St. Kitts Tourism Authority is pleased to announce that the annual Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary on 28 March 2026. The iconic 2.5-mile (4.1 km) swim challenge, which crosses the scenic waters between the Caribbean sister islands of Nevis and St. Kitts, draws swimmers of all abilities from around the globe.

Participants can experience the beauty of the Caribbean destination while supporting important environmental and social causes, and international visitors can enjoy some downtime on the islands before and after the event by booking an accommodation and swim-entry package with SwimTrek (swimtrek.com).

Swimmers can compete in this open water race or participate in a more leisurely swim using fins. Starting at Oualie Beach in Nevis and ending at Spice Mill Restaurant in Cockleshell Bay, St. Kitts, the event promises to be a thrilling experience for all involved. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone, from elite athletes to recreational swimmers, can participate in this one-of-a-kind challenge. This year’s event will see former marathon swimmer and Team GB Olympic open water swimmer, Alice Dearing, take part for the first time. Dearing competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in open water swimming and was the first Black woman to represent Great Britain in Olympic swimming. 

"We are proud to support the Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim—a thrilling event with a heart for conservation and community, that showcases our islands' natural beauty,” said the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Urban Development, Marsha Henderson. “Now in its 25thyear, the swim has become a symbol of our vibrant tourism scene, drawing visitors and athletes from around the world, and firmly positioning St. Kitts as a destination whose visitor experiences are immersive, memorable and rooted in nature.”​​​​​​

St. Kitts offers a balance of exploration and relaxation, from hiking through lush rainforests, delving into history at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, or spending afternoons by the water. Adventure enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with zip-lining or ATV excursions, while food lovers can savour delicious Caribbean cuisine and immerse themselves in the island’s rich cultural scene.

Visitors who’d like to combine the swim with a few days experiencing these destination highlights can book a four day/three-night package, 26 – 29 March 2026, with SwimTrek that includes entry to the swim, transfer from the airport in St. Kitts to the hotel on day one, three nights’ accommodation at either the Royal St. Kitts or the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on St. Kitts, breakfast on days two and four, a pre-race welcome lunch, an acclimatization swim and boat tour of the swim route, a race day transfer, a post-race celebration dinner on day three, a finisher’s medal, and event merchandise, including a tow-float to take home. To book, go to www.swimtrek.com.

For those who cannot make the March event but would relish the challenge of swimming the channel on a date that suits them, private swim experiences can be arranged with the cross-channel swim’s dedicated organizer, St. Kitts and Nevis Swim Events Ltd. These experiences include a comprehensive briefing and swim support, in the form of boat and in-water assistance, along with water and light refreshments.

For more information on St. Kitts, go to www.visitstkitts.com and for more information on the Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim, visit www.nevistostkittscrosschannelswim.com.