There are many stunning islands in the Caribbean. St Kitts and Nevis, St Maarten, St Barts, and the British Virgin Islands all draw thousands of tourists every year in search of sun, sand, and tropical relaxation. Anguilla may not be on the top of your must-visit list, and that may be because many of its attractions are largely kept under wraps to protect the well-heeled celebrities who call this beautiful island their second home. Here’s why Anguilla ticks all the right
There are many stunning islands in the Caribbean. St Kitts and Nevis, St Maarten, St Barts, and the British Virgin Islands all draw thousands of tourists every year in search of sun, sand, and tropical relaxation. Anguilla may not be on the top of your must-visit list, and that may be because many of its attractions are largely kept under wraps to protect the well-heeled celebrities who call this beautiful island their second home.
Here’s why Anguilla ticks all the right boxes.
Key Facts about Anguilla
Anguilla lies at the northernmost tip of the Leeward Islands. It became a British overseas territory in 1980 after breaking away from St Kitts and Nevis. You’ll see evidence of their governance all over the island: red post boxes and references to the Queen abound. It is one of the several Caribbean islands that doesn’t levy personal and corporate business tax, so along with tourism, offshore banking is an important part of the Anguillan economy.
The island is relatively small, with 37 square miles of landmass and around 13,500 people in its population. Anguilla’s interior is flat and arid, and the beaches have their own unique beauty. Shoal Bay East is the most popular, but there are 32 more. Most people come to Anguilla for the powdery white sands and water sports, although there are some sights to see if you get tired of sipping margaritas on the beach.
The best time to visit Anguilla is between May and August during low season, when rental and transportation prices are low. Unlike some Caribbean islands, Anguilla is quite dry, so you won’t have to worry about heavy summer rain.
You can fly on commercial airlines to Anguilla via Antigua or Puerto Rico and then pick up a connection on a local airline – Seabourne or Liat both offer connecting flights. Alternatively, connect via ferry from St. Maarten.
Staying on Anguilla
If pampered luxury is your style, Anguilla has its fair share of luxury hotels. The Viceroy, which has since relaunched as a Four Seasons property, and Cap Juluca are popular celebrity haunts. Michael Jordan, Liam Neeson, Paris Hilton, and Sandra Bullock have been spotted sunning and wandering around. Other famous A-listers who have been spotted on the island include Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Timberlake. Some other hotels worth checking out include the Zemi Beach House and the Malliouhana. And if you’re on a cheaper budget, there are some lovely boutique hotels and homes that welcome tourists all year round.
Another option worth considering is staying in one of many luxurious Anguilla villas. Villas are renowned for their beachfront locations and excellent facilities. Many celebs choose to stay in a villa away from the prying eyes of paparazzi and curious tourists, but villas are also popular with families seeking a more relaxed vacation. At a villa, travelers have five-star amenities and staff all to themselves. Privacy and personalization are at guests’ fingertips in a villa.
Eating Out on Anguilla
Anguilla has a well-deserved reputation for being a bit of a ‘foodie’ island. Fish dishes are always a big part of the local cuisine, with lobster tempura and spicy shrimp cigars as delicious treats. Try freshly cooked crayfish from a roadside restaurant or curried goat.
Book your next vacation in Anguilla – you won’t regret it!
An expert in written and spoken word, Leo Kevin's varied background in IT, journalism, public relations, and fundraising are all assets that contribute to his continued success as a communications leader. For three year he was the lead content writer for ThinkInk, a B2B Miami-based public relations firm with extensive experience writing and researching all aspects related to loyalty/rewards programs, airline revenue/in-flight technology and digital signage. He has also ghostwritten on topics that speak to the intersection of public relations, communications and journalism and have been published in Mobile Marketer, Wired, Hotel Executive, MediaPost and Ad Age, among others. Ghostwritten client work is also widely published, including thought leadership articles, trend reports and white papers.
