Close to trendy Saint Maarten , Anguilla is sophisticated but not pretentious with a Caribbean vibe that wins over travelers.
With only 15,000 residents, Anguilla is one of those destinations where you can still find peace and quiet. It feels like a village where everyone knows each other and makes sure to always welcome you. Off the cruise ship route, there are no movie theaters, shopping malls, casinos or buildings, which guarantees plenty of natural beauty and peace on its 33 public beaches , which are almost empty, with no crowds even on holidays, but with great infrastructure for visitors to enjoy themselves all day long.
Anguilla was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Since then, the island has gained the status of British Overseas Territory, alongside its famous neighbors, such as St. Barth, the British and American Virgin Islands, Saint Martin (French side), Saint Maarten (Dutch side) and, of course, Puerto Rico. But not even its status as a Caribbean backwater can dim its shine, which has won over visitors, distancing itself from the overtourism of the Caribbean.
Over the years, the island has implemented improvements to further enhance the experience. The most recent is the ease of getting to Anguilla. Daily flights connecting Miami to the island in approximately three hours began to become a reality in April 2022.
«OFF THE CRUISE ROUTE, THERE ARE NO CINEMAS, SHOPPING CENTERS, CENTERS, CASINOS, OR BUILDINGS, WHICH GUARANTEES A LOT OF NATURAL BEAUTY AND PEACE ON 33 PUBLIC BEACHES THAT ARE ALMOST EMPTY.»
Landing takes place at the small Clayton J. Lloyd airport. Really small. The place has only one runway, which receives commercial and private aircraft. There, two flags set the tone of the place: one, of Anguilla, and the other of the United Kingdom. As a British Overseas Territory, some English traits predominate on the island. Be prepared to speak English, the official language of Anguilla, although Spanish is also used. If you are driving, the left-hand side of the road is English, that is, the car drives on the left side of the road, and the currency is the Caribbean dollar. Details that add even more charm to this extraordinary island. Is there a better definition of paradise than that? Well, there is even more.Anguilla boasts the most beautiful turquoise sea I have ever seen. On the beaches of Captains Bay and Maundays Bay, you can get lost in the diversity of shades of blue, which result from the mixture of the sea and the fine white sand, creating a special effect that is almost dazzling, such is the brightness when the sun reflects off the water. It is no wonder that the beach voted the most beautiful in the world is on this island: Shoal Bay East. There, in addition to relaxing and enjoying the view while letting yourself be carried away by the good local vibes, there are options for those who also like a bit of adventure and adrenaline.Snorkeling, boat trips, horseback riding, scuba diving among shipwrecks, and hiking to observe sea turtles and native birds are among the activities available. And for those who like excitement, it’s worth including a visit to Little Bay on your itinerary. Hidden under a series of cliffs in the northwest of the island, it can only be reached by boat.
And once there, the big attraction is jumping off a giant and very famous rock from where tourists risk jumping straight into the sea. There are also cave trails, thrills in a jeep and even a visit to the salt harvesting in Road Bay Pond, where you can participate using the same instruments from the 17th century. The night kayak tour, with the help of neon lighting, allows you to see turtles and sucker fish.
Details that make all the difference
Anguilla also has a picturesque fishing village, “Island Harbour”. This is located on the eastern tip of the island, where colorful boats dock in the protected cove. To get there, you need to take a boat that takes you to the sandbar. The trip is especially worth it for those who want to enjoy the local bars and get a closer look at the pace of life of the locals in their charming colorful houses.It is also worth mentioning that, even though the calm prevails, Anguilla is on the route when it comes to festivals. In March and April, the “Moonsplash” takes place, one of the most famous in the Caribbean, with lots of reggae music as soon as the full moon rises. At Easter, the “Festival of the Sea” holds underwater fishing competitions, swimming tournaments, crab races and cooking competitions. In July and August, the “Summer Festival” takes place, or in other words, the Caribbean Carnival.
At just 26 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide, you can travel from one end to the other, either by car in 45 minutes or by bike, feeling the wind blowing on your face and enjoying the coastline. It certainly hides secrets bigger than its size. Take advantage of the trip to explore the local cuisine, rich in seafood and fresh fish. One of the main typical dishes is made with Anguillan crayfish, which has a sweet flavor and is extremely tender. Served fried or boiled, snapper is another good choice, as is the tasty goat stew. Rum is the island’s typical drink, so it’s worth trying some classic drinks with the local spirit. Another must-try dish is Jonny Cakes. You can find these delicious fried corn cakes, originally from the West Indies, at authentic breakfasts all over the island.
