The island’s flagship beach is a three-and-a-half-mile strip of golden sands called Pinney’s Beach. Lined with gently swaying coconut trees, it basks on the sheltered west coast looking out to island neighbour, St Kitts. The northern end is home to the swish Four Seasons Resort Nevis, where a variety of watersports await, such as sailing and wakeboarding. Do something special and rent a fabulous beach cottage for the day, steps from the sea. Flop on a lounger, read a book and chill out to music, then round off the day over a private, beachside dinner and watch the sun sink into the sea, or join a moonlit walking tour along the shore in search of nesting sea turtles.
At Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, on the north coast, there’s a beautiful, palm-fringed beach at the end of the gardens, where obliging staff are on hand for beachside refreshments. To the east is another lovely white-sand beach, great for bathing and snorkelling, called Herbert’s Beach.
Fancy venturing off-the-beaten-track? Down a bumpy lane on the northern tip of the island, Lovers’ Beach is a place for castaways – there are no facilities, but the talcum-powder-soft sands and translucent turquoise waters more than compensate. Keen beachcombers, meanwhile, should head to the wild Atlantic coast, to a remote beach called Indian Castle or Windward Beach. Aside from a few rummaging goats and the odd daring surfer, there’s not much here, but it’s a great spot for exhilarating walks on windswept sands with views across to Montserrat.