Nevis Facts & Travel Information

Map of Saint Kitts and Nevis — Saint Kitts and Nevis

Nevis is the smaller island of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is dominated by Nevis Peak and is known for quiet beaches, rainforest, plantation-era buildings, hot springs and a noticeably slower pace than Saint Kitts. Charlestown is the island's administrative and commercial centre.

General

Island	Nevis.
Country	Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Capital	Charlestown.
Population	13,182 in the 2021/22 Population and Housing Census, about 26 percent of the federation's 51,320 residents.
Language	English is official. Saint Kitts and Nevis Creole is widely spoken.
Currency	East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1.
Telephone	+1 869.
Time	Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-4 throughout the year.

Geography and Climate

Area	About 93 sq km (36 sq miles).
Highest point	Nevis Peak, about 985 m (3,232 ft).
Landscape	Volcanic and mountainous, with fertile lower slopes, rainforest and a coastal road circling most of the island.
Climate	Tropical and warm year-round, moderated by trade winds. The upper slopes are cooler, wetter and often cloudier.
Hurricane season	The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November.

Entry Requirements and eTA

Digital entry system: Saint Kitts and Nevis introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation system on 26 May 2025. Travellers should check the official e-Border requirements before departure.

Passport	Visitors should travel with a valid passport. Current official tourism guidance recommends at least six months' validity from the date of entry.
eTA	The electronic travel-authorisation system is part of the current border process. Eligibility, exemptions and fees depend on traveller status and should be checked officially.
Visa	Visa requirements depend on nationality.
Onward travel	Immigration may request evidence of onward or return travel, accommodation and sufficient funds.

Charlestown, History and Hot Springs

Charlestown preserves a compact historic centre with traditional Caribbean buildings and sites connected with Alexander Hamilton, who was born on Nevis. Bath village, just south of town, is known for its thermal springs and the remains of the eighteenth-century Bath Hotel, one of the earliest resort hotels in the Caribbean.

Former plantation estates have been adapted as inns, restaurants and heritage sites. The island's history is also closely connected with Horatio Nelson, who married Frances Nisbet on Nevis in 1787.

Nature and Nevis Peak

Nevis Peak rises from the centre of the island and shapes its climate, vegetation and views. The upper mountain is often wrapped in cloud. Hiking routes range from lower forest walks to demanding summit climbs where a local guide is strongly advisable because of steep, muddy and sometimes rope-assisted sections.

Beaches

Pinney's Beach	The best-known long beach on the western side of Nevis, close to Charlestown and several hotels and beach bars.
Oualie Beach	A sheltered beach and important water-taxi arrival point on the northwest coast.
Lovers Beach	A quieter beach near the northern end of the island.
Nisbet Beach	Atlantic-side beach near Newcastle and the airport.

Practical Travel Information

Driving	Traffic drives on the left. A temporary local driving licence can normally be arranged through a rental company.
Electricity	230 V, 60 Hz is common, while some accommodation provides 110 V outlets. Confirm plug type and voltage before using sensitive equipment.
Cards and cash	Major cards are accepted at many hotels and restaurants. Carrying some East Caribbean dollars or U.S. dollars remains useful.
Accommodation	Plantation inns, boutique hotels, villas, guesthouses, apartments and luxury resorts.
Character	Generally quieter and less densely developed than Saint Kitts, with a strong emphasis on nature, history and small-scale tourism.

Air Transport

Airport	Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV), in Saint James Windward Parish.
Runway	About 1,220 m long.
Regional service	WINAIR operates direct service between St. Maarten (SXM) and Nevis, providing useful connections with international flights.
Via Saint Kitts	Many visitors fly into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) and continue to Nevis by taxi plus water taxi or ferry.

Ferries and Water Taxis

Passenger ferry	Regular ferries link Basseterre on Saint Kitts with Charlestown on Nevis. Typical crossing time is about 25–45 minutes.
Water taxi	Water taxis commonly run between the Southeast Peninsula of Saint Kitts and Oualie Bay on Nevis, with crossings as short as several minutes.
Vehicle ferry	Car ferries also connect the islands. Current schedules and departure points should be checked before travel.
Timetables	Operators and departure times change, so fixed schedules are deliberately not reproduced here.

Government and Economy

Nevis forms part of the independent Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis but has substantial local autonomy through the Nevis Island Administration. Federal matters are handled by the national government, while the island administration is responsible for many local functions.

Tourism, construction, real estate, financial and professional services, government services and small-scale agriculture are important. Old federal GDP and unemployment figures are poor descriptions of Nevis on its own and have therefore been removed.