And when the sun goes down, don’t forget to visit Veya restaurant. Chef Carrie Bogar is in charge of “Sunshine Kitchen.” Her creative, no-nonsense, flavorful menu is inspired by the cuisine of the hottest places around the world. The menu highlights the essential flavors of authentic cuisine prepared with fresh, local ingredients of exceptional quality, including the delicious shrimp rolls with Moroccan spices and the lamb chops with white bean puree and mint sauce, which are simply delicious.
Overboard
Visitors often come to Anguilla wanting to relax and do absolutely nothing but relax, but there are some trips that are worth getting up from the sun lounger for. A day of sailing is almost a must, and is easily combined with lunch on one of the offshore islands.
Surrounded by reefs, Sandy Island is home to a cozy and unpretentious restaurant. Just a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland, this small island in the middle of nowhere, famous for its hospitality, offers its visitors delicious rum punches and fresh grilled food served on colorful tables inside an all-wood restaurant painted in vibrant shades of orange, blue and green. The marine life around it is breathtaking. My tip is to explore it when you arrive, then take a nap, read, snorkel and only then order your lunch.Another option is Scilly Cay. This small and charming coral island, nestled in the bay of Island Harbour, has been in the hands of the Wallace family for 35 years. There, a small restaurant offers lobster, fresh fish or chicken as main dishes, which are grilled right in front of the customer. With no electricity, all you can hear is the sound of the waves and the swaying of the palm fronds. For me, the true definition of paradise.
Of course, given so many attributes, the island could not go unnoticed in the major awards. Anguilla was elected one of the must-see destinations in the world in 2022, appearing on lists by Lonely Planet, a global travel authority. Anguilla is also present in other rankings of the best islands and beaches in the world, appearing in 3rd place on the list of the best islands in the Caribbean and number 21 on the list of the best in the world, according to the North American travel magazine Travel + Leisure.In addition to small, charming hotels, the island is home to luxury resorts such as the Four Seasons and the Belmond Cap Juluca, which, despite being large, value tranquility and privacy, always in perfect balance with the traditional villages and local residents. It is no wonder that Anguilla has been chosen by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Sandra Bullock and Paris Hilton for days off , away from the paparazzi. While many celebrities stay in neighboring resorts to be seen, others hide here to escape the spotlight.
Stay by the sea
Once in Anguilla, you will notice that the predominant feeling is of refuge, a place where the mind can disconnect from chaotic or routine days to breathe the fresh breeze amidst the beauty of nature. And I guarantee that staying in an incredible hotel right on the sand helps even more with this connection. Zemi Beach House is a resort designed by a family from New York that was created precisely with the aim of providing guests with a lot of comfort and immersion. Small and super exclusive, it has three types of accommodations: rooms, penthouses and beachfront suites, a total of 65 accommodations, four swimming pools, the main one ending at the beach, literally on the sand, and as if that weren’t enough, it has a glass wall overlooking the sea. Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed a spectacular view of the contrast between the blue brushstrokes and the white sand on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Shoal Bay East. Do you enjoy rum? Let yourself be surprised by the resort’s “Rhum Room”, which has more than 100 labels of the drink originating from various types and places in the Caribbean.
Another highlight is the spa, which is a spectacle in itself. The 300-year-old house that houses the Zemi Thai House Spa was brought to the island, wood by wood, and the experience is a relaxing holistic therapy, entirely based on the traditional wellness rituals of the Thai people. Treatments can be performed with various essences, including mud, herbs, fruits and salt. The spa is almost a sanctuary, and has the only “Hammam”, a type of Turkish bath for deep cleansing and rejuvenation on the island. The inspiration is Moroccan, and the elegant decor, with cozy lighting, allows for a moment of deep relaxation. The place to be.
«ONCE IN Anguilla YOU WILL REALIZE THAT THE PREDOMINANT FEELING IS OF REFUGE, A PLACE WHERE THE MIND CAN DISCONNECT FROM THE CHAOTIC AND ROUTINE DAYS TO BREATHE THE FRESH BREEZE AMIDST THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.»
Sun, sand and sea
This truly secluded hidden gem is probably the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. Anguilla invites you to relax on white sand beaches dotted with palm trees, embraced by turquoise seas, stay in small luxury villas, savour the sophisticated local cuisine served mostly outdoors in casually elegant settings and finally celebrate life in small and exclusive bars right on the beach, but all this, of course, always in a discreet and chic way, an untouchable, extraordinary and wonderfully unique island.