There's something about this small, sombrero-shaped island that grabs you!

The charm and tranquility takes you back to a time when things were simpler, when life was more peaceful, when stress was just a word, not a way of life. Prior to the Columbus saga, Nevis was namedDulcinaSweet Island" by the Arawaks and later Oualie "land of beautiful waters" by the Caribs. Later in the 18th century Nevis became known as"Queen of the Caribees." Evidence of pre-ceramic people abounds with finely crafted stone tools and intricately coloured pottery found.

This 36-square-mile island lies near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 200 miles south of Puerto Rico, and just west of Antigua. This island jewel is approximately 7 miles long and 5 miles wide, with natural vegetation that is unparalleled.

Green and serene, Nevis is truly one of the remaining unspoilt places and proudly carries the name, "Queen of the Caribees." From the top of the 3,232-foot Nevis Peak to the depths of the clear waters offshore, there is a world of flora and fauna to be explored. In the hills, the comical green vervet monkeys chatter and scamper; in the sea, the whales cruise by. Stroll around and see the architecture of eras gone by: churches, windmills, and refurbished Great Houses.

Listen to the monkeys chattering in the trees, and the doves cooing in the distance. Experience excellent snorkeling just offshore and scuba diving around wrecks and natural reefs, Nevis is paradise for nature lovers! For those more interested in man-made exploration, try your hand at archaeology, or exploring the ruins of old sugar plantations, a lime kiln, or Amerindian sites.

Its 10,000 residents are friendly and helpful, ready to make new friends and welcome back regular visitors. The genuine charm and hospitality radiate into the unspoken, "Welcome," "Be my guest," and "Do come again."

HOW TO GET TO NEVIS:
From the U.S., Canada and Europe, there are four primary gateways to Nevis. The most common route from the U.S. and Canada is through San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's now possible to fly non-stop from San Juan to Nevis on direct flights provided by American Eagle. Other connection points include Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Kitts. For connections in St. Kitts, you have the option of taking a scenic ferry ride to Nevis using any of the ferry services listed (see Getting to Nevis by Sea). No reservation is required. You would need to take a quick taxi ride from the airport in St. Kitts to the ferry terminal. The cost of the ferry to Nevis differs according to the service used, but price ranges from US $8.00 to US $9.50 one way. No reservations are required for the ferry service.

Canadian Carriers:
• Air Canada to Antigua to Nevis - LIAT, Carib Aviation
• Skyservice - special charters to St. Kitts to Nevis (5 min flight) - LIAT, Winair,
• Carib Aviation, 3 local ferries service Nevis (times may vary per day of the week)

USA Carriers:

• American Airlines - New York to St. Kitts - 2 times weekly (Sunday and Wednesday)
• Miami to St. Kitts - 3 times weekly (Sunday, Wednesday and Friday)
• US Airways - Charlotte to St. Kitts - 1 time a week (Saturday)
• Delta - Atlanta to St. Kitts - 1 time a week (Saturday)
• Continental, Delta, United Airlines, USAir from different US States
• San Juan to Nevis - (daily) American Eagle
• San Juan to St. Kitts - (daily) American Eagle, LIAT
• St. Maarten to Nevis - Winair
• Antigua to Nevis - LIAT, Carib Aviation

Top 10 Best Beaches - (All beaches are public on Nevis)

• Cades Bay (swimming, bar hopping)
• Ft. Ashby (birding, picnics)
• Gallow’s Bay (snorkeling at south end)
• Herbert’s Beach (swimming, snorkeling, bar)
• Long Haul Bay (snorkeling)
• Lovers Beach (secluded, swimming)
• Newcastle Beach (white sand, walks)
• Nisbet Beach (swimming, shelling, snorkeling)
• Oualie Beach (swimming, sports, kids)
• Pinney’s Beach (swimming, bars)

TOURS/EVENTS:
There are several experienced tour guides on the island that can take you where you want to go. While some places are accessible on your own, island officials recommend that you go with a tour guide into the mountain to visit Nevis Peak or climb on other trails. Not only will this insure your safety, but it will make the trip more meaningful as you learn about the flora, fauna and history from the experts.

Heb's Nature Tours:
Michael Herbert, also know as the “bush doctor,” has a wealth of information about local bush remedies, and he’ll share them with you on his rain forest hikes. He’ll climb Nevis Peak, lead village walks and monkey observation walks.

