Hello,
I hope someone can answer this question..
I was wanting to know if there is anyone who has been to Nevis and Tortola, if so, how are they alike and different? We went to Tortola last year and just loved it, the beaches were beautiful and the people were so sweet! But this year we were thinking of going to Nevis and I just was wondering how they compare?

There's considerable difference in those two islands. First off, Nevis is a true volcanic island with Mount Nevis soaring some 3,200+ feet above sea level (if I recall the highest point on Tortola is under 1,000 feet above sea level). Nevis has lush rain forests where as Tortola has just some greenery. Nevis is rich in history and has scores of old plantation ruins and abandon and hidden that are waiting to be explored. The beaches on Tortola are light colored sand lapped by torquoise waters. Nevis on the otherhand has darker sand beaches surrounded by steel blue waters. There's some good to excellent snorkeling in the waters around Tortola whereas snorkeling is almost (but not quite) non-existent on Nevis. Both islands are laid back with Nevis getting the nod for tranquility. I may be a bit predjudice but in my opinion the Nevisians are among the friendliest in the Caribbean. Tortola offers great diving sites whereas diving is just OK on Nevis.

Visit www.nevis1.com for a very comprehensive web-site that will tell you just about everything you'd want to know about Nevis.

Hope this gets you started.

Hope this helps.

I love both places.

I think part of it depends on what type of activities you are into. If you are a diver you are not going to find the diving as good on Nevis.

I think you would really like Nevis, as I don't know of anyone who has told me they do not like it.

The beaches are not as good as Tortola. The sand is darker in Nevis.

The BVIs in general are more focused on sailing and regattas. Some have commented on this board they find the overall Yachty people on Tortola to be rude. I don't because I don't talk to tourists

There is a rainforest in Tortola, Sage Mountain National Park, which is about 1780 feet. On Nevis, you can hire a guide to take you on a hike through the rainforest.

In terms of accommodations, Nevis has the Four Seasons which is much larger than any hotel on Tortola. However, there are many small, charming inns to stay in while in Nevis. Additionally there are many villas to rent. I would be happy to recommend one if you decide to rent a villa during your stay. I have recommended villas to many fodorites.

One of the things I love about Tortola is the ferries. You can get to many other islands from Totola - easily. In Nevis you can take the ferry to St Kitts, but it is not as compact as the BVIs in terms of getting from one place to another.

Both islands have great botanical gardens.

There is also more nightlife on Tortola. However, compared to a lot of islands the BVIs are really quiet.

If you like the peace and quiet of Tortola and the natural beauty of it, I think you would really enjoy Nevis also.

When I went to Tortola for the first time, it became my favourite island. I didn't think anything could top it. Then I went to Nevis and I fell in love with Nevis. I have been to both twice now and they are neck and neck tops. What I liked the most about Nevis is the graciousness of the people. The dining and accommodations are superior in Nevis as well. There is also less of a boating crowd in Nevis. There is a lot of history and a traditional West Indian feel about Nevis.

I actually prefer Nevis. The service, food and ambience are superior to Tortola. I thought Tortola was overrated. Food is so-so, locals are grumpy and accommodations are overpriced for what you get. Nevis is like a little paradise -- it's pure magic.

If you stay in Nevis you can easily visit their sister island of St. Kitts. (Two islands, one paradise)

A website you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com

I have not been to Tortola.

Liza - BTW I did mention the Nev/St Kitts ferry. It is a very easy trip. My point really was that in the BVIs it is easier to get to several islands by ferry, the USVI as well as others in the BVI.

To the OP - I really have no doubt that you would love Nevis.

STEPHRB - whichever island you choose, please post a report on your vacation so that we can get your first-hand opinions of your hotel, restaurants, activities, and general impression of the island. The more detailed, the better. Enjoy!

Wow!!! Thanks so much for all the help!
My husband and I were looking at Nevis because there is a Road Bike race there in Janurary-and my husband loves to race! Plus, last year we almost went there because it sounded beautiful but the travel agent we had didn't know much about Nevis so we were a little unsure.
And then I was a little hesitant since I did fall in love with Tortola. But after hearing from you all it sounds like I just might fall head overheels for Nevis.
Question: When we were in Tortola I felt safe enough to go for some runs on Long Bay, infact there was serveral people running. Is there a beach in Nevis that would be safe enough to run?
Hope you don't get sick of me but one more question
Is there any beach that you can boogie Board (doesn't have to be huge waves)?

