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Exploring Nevis with Funky Monkey Tours

  • February 10, 2017
  • Adventure Travel , Art & Culture , Beach Breaks , Nevis

Scott and I are on-the-go travelers. We know it, and the people we travel with are always quick to identify it. When we’re in a new destination, our focus is often on understanding the history, culture and landscape; R&R usually takes a back seat. In Nevis, a tiny island about the size of Anguilla with a population to match, we opted to hit the road with Funky Monkey Tours to explore the island’s highlights that sit off the beaten path.

Nevis is easy to explore independently. We had a car for our entire stay, and minus the British driving component (drive on the left, wheel on the right), it’s a cinch for most visitors. The island has one primary ring road that circles its way around Mount Nevis, making it easy to find key sites dotted along the way (the owner of Funky Monkey Tours told us to think of Nevis as a clock, an analogy that works well for identifying positions on the island). Nevis has an incredibly rich history though and many fascinating ruins sit off the main thoroughfare. Without a tour guide or knowledge of the landscape, newbies to the island could easily miss secret swathes of sand, plantation ruins, and jaw-dropping views. With an afternoon dedicated to exploring with Neil from Funky Monkey, we hit the road in our Polaris to discover more of Nevis off the beaten path. What we uncovered gave us a newfound love for this tiny gem of an island.

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

Cottle Church

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

Nevisian history is altogether different from Anguillian history, which made this getaway particularly fascinating for us. It only takes a quick drive around the island and a glance at the island’s top hotels to realize that sugar plantations once dominated the island’s industry and landscape. Slavery is inextricably linked to the history of the island; during its peak, Nevis was the hub for the region’s slave trade. The Cottle Church, built by Thomas Cottle in 1824, was our first stop. We headed down a dirt road into brush before coming upon gated ruins for what was arguably the most moving stop of the day.

The church was built as a place where Cottle’s family and slaves could worship together under one roof. On the wall within the church, there’s a plaque that recognizes the slaves that were involved in the building’s construction, with children as young as four years old contributing to the church’s foundation. Nearly 200 years later, the ruins are a favorite site for weddings for an extra special ceremony locale. On a side note, a visit to the Museum of Nevis History in Charlestown is a must during your trip for a better understanding of Nevis’ path. It gives great insight into the role of plantations, the history of slavery on the island, and the Abolitionist movement.

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

Beach Vibes in Nevis

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

One thing we weren’t banking on in Nevis was great beaches. We’d seen some pale brown sandy beaches reminiscent of California during our first day on the island, and figured the majority of the beaches would be dark volcanic sand. With the lush landscape, rich history and heritage, and great dining, we couldn’t hold the whole beach thing against them. Plus, coming from an island known for its white sand beaches, we were in search of contrast anyway.

Then Neil surprised us by leading us to Herbert’s Beach, a seemingly secret stretch of sand offset by brilliant turquoise water, vibrant palms, and the gorgeous contrast of neighboring islands in the distance. We stepped out of our Polaris and took in the views with a Rum & Ting in hand. We were the only people there at the time, a perfect pit stop for a dose of natural beauty amidst a day of manmade ruins and historical sites. One of the beauties of the tour was our downtime at each stop. We had enough time to enjoy the sights and chat with fellow travelers at each stop. Our guide’s vehicle was loaded with ice chests of water, rum, ting and beer to cool down at each stop around the island. Like Anguilla, the drinking and driving rule is largely based on the notion of knowing your own limits and using common sense.

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

Coconut Walk + New River

Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

In Nevis, you can move from beach to ruins pretty quickly, and this is absolutely true at Coconut Walk Estates where you’ll glimpse the rugged seaside with views of Montserrat adjacent to a stone Lime Kiln where mortar was made for construction purposes. Nearby at New River Estates, the remnants of the last functioning commercial sugar mill are still remarkably intact, with a chimney that reaches for the sky. Unlike many of the ruins we saw previously, the machinery (a steam engine used to crush sugar cane) was still mostly in place, which made it a bit easier to visualize the actual production process.  A glimpse through the window offered up pretty views of the sea and neighboring islands in the distance. Again, the museum in Nevis provides a great primer on the role of sugar in Nevis and helps understand why its remains are ever-present on the island. Nevis was amongst many Caribbean islands that produced sugar, but it produced higher quality sugar than its neighbors. In the late 17th century, Nevis outranked much larger islands with sugar production and was the richest of the British Leeward Islands. Tourism has since taken over as the primary industry, but sugar cane production was the lifeblood of the island in the past.

New River Estates Sugar Mill, Nevis

Hamilton Estate

Hamilton Estate, Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

Alexander Hamilton has taken center stage with his namesake musical dominating headlines, and Nevis is the perfect place for a history lesson on his home turf. There’s an entire museum on the island that delves into his life and touches on his background as an immigrant born in Nevis, later moving to St. Croix and then finally New York City where he became one of the most influential figures in American history. We’d spent close to three hours visiting ruins at this point in our tour and I was still mesmerized with each dilapidated building that we came across.

