Oualie Beach

Oualie is a curved bay on the northwestern corner of Nevis facing St Kitts across The Narrows, sheltered and shallow with brown-gold sand and a hotel and dive operation on it. Oualie was the Carib name for Nevis, meaning land of beautiful waters. The water here is calm enough for beginners and the dive and watersports operators on the beach are the main ones on the island.

What you actually see

• The sheltered bay - calm shallow water on the island's northwestern corner.
• The St Kitts view - the neighbouring island directly across the channel.
• The dive operation - the main watersports base on Nevis.
• The name - Oualie, the Carib name for the whole island.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and calmest. The bay is sheltered year round. Sunset over St Kitts is the reason many come late.

Honest expectations

The sand is brown-gold rather than white and the beach is small. Facilities run through the hotel and the beach can feel like its front garden. Sargassum affects it in some seasons.

Nearby

The ferry terminal is north, and Pinney's Beach is south.