary school that Nisbet Plantation supports. A frequent Nisbet guest who has been delivering books and such to the school for several years joined us. We had a great time talking with the kids and their teachers. All I’d brought was a San Diego pictorial calendar and some boxes of crayons, pencils, and pens – but they were enthusiastically received.

The next day at breakfast, Violet and other staff told us how much their kids appreciated our contributions. Nevis is like that…a small island that feels like a small town – in the best possible way.

If you’d like help planning an authentic trip to the Caribbean, you might want to contact this travel expert.

Cheers,

Elizabeth Hansen