The Islands of St. Kitts and Nevis are often termed as the jewels of the Caribbean and have this tropic paradise feel to them with lush tropical cloud forests to golden beaches the islands are more like the islands of the south pacific than a typical Caribbean island.
St. Kitts and Nevis are two separate islands often referred to together as they are separated by a narrow channel that is only two miles apart making it easy for tourist to visit both islands in one trip. Both the Islands have their own airports offering connections to both the US mainland, Europe and South America making them easily accessible.
The Island of Nevis is just 36 square miles and its center rises upwards to a dense cloud forest. At the center of St. Kitts the larger of the two sister islands, stands the spectacular, cloud-fringed peak of Mount Liamuiga a dormant volcano that also covered by dense tropical forest.
As a dive destination both Islands offer stunning unparalleled dive sites, with over 70 dive sites around Nevis alone. Famous for its enormous Pillar coral, tube sponges, all kinds of diving is available here enough to please even the most choosiest divers, from wrecks, wall diving, coral reefs, thermal vents, cave diving to watching whale migrations from up close.
‘The Thermal Vents’ is a must visit dive site for anyone visiting St. Kitts or Nevis, and comprise of a reef that begins at 35 feet and plunges to 95 feet, covered in black volcanic trees. Divers can visit this underwater thermal vent where 100 F/38C water spews from the bottom which is a unique experience in itself. Some of the largest lobsters and arrow crabs inhabit this site
‘Devil’s Caves’ is another spectacular 40 foot dive located at the southernmost point of Nevis. Divers can navigate through caverns and overhangs teeming with marine life such as, Nurse Sharks, stingrays, lobster and Blue Tangs.
“River Taw Wreck” is a the remnants of a 144 foot long, wreck of an inter island freighter sunk in 50 feet of water in 1985 and has been split into two by hurricane Hugo. Encrusted in coral this dive site is home to scores of turtle, squirrel fish, snappers and rays, and makes an excellent night dive.
The Narrow channel, which is the two mile stretch of water that separates St. Kitts from Nevis is also a spectacular dive site to see nurse sharks, white tips and other marine life that inhabit ‘the waters around ‘Booby Island’ which is a tiny island in the channel. Turtles are simply abundant around the island, and if you dive at night you’ll probably see them fast asleep tucked somewhere along a wall.
During the months of January to April Nevis is visited by humpback whales and dolphins. Several Dive Operators offer Whale & Dolphin Safaris where you get a chance to snorkel or dive with these magnificent creatures. Often hydrophones are dropped in the water to listen for the clicks, whistles and singing of the whales.
If you’re looking for a Caribbean dive holiday that includes stunning rain forests, mountains, secluded beaches, pristine coral reefs and two Islands for the price of one, look no further than the Island of St. Kitts and Nevis, and we’re sure you’ll not be disappointed.
Leisurepro Travel now offers scuba packages at both St. Kitts and Nevis at attractive prices
* Photos from flickr by: J. Stephen Conn , Nick Hobgood, Márcio Cabral de Moura