Sunrise Tours:
The little-known areas of the Devil’s Copper, New River Spring, and three waterfalls, can be visited with guide Earla Liburd, a local teacher. This is an interesting and moderately challenging hike.

Herbert's Heights Village Experience:
The village possesses the panoramic views you would expect to find at the summit of Nevis Peak. At 1200 feet above sea level, your guided journey up will leaf you through fields of ferns and tropical rainforest. Visitors are able to experience the simplicity of past Nevisian life in unspoilt natural surroundings. The reconstructed thatched cottages provide overnight accommodation and to each guest, a personal breathtaking view of up to 3 neighboring islands, with a close-up view of mountains wildlife. The village also hosts a large picnic area, able to accommodate visitors to enjoy Caribbean cuisine and refreshments with the more modern convenience of a shower and a flush toilet. Visitors can choose to participate in activities, which include a trail following part of the route used by runaway slaves on their way to Maroon. They may want to join in discussion as they view the highest discovered ruins found on the island or witness the making of age old natural remedies. Alternatively visitors can retreat to the village for quality, rest and recuperation. No modern day distractions, just a time to experience simple peace.

Upper Round Road:
This 9-mile (14.8km) road, constructed during the 1600's, is being developed as a trail that can be used for hiking, horseback riding, and off-road mountain biking. It was part of an extensive road system built to provide access to the estate cane fields and communities that once surrounded Nevis Peak. Organized by the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society with a grant from RARE, Center for Tropical Conservation, the project received an ecotourism award from Islands Magazine.

The road connects the Golden Rock Plantation Inn on the windward or eastside of Nevis with the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on the northern tip of the island. It passes through local villages, past quaint West Indian houses, a seasonal rain forest, and locally grown fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. Don’t be surprised to see monkeys frollicking and mongoose running around on your journey.

Plantation Carriage Rides:
Leave the Hermitage Plantation Inn, feeling like a king or queen, in your own traditional Caribbean Planter's Cottage. The 2 to 3-mile trip will wind its way through historic Gingerland, down scenic back roads from where you can see the routines of everyday West Indian country life. The Carriages are authentic, classic Creole adaptations of mid 19th century "Victoria" styles, crafted of West Indian mahogany.

****** WEDDING REQUIREMENTS IN NEVIS ******

Getting Married on Nevis
Nevis is an ideal place for a wedding with its natural backdrops of the tropics, world-class service, and wide range of accommodation. The setting can be as form or as casual as the couple desires. Some choose to get married barefoot in the sand; others choose spots with stunning mountainside views surrounded lush foliage. Most of the hotels will be happy to help with wedding needs-from providing a minister or priest, flowers, and photography, to catering, music, and accommodations for the wedding party. Tropical Bliss can also assist you with all your wedding plans. Plus, the local requirements are easy to meet.

Marriage Requirements:

1. Both parties must have either a valid passport or birth certificate.
2. If either party is divorced, a decree absolute must be presented. If documents are not in English they must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

3. If either party is widowed, a copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse must be presented.
4. If the ceremony is to be performed by a Catholic priest, it must take place in a Catholic Church, and a letter must come from the couple's resident priest verifying that they are unmarried and have received the necessary instructions.
5. If an Anglican priest or other minister of religion is to perform the ceremony, a letter must come from the couple's resident minister verifying that they are known and unmarried. It the couple is resident in St. Kitts and Nevis for the stipulated period, a notary public and a marriage officer would have to be paid, and the charges vary from island to island and from officer to officer.
6. If the couple is residing or staying on St. Kitts or Nevis for the minimum period of two-week days, the license fee is US $80; if the couple is residing here for 15 days prior to the marriage, the fee is only US $20.
7. If parties have never been married before an affidavit is required confirming single status and can be obtained from a Notary Public in the home country or on island for a cost of US$ 20.00 or EC$ 50.00 (compulsory in Nevis)
8. Above fees does not include Marriage Officer’s fees which is additional and varies according to officer.

If you have any questions please contact the Nevis Tourism Authority at 869-469-1042 or send an email to: info@nevisisland.com.

Please Note: Wedding requirements above are for information purposes only and may be out of date as of this print. Only use this information on this page as a guideline, and for more current and up to date information, please contact the countries Consular Affairs, Embassy, or the countries Tourism Bureau.