Anguilla 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.

Located in the eastern Caribbean, Anguilla is a small island nation with a rich and interesting history. Its name, which means “eel” in Spanish, was given by early European explorers due to the island’s long, narrow shape resembling an eel.

The first inhabitants of Anguilla were the Arawak and Carib indigenous peoples, who arrived around 1300 BC. They lived a peaceful life, fishing and farming, until the arrival of European colonizers in the late 15th century.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus landed on the island during his second voyage to the New World and claimed it for Spain. However, due to the island’s lack of resources, it was not of much interest to the Spanish and was left almost untouched for the next 300 years.

In the early 18th century, Anguilla became a popular hideout for pirates, who used it as a base to raid passing ships. The island’s location, away from major trade routes, made it an ideal spot for these infamous pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd.

In 1650, the British colonized Anguilla and the island became a British overseas territory. However, the French also had their eyes on the island and made several attempts to take control of it, resulting in a series of battles between the two nations.

In the 19th century, Anguilla’s economy began to thrive with the cultivation of sugar cane, cotton, and indigo. The island’s population grew, mainly consisting of enslaved Africans who were brought to work on the plantations.

In the mid-20th century, Anguilla, along with several other Caribbean islands, became part of the West Indies Federation, a British attempt at creating a self-governing unit in the Caribbean. However, the federation was short-lived and Anguilla, along with several other islands, broke away in 1967.

In 1980, Anguilla gained full separation from St. Kitts and Nevis and became a British dependent territory with its own government. Since then, the island has experienced significant economic growth, with tourism being the main industry.

Today, Anguilla is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and luxurious resorts. Its history, with influences from various cultures, can be seen in its diverse cuisine, music, and art. Despite being a small island, Anguilla’s unique past has shaped it into the vibrant and welcoming nation it is today.