Activities

Art

Anguilla is home to a veritable colony of artists who have come from many parts of the world to join Anguilla's noted local artists in the pursuit of their creative muse. Their diverse art forms include pottery, sculpture, handcrafts, paintings, photography and woodcraft.

The creations of local artists are complemented by a growing collection of tribal artifacts, textiles, antiques, carvings and furniture from many exotic destinations, and can be found in the art galleries and studios across our island.

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Beaches

Twelve miles of stunning, white powder sand and tranquil, transparent waters ranging from aquamarine to cobalt blue have earned Anguilla the reputation of having the best beaches in the world.

Anguilla's 33 pristine beaches are all public. Equally uncrowded and unspoiled, each cove, bay and stretch of sand is marked by unique characteristics such as rock and coral formations and picturesque tropical plants.

Our island's waters are warm and welcoming year-round. You can swim, sail, and snorkel just a few feet off shore. Once you've worked up your appetite on the water, look no further than one of the many beachside bistros and bars that overlook the long ribbons of soft white sand.

"Anguilla is ranked number one world's best all around beaches." - The Travel Channel

"Many Caribbean islands would be grateful for just one of Anguilla's estimated 33 powder-white beaches." - Conde Nast Traveler

"If you're yearning for some of the most stunning beaches in the world, put the Caribbean island of Anguilla at the top of your vacation hot list." - Working Mother

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Boating & Watersports

The water not only surrounds the island of Anguilla, it is central to many islanders way of life.

Boat Racing is Anguilla's national sport, and our island hosts countless regattas throughout the year. Additionally, cruising and sailing to many of Anguilla's offshore cays or secluded beaches can be a great way to experience some of the island's most pristine places. Picnics on board or ashore, sunset cocktail cruises, secluded snorkeling trips and excursions to sand cay restaurants are just some of the fun itineraries available.

For those looking for a fight, Anguilla's warm and calm waters are teeming with Wahoo, Marlin, Swordfish and Yellow and Black Fin tuna. Regular fishing charters, operated by experienced Anguillians can guide you to some of the Caribbean's finest fishing spots.

More scenic, aquatic activities are also available. Shoal Bay Scuba, located on Shoal Bay East, offers a class act parasailing excursion that takes visitors to new heights, while paddleboats, sailboats, and windsurfing rentals are available for those content with staying closer to land

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Dining & Nightlife

Known as "the cuisine capital of the Caribbean," Anguilla's award-winning dining scene offers discerning travelers a supreme selection of gastronomic diversions. More than 70 dining experiences ranging from elegant gourmet eateries to casually chic beachfront bistros and bars to festive roadside grills can be found across our island.

Whether the dining table is candlelit or canopied by a colorful beach umbrella, Anguilla's sumptuous fare is prepared by world-renowned chefs and award-winning local chefs who create the eclectic Savour of our island's cuisine. Choices range from Caribbean to French, Mediterranean to Continental, Creole to Italian, to Mexican, American to Indo-Chinese, and most important, indulgent to inexpensive. Given the abundance of fresh seafood, there are plenty of options for creative cookery.

More than a great meal can be found at many of the island's restaurants. Dinners are often accompanied by live music and complemented with fine wines. Most hotels on our island maintain a large and carefully selected wine collection, including two of the region's largest wine cellars, which are located at Malliouhana Hotel & Spa and Koal Keel Restaurant. Malliouhana, winner of Wine Spectator's grand Award, houses more than 25,000 bottles of wine. Koal Keel'3s wine cellar Le Dome, situated 17 feet below ground, holds more than 35,000 bottles.

If you're looking to stay in rather than dine out Anguilla features an array of options. Well over half of our properties are self-catered villas, condos or apartments that have full-service kitchens en suite. Chefs are often available to come and prepare a meal on site. Ask your concierge for details.

"Along with astonishing beaches - there are more than 30 of them - Anguilla now has equally astonishing new resorts and an energized restaurant scene... They're the swank club in the Caribbean with no sign on the door: If you didn't know it was there, you'd just sail on by." - Food & Wine

There is music and entertainment almost every night of the week somewhere on the island. Generally, Sandy Ground is the "hotspot" on Fridays and Saturdays, while Sundays and Wednesdays the crowds move to Shoal Bay East. Notable names to look for include Sleepy and the All-stars; Dumpa, Sprocka, Bankie Banx & Dune People, Reggae Groovers, Boss and the Horsepower Band, Happy Hits String Band, Smokey and the Uprising Stars String Band, Clement Lake and his quiet sax, Mitch, The Mussingtons, Mighty Springer, Keith Gumbs, Kingsley (on the keyboard) and High Tension. Some of the best places for live music and entertainment on Anguilla are Johnos, Elvis Beach Bar, Pumphose, Dune Preserve and Elodias just to name a few.

