Nevis

Diving at a glance

One look through the mask and you'll soon realize that Nevis' underwater topography is of volcanic origin, marked by cracks, crevices, lava flows and ledges. No walls, just gently sloping reefs, and most no more than 100 feet in depth. There are five moored and 35 unmoored sites ringing the relatively round Nevis. Most dive sites lie on the island's leeward side, though Atlantic reefs possess more interesting topography and are a little more unpredictable as to what you might see. New sites are being discovered all the time.

Dive conditions

Visibility peaks at 80 feet and higher in summer, but drops to around 60 feet in winter. Water temperatures range from 78F in winter to 83F in summer.

Topside at a glance

Nervously tied to St. Kitts in nationhood, Nevis has remained staunchly independent in spirit. Separated by a two-mile channel and a wide philosophical gulf, Nevis refuses to be roped into St. Kitts' politics, and has for now been spared some of its neighbor's crime woes. Instead, you'll find old Anglican churches and cemeteries reminiscent of New England hamlets. You can visit stately sugar mills and plantations, and colonial Charlestown, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, first treasurer of the United States, and model for the U.S. $10 bill.

By the numbers

Area - 36 square miles.
Population - 11,000.
Currency - Eastern Caribbean dollar.
Departure tax - EC$20.

Phone: 630-941-0355 · FAX 630-359-4024
e-mail: lisa@changeofscene.com