All Around Anguilla

Anguilla   Island Basics   Around Anguilla

The Valley is the island's capital and only town. In keeping with the increased tourist trade, new shops have opened in new buildings and renovated West Indian-style cottages, while older shops have been modernized and enlarged. Since it's the only town, this is where you'll find the major restaurants and clubs. The Valley also houses a National Trust Museum, with dozens of cultural artifacts, some of them 3,000 years old.

In the Historic District, Miss Marjorie Hodge's Homestead is one of the most photographed wooden houses on the island. The Koal Keel Restaurant, a beautiful green two-story wood and stone building, was once the home of British agents before the government seat was moved to nearby St. Kitts in 1825. The restaurant still uses the oven in the garden for baking. A short walk away are the ruins of the Old Court House on Crocus Hill, the island's highest point. All that remains are the crumbling walls of basement jail cells. At Cross Roads at the western edge of The Valley is Wallblake House, a restored plantation home built around 1787 and now the residence of the local parish priest. Nearby St. Gerard's Church has an eye-catching facade of pebbles, stones, cement, wood and tile.

Anguilla's most spectacular display of culture is the Summer Festival in early August. It starts with a daybreak jam through the streets and goes on for nearly 2 weeks of dancing, competitions, fairs, costumes and parades. Needing no excuse to party, Anguillans also celebrate English holidays such as the Queen's Birthday and Whit Monday. May through November are the best times for scuba diving and also when the Anguilla Yacht Regatta and the Summer and Tranquility Jazz Festivals occur.

Be sure to take advantage of the island's gorgeous calm seas. Scuba out to explore shipwrecks, caves and undersea walls, and snorkel in beachside marine parks. Windsurf across clear turquoise waters, enjoy breathtaking views while parasailing across miles of white beaches and neighboring islands. Paddleboat for a slower ride, or totally relax on a glass-bottom boat while watching unmatched undersea colors and marine life. Or take a boat to Scilly Cay and enjoy a delicious West Indian barbecue and dancing, swimming and snorkeling.

One of Anguilla's most exciting activities is Dolphin Fantaseas in Mead's Bay. This carefully-monitored adventure gives participants the opportunity to experience personal playtime with dolphins, while gaining an understanding of these fascinating mammals and an appreciation of the marine environment.

On land there are more than 120 species of birds to watch, and you can horseback ride on trails, along the sand and even in the sea. Anguilla also has some interesting caves and holes. The holes were created by gaps in the coral where the softer rock on the surface was eroded by rain. The underground caverns begin as openings in the rock and wind down into the depths beneath the island.

Bike riding is a popular activity on Anguilla. The island's bike roads are mostly marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate. Sometimes they're a little rocky but the roads are usually low on vehicle traffic. There are plenty of marl roads around the island with spectacular sights along the way. Many hotels have bicycles available for their guests, or you can rent a bike from local bike shops.