Scuba diving holidays in Nevis

A scuba diving holiday in Nevis, or its neighbour St Kitts, may not be an obvious choice for diving enthusiasts, mainly because these twin islands haven't been promoted in the same way as other Caribbean dive destinations, but plenty of unique and exciting sites lie relatively unexplored around these beautiful shores. As a result, they are well-preserved and uncrowded, making scuba diving an exciting and pleasurable experience for both beginners and professionals. With clear azure waters and virtually guaranteed sunshine all year-round, what more could you ask for.

There are fewer dive sites around Nevis, being the smaller island of the two, but there are still a good number of unmissable underwater spots. It would certainly be worth visiting several points around the island to experience the full range of dive sites, and dive centres in Nevis will point you in the right direction. One of the most popular and best areas for diving is the Narrows, the channel that divides St. Kitts and Nevis. Just outside the channel, on the Caribbean side, lies a two square mile reef known as Monkey Shoals. Depths range from 40-100 feet and several different dives can be done here. The reef is inhabited by an array of marine life, including angelfish, Nurse Sharks, Black-tip Reef Sharks, Yellow-tailed Snappers and Flying Gurnards, amongst others, and a variety of vibrant corals such as Elkhorn, Brain Coral and Pillar Coral grow here. This is a good diving site for all levels of expertise.

The nearby Devil's Caves, located at the southernmost point of Nevis, are also well worth exploring. This 40-foot dive enables divers to navigate through a maze of volcanic caverns, which are full of colourful corals and teeming with marine life such as lobsters, Blue Tangs, Glassy Sweepers, Nurse Sharks and the occasional Black-tip Reef Shark. To the west of Nevis divers can explore Coral Gardens, which is ablaze with multi-coloured corals, sponges and sea fans, whilst on the windward side of the island lies The Aquarium. Here, the rougher waters of Atlantic meet the calmer waters of the Caribbean, bringing a diverse range of fish and other marine life. This is just a small selection of dive sites in Nevis.

Diving off the beaten track will reward you with plenty of hidden underwater secrets and treasures if you know where to look. Nevis isn't a high-profile dive destination at the moment so make the most of the island's tranquility before the word gets out!