2000 Chapbook

These small intimate islands have a lot of "Old Caribbean" charm. Their strong suits are gracious hotels and old inns, verdant, green scenery, and lovely beaches. The diving is decent, but there are no thrills....

Nevis

Scuba Safaris/Oualie Beach Hotel, May 1999, Craig Young (cyoung@mcw.edu) & Sharon Busey, Menominee Falls, WI. Hotel nice, clean, quiet complex of beach cottages. Air conditioning, 110v electricity, hair dryer, room safe, refrigerator, no tubs. Nice sandy swimming beach, only fair snorkeling. A few mosquitoes. Scuba Safaris excellent. Divemasters and crew professional, helpful and courteous. They handle all your equipment. Fills 3200-3400. They require staying in the vicinity of divemaster and maximum depth and time. Decent rental equipment. Many sites a short ride. Camera dunk tank on request. Sites in excellent condition. Not many large fish, great coral, more lobster than we've seen anywhere. Wreck of Christinais beautiful. Winair, which connects St. Maarten and Nevis, has a reputation for being late. AA recommends at least 90 minutes for connections and for good reason. They were late on both legs. Their twin engine 21 passenger Otters are cramped, uncomfortable. Take Nevis Express from St. Kitts 9 passenger twin engine BN2 Islander planes. Luggage space is limited and checked luggage greater than one/person may go on a following trip and be subject to fee. Shorter flight, more flights per day, Nevis is minimally commercialized with a friendly population. Roads narrow and pot-holed. Teach Tours is helpful for arranging taxi, tours and car rentals; good deal. Seafood Madness; excellent food (better than the Four Seasons for less money). Tamarind: excellent food, great view, romantic atmosphere, expensive. Miss June's is a culinary experience not to be missed! Call early during your trip, since she only prepares dinner a couple times a week. Oualie Beach Restaurant and Bananas are also good. ( Ph: 809-469-9518, Fax: 809-469-619) (Oualie Beach Hotel, 800-OUALIE-1 or 809-469-9735, Fax: 809-469-9176)