Having come back from a pretty disastrous period in the 1990’s when the island suffered the effects of two major hurricanes, Anguilla is now considered one of the premier island destinations in the world. Only in 2014 did it beat competition such as Mauritius and the Maldives to be voted one of the top island destinations in the world, this was also while the island hosted the world travel awards, thus highlighting the importance of the island. This is one of the many reason people look for beach homes in Anguilla in which to spend their summer holidays.
Together with this you also must consider that Anguilla is in the Caribbean, has strong connections to both the UK and the USA and due to its economy promotes a certain clientele to visit the island. These guests come by Yacht, boat, and plane. You will find luxury resorts, quiet fishing villages, ancient history and all with that authentic Caribbean feel. So, some of you may be wondering why you haven’t been already, or why you haven’t heard of this location before.
It may be due to its small size, competition from its neighbors, or simply because you haven't looked before. For that reason, I have put together a list of things that you can get up to on Anguilla and perhaps if this isn’t for you then it can be applied to one of its neighbors.
Stay in a luxury accommodation
If you have gone through all the effort of planning a trip to Anguilla, then you can spend a little extra and stay in some luxury accommodation. A trip to somewhere like Anguilla is usually a once in a lifetime experience so why worry about the cost.
Once you are in your accommodation you simply must worry about getting sunburnt. The islands accommodation varies from villas to hotels and much more in between. You can look for infinity pools, buffet dinners, room, and table service, what better way to celebrate life or an achievement with a significant other than enjoying a through luxury experience.
Learn about the history of the island
With its history stretching back more than 4,000 years there is plenty of history to find on the island. Yes, the Caribbean is for relaxation and taking a break from the real world, but sometimes the beach and sand can get a little boring, hard to believe I know. Luckily this little island paradise has enough culture and history to keep you occupied for a few days and let you see some of the lesser explored parts of the island.
The heritage trail, designed by Ph.D. student from the US will take you on a journey around the island o some of the most important places in the island's history, some may seem a little obscure such as a disused waterworks, but at each location, you will learn the importance of this place to the island. Other sites along the trail include the heritage museum, an old plantation house and a disused factory which was used to refine cotton.
These locations will give you a brief glimpse into the past of the island and how it has come to its current state.
Get active on the water
What visit to the Caribbean would be complete without countless hours at the beach. This you can do at any time but there is plenty more to get up to on and under the waters of Anguilla.
Firstly, you can take a day trip to two of the islands close neighbors and ones which are relatively uninhabited throughout the year. These islands are Anguillita and Sandy island. Here you can experience the through castaway experience as these islands are virtually uninhabited.
Some popular activities include snorkeling off the coast of these islands, or from the boats in which you are being transported. You can find some of the least seen and unspoiled aquatic life in this part of the Caribbean. Following this, you can explore the islands on foot and enjoy a picnic or food provided by your charter boat. This is a great way to spend one or two days away from Anguilla and getting a look at life for locals who have not major connection with the wider world.
Other activities to get up to closer to Anguilla include, kayaking, kiteboarding and paddle-boarding. There will be no shortage of shops and tourist offices offering these excursions so don’t fret about booking in advance.
Enjoy the nightlife
Another staple of island life in the Caribbean is the nightlife. Expect a lot of reggae and reggaetón in the bars and clubs of the island where you can party the night away just like a local. Make some friends and ask around about the best locations for each night.
Along with some local rum, you will also have to try some of the local's favorite dishes, consisting of plenty of fresh fish, maize, and rice. You can find some more European and western food in upscale restaurants and resorts, but I fell it is always best to try out where the locals eat first as this is usually where you will find the best dishes on the island.
If you are traveling from far afield such as Africa or Australia, be sure to plan for a couple of weeks in the region. Maybe not entirely in Anguilla but if you are going to travel such distances you should get enough time to see as much as possible.