Hamilton Estate, Funky Monkey Tours, Nevis

The Hamilton Estate, owned by the Hamilton family, is one of the few intact sugar factories still remaining today in the Caribbean, and represented one of the largest and most successful estates up until its closure in the early 1950s. When we first spotted it at a distance, we were wowed. The estate is expansive and the remains give a little glimpse into the past. We’ve visited a number of nearby Caribbean islands over the years, but the history and ruins that we saw in Nevis are like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in the region thus far. The relics hidden in the greenery felt more like a page out of Ireland than they did out of the Caribbean. Generally speaking, the idea of a Caribbean getaway conjures images of powdery beaches, crystalline water, rum cocktails and beach chair under a perfectly placed palapa. We’ve been to other islands that have challenged that – tiny Saba and lush Dominica with their hiking and adventure opportunities, for example – but our tour of Nevis brought to light a very different side of the Caribbean.

For first timers to the island, hopping on a tour with Funky Monkey Tours ($135 per person) early on in your trip will provide you with better context for the rest of your time exploring the island. Or, if you’re travelers that absolutely prefer relaxation to history and exploration, it may be an even better opportunity: a perfect primer in three short hours so you can return home well rested and  armed with a better knowledge of the island. We found three hours to be the perfect amount of time to keep us constantly going and learning without a chance to be bored. Plus with free-flowing rum & ting during our strolls in the Caribbean sun, what could be better?

For those that prefer to not do a group tour, look at renting a 4×4 in Nevis for the ultimate off-road adventure! For adventure travelers and tourists on-the-go, there’s absolutely no better way to explore the island.

Have you been to Nevis before? What were your highlights?

Shannon Kircher, The Wanderlust Effect

A big thank you to  Funky Monkey Tours  for allowing us to experience Nevis with your team! As always, all thoughts and photos are my own and are genuine. 

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More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.

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  •   Latest News   •   Life on Nevis   •   Nevis Travel Guides   •  12 June 2016

Adventure awaits as you explore the forested interior and pristine shores of Nevis

We have teamed up with blogger and travel writer charli moore to provide you with an insider’s guide to our beautiful island’s activities and attractions. here she talks to greg slagon, the owner of funky monkey island tours..

Leaving the American Midwest and arriving on the shores of Nevis over seven years ago, keen pilot and adventurous traveler Greg Slagon has made waves on the island with his enthusiastic approach to business. Setting up Funky Monkey Tours (land and sea excursions across the Federation), alongside the already wildly popular beachfront hangout the Yachtsman Grill , Greg has imported good old-fashioned American hospitality onto Nevis for all to enjoy.

Offering small group adventures in open-air Polaris 4x4s and aboard sea-doo jet skis, the collection of excursions offered showcase Nevis’ best off-road sights and aquatic highlights; from beach and bush, to reefs and ruins. Try the Wacky Whale Tour and explore Nevis’ shores for the day; snorkel, swim, and hang out at the island’s coolest beach bars, or hop aboard a Polaris 4×4 and head off-road and up into the rain-forested slopes of Mount Nevis. Either way, adventure awaits!

Source Charli Moore

Image Source: Charli Moore

Quick fire questions with Greg

Can you tell me more about your signature Funky Monkey Tour? Greg says, “It’s 3.5 hours long packed with on and off-road experiences, beaches, ruins, rain forests, and monkey sightings, plus an insight into the history of the island. We also serve refreshments throughout! What started as a family & friends tour years ago has now become a tourist favorite!”

Tell me something interesting about yourself: “I’m a really creative guy. I design and make a lot of graphic signage for companies all over the island. I’ve made all the signs that hang affront the Yachtsman Grill; have you seen the Thanksgiving Turkey and the Festive Santa Claus?!”

What do you love most about living on Nevis? “We love living on Nevis due to the predictable weather; it’s perfect every day. In addition, the very friendly people and happy tourists make each day a pleasure.”

Location: Nelson Spring Business Complex, Cades Bay, Nevis Distance from the Four Seasons Resort: 3 km North of Four Seasons Resort Nevis, 5 min by car Hours of Operation: Contact Greg to make a booking Owners: Greg and Evelyn Slagon Contact: +1 869 665-6045 or +1 869 665-6245 Website: www.funkymonkeytours.com

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COMMENTS

  1. Funky Monkey Tours

    Apr 2021 • Friends. This tour is a blast! If you REALLY want to see the island of Nevis and to learn of its fascinating history, the Funky Monkey tour is the tour to take! Besides riding in a super cool Polaris RZR side-by-side, our knowledgeable and entertaining guide made sure we all had fun and plenty of refreshments.

  2. Funky Monkey Tours

    Funky‍ Monkey Tours is not a mass market group tour operator where you're given a number and get crammed into the back of a bus. We specialize with small, intimate groups of like-minded guests, who share a desire to get away from the maddening crowds and explore the islands on a unique, personal and 1st Class adventure. We like to get to know all of our guests on a "one-to-one basis ...

  3. Funky Monkey Tours & Rentals

    Funky Monkey Tours & Rentals | Charlestown. Funky Monkey Tours & Rentals, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis. 896 likes · 4 talking about this · 109 were here. Funky Monkey Tours offers a view of...

