Anguilla is the laidback Caribbean at its best – with pristine beaches, luxury accommodations, and most importantly the genuine warmth of its people.
The sparkling azure waters of the Caribbean Sea and uninterrupted stretches of pristine white sand beaches set the tone for the peaceful, carefree vibe found on Anguilla. With smiles around every corner and the warm hospitality of the island’s 13,000 hosts, Anguilla is home to some of the world’s best beaches, award-winning resorts, hotels and villas, and a rich cultural heritage, making it one of the leading destinations of choice for discerning travelers.
Anguilla is one of the smaller Caribbean islands, at just 16 miles long and three miles wide. The island offers a variety of popular water-based activities, with the incredible sense of tranquility being undoubtedly Anguilla’s main attraction. While most travelers are eager to enjoy a quintessential Caribbean getaway filled with lazy sun-filled days and balmy, romantic nights, those who opt for a more active vacation can spend their days exploring the island by sea. Whether it’s above or below the water, activities abound on Anguilla.
Anguilla’s Alluring Beaches
Anguilla is home to 33 pristine beaches with more than 12 miles of stunning, powder-white sand for visitors to enjoy. Highlighted with a kaleidoscope of brilliant blues of the sea, each beach offers a little something that is different. From the long, gentle shoreline of Rendezvous Bay that is perfect for strolling to the colorful beach bars that dot the striking white sands of Shoal Bay and the village beach of Sandy Ground, where there is always a party, to the secluded coves of Little Bay that offer a picturesque setting to celebrate romance, opportunities for travelers to put their feet in the sand are endless.
The beach hopping continues at Junk’s Hole, known for the lone Palm Grove barbecue, to the deep sands of Meads Bay where most of the island’s elegant dining and hotel options are located. Travelers love visiting Island Harbour where the fishermen and sailors of Anguilla care for their bright fishing boats that bob in the water. The plush sands of Crocus Bay and its scenic coral cliffs set the stage for the island’s best sunset views.
Barnes, Maundays, Merrywing, Mimi Bay, Dropsey, Long Pond, The Forest and the list goes on and on; all of Anguilla’s beaches are public, un-crowded and unspoiled. Every cove, bay and stretch of sand is marked by unique characteristics, such as rock and coral formations and picturesque tropical plants. There is a beach for everyone, for every kind of beach day, and for every mood.
Anguilla’s Off-Shore Cays
For an unparalleled beach experience, visit one of Anguilla’s offshore islets. Prickly Pear is located just a few miles off the coast of Anguilla and is home to equally incredible white sandy shores. Visitors and residents alike love to grab a tropical special or an ice-cold beer from the Prickly Pear Beach Bar for a casual stroll along the sand as the waves gently lap. However, it’s not just the beaches that get all of the attention: Prickly Pear’s underwater seascape made up of pristine reefs is a snorkeling treat not to be missed.
For a truly Anguillan experience, visit Island Harbour, a sleepy fishing village with a rustic charm of its own. Island Harbour is the access point for Scilly Cay, a tiny atoll that is renowned for its delectable lunches, sunbathing and swimming. To begin the Scilly Cay experience, simply park your car, gather your swim gear, and make your way to the jetty. Wave your hand a few times to call the ferry to the island and in less than one minute you are on a bona-fide Robinson Crusoe island, where you can enjoy Eudoxie’s signature rum punches, while dining on grilled lobster or crayfish, and succulent barbecued chicken.
Sandy Island, located just off the shore at picturesque Sandy Ground offers an equally memorable alfresco dining experience. With its handful of coconut palms, the warm, personal service of Simone and her team, coupled with the music of the resident band – “The Seagull, Wind and Wave Trio” – guests revel in their own “Bachelor-style” romantic island experience.
Sensational Sunsets
Anguilla’s sunsets are legendary. As the sun begins its descent in the west, it’s time to relax into a comfortable chair on the patio of your hotel or at one of the island’s many welcoming restaurants and catch a glimpse of that elusive green flash as the sun kisses the water goodnight.
