What’s the fun of bumming out on the beach if it’s too crowded, anyway? If you really want to walk the peaceful walk, you can just head on out to Anguilla – that tiny British territory in the Caribbean. Anguilla (pronounced as ang-GWILL-ah) is a tiny island: one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It is so tiny in fact that as of the latest estimate, there are less than 15,000 inhabitants on the island.
Anguilla is a veritable secret paradise. Not many people know of its existence, which suits a number of beach lovers just fine. Covering only 35 square miles, this island boasts of clear turquoise waters and powder white beaches. Mead’s Bay is a favored hang-out because of its beauty and serenity. Shoal Bay has been named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here, the sands are never crowded, but you won’t find it lacking with great restaurants and well-stocked bars.
There are also plenty of gorgeous places to stay in. If you prefer to be closer to the water’s edge and would like to rough it up a bit, you could go to Allamanda hotel or even Carimar. There are also a number of bed-and-breakfast inns that you could stay in if you prefer a more rustic setting for your stay. If you really want to live it up, really go for broke, we recommend the luxury hotels and villas all over Anguilla. Cap Juluca, Covecastles, CusinArt and Malliouhana have been the favorite hangouts of the rich and famous – and these places aim to satisfy every vacationer’s needs. There are also luxury spas where one can indulge in total relaxation and in total seclusion. Manned by expert teams of masseuses and beauticians, these spas will provide you the best time-out treatments yet.
Anguilla is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Sailing is the number water-sport here. There are other boating companies that offer sports fishing and snorkeling. Rates for these water-sports are relatively cheaper than those from the other Caribbean island paradises. That means you can afford to indulge in these activities longer without having to worry about your budget.
For the diving enthusiasts, we recommend El Buen Consejo Underwater Archeological Preserve. These dives are guaranteed to be both exciting and enlightening at the same time. And if you prefer not to get your feet wet at all, but would still like to see a bit of marine life, you could walk on over to Stoney Bay Marine Park and just have a wonderful and educational tour.
For those who prefer to walk beyond the pristine beach sands, Anguilla also has walking tours for the history buffs. The most prominent feature of the island is Wallblake House, a plantation compound that has been standing since 1787. Wallblake House has seen its share of war and has remained virtually intact. There is also the Heritage Collection Museum at the eastern end of the island. Here, history collides with culture and you can map out the island’s evolution and progress.
