Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory, is located east of Puerto Rico and north of St. Martin in the Caribbean. The main island measures 90 square kilometres and has a few outer islands and cays, most of which as uninhabited. The islands have a flat landscape with vegetation consisting of bushes and small trees. The rainfall is also quite low here, making it a good destination to enjoy the beautiful 12 miles of powdery white sand beaches and its tranquil, transparent waters ranging from cobalt blue to aquamarine. All 33 beaches are open to the public.
The beaches offer distinctive characteristics including coral and rock formations and beautiful tropical plants. Anguilla offers many beachside restaurants and bars overlooking long ribbons of sand. This is the place for your next holiday, so read on to find out more.
Where to Stay
You can find plenty of great resorts and beachfront homes in Anguilla to stay for a night or a week. Try Viceroy on Meads bays and Barnes. Cap Juluca, which is one of the first luxury resorts on Anguilla, operating for more than 30 years already when tourism in the island was just starting. It has plenty of Moroccan-inspired light fixtures and villas lining the soft beach. You can also try the newly opened CeBlue, offers different villas on a cliff between two coves, where a chef will serve you fresh lobsters and serve it on your private deck.
Where to Find Great Music
Another thing you shouldn’t miss on your Anguilla visit is their music scene. They practically bursting with musical talent at any given time, you’ll surely find a great act at a nearby restaurant or bar. Look for Darvin’s Place, where Deanna Mussington, daughter of an iconic family of Anguillan musicians performs every Tuesday. Bankie Banx, Anguilla’s best performs three times a week every night at Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay. You can also find his son Omari Banks at his weekly gig at the da’Vida Beach Bar on Crocus Bay.
Visit the Pump house in Sandy Ground for dinner to island favourite place where locals and tourists alike dance on the stamp-size floor. They also serve a good rum punch, and you’ll be able to witness the great reggae singer, Nadikah Fenton and the Versatile Roots every week.
Where to Eat and Drink
One of the best culinary destinations, Anguilla is a home to the most memorable meals you can indulge. You can find some of the best restaurants at a relaxed beachside in Anguilla. For dinner, try the charming restaurant called The Place, located under the tent roof of the soft-sand beach on Rendezvous Bay and make sure to get the coconut-crusted snapper. If you’re looking for something grilled, try Straw Hat, the island favourite on Meads Bay where you can try the grilled local crayfish, best served with rice, peas, ginger vinaigrette and plantains. For Anguilla’s best burgers with beef from France, try Le Bar on Sandy Ground, a red, white, and blue beach bistro owns by a longtime French expats Veronique Van and Didier. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, try Blanchards, it’s a great spot to try its delicious lobster bisque.
What to Do
This island is small enough to be explored in a half day, but the idea is by taking two half days – one by sea and one by land. It’s better to rent a car, hire a driver or just rent a bike and set out to choose your favourite beach on the first day.
Explore the island by the sea on the second day. You can rent a boat to take you to coves and offshore cays. End your tour at one of the offshore cays such as Scilly Cay. It’s completely uninhabited but they have a charming daytime restaurant that serves grilled lobsters, chicken and crayfish. If you’re not in a boat trip and planning to go to Scilly Cay, just stand on the pier at Island Harbour and wave your arms wildly. There are free boats to pick you up and ferry you over.
Other things to do include the following:
- Big Spring National Park’s petroglyphs– Explore Big Spring National Park’s petroglyphs, where the original Arawak residents created the petroglyphs. You can also find petroglyphs at Fountain Cavern National Park near Shoal Bay.
- Heritage Museum Collection– This museum may be the best little museum you’ll see and one of the most historically rich sites in Anguilla. It houses all the creations of Colville Petty OBE and it contains items from the history of Anguilla that have been personally curated by Colville himself. As well as the island’s most important document, letters, photographs, and other items. The collection contains most of the history of the island and features write-up ranging from Arawak artifacts to modern-day political campaign materials. Located at Sandy Ground are the Pumphouse and Salt Factory that shows an ear when salt production was one of the main industries in Anguilla.
- East End Pond– If you’re into bird watching, the best place to go is the East End Pond, a 13-acre pond and a protected area that is managed by the Anguilla National Trust.
- Anguilla’s historic Catholic Church– This charming 18th Century Catholic Church in the island is definitely worth a stop. It was built with stones quarried from the island, and it’s located in The Valley.
- Snorkelling and Scuba diving– Some of the most popular diving sites in Anguilla are the Shoal Bay East, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear, Little Bay and Crocus Bay.
