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Nevis, The Caribbean's Unspoilt Island

Nevis, Caribbean

Photos Credit: Flickr

In recent years, many of the Caribbean’s islands have undergone heavy commercialisation in line with the influx of tourists in search of sunshine and relaxation, and who can blame them? Blue skies, perfect temperatures, sandy beaches and crystal waters all form the foundations of an incredibly long list of reasons why the Caribbean is so popular. Comprised of over 7000 individual islands strewn throughout the sea like sporadic shards of broken glass, you might start to wonder whether any of the Caribbean remains untouched. With big names like Antigua, Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands all on offer, the untouched gems tend to be overshadowed by their bigger and more well-known brothers and sisters. A few years ago on my quest to avoid the mainstream, I stumbled across what quickly became my all-time favourite Caribbean hideaway: the island of Nevis. Heritage still in check and charm aplenty, Nevis remains true to its roots. This is undoubtedly one of the Caribbean’s unspoilt paradises, and here are some of the things that keep me coming back.

There’s no be being bothered as you bathe on the beach or unwanted hassle as you queue for a drink at the local bar, Nevis is as far away from a tourist trap as they come. The people here are passionate about their island and more often than not they can’t wait to share their wealth of secrets and inside knowledge to help make your stay all that more enjoyable. Pull up a chair at the bar and have a chat with the local beside you or hire yourself a taxi driver to give you the whistle-stop tour- either way, this is the best way to get to know the island. The more you explore the island, the more apparent its rich history becomes. Ancient ruins of an abandoned British fort and an old Anglican church lay in decay amid the green of the landscape and remnants of the Hamilton Estate sugar plantation that operated up until the 50s can be explored, affording great views of Charlestown and neighbouring St. Kitts.

Nevis, Caribbean

Despite the fact that Nevis is much smaller than neighbouring St Kitts, mother nature has been kind in providing the island with 14 beaches to choose from. Some pristine, others rustic, but all with their own charm. The beaches of Nevis are some of the most beautiful in all the Caribbean, and Lover’s Beach steals the show for me for its seclusion and tranquillity alone. It’s the kind of place you can come with a book and a beach towel for the day and happily lay for hours listening to the sound of the waves as they lap the shore and for the distinct sounds of the island’s abundant wildlife. In fact, the wildlife is a big part of why Nevis is such a pleasure to visit.

The landscape is incredibly diverse for an island of this size and thus affords an amazing array of wildlife that ranges from brown pelicans to hawksbill turtles, and if you visit during the months of April and November you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the turtles nesting on Lover’s Beach. From the majesty of Nevis Peak to the swaying palm trees that line the beaches, it’s hard to believe that such diversity can exist on one island. Hilly terrain surrounds the foothills of Nevis Peak, thick with vegetation and exotic flora, it’s where you’ll come across a maze of hiking trails. More than just a place to catch the sun- Nevis is a place of adventure. Water sports, land sports, snorkelling, horse riding, hiking and biking are all readily available on the island should you wish to keep active.

Nevis, Caribbean

Oualie Beach is the perfect place to grab a cocktail and watch the sun set over neighbouring St. Kitts, but it’s on the famous Pinney’s Beach that colourful Caribbean beach bars can be found. Nevis seems to have nailed the laid back, friendly vibe. The beach bars here ooze atmosphere and spend your evenings in one and you’re guaranteed to make a friend. The island’s speciality is of course rum, but just a short hop across the water on St. Kitts they are brewing ice-cold Caribbean beers for you to enjoy on those cool evenings. When you start to think about where to stay, one thing you needn’t worry about is a lack of amenities, as hotels offer all the modern-thrills and conveniences you’re used to back home. In fact, Nevis can make a great home for life. Many people visit the island on holiday, fall in love with it and return on a permanent basis.

A move to Nevis not only brings exceptional scenery, fine food and chatty locals on tap, but it also comes with more social, economic and travel benefits than you can imagine. Invest in luxury property at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis and you’ll earn yourself a lifetime St. Kitts and Nevis passport, visa-free travel to over 120 countries and you’ll benefit from some generous tax breaks. The homes at Poinciana Estates are customisable and built just steps from the shimmering Caribbean Sea, benefiting from the Four Seasons Hotel’s signature service and amenities. Nevis has my heart. If I were to pack-up shop and leave home, this is where I’d come to live the Caribbean dream.

Ian Garstang

Ian Garstang is a travel writer and marketing specialist working in the luxury travel market. Ian is the editor at Luxury-Travels.net and has worked with such brands as GHM Hotels, Four Seasons and Aman. Ian was named Hotel Club's 'Bali Expert' and nominated in the top 20 luxury travel bloggers on USA Today. Ian has written for various websites including A Luxury Travel Blog, Luxury Asia News and ...(Read More)

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