Anguilla Travel Guide

If your heart is set on getting away from it all and experiencing a true island escape, Anguilla, with its friendly people and natural attractions, is a perfect choice. Its low lying, arid terrain doesn't leave much in the way of exploration but your consolation prize is the beaches - twelve miles of them - all powder white-sand, beautiful and more often than not, deserted. Anguilla is simply a beach lover's paradise! For the most part, people who visit Anguilla are seeking rest and relaxation...sunbathing, walking on the beaches, swimming and reading are the favorite pastimes.

Anguilla (rhymes with "vanilla") is located roughly 150 miles east of Puerto Rico and just a mere five miles north of St. Maarten. The small little island measures sixteen miles long and three miles wide. Gentle breezes bathe the island continuously resulting in an average temperature of around 80F.

A British dependent territory since 1650 and the most northerly of the Leeward Islands and Lesser Antilles, Anguilla remains greatly untouched by commercial development; the hotels are all discreet low-rise designs complementing both the rocky coral and sandy coastlines.

The interior of the island is mostly evergreen bushland (shrubs) with a sporadic bougainvillea, hibiscus or other blooming plant reminding you of the island's tropical influence. Salt ponds provide bird watching enthusiasts with a glimpse of a variety of species calling Anguilla home including the snowy egret and the great blue heron.

Additional attractions on Anguilla range from their national sport of boat racing and sailing to the local art galleries. If you rent a car for a day to tour the island you'll meet many of the local artists, each perfecting their art and proud to share their talents with you. Anguilla is also noted for its gourmet restaurants, luxury resorts and charming locally owned apartments, inns and guesthouses. If diving is what you're after, Anguilla offers a superb reef system and offshore wrecks to explore. Snorkeling is sensational off Scilly Cay, a two-minute boat trip from Island Harbour on the northeast end of Anguilla.

Shopping (to speak of), nightlife and gambling you won't find on Anguilla but if you need a fix in these areas, don't fret - a trip to St. Maarten is just a 30-minute ferry ride. If you're real ambitious with money to spare, you can hop a small plane to French St. Bart's and enjoy a day of exquisite shopping and world renown French cuisine.