Anguilla Is The Perfect Starting Point For Caribbean Travel

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If you’re not quite sure where Anguilla is, you’re not alone. The Caribbean is a wonderful region to travel through, but it is mostly visited by people in the Americas. Living in the East, just getting there takes more hours on a plane than most of us want to spend.

But the truth is that the Caribbean is one item on your bucket list that needs to be ticked. It is unlike anywhere else in the world, when considering its landscapes, cultures, and history. A melting pot of ancient native tradition along with more modern European and African influences, the region is a novelty even to those who consider themselves well-traveled.

Now, if you’re planning a Caribbean holiday, you may not know where to start. And considering you’re unlikely to travel so far across the world all that many times, and since there is so much to do in both North and South America, where you start is crucial.

Even if you have never heard of Anguilla, it is perhaps the perfect island to introduce you to the Caribbean. It can be your first, and if it happens to be your only trip to that region, you won’t regret it. In spite of its size – 15 miles long and 3 miles wide – there is plenty to see and do, and can fill more than one vacation.

Rent one of many beautiful Anguilla houses and make the trip. It will be worth it for a number of reasons.

Spend time on the water

One of the major drivers for anyone’s island holiday is the prospect of crystal clear seas. Most of the time, we tend to find a beach and make it our home, lying with the sound of the waves in our ears and the heat of the sun on our backs.

However, there are better ways to engage with the ocean’s beauty, and in Anguilla it’s particularly easy to do so. Even those who have never liked watersports can use the opportunity to get into them. There are companies that teach everything from surfing, to kite-surfing, to paddle-boarding, to plain old kayaking.

And I recommend you take the plunge. Anguilla’s waters are calm and clean, and warm breezes ensure you remain at a comfortable temperature. It won’t be long before you’re used to a little discomfort from the saltwater and sand, and you’ll be wondering why it ever seemed like a real problem. As you experience the thrill of the wind rushing through your hair, with the water beneath your feet, you will truly feel like you’re participating in nature’s beauty, engaging with life’s vitality.

Quintessential Caribbean Beaches

White sand, coconut palms, and sea-grape trees. Beach bars, barbecues, and Bob Marley. Anguilla’s beaches are everything you expect when you hear the word Caribbean spoken. Unlike palm beaches in other locations, which are pretty but underwhelming, Anguilla’s beaches live up to the clichéd idea of the island paradise.

The water itself is crystal clear and ideal. for snorkeling, with spectacular reefs making it picture perfect. Before long, you will feel like the beach is where you belong. You’ll never want to leave, and you may have a hard time going back to the plain old beautiful Asian beaches.

Foodies’ Paradise

Something that makes Anguilla (and the Caribbean in general) a wonderful experience for foodlovers, is that the cuisine is as varied as the region’s history. Traditional Anguillan food is really a mix of tastes. There are native dishes, but they are invariably influenced by European and African preferences. It makes for an interesting combination of flavours, that is novel for Europeans, Africans, and everyone else.

Also, because of the strong European and African influence, restaurants that purport to make cuisine from a country in these regions usually do a very good job. French food, for example, is actually French, and not a watered-down version to cater to a tourist’s tastes.

Straw Hat is a particular favourite of tourists. Its picturesque setting raises your expectations, and the food doesn’t disappoint. Roy’s Bayside Grill is more rustic but the food is as delicious.

Explore

Finally, I advise you to rent a car when you visit Anguilla. The island is small, and roadtripping is an excellent way to see all of it. Any time you spend driving is time spent in gorgeous scenery. And no matter where you land up, you will find something beautiful.

Little Bay is an excellent destination, although make sure you’ve downloaded the Google Map of Anguilla in advance (it should be a relatively small download). You will have to get there by boat from Crocus Bay. Alternatively, if you’re brave, go down the rope (ominous music). In truth, the rope is a fairly easy climb that is not at all dangerous. However, some prefer the familiarity of not hanging in the air.

There are 33 beaches in all around Anguilla and every one of them is public. Those with a hotel on them are not limited to residents. Go from one to the next, and don’t be scared to get lost. It’s a one hour drive from one side of the island to the other, after all.

Get to Anguilla

I seriously urge you to consider visiting Anguilla in the near future. There is perhaps no better way of experiencing the Caribbean, and that in itself is a must. Start planning your next holiday now. It will be well worth it!