Anguilla, British West Indies
By Brandon Warner, President and Co-Founder of Traveler's Joy
Anguilla, British West Indies - the island that is 'tranquility, wrapped in blue' - chosen by visionaries as the destination of choice for luxurious, five-star resorts; and by all visitors for the pervasive quality found in each level of accommodation. Anguilla's honeymooners seeking a special, romantic getaway find a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean – some say the world. Captivating sunsets, gentle breezes, friendly smiles, gracious hospitality, casual elegance, and relaxed informality are just some of the reasons Modern Bride's readers named Anguilla one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.
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Anguilla Overview
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Photo courtesy of Anguilla Tourism Board
© Carol Lee
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Anguilla is located in the Eastern Caribbean, (18º North Latitude and 63º West Longitude) just one-hour east of Puerto Rico and seven minutes north of Dutch St. Maarten by air; and 20 minutes north from French St. Martin by ferry.
Anguilla's history is embodied in the island's culture and heritage. From the ancient Amerindian settlements and European colonization to its recent 1967 Revolution, these and other events are woven into the tapestry of Anguilla's life that is passed on with pride from generation to generation.
Holidays and festivals are centered on historical events. Anguilla's most spectacular display of culture is the Summer Festival, beginning the first Monday in August at 5AM with J'Ouvert Mornin, a daybreak dance through the streets to celebrate emancipation. Nearly a fortnight of dancing, competitions, fairs, costumes and parades color the evenings. During the days, as with almost all of Anguilla's major holidays, the island is filled with the excitement of beach picnics and boat racing, Anguilla's national sport.
The Anguilla community is peaceful and joyous. The island is largely Christian in denomination with nearly one church for every two square miles. English holidays such as the Queen's Birthday, Whit Monday, and others are celebrated, but English speaking Anguilla maintains a unique balance of all its historic influences that make this island a truly individual nation.
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Activities and Attractions
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Photo courtesy of Anguilla Tourism Board
© Carol Lee
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There's always a choice of activities on Anguilla, daytime or nighttime. Lazy beach days to rejuvenate your body and lift your spirit. Or art gallery and museum tours, boating to an offshore cay for a secluded picnic, or a long stroll on an uncrowded beach. Each day of your visit can bring a different watersport adventure, or the single adventure of beach chair, umbrella, book and tired toes in refreshing, pristine waters. The choice is yours to make each day.
The same holds true for evening pastimes. Sip a traditional Caribbean cocktail while gazing at a magnificent sunset. Dance to the romantic and sensual sounds of Caribbean music. Drop by a convivial nightspot and meet new friends. Or simply enjoy the view from your room, suite, apartment or villa. Each night brings a new choice.
Beautiful Beaches. Twelve miles of absolutely stunning white sand and coral beaches bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean grace Anguilla's coastline. Powdery-white sands surrounded by brilliant turquoise seas have earned this island a reputation for having the best beaches in the world - pristine, soft, silky, powdery and uncrowded.
While all of Anguilla's beaches are distinct from one another, all are equally inviting. Clear calm waters ranging in color from aquamarine to royal blue lap gently at the shoreline. Each cove, bay and stretch of sand is marked by unique characteristics such as varied rock formations and picturesque tropical blooms. Committed to achieving environmental sustainability, Anguilla is protecting its natural beauty and resources by caring for its beaches, dunes, reefs, shorelines and coastal waters.
Constant but tender trade wind breezes, coupled with an average monthly temperature of 80 degrees and low humidity, keep the beaches comfortable year-round. Calm, gentle currents and long crescent shapes make swimming and strolling Anguilla's beaches both safe and enjoyable.
Many of the island's inviting and varied resorts and hotels are situated directly on one of the island's 33 beaches, which means you can place your toes in the water first thing in the morning and be lulled to sleep by soothing waves at night. Each of Anguilla's 33 beaches is open to the public - visitors can take their pick of all 33, or stay with their favorite during their time on the island.
Beach-hopping is a favored pastime of visitors who relish sampling long ribbons of quiet and serene white sands, picturesque coves, harbor waters dotted with colorful fishing boats, beaches where bistros and the sounds of live music fill the air, and beaches overlooked by one of the many fine dining establishments where a beach stroller can come out of the sun for haute cuisine.
Horseback Riding. Visitors can ride horseback along white, sandy beaches and scenic trails, and even 'take a dip' with their horse.
Biking. An excellent way to see the island. Flat terrain, easily explored side roads and one main road make exploring easy.
Hiking. A great way to acquaint yourself with Anguilla's interior. Hikes to natural and historical points of interest are available; maps are available through the Anguilla Tourist Board and many of the properties. Escorted hikes are reasonable and easily arranged.
Bird Watching. Relative to Anguilla's size, the number of species found here is remarkable - 120. Most live in or around the many salt ponds. "A Field Guide to Anguilla's Wetlands," published by the Anguilla National Trust, includes maps, pictures of bird species you may see, botanical notes of the flora, directions to find the many ponds, and room for you to make field notes and record your bird sightings.
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Cost
There are a number of options available for getting to this idyllic island. Visitors can fly directly into Anguilla's Wallblake Airport from Puerto Rico via American Eagle and LIAT, or opt to fly directly to St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Thomas or St. Kitts for easy transfer to Anguilla. Peak season will see fares from $700 to $1000 roundtrip. In the summer it is possible to fly for $450 to $700 roundtrip from the east coast. Anguilla has typically been considered a very expensive island and still attracts the jet set crowd. Fortunately, the recent opening of some moderately priced hotels means that even more visitors can enjoy Anguilla's standards of tropical luxury.
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Destination Guides
