Because the two islands are so close together, The Narrows is a very busy little waterway. Ferries cross it several times a day, carrying people, school children, shoppers, and sometimes even cars between Saint Kitts and Nevis. The crossing takes less than 45 minutes, which means people from Nevis can easily go to the bigger island for school, work, or market.
The Narrows is known for having some lively water — the currents and small waves between the islands can make for a bumpy ferry ride. Sailors and fishermen have crossed this channel for a very long time, using their knowledge of the winds and tides to make the journey safely. Today, the ferries are large and modern, with seats, air conditioning, and big windows to watch the sea.
The channel is rich in sea life. Dolphins sometimes swim alongside the ferries, and flying fish leap from the water in silver flashes. Below the surface, coral reefs grow on the underwater slopes of both islands, sheltering hundreds of species of colourful reef fish, green sea turtles, and the spiny Caribbean lobster.
Looking from one island to the other across The Narrows gives a wonderful sense of how this twin-island nation works — two separate islands, two different communities, but always connected by this short stretch of shining water.