About Nevis
About Nevis: Where It Is, Island Facts & Travel Basics
Quick answers to the questions people ask before they plan a trip: where Nevis is, how big it is, how it relates to St. Kitts, and the basics of getting there. For trip planning itself, see the First-Time Visitor Guide.
Where is Nevis?
Nevis is a small island in the eastern Caribbean, part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. St. Kitts lies immediately to the north, separated from Nevis by a shallow channel called The Narrows, about 2 miles (3 km) across at its narrowest. Together the two islands form one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
On a map, Nevis sits roughly 200 miles south-east of Puerto Rico and just west of Antigua, near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles chain. Charlestown, Pinney’s Beach and most of the island’s hotels are on the calmer western, Caribbean-facing coast.
Nevis and St. Kitts
St. Kitts and Nevis are two islands in one sovereign state. The federation became independent on 19 September 1983, and its national capital, Basseterre, is on St. Kitts. Nevis has its own island administration and legislature, the Nevis Island Assembly, which handles many local matters on the island.
For a visitor the arrangement is simple: one country, one currency, one time zone, one dialling code, and a short boat ride between the two islands. Many people stay on Nevis and treat St. Kitts as a day trip, or the other way round.
How big is Nevis?
Nevis covers about 36 square miles (93 km²) — roughly 7 miles long and 5 miles wide. Almost the whole island is the slope of a single volcanic mountain, Nevis Peak, which rises to 3,232 feet (985 m) at the centre and is often capped by cloud.
Charlestown
Charlestown is the capital and main town of Nevis, on the west coast at the southern end of Pinney’s Beach. The passenger ferry from Basseterre docks at the Charlestown pier, a few minutes’ walk from the main street, the banks, and the Museum of Nevis History, housed at the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. Much of the historic centre is built in the island’s traditional style of a stone ground floor with a timber upper storey. Read more in our guide to Nevis history and culture.
What is Nevis known for?
A short list of what draws people here:
- Nevis Peak — the cloud-capped mountain at the centre of the island, a guided full-day hike.
- Bath Hot Springs — naturally heated mineral water at the historic Bath Hotel, just outside Charlestown. See the Nevis Hot Springs.
- Pinney’s Beach — the long west-coast beach with the island’s beach bars.
- Charlestown — Georgian streets, the ferry pier and the Hamilton museum.
- Plantation inns — small hotels in restored sugar estates on the hillsides.
- Culturama — the island’s summer cultural festival. See Nevis Culturama.
For ideas once you’re here, explore our Nevis Wish List.
How do you get to Nevis?
Most international visitors fly into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) on St. Kitts and then cross to Nevis, either by a coordinated private transfer that combines a car and a private water taxi, or by the public passenger ferry from Basseterre to Charlestown. Regional flights from nearby islands land at Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV) on Nevis itself. For the options side by side, read our guide to getting from St. Kitts to Nevis; to book the crossing door-to-door, see private transfers.
Nevis quick facts
| Country | Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis |
|---|---|
| Capital of Nevis | Charlestown (the national capital, Basseterre, is on St. Kitts) |
| Area | About 36 sq mi / 93 km² |
| Highest point | Nevis Peak, 3,232 ft / 985 m |
| Language | English |
| Currency | Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$, XCD), fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1. US dollars are widely accepted. |
| Time zone | Atlantic Standard Time (UTC–4), no daylight saving |
| Driving side | Left |
| Airports | Vance W. Amory International (NEV) on Nevis; Robert L. Bradshaw International (SKB) on St. Kitts |
| International dialling code | +1 869 |
Common questions about Nevis
What country is Nevis in?
Nevis is part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, an independent country in the eastern Caribbean.
Where is Nevis located?
In the Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean, directly south of St. Kitts across The Narrows, west of Antigua and about 200 miles south-east of Puerto Rico.
How big is Nevis?
About 36 square miles (93 km²), roughly 7 miles by 5, with Nevis Peak rising to 3,232 feet (985 m) in the centre.
How do you get to Nevis?
Fly to SKB on St. Kitts and cross by private transfer, water taxi or public ferry, or take a regional flight into NEV on Nevis. Our St. Kitts to Nevis transport guide compares the options.
What does the name Nevis mean?
The name is usually traced to the Spanish Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, “Our Lady of the Snows”, a reference to the white cloud that often sits on Nevis Peak. The details of how the island was first named are not settled, so treat the story as a long-standing tradition rather than a documented record.
Plan your visit
Ready to go further? Start with the First-Time Visitor Guide, pick out experiences on the Nevis Wish List, compare places to stay in Hotels & Villas, and arrange the crossing with Private Transfers. Before you fly, check the current St. Kitts and Nevis entry requirements.