Nevis

Nevis is a hidden gem in the Caribbean. Its unspoilt and pristine surroundings will have you coming back year after year. It is definitely paradise on earth.

Whether you want to swim, snorkel, catch your own dinner, do watersports, hiking, horseback riding or take a dune buggy tour, Nevis has it all. Or if you are a fan of a do nothing vacation, and you want to relax and forget about it all, Nevis is for you, too.

Explore Nevis Peak on a guided tour, or ride horseback along the coastline for a more relaxed pace..Head on down to the Pinneys Beach area for lunch or dinner. It is beautifully designed and the people are always welcoming. A must-see is Sunshine Bar and Grill. Meet the owner Sunshine Caines, who is world renowned and has been featured in too many magazines to mention. His restaurant has been consistently at the top of best beach bars in the Caribbean. Try his signature drink, the Killer Bee.

Walk among the locals in the downtown area, and be greeted by the school children going to school.saying good morning or good afternoon to every person they see. It’s part of the culture to greet each other on the street, so be the first to greet the locals and show them that we get the culture!

For history buffs, Nevis is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, so check out the museum, and you must take a dip in the hot springs at the Bath Hotel, the first hotel in the Caribbean, which is now a historical site.

For the sports-minded visitor Nevis has an annual triathlon competition as well as a 2 mile swim from Nevis to St.Kitts. My favorite sport is just lying on the beach soaking up that wonderful sunshine, and finishing off with a dip in the water, (and a sip of something special.)

Nevis has managed to keep the island free of the tourist trappings you see on most islands. You can see a monkey crossing sign as you leave the Four Seasons Resort heading into Charlestown, the capital of Nevis. Keep your camera ready for unexpected sightings!

Nevis has hotel accommodations at every price point, the Four Seasons Resort, Montpelier Plantation, Mount Nevis Hotel, Hamilton Villas and Spa, Hermitage, Oualie Beach hotel, Golden Rock Inn are some of the hotels on the island. Each has something unique for its guests. And if you want to really go local, there are guesthouses that are very affordable and the hosts are warm and welcoming.

Finally, for those of us who as travelers have run into that occasional stare or get the feeling that you don’t belong, you know, that traveling while black experience, that will not happen on Nevis. I have never felt so comfortable in my own skin in another country, like I do on Nevis.

So book that trip now, and just go ahead and make it an annual event! Forget the bucket list, Nevis is the destination you won’t want to ever leave.