Monkey Around at the Four Seasons, Nevis

By Lisa Loverro

While most visitors come to the exotic Caribbean island of Nevis in the West Indies to relax and bask in the sun, others come for fun and outdoor adventure. Although Nevis is a small island and considerably more chilled out than its sister island, St. Kitts, it's filled with an abundance of activity where you can hike a challenging volcano one day and practice your golf swing the next. The Four Seasons Resort, Nevis allows guests the option of either relaxing in "do nothing" mode all day or enjoying adventurous activities from sunrise to sunset.

Dotted along the water's edge on beautiful Pinney's Beach, The Four Seasons Resort is sandwiched between the shores of the Caribbean and the majestic Nevis Peak volcano. The resort serves up 10 tennis courts, 3 pools, an 18-hole signature golf course, a fitness center and Spa. And, if that's not enough to keep you busy, there are running paths and water sports galore. Tackling their clearly marked running trails, which the resort has conveniently rated from easy to difficult, is one of my favorite activities in the early morning hours. The trails take you around the entire golf course and through a stretch of tropical jungle (complete with monkey sightings) including steep elevation gains that allow for sweeping views of the sea and nearby St. Kitts. It might be my favorite running course in all of the Caribbean. The resort's water sports offered at the Four Seasons range from a certified 2-day sailing school to scuba diving, stand-up paddling and kayaking. Dining can be turned into a physical activity as well with the resort's one-of-a-kind "Dive and Dine" program. Forgo your best dinner attire, slip into a wet suit and take to the water with Executive Chef Jason Adams and a local dive master to catch yourself a spiny lobster. A subsequent beach barbeque will ensue as you and Chef Adams prepare your catch for an unforgettable dining experience under the stars.

You can also opt to channel your inner professional photographer and go monkey around for some great photo ops with the island's resident African Green Vervet monkeys. You can enjoy close encounters with hordes of these creatures around 4:30pm every day when they seem to assemble for their own town hall meeting at the 15th hole of the resort's golf course.

Afterwards, the resort's Spa is the perfect place to unwind and try a treatment from their new menu of services in partnership with THÉMAÉ from France. Additionally, the Spa's new herb garden houses medicinal plants such as lemongrass, basil, rosemary, sage and aloe used in some of their treatments and teas. Lastly, in the evening, play at Sunshine's bar and grill located just a quick walk up the beach from the Four Seasons. Be careful of their potent "Killer Bee" rum punch, which can quickly transform you from a visiting tourist to a local Reggae singer but might have you singing the blues the following morning.

From New York City the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis is accessible via a nonstop flight (Saturdays only) to St. Kitts or daily connecting flights through either Miami or San Juan directly into St. Kitts. You'll then be met by a resort representative who will whisk you away to their private ferry service for the 25-minute ride to paradise.

For more information:
fourseasons.com/nevis/