Anguilla Travel

Anguilla   Island Basics   Around Anguilla

The island of Anguilla (pronounced ang-GWILL-a) was named for its eel shape and has 33 beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, extraordinary vistas and a contemporary international style. It also has more gourmet dining choices per acre than New York City. This is quite an accomplishment, considering the entire island is only half the size of Washington, D.C.

Anguilla is a British overseas territory, the most northerly of the Caribbean's Leeward Islands. It's noted for its spectacular and ecologically important coral reefs. In addition to the main island, the territory includes a number of tiny and mostly uninhabited islands and cays with names like Anguillita, Prickly Pear Cays, Seal Island and Sombrero. And let's not forget Dog Island, legendary home of the Anguilla Long Dogs.

The island's capital is The Valley. About 13,000 people inhabit the 39 square miles of the island. English is the official language and boat-racing is the national sport. Eating must rank a close second: along with over 70 dining establishments presided over by world-renowned international and award-winning local chefs, you'll find numerous roadside barbecues and beachside bistros and grills.

If you can tear yourself away from the eateries, there are gentle seas in varying shades of turquoise to swim in, soft white sand beaches to relax on, dolphins to frolic with, clear calm waters to snorkel and scuba, jazz and summer festivals to enjoy, yacht races and regattas to watch, wahoo, marlin and tuna to catch. You can even get married: Anguilla averages one church for every two square miles.

The island itself is mostly rock, its vegetation sparse, its soil and water limited. The constant trade winds force trees to remain low and oddly-shaped. But its beaches contain coral formations washed ashore intact and mysteriously beautiful. Since the island is very narrow at many points, you can often see both coasts while walking through the low bush along the shore. The Anguilla community is peaceful and joyous, known for its graciousness. And have we mentioned the food?

Anguilla Map