Despite its small size, Anguilla is one of the Caribbean’s most punchy islands, with age-old charm, vibrant marine life and some serious sea vistas. Many describe it as ‘tranquillity wrapped in blue’, which paints a pretty perfect picture of what to expect on this tiny island, and you really do get exactly that: perfect relaxation and peacefulness with a hint of aquamarine sea and bustling local life. Here are a few things to do in Anguilla…
Snorkelling and Diving
Anguilla is flanked by electric-blue sea and vibrant reefs that are brimming with bustling shoals of fish and all kinds of colourful coral. Don your flippers and dive mask and head to the depths (or the shallows, if you’re opting to snorkel) of the Caribbean Sea to explore the variety of marine life and even a shipwreck or two. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles darting to and fro between colonial era cannons and cargo that lie on the sea floor in one of the seven marine parks that encircle this beautiful little island.
Boat Tours
Hop aboard a wonderful old school sloop (a single-masted sailing boat) and head out to explore this beautiful corner of the Caribbean. Float along on a sunset cruise, a fishing trip or a day trip to nearby islands, and even hop in for a snorkel along the way. Make a stop in Mead’s Bay and catch a glimpse of the resident pelican community or moor up in Shoal Bay to relax on the sweep of sun-kissed sand for a few hours. Enjoy a delicious Caribbean-style lobster roll, a tasty barbecue chicken and ribs or even tuck into your day’s catch, before heading back to the beach for a sundowner, or watching as the sun hits the crystal-clear wavelets aboard your little boat.
Explore the Island’s History
Anguilla has a rich history dating back to pre-Columbian times. There are several historic sites to visit, including the Wall House Museum and the Old Salt Factory. The Anguilla National Trust Museum is a great place to start as it is dedicated to preserving the island's cultural heritage, and it is a great place to learn about the history of Anguilla. The Wall House Museum is an 18th-century plantation house that is now a museum which offers a glimpse into Anguilla's history, as well as being the oldest standing plantation house on the island. The Old Salt Factory is found on the island’s eastern coast and is the perfect place to learn about the area’s salt processing history, and the role salt played in the island’s economy. After enjoying a guided tour of the factory, you can even pick up a bag of Anguillan salt in the gift shop to take home.
Dine like a local
As the culinary capital of the Caribbean, visitors will never be short of a delicious meal when dining in Anguilla. Explore everything from relaxed barbecue hotspots to the more upmarket restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs. While many ingredients are imported, this tiny island is known for its seafood, including lobster, conch, fish and Anguillan crayfish, as well as freshly harvested local crops. There is of course nothing better to pair this with than mauby, a soft drink made from tree bark, or if you’re looking for something slightly stronger, tickle your tastebuds with a taste of the Caribbean’s famed rum punch made from fresh fruit and a generous dose of home-grown rum.
Lunch at Scilly Cay in Anguilla
The island of Anguilla in the Caribbean is little more than a glorified sandbank, albeit a sandbank with some of the best beaches and finest hotels in the Leeward Islands, but what really makes this island stand out is the food. The quality of the eateries is exceptional, and the cherry on top of this delectable cake is the small island restaurant of Scilly Cay.
There is a menu of sorts, but it's all about the lobster here, so pop round the back, single out your own crustacean and the chef will read it the last rights before cleaving it in two and whacking it straight onto the grill. (You don't have to see this bit, obviously!) Next, settle back to enjoy the view clutching a potent Eudoxie Rum Punch, named after the owner, Eudoxie Wallace, a former professional tennis player and all-round smoothie. The lobster is served on a bed of coconut leaves with a very mild and extremely delicious curry sauce, and it is, quite frankly, delicious. Post lunch, you can snooze on the beach, snorkel around the tiny island or have another rum punch after which, Eudoxie assured us, 'you can walk on water.'
