Beautiful beaches, top-notch food, warm hospitality. Anguilla may be tiny, but it’s a decidedly diverse destination— with high-end luxury accommodations side-by-side with rustic, laid-back beach bars. And, like the Caribbean region as a whole, it’s a year-round destination. If you’re planning to travel there this summer, here are some of our favourite things to do, with an emphasis on what Anguilla does best: the good life. (All photos by Caribbean Journal)
Eat
Anguilla has more than 100 restaurants, most of which are as good as you will find anywhere in the Caribbean. From the French-accented Jacala to the elegant Veya to the beachfront Straw Hat, you’ll never go hungry here. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Art Gallery hop
There is a small but growing art community on the island, from traditional landscape paintings to sculpture made with driftwood, all in an easy-to-access area on the outskirts of town. (Above, driftwood-based scuplture at Cheddie’s Carving Studio.)
Go offshore
Anguilla has its share of offshore sandbars and cays, from Scilly Cay, a fine-dining oasis on a coral island, to Sandy Island, a patch of talcum-soft sand with a wonderful beach bar and restaurant. And they’re all within easy access by hired boat (or, naturally, your own boat).
Feel the rhythm
Anguilla has a thriving live-music scene, from the famous Dune Preserve helmed by noted local artist Bankie Banx to the always-hopping Pump House. For a full day of music, kick back on the beach at the Dune Preserve by day and head to the Pump House at night (particularly on Thursdays). If you’re lucky, you can hear a set from terrific local band British Dependency.
Tour the Napa Valley of Rum Punch
With great beaches come great beach bars, and with great beach bars typically come great rum punches. Anguilla has some of the best rum punch spots in the Caribbean. For us, it’s a close race between Elvis’ Beach Bar and Elodia’s, but you’ll find dozens of great varieties across the island. And you’ll just have try them all for yourself.
Eat some more
A must for all foodies is the weekly Chef’s Table at the CuisinArt resort, where Chef Jasper Schneider will personally cook you and your group a multi-course meal. It’s a bit like spending an evening in a culinary laboratory.
Enjoy the view
It might just be the best view in Anguilla. The Sunset Lounge at the Viceroy Anguilla is set on the top of a cliffside, and its striking design makes Anguilla’s intoxicating vistas that much more powerful. On a side note, it also serves terrific sushi (trust us, you’ll be eating a lot on the island).