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Anguilla is a dry island with an average annual rainfall of 35 inches and average monthly temperature of 80?F. The island is continually cooled by prevailing trade winds, with little change of temperature in the summer.
Anguilla's uncrowded beaches are second to none. In our opinion Mead's Bay and Shoal Bay are two of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.
The island's luxury hotels, inns and villas range from some of the world's most exclusive to affordable. Hang-outs of the rich and famous include Covecastles, Cap Juluca and Malliouhana. Looking for something a little less glamorous? Try the Carimar and the Allamanda - both hotels offer great value and access to stunning beaches. There are also some good bed & breakfasts on the island for those on a budget.
You can go shopping, dine in some of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean or just relax in the sun. If you're a watersports enthusiast then Anguilla is for you!
The island is also the home to some of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean. At dusk, beachfront restaurants provide a front row seat for sunset before a star-studded show takes over the sky.
Despite all the glitz...it's the friendliness and hospitality of its people that make Anguilla so enjoyable.
Things to do:
Hiking
Although Anguilla is a small island, only 17 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, much of it is still uninhabited with excellent opportunities for exploring. Since the island is very narrow at many points it is possible to see both coasts while walking through the low bush and rock formations along the coast. Roads have been cut through much of the bush anticipating building projects but many have been abandoned for now making them excellent places to start your journey.
Horseback Riding
Had enough of the beach? Take a day to tour the land on horseback. Riding is fun and easy in Anguilla where there is plenty to see and lots of trails to ride along. The Cliffside Riding Centre has a fine selection of gentle steeds with both English and western tack.
Mountain Bike
Rent a mountain bike and ride the back roads of Anguilla. There are plenty of marl roads around the island with spectacular sights along the way. Many hotels have bicycles availiable for their guests.
One of Anguilla?s most exciting and thrilling activities is Dolphin Fantaseas, swim with the dolphins program. This adventure gives participants the opportunity to experience up close and personal playtime with dolphins, while gaining an understanding of these fascinating mammals and inspiring individuals to obtain an appreciation for marine life and the environment in which they live.
St. Maarten Zoological Park
Take a day trip to St. Martin/Sint Maarten and visit the St. Maarten Park. It is a delightful zoo full of Caribbean animals in natural settings. Discover over 80 species including the largest display of exotic parrots in the Caribbean. A Reptile House, Walk-through Aviaries and a Nocturnal Exhibit showcase many of the unique species of this region. Squirrel Monkeys are a delight to watch on their island home, while Ocelots, Bush Dogs, Golden Lion Tamarins and Capybarras amaze visitors with their beautiful and unusual appearance.
Scuba and Snorkel
Companies that specialize is scuba and snorkel trips. Take a day trip to an off shore cay or hidden beach.
Fishing
Fishing is a commercial enterprise in Anguilla. Often local fishermen will work for hire taking experienced fishermen out beyond the reef for Tuna, wahoo and other game fish. There are also charter boats that work inside the reef and trawl for fish that venture closer to shore.
Boating
Boat services and trips to neighbouring islands.
Places to go:
The Valley
The Valley, the island's only real town, is the geographic, commercial and political centre of Anguilla. It's a small, rambling area consisting of little more than a bunch of mini-malls, with an administrative relocation to St Kitts in 1825 explaining the lack of colonial architecture.
But there are jewels to be unearthed, such the historical displays of the Anguilla National Trust Museum, the exterior of Wallblake House, and the design of the adjacent church which has a unique decorative stone front, open-air sides and a ceiling shaped like the hull of a ship.
Island Harbour is a working fishing village, not a resort area, and its beach is lined with brightly coloured fishing boats, rather than chaises lounges. There's a few cafes and places to bed down in, and travellers in search of a more unvarnished day-to-day atmosphere often make their base here.
Island Harbour's main historic site is Big Spring, a partially collapsed cave containing Amerindian petroglyphs and an underwater spring that was once the village water source. Now under the jurisdiction of the National Trust, there are plans to clean it up and make it accessible to visitors.
Meads Bay
Meads Bay, backed by a salt pond for most of its length, boasts a lovely mile-long sweep of white sand lapped by calm turquoise waters. It's a good beach for swimming, a great one for strolling and a fantastic one for annual boat races on the first Thursday in August.
Although a couple of the island's most stylish hotels and a few small condominium complexes are scattered along the beach, Meads Bay is certainly not crowded and you'll hardly be wanting for elbow room as some of the hotels are a good five-minute walk from their nearest neighbour.
Sandy Ground
Sandy Ground is the closest thing Anguilla has to a travellers' haunt. Located about 3km (2mi) west of The Valley, it has a white-sand beach lined with restaurants, a dive shop and a few low-key places to stay. Its well-protected fishhook-shaped bay is Anguilla's main port of entry for yachts.
Sandy Ground is backed by a large salt pond that was commercially harvested until just a few years ago, when the cost of shipping the salt began to exceed its value. If you enjoy birding, the quieter northern end of the salt pond attracts egrets, stilts, herons and other wading birds.
Shoal Bay East
Beach connoisseurs consider Shoal Bay East to be Anguilla's premier strand. On the northeastern side of the island, Shoal Bay East (sometimes called simply Shoal Bay, so don't confuse it with Shoal Bay West) is broad and long with radiant white sands and clear turquoise waters.
It's ideal for swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the sun. To add to its laid-back appeal, there are a couple of small hotels and restaurants on the beach, but virtually no other development in sight. Anguilla's top archaeological site, the Fountain, is nearby.
Culture
Anguilla's West Indian culture is a blend of British and African influences. Because of the dry and barren nature of the island, the small population on Anguilla has traditionally struggled to make ends meet and has looked toward the sea, in the form of fishing and boatbuilding, for its livelihood. One consequence of this seafaring heritage is a penchant for boat racing.
Aside from the boxy modern buildings in The Valley, visitors will notice that the predominant architectural style on Anguilla is unfinished concrete. Many Anguillians work abroad and return home periodically to make piecemeal additions to their property as their earnings permit, leaving foundations and unfinished walls scattered about the island.
Last edited by Anna (15:38, 06 January 2006)
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