Culinary Delights
If Anguilla’s beaches are the most enviable feature of the island, its world-class restaurants come in at a close second. The island has an award-winning dining scene that offers discerning travelers international sophistication and elegance. Offering creative cuisine that fuses the fresh local flavors from land and sea with elegant imports, the artistry of the island’s chefs, both Anguillan and international, is unmatched anywhere in the Caribbean.
Anguilla’s casual dining experiences offer excellent food and an opportunity to savor the culture. From roadside barbecues to beachside bistros and flamboyant food vans, a secret among those who know the island is that many of Anguilla’s top chefs also have their own independent enterprises — offering eclectic culinary techniques complemented by a touch of local flavor. Anguilla’s culinary scene is uniquely Anguillan and authentically Caribbean.
Most resorts and hotels offer nightly entertainment in season, and there are several excellent local bands who perform frequently at venues such as, The Pumphouse, Veya, Elvis’ Beach Bar and Sammy’s Beach Bar in Sandy Ground; On Da Rocks in Island Harbour, Smokey’s at the Cove, Ocean Echo at Meads Bay, Omari and Eleven at Davida’s in Crocus Bay, Elodias and Manoah at Shoal Bay, and The Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay.
Anguilla can be easily accessed by air or by sea from the island of St. Maarten. There is non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S and Canadian cities to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten via American Airlines, Jet Blue, USAir, United Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet; from Europe and the United Kingdom with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Condor, Air France and KLM via LIAT; as well as from San Juan, Puerto Rico via Anguilla Air Express and Cape Air.
Tradewind offers seasonal scheduled flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) and private charter flights from all points in Puerto Rico, the USVI (STT and STX), Antigua (ANU) and all points in the U.S (by private jet). Enjoy air-conditioning, complimentary snacks and refreshments
Once in St Maarten, visitors can transfer to Anguilla via a short 6-minute commuter flight to the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport or through a 20-25 minute, convenient and accessible ferry ride from the Anguilla-St. Maarten Ferry Terminal at Simpson Bay, or the Fort Louis Ferry Terminal in Marigot. Scheduled and charter services are available for both flights and ferries. These easy travel options make Anguilla the perfect, most desired escape in the Eastern Caribbean.
A passport and return or onward ticket are required. A visa is not required by UK, USA, Canada & certain other (mainly Commonwealth) nationals.
For further information on visa and entry requirements for Anguilla please see: www.ivisitanguilla.com
Explore our art galleries, museum and other historical sites; catch a game of tennis or play a round of golf; enjoy the refreshing breezes as you ride horse-back along the beach; reignite your senses and rejuvenate your spirit in our world class spa facilities; hike, bike, or simply stroll along our nature trails and birdwatching havens. And in the evening, enjoy the pulsating rhythms of Caribbean soca and reggae as you experience Anguilla After Dark at the many options available at Sandy Ground and elsewhere around the island.
Couples may marry under the authority of a special marriage license. The license application can be obtained from the Judicial Department during weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm and takes approximately 48 hours to process. Both parties must present proof of citizenship of resident country, a valid passport, birth certificate, and/or a driver’s license with a photograph. If either party is divorced, a divorce decree must be presented. If either party is widowed, a death certificate of former spouse must be presented. All documents must be in English; if not, they must be translated and notarized.
To marry in the Roman Catholic Church you will need confirmation papers, baptismal certificates, freedom to marry papers, and should have taken the pre cana course and give 3-6 months advance notice. If one of the partners has resided in Anguilla for at least fifteen (15) days before the date they plan to marry, the cost of the license is US$40.00. If their stay is shorter, the cost is US$284.00, which includes stamp duty. Two witnesses are required for the wedding ceremony. The Minister should be contacted.
For further information, the applicant may contact: Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Judicial Department, The Valley, Anguilla. Tel: 264-497-2377/3347.
P.S: Anguilla is a great island for your honeymoon! Resorts offer various attractive packages especially for newlyweds!
SHARE THE LOVE
