Nevis beaches are not the best in the Caribbean (you usually find those on low lying coral based islands such as Anguilla, Aruba, Anegada, Turks & Caicos, etc.) but they are quite nice in their own right. On the Caribbean side you'll find the sand darkish in color because the island is volcanic in nature and it lacks a major off-shore coral reef (there is a small one about 3/4 of a mile off the north shore). The dark sand and a moderate "drop-off" along the shore line causes the surrounding waters to lack the bright torquoise blue color you'll find on the coral based islands. Instead the water will have a steel blue look. These are the main reasons some people say Nevis' beaches are not so great. The beaches themselves, though, are uncrowded and very picturesue because they are lined with mile and miles of palm trees and other vegetation. You'll find somewhat lighter sand beaches on the northern side of the island where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean (Atlantic side) most likely attributed to the aforementioned reef. These too are lined with palms and dense vegetation. Several of these north shore beaches are in their "natural state" as this side of the island has only one resort. Windward Beach is on southern end of the east side of the island facing directly on the Atlantic. There's lots of wave action and the water can be very rough at times. There are strong currents just off shore so you would be wise to not swim there along. People have been known to boogie board on this beach.