Pinneys beach would be safe enough to run on, so would the beach at Nisbet plantation and Oualie beach. Pinneys is the beach in front of 4Seasons. For some reason, I'm thinking Oualie might be the only beach out of the three that isn't broken up by jettys and big rocks (correct me if I'm wrong). Those are our 3 main beaches to hang out on, so can't tell you about any others. I'm thinking Nisbet may be the only one out of the three with enough surf to boogie board on.

I personally love the beaches on Nevis. Just because they aren't white with turqoise water doesn't make them any less enjoyable. Standing in the water, looking back up the surf to the beach, seeing that dark gold sand with a lush line of palms and Mt. Nevis with it's little clouded peak in the backround is picture perfect to me!

You will love Nevis, it's laid back, good food, good people.

I received an email from Nisbet Plantation a couple of days ago about a really good sale they are having, including throwing in nightly dinners. Nisbet is high on my list of places to stay, as well as Oualie beach.

I hope it is OK to throw a new question in here. We love St John, have been there four times and are going again next year. We would like to try something new after that, and were looking at Nevis or Tortola, so have found this thread interesting. We like the beauty of St John and the quiet. We always rent a villa for the privacy and just like to relax and sometimes go to the beach. We have always enjoyed the restaurants and find the grocery shopping good. The answers so far make both Nevis and Tortola appealing. Anyone care to compare them to St John? Thanks.

There are a lot of restaurants on Nevis that you would enjoy. Besides the Four Seasons, the other hotels / inns are small like Tortola, so many people do rent villas. There is a good selection on the island (of course not as many as St John) St John is a lot more crowded than Nevis and you will see a lot more american tourists, as many come in from the cruise ships. Nevis is quiet and in general you will not see so many tourists.

We have been to both Tortola and Nevis; Tortola used to be "our" island, but since our visit to Nevis, that's changed. They are different is some ways, not in others. The primary difference in our view is that, while Tortola is very laid-back compared to most caribbean islands and still has a certain charm, the heavy increase in cruise ship arrivals is beginning to make a very negative impact. It's as if they're deliberately trading long stay, quality tourism for short-term, quick money of multiple ship arrivals. During "cruise" days, beaches are crowded, trash is left everywhere, and the locals are beginning to loose their once great attitude under the pressure of hoards of tourists invading their home. Crime is for the first time on the increase, and is definitely higher than Nevis. We no longer feel all that safe in Tortola; we feel safer on Nevis than at home. Some of the charming bays at Tortola have become suspect to polution from boat waste discharges. The "bareboat" visitors to Tortola don't seem to be affected so much by the changes and generally won't complain(and the primary internet forum for the BVI is slanted toward the bareboating crowd), but land-based visitors are decreasing and many (like ourselves)have looked elsewhere. For us, Nevis beats Tortola right now hands-down. If you are land-based, like it laid-back, like good food, appreciate less tourists and great people, and want some of the most pampered, attentive and friendly service anywhere in the caribbean, then go to Nevis.

I haven't been to Tortola, but Nevis is awesome! Oualie Beach is very nice. The food is excellent, thanks to Chef Jason at Oualie Beach Hotel. The rooms there are ok. There is so much to see and do in Nevis. Visiting St. Kitts is highly recommended! You can't go wrong with the suggestions given by Sunnyboy, MIM04 or Liz. Have fun and Go Hokies!!!!

You can boogie board at Indian Castle Beach (near the Race Track on the Atlantic side). There's good waes there and a log br
each. ery few people visit this beach and there are no facilities.

Thanks, sounds like Nevis is the favourite!

To see beautiful pictures of St. Kitts and Nevis visit www.myislands.myeyez.net

I specialize in St. Kitts/Nevis and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you are seriously considering Nisbet, we too received a mailer re: "specials." They are under new management and the place the new managers are coming from was my favorite place in the Caribbean under their management. I would expect good things.

My understanding is that Nisbet is still owned by the same company (which also own the Reefs in Bermuda) but that it has hired new managers to run the resort. If I'm not mistaken, the new Nisbet managers used to run a high-end resort in T&C.

Hello stephrb! Tortola is wonderful. I love that island! if you do go to Tortola make sure you spend plenty of time at CANE GARDEN BAY beach and also LONG beach. another thing to remember in Tortola is that on Friday nights they have a local fish fry at the Bombas surfside shack ot Apple Bay beach and you would love it. I love Tortola, OH yea, Roadtown is wonderful too.