Even a small island like Nevis has the famous Caribbean atmosphere, thanks in no small part to the golden-sand beaches that ring the island. By law, every beach on Nevis is open to the public, including stretches in front of resorts.

Princess® cruises to St. Kitts offer an easy way to reach Nevis beaches, with a shore excursion that sails across the Narrows so you can spend part of your port day on the sand. This guide covers the 4-mile (6-kilometer) Pinney’s Beach, the island’s signature stretch of sand, plus a few quieter spots worth knowing about.

Key takeaways

Pinney’s Beach is Nevis’s longest and best-known beach, with roughly 4 miles of golden sand along the island’s western coast.

By law, every beach on Nevis is open to the public, including stretches of shoreline in front of resorts.

Princess guests can pair time at Pinney’s Beach with snorkeling and lunch on a single shore excursion.

Relax on Pinney's Beach

Pinney’s Beach is the name to know if you have time for just one beach on Nevis. The roughly 4-mile stretch runs along the island’s western coast, where the Caribbean water laps at the sand with Nevis Peak rising more than 3,200 feet (975 meters) behind the shoreline.

The beach also has plenty of personality beyond the scenery. Stop at Sunshine's Beach Bar & Grill, a local institution known for seafood, jerk chicken and its famous Killer Bee rum punch. 

Princess guests can make the logistics easy with the Cruise to Nevis, Pinney’s Beach, Snorkel & Lunch shore excursion. The six-hour outing sails from St. Kitts to Nevis by catamaran, with a snorkeling stop and lunch aboard before free time for swimming at Pinney’s Beach. That gives you a little bit of everything without having to coordinate transportation or keep one eye on the clock.

Wide sandy beach on Nevis with turquoise water on the left and rows of blue umbrellas and lounge chairs on the right, with a few sunbathers, distant green hills and a blue sky dotted with white clouds.
Sink your toes into the golden sands of Pinney’s Beach on Nevis.

Snorkel on your way to Nevis

Beach time may look like sunbathing or sandcastle building, but the day can start in the water, too. On the Cruise to Nevis, Pinney’s Beach, Snorkel & Lunch excursion, a catamaran carries you along the coast of St. Kitts to a protected cliff-side cove. Snorkeling equipment, including a snorkel vest, is provided, and the reef is home to sea fans, barrel sponges and black coral that draw angelfish and parrotfish.

Back aboard, you’ll enjoy an island-style lunch as the catamaran sails through the Narrows to Pinney’s Beach for time to swim or relax on shore. With transportation, equipment and lunch included, it’s a straightforward way to fit both snorkeling and beach time into your day in port.

Snorkeler in blue fins and a full-face mask swimming down along a colorful coral reef wall in clear turquoise water, with small dark and striped fish nearby.
Snorkel vibrant reefs, where every turn brings a new splash of color.
A group of people stands on the deck of a cruise ship, enjoying the view of the open sea. The wooden deck and railing are visible, with the ship's wake trailing behind. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the scene, creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere.

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A few other Nevis beaches worth knowing about

Pinney’s Beach may be Nevis’s headliner, and rightfully so, but it isn’t the only beach worth putting on your radar. If you have more time on Nevis, a few quieter beaches are worth mentioning.

Oualie Beach sits on the northern coast, facing the narrow channel that separates Nevis from St. Kitts. The shoreline slopes gently into sheltered, shallow water, which is part of what makes it an inviting spot for swimming, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding. It’s a good choice if you’d rather spend your beach day moving across the water than simply stretching out beside it.

For even more seclusion, Lovers Beach is a comparatively undeveloped spot near the island’s northern tip. With fewer facilities and less activity than Pinney’s or Oualie, the appeal here is the simplicity and the views across the Narrows toward St. Kitts. Cades Bay, farther down the western coast, is another laid-back stop for guests exploring independently.

As a general rule, beaches along Nevis’s Caribbean-facing western side tend to have calmer, more protected conditions. Meanwhile, the Atlantic side sees a much stronger surf. If swimming or snorkeling is your priority, check local conditions before heading to beaches on that more exposed Atlantic side.

Geography can help you choose, too. Nevis’s western shoreline faces the Caribbean and generally offers more protected conditions, while beaches exposed to the Atlantic on the eastern side can experience stronger surf. If swimming, paddling or snorkeling is the plan, check conditions locally before setting out.

Nevis and St. Kitts are neighboring islands separated by a narrow channel called the Narrows. Princess Cruises calls at St. Kitts, where a shore excursion can take you across the water to spend part of your port day exploring Nevis and its beautiful beaches. That means you can experience a second Caribbean island while the boat ride and timing are handled for you, right up to when you return to the ship.

On your cruise to St. Kitts, explore shore excursions from St. Kitts to spend a curated day on Nevis beaches.

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Palm fronds frame a quiet sandy beach with gentle waves lapping at the shore, calm turquoise water, a small boat in the distance and green hills across the bay under a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds.
Oualie Beach on Nevis is calling.

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