Caribbean Vacations Guide.Welcome to the official site of the Caribbean ideal Vacation spots! Caribbean Vacations Guide.com

Places to go : Country :

Anguilla

Introduction | Weather | Events | Places to go

Anguilla is located in the Caribbean Sea, the northern most islands in the Leeward Island chain. Nearest neighbor to the south is St. Martin/Saint Maarten.
Average year round temperature is 80 degrees. Anguilla is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean , with latitude of approximately 18 degrees north and longitude of 63 degrees west. The island
lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, some five miles north of St. Maarten/St. Martin and one hundred fifty miles east of Puerto Rico . The territory of Anguilla comprises several offshore islets, or cays, including Sandy Island , Dog Island , Prickley Pear Cays, Scrub Island , and Sombrero Island (the location of the island's lighthouse)

The rich and dynamic Amerindian history of the island is beginning to be reconstructed20as a result of recent work by the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society and archaeologists from numerous institutions such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the University of Maine at Farmington , and the University of Pittsburgh . Read on and educate yourself about Anguilla 's fascinating archaeological record and find out how you can get involved!

In 1493, Christopher Columbus sighted the island and named it for its eel-like shape: Anguilla means "eel" in Spanish. No attempt was made to colonize it, probably because it was controlled by the notoriously fierce, warlike Caribs, who knew the island as Malliouhana, the Carib word for eel. The Caribs, a tribe of cannibals, had captured the island from the peaceful Arawak tribe and had completely eradicated them, not only from Anguilla but also from the entire Caribbean .

A Few Recommendations:

Captains Bay is lined with dramatic coral cliffs. The beach is a wide stretch of white sand cornered at both ends by rock cliffs. It is now possible to reach the beach by walking the cliff road east of Island Harbour . The waters off this beach often carry a strong under-toe and it is not recommended for swimming. It is ideal for a picnic lunch. Take along a pair of hiking boots and wander through the rock formations along the coast or take the dirt track all the way to the eastern end of the island. Watch out for Abadam hole along the way. This giant cave was exposed to the surface when the thin rock roof collapsed.
Accommodation:Exclusivity Villa

Restaurants: Palm Grove Grill,Hibernia, Island Harbour eastern side
Location:Eastern end of the island not far from Windward Point.
Directions:From The Valley take the Long Road to East End , continue through the village f or about 1 mile until you reach a sign for Palm Grove Restaurant. Follow the dirt road east to Captains Bay .
Swimming:Undertoe/no swimming or snorkeling
Privacy:A wonderful spot for a private picnic or hiking in the hills around the beach.
Hiking: Wear hiking boats and long pants. Many tropical bushes have thorns.
Shade: Sea Grape trees rim the beach.

Island Harbour is a fishermans village with a harbour full of small homemade fishing boats. The cresent shaped beach is lined with palm trees and the water is generally calm but quite often is lined with seaweed. The quiet relaxed atmosphere makes it worth the trip and is the place to find a local fisherman willing to take you for a boat trip to Scrub Island or fishing off shore.
Directions:From T he Valley take the road to Shoal Bay/Island Harbour. Bear right at the fork to Shoal Bay and follow the road to Canafist Juntion. Bear left and follow the road through Welches Village to Island Harbour . The beach is in the center of the village.

Swimming:The water is generally calm but often has bits of seaweed floating on the current. Also the fishing boats often pull right up to shore.
Snorkeling:no snorkeling opportunities on this beach but take the free boat ride to Scilly Cay and snorkel around the island.
Restaurants:Cote Mer, Scilly Cay, Hibernia, Arawak,KoKo's and Le Bon Pain
Beach Rentals:Smitty Shell Station has chairs and umbrellas right on the beach
Accommodation:Jems, K's Cove, Tamarind, Terra Firma, Villa Elegante, Villa Romantica, Wesley House,
Services: Gas Station, Fuel for boats, Island Pub for groceries.

Limestone Bay is worth the trip. Quiet, secluded and occasionally the nesting spot for some of Anguilla 's sea turtles and the island's Iguana.
Directions:From The Valley take the road to Crocus Bay . Turn right at the old cottage hospital and follow the road up Roaches Hill and all the way down to the beach. There is parking just off the beach.
View: Limestone Bay is a small strip of sand nestled between sea rock formations on both sides. The open Atlantic comes right to the shore and Dog Island is visible in the distance.
Swimming:Strong swimmers only, there is usually a strong under current here.
Snorkeling:Snorkel along the rocks on both sides. Advanced swimmers only.
Accommodation:villa on east shore
Privacy:This beach is a favorite among locals for family picnics and gatherings. Take along a small grill and spend the evening watching the sun go down.
Hiking: Wear hiking boots to explore the area around the bay. Wonderful vistas from both sides of the beach.

CLIMATE: Average Winter/Summer temperature: 80 degrees.

LANGUAGE: English.

Dining: Anguilla’s extraordinary dining scene offers discerning travelers a robust variety of gastronomic diversions with more than 70 dining experiences ranging from elegant, intimate gourmet seaside restaurants to casually chic beachfront bistros and festive, affordable roadside grills. Tipping at restaurants is discretionary at 10 or 15% as a 15% service charge is added to each bill.

NIGHTLIFE: Most resorts and hotels offer nightly entertainment in season and there are several excellent local bands who perform frequently at such venues as Johnno’s, The Pumphouse, Road Well Café and Ripples in Sandy Ground; Rafe’s and the Red Dragon Dance Club in South Hill and The Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay .

SIGHTSEEING: Explore caves and grottos. The Wallblake House, a restored 17th century plantation house, is the oldest on the island. Lobster village at Island Harbor . Salt ponds at Sandy Ground. An Island tour 1 or 2 persons is US$50.00. Each additional person pays $10.00. Dolphin Discovery – a pool where one can actually interact with the dolphins. Big Spring – an ancient Amerindian cavern with petroglyphs carved into the face of the rock walls. The Warden’s place is Anguilla ’s 2nd oldest property, dating back to the 18th century. Heritage Collection Museum .