Pinneys Beach, Nevis

Amanda and Derrick met in 2014 at the Bird Rock Beach Hotel in St. Kitts where Derrick was working as a landscaper and Amanda as a Scuba Diving Instructor. 

In 2016 they relocated to the island of Nevis and fell in love with the slower pace and down-to-earth atmosphere. As a staff member of the famous Sunshine's Beach Bar, Derrick couldn't help but to do what is his nature, to plant and beautify the landscape. He began to clear the area on the south side of the Beach bar, an area where the bush was wild and overgrown. Despite the derelict conditions, Derrick and Amanda saw a vision for the place. Although simple and still very much a work-in-progress, this site has since been the base for Amanda and Derrick's offerings. 

Now when you visit this site you can see lush greenery, including fruit trees, food plants, herbs, and natural medicines, all planted and nurtured by Derrick. It is here that you can come and taste the best Ital (traditional Rastafarian food) in Nevis. Derrick takes pride in growing many of his own ingredients and making everything from scratch. It is a regular occurance for Derrick to disappear into the bush and come out with an armload of coconuts, that he grates down to make his own coconut milk, which is the base of all his Ital dishes. He also uses the coconut husk and shell, along with bamboo, seeds, and other natural materials to make his unique coconut cups, Rastafarian chalices (pipes), and bird feeders. In the light of the full moon you can often find him boiling down coconut milk to make therapeutic coconut oil.

Inspired by Derrick's creative use of natural materials, Amanda conjured up her  artistic talent and began to make her own creations. What started as a hobby and side hustle has since grown into an auspicious little business, called Beach Bling. Specializing in Volcanic Lava Stone Aromatherapy jewelry, she is also known for her scuba diving flag bracelets, Yoga jewelry, and Calabash bowls and lanterns that she artistically carves free-hand right on Pinneys Beach.

If you ever visit the island of Nevis, you will no doubt find your way to Pinneys Beach. Be sure to seek out Derrick and Amanda in their sweet little spot next to Sunshine's Beach Bar where you will likely find them making and selling their artistic creations, tending to plants, cooking Ital, and offering beach Yoga or Scuba Diving classes. 

Nevis, like much of the world, is changing fast. Pinneys beach is quickly becoming a booming, commercialized tourist spot. It is Derrick and Amanda's vision to resist this obsession with excessive profit and development and represent what island and beach life is all about: nature, tranquility, and simplicity.