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Diving & Snorkeling

The fringe of coral reefs and cays surrounding Anguilla, and our island's transparent turquoise waters make it the Caribbean's premier destination for snorkeling and diving.

All of our island's beaches provide access to reefs and rock formations where brightly colored fish can be seen. More celebrated snorkeling spots include Crocus Bay, Shoal Bay East, Junk's Hole and Sandy Island.

Anguilla's deeper waters are alive with beauty and history. Our island's seven marine parks - Dog Island, Prickley Pear, Seal Island Reef System, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System and Stoney Bay Marine Park - are home to everything from living limestone walls to century-old shipwrecks.

Many snorkelers prefer to bring their own fins and snorkels, however, if you need to buy or rent equipment, it can be easily obtained. Snorkels and fins are available at most hotels, dive shops, on most charters and at some beaches where either beach operators or casual, beachfront restaurants are located.

"Even the beaches are glossy on small, coralline Anguilla... Offshore, a limestone ridge attracts small tropical fish and novice snorkelers." - New York Times

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Festivals & Events

Anguilla's history, heritage and culture are regularly celebrated across our island. The calendar is nearly almost always full of cultural events, parties, performances and pageants.

Our island's most spectacular display of culture is the Summer Festival. It begins on August Monday at 5 a.m. with J'Ouvert Morning', a daybreak jam through the streets to celebrate emancipation. Nearly a fortnight of dancing, competitions, fairs, costumes and parades color the evenings. During the days, as with almost all of Anguilla's major holidays, the island is filled with the excitement of beach picnics and boat racing, Anguilla's national sport.

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Golf & Tennis

Anguilla is the perfect place to perfect your swing or stroke. The island is home to a golf course and a number of tennis courts.

For those eager to play 18 holes, we encourage them to schedule a tee time at Temenos, Anguilla's first and only championship-level golf course. Designed by the legendary Greg Norman, the course has been described by the Robb Report as 'the Caribbean's answer to the 18th at Pebble Beach.' Temenos takes full advantage of the island's lush landscape. Nearly every hole offers unrivaled views Anguilla's turquoise waters.

"A thriller in Anguilla...the greatest game has finally made a popular landing on one of the Caribbean's premier islands." - Travel + Leisure Golf

In terms of tennis, most of the larger properties have lighted courts that are available as well as resident pros eager to help you elevate your game. Two public courts are also available in the Valley at Ronald Webster Park. The most recent addition to Anguilla's tennis community is the Anguilla Tennis Academy - a world-class facility at Blowing Point. The Academy has seven courts that are available to the public. It also hosts a number of youth tennis camps throughout the year.

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Outdoor Activities

Our island offers many opportunities for recreation and exploration, yet only a select few truly engulf visitors in the island's beauty and serenity.

Biking is perhaps the best way to explore the island. Flat terrain, quiet side roads and one main road make it easy to get around. For those looking to simply go along for the ride, horseback riding is available through a number of outfitters.

On the interior of our island is where guests can surround themselves in scenic beauty or just be one with the birds. Hikes to natural and historic sites are plentiful and maps are available through the Anguilla Tourist Board and most hotels. Additionally, Anguilla's salt ponds, the only wetlands on the island, serve as sanctuaries for Anguilla's 136 different bird species including white-cheeked pintails and black-neck stilts. Of particular note are Sandy Ground, East End, West End and Little Harbour ponds where pelicans, falcons, gulls, brown boobies, terns and herons all happen to congregate.

One of Anguilla's best-kept secrets is its small rainforest, which is located on the north side of the island. The hiking trail is accessible from the beach beyond Masara Resort, near Crocus Hill. Head left down the beach and look for the trail on your left, away from the beach.

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Shopping

Unlike other Caribbean islands, Anguilla has an authentic feeling about it. Traditional tourist shops won't be found on our island, but in their place you'll find an amazing array of art galleries, designer boutiques and island-inspired treasures. From clothing to crafts to accessories, it can all be found on Anguilla. Try ZaZAA Boutique at Shoal Bay East and also at Lower South Hill, on West End Road. Also Turkish Delights right here at Anacaona.. All have eclectic clothing (beachy, casual and elegant), accessories, jewellery, Art, Books, Anguilla Memories, Sundries and so much more from many countries around the world including Anguilla, St. Barts and St. Martin/St Maarten.

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Sites & Tours

From one end of our island to the other there is an abundance of historic architecture, cultural landmarks and preserved natural places awaiting your discovery.

These sites can often be encountered during normal travels, however, some are more off the beaten path than others. Maps are available through most properties and the Anguilla Tourist Board.

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