  4. Exploring Nevis with Funky Monkey Tours

    The island has one primary ring road that circles its way around Mount Nevis, making it easy to find key sites dotted along the way (the owner of Funky Monkey Tours told us to think of Nevis as a clock, an analogy that works well for identifying positions on the island). Nevis has an incredibly rich history though and many fascinating ruins sit ...

  5. Funky Monkey Tours

    My wife and I did the atv island tour with Greg, the owner of Funky monkey tours. It was one of the best days of our vacation to nevis. ... Great pictures and fun times had by all. I would highly recommend this tour! Thanks for an amazing time! Read more. Written August 27, 2015. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and ...

  6. Funky Monkey Tours (Charlestown)

    Funky Monkey Tours, Charlestown: See 249 reviews, articles, and 199 photos of Funky Monkey Tours, ranked No.13 on Tripadvisor among 13 attractions in Charlestown.

  7. Our Tours

    Since we began in 2007, Funky Monkey Tours has remained the premier off-road adventure company in Nevis. From our original routes and custom trips, we're proud to offer experiences that stay with you long after they're over. We are honored to have taken over twenty-seven thousand guests on tour since we started and are grateful they shared ...

  8. Funky Monkey Tours

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  9. FUNKY MONKEY TOURS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

    Funky Monkey Tours, Charlestown: See 249 reviews, articles, and 199 photos of Funky Monkey Tours, ranked No.13 on Tripadvisor among 13 attractions in Charlestown.

  10. Funky Monkey Tours (Charlestown): All You Need to Know

    Funky Monkey Tours, Charlestown: See 236 reviews, articles, and 176 photos of Funky Monkey Tours, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 13 attractions in Charlestown. ... Justin our guide was informative and fun to be with, we made numerous stops for photo opportunities including Lovers Beach, Herbert's beach, Golden Rock, saddle hill, to name a ...

  11. About

    A real estate developer all my life who finally retired, couldn't stand the cold winters any longer and moved to Nevis in the early 2000's. And in the season of 2019/2020, we opened Funky Monkey Tours on St. Kitts (temporarily suspended due to COVID, but now re-open). Funky Monkey Tours was started over cocktails and with absolutely no ...

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    469 Followers, 205 Following, 38 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Funky Monkey Tours (@funkymonkeytours)

  13. Funky Monkey Tours

    Distance from the Four Seasons Resort: 3 km North of Four Seasons Resort Nevis, 5 min by car. Hours of Operation: Contact Greg to make a booking. Owners: Greg and Evelyn Slagon. Contact: +1 869 665-6045 or +1 869 665-6245. Website: www.funkymonkeytours.com.

  14. Best of Nevis: A drive around the island with Funky Monkey Tours

    In Best of Nevis highlights include: Flying in and Arrival to St. Kitts, boat ride to NevisNisbet Plantation Beach Club4x4 Funky Monkey Tour rideLovers Beach...

  15. FUNKY MONKEY TOURS (Charlestown)

    Funky Monkey Tours. 5. 249 reviews. #1 of 12 Outdoor Activities in Charlestown. 4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursSelf-Guided Tours & Rentals. Closed now. 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM.

  16. Funky Monkey Tours

    Funky Monkey Tours. Book Now . Arrival Date. Departure Date. Number of guests. Guided ATV off-road adventure tours in Nevis. Fun for the whole family. Ongoing News & Events on Nevis. View our blog +1 869-469-9373; Nevis Island, Newcastle; Our Resort Pass; Helpful Links. Home; Accommodations; Weddings & Events; Dining; Experiences; Gallery ...

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    Zoo Magic Illustration. Smiling monkey head. Monkey, ape or gorilla head character mascot. of 2. Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic Funky Monkey stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures. Funky Monkey stock photos are available in a variety of sizes and formats to fit your needs.

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  19. Funky Monkey Tours

    During our stay at the Funky Monkey Guesthouse we took to opportunity to go on the Chiang Mai Secrets Tour organised by Funky Monkey Tours. We were picked up by our guide Sakorn around 9:00am and travelled in his modern, clean Songtaow . Our first stop was a relaxing walk through the lush rainforest in the Doi Sutep National Park above Chiang Mai.

  20. Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes! Our private tour option is very popular and available with prior arrangements. Private tours go out at the same times as our regular tours - 9 AM & 1:30 PM and have the same 3½ hour duration as our guided tours unless otherwise agreed to. The tour route is totally up to the guests.

  21. Apparel

    Funky Monkey Buckle Hats. US $30. The perfect way to keep the sun off your face as you adventure outdoors. Our buckle hats are a fantastic cap for both men and woman alike. Sizes Available: One sizes fits most men and woman. Colors Available: White or Khaki (Tan)

  22. Contact Us

    Tour/Rental Time Tour - 9:00am Start Tour - 1:30pm Start Rental - ½ Day (9:00am Start) Rental - ½ Day (1:00 pm Start) Rental - Full Day (9am Start) No. of People in Party