Anguilla is a small desert island in the north eastern portion of the Caribbean. This is a very low key, low crime, wonderful people island. 

While on Anguilla we stayed at the Blue Waters Apartments in Shoal Bay West. The place was very low key. When we arrived, Carolyn said "you are in room #7, the key is in the door, we'll touch bases sometime this week". The one bedroom unit is very large. We loved staying at Blue Waters and would highly recommend it as a good "on the beach" condo. 

Blue Waters has: full kitchen, full bedroom, bathroom, living room, cable TV, covered beachfront patio, a restaurant next door, daily maid service, and a wonderful beach location with lounge chairs. Blue Waters DOES NOT HAVE: a bar, room service, pool, or spa. 

This is a self catering complex. If you want to be waited on hand and foot, this is not the place. If you want a nice condo on the beach then you can't beat it for the price!

Each unit sits ON THE BEACH. The upstairs units have balconies while the downstairs units open onto the sand. The beach is very quiet so this is a nice place to chill.

These units are VERY CLOSE to the beach!

Each unit comes equipped with a full kitchen.

Kitchen/Living Room which opens to the water. The decor is very Spartan, but we found it fully acceptable being that we were always tracking sand into the unit.

Sonesta Resort

We did not stay at the Sonesta, but we heard from a few people that it was very nice. During the off-season, rooms start at $250.

The pool at Sonesta.

CuisinArt Resort

Our friends from the Chocolat Catamaran said this place was unbelievable. We walked the grounds and fully agreed. There are numerous "villas" that are near the water. We were told that the service here is wonderful. This is a place that pampers you. Cold face towels by the pool, etc. 

Rooms during the off season run $400 and up.

The pool.

CoveCastles

CoveCastles is located in Shoal Bay West. (Near Blue Waters) The units looked wonderful. We hear that some even include a private butler. . . If you want luxury coupled with seclusion then this is the place. Rates start at $600. (The pink house to the right belongs to Chuck Norris)

Sea Feather Bay

Snorkeling Sea Feather Bay was very easy. (great for beginners) The reef is located out just past the boat. Most of the reef was damaged but we did see a little life. Not the best spot on the island but very calm. 

Junk's Hole

Junk's Hole was very beautiful. (worth the trip alone) The snorkeling was interesting. Very large reef, although shallow at times, made for lots of stuff to see. 

Junk's Hole

We had lunch at the Palm Grove beach bar at Junk's Hole. The ribs were the best on the island.

Shoal Bay East

Shoal Bay East was our favorite beach. It had great snorkeling and was breathtaking.

Shoal Bay East was awesome!

This has got to be one of the best beaches in the world. Fine white sand, beautiful blue water, and nice relaxed atmoshpere.

You can rent beach chairs at Shoal Bay East. This is a great way to spend the day.

Shoal Bay East

Relaxing day on the beach. Uncle Ernie's is in the background and they have great food and drink for little money.

Uncle Ernies has great ribs and nice cold Caribs.

Elodia's was another great beach bar/restaurant. On Sunday's they have a reggae band!

Local Reggae Band.

We had the pleasure of spending a day with a few other great people and Captain Rollins aboard the Chocolat. The catamaran leaves Road Bay at 9:30 AM and returns sometime after 4:00 PM. We sailed to Prickly Pear Island and then stopped on our return trip at Sandy Island. 

The day included a sit down barbeque lunch on Prickly Pear and all you could drink. Captain Rollins was first class.

On our way to Prickly Pear!

The Chocolat is in great condition. Captain Rollins only takes out small groups, so you feel as though you are on a private sail.

Prickly Pear Island. Snorkeling was a decent away from shore. The coral reef along the shore was hammered by the last few hurricanes, but the reef that lines the bay was full of life and living coral.

Lunch at Prickly Pear.

Sandy Island. (This place used to have palm trees until hurricane Luis devastated the place.)

New friends. This is a great trip. Nothing better than spending a day on the water....

Although Anguilla has an airport, there is a very limited schedule of flights throughout the day. Since we were coming from California, and arrived late in the afternoon, we had to first fly to St. Martin, taxi to Marigot, and then ferry to Anguilla. 

This proved to be less stressful than expected, but it still wasn't ideal. The ferry is $10 each way per person.  Next time we will fly direct.

Transportation

The modes of transportation for tourists are either taxi, rental car or hitchhiking. We found the taxis to be quite expensive. Our taxi from the ferry to our hotel was $20 and it was only about a 10 minute ride. The rates are all pre-determined by the government so there is no need to haggle. We opted to rent a car so that we would have the freedom to tour the island. We rented with Highway Rent a Car. Highway delivered the jeep to our room and picked it up at the ferry when we departed. The Geo Sidekick was a very nice little car. 

The air conditioning worked wonderfully and the car performed fine on even the rockiest Anguillian roads. If you decide to rent a car, be prepared to get lost. There are NO signs! After a few days we were able to navigate the island just fine, but the first few days were a little trying. (You know how it is when your spouse is reading a map, and there are no signs, and . . . )

People of Anguilla

We found the Anguilllians to be a VERY trusting, forthright people. Throughout the trip we bonded with numerous Anguillians. Pressure King on Shoal Bay East was great. Rollins on the Chocolat was wonderful. Vee from the Sonesta was exceptional. Junior was a character. Overall we found the people of Anguilla to be very proud and trusting individuals. If you go to Anguilla, get to know the people. They are outstanding!

Shopping

We were on Anguilla during a three day holiday weekend so most shops on the island were closed. The hotels have a few tourist shops, but for the most part there is no real tourist shopping on the island. (Except for Irie Life). The grocery stores are very limited in selection. Our favorite was near our condo. It was called Ninety Five Grocery. We also liked Ashley and Sons. If you want to shop go to St. Martin. This island is not about tourist shopping. It is about limin'.

Eating There are two extremes for eating on the island. There are the very nice restaurants that are pricey, (some have dress code), and casual beach bars. We ate at a few nice places, a few beach bars, and in our condo. Our first dinner at Tramanto Trattorio was very nice. It is located in Shoal Bay West and is right on the beach. The portions were a little small for the price, but the food service and atmosphere were excellent. We also ate at Ripples which was one of the few moderately priced restaurants. We tried eating at Straw Hat, which we heard was excellent, but it was closed whenever we made the journey to that part of the island. 

We also bought prepared take out at Fat Cat Gourmet and were disappointed. We had the conch stew and the lasagna. Both entrees were small and cost $20 each. 

Our friends on our Chocolat excursion said that the Malliouhana Hotel, pictured above, had the best meal on the island. Very romantic. The Palm Grove Beach Bar and Grill and Uncle Ernie's were our favorite beach bar/restaurants.

Nightlife on the island takes place at Johnno's and the Pumphouse. (Which are a few steps from one another.) 

What to Pack

We packed very lightly for this trip. Both of us only brought sandals. Neither one of us brought pants. We packed shorts, swimsuits, Hawaiian shirts, and tank tops. If you want to eat in the nicer establishments you will need to bring slacks and a dress. Overall the island atmosphere is very casual so pack lightly! We also brought insect repellent. And we used it! 

We ran into mosquitoes a few nights so make sure and bring some OFF. Bring lots of film and sun block!  Make sure and bring lots of CASH!!!!!!! A lot of places do not take VISA and there is not an abundance of ATM's. (We never found one.)

The most important thing to bring is a carefree attitude. Enjoy Anguilla for it's beauty and charm.