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Fun and Activities
Anguilla might be dubbed ‘tranquility wrapped in blue’,
but for those looking for more than simply a peaceful
haven in which to relax and do nothing, this Caribbean
island offers a surprising array of activities, some of
which are outlined below
Water
Sports
Swimming/Beach life:
There are more than 30 different beaches on Anguilla,
some of the best in the Caribbean. All of them are
accessible to the public. Most hotels provide freshwater
swimming-pools for their guests.
Snorkeling:
This is possible at most of the beaches. Some hotels
offer free Snorkeling Equipment or you can rent some
from rental shops located on the some of our beaches.
Some of the best sites for snorkeling are Prickly Pear,
Little Bay, Sandy Island and Shoal Bay.
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Windsurfing:
There is usually a good breeze for windsurfing. Some of the major hotels
do have windsurf-boards for their guest - some also provide instructors
for new and inexperienced windsurfers. |
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Waterski:
Can be arranged through most of the hotels. Jetski is prohibited in
Anguilla. |
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Scuba Diving:
Anguilla is a 'Scuba-diving country' with its many natural and man-made
dive sites in various depths of water. It
has six marine parks and six good dive wrecks, plus a huge array of
coral formations, walls ridges, canyons and tunnels for the enjoyment of
both novice and experienced divers. In addition, the creation of Stoney
Bay Marine Park has ensured that artifacts dating back to the 18th
century will continue to be preserved for the future enjoyment of
Anguillians and visitors alike. The wreck of the Spanish galleon, El
Buen Consejo, together with canons, anchors and bronze medals embedded
in the coral at Stoney Bay, is possibly the island’s most impressive
underwater treasure.
There
are three professional Scuba Diving Companies on the island. Diving
equipment rental is available and you can also obtain training at the
end of which a certificate (PADI) is awarded. In the summer months the
sea is usually calmer and diving is more enjoyable during this time.
Sailing:
Some hotels own sunfish-sailing boats. Larger sailing boats or
catamarans make daily trips to the offshore cays (Prickly Pear, Sandy
Island, Scrub Island). Scenic coastal cruises or sunset trips are also
available. One can also charter these boats (with crew only). Smaller
sailing boats for personal sailing trips are available for charter in
St.Martin. |
Fishing:
Half- and full-day trips are available from a number of fishing
charter companies, some of which allow visitors to keep their
catch – should they be lucky enough to reel something in!
Fishing is generally done by trawling live bait and the catch
might include wahoo, dorado, kingfish, shellfish, marlin, or
even barracuda and grouper.
Boating – Captain Kasha of The Island Yacht
Charter Company offers half and full-day charters of his 35ft
custom-built power boat and, for those who prefer to sail in the
tropical winds, a 30ft yacht. Alternatively, join Captain
Rollins on Chocolate, a 35 ft catamaran, which is available for
day excursions, sunset cruises and private charters. Either
option is an ideal way of visiting some of the off-shore cays
surrounding Anguilla, such as Scrub Island, Prickly Pear and Dog
Island
Turtle Spotting – The Anguilla Sea Turtle
Project is committed to preserving these ancient creatures which
arrive on the island’s beaches every year between May and
November. Visitors may have the opportunity to witness
hatchling’s emerging from their shells or scrambling across the
beaches towards the sea
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Sport
Tennis:
Most hotels have their own tennis court. Otherwise arrangements can be
made by your hotel receptionist to play tennis at another hotel's court.
Cost approx. US$ 20.00 /hour. Since last year, the prestigious Tennis
Academy has opened and offers world class courts (Blowing Point).
Gymnastics/Training:
Some of the hotels have a gymnastics room. However, a lot of the beaches
are great for jogging and nice beach-walks. There are also a few public
Gyms on the Island.
Massages/Relaxing – When relaxation and pampering is
all that’s required, in addition to its numerous sandy beaches, restful
bays and idyllic views, Anguilla also has a number of qualified massage
therapists and beauticians offering a range of treatments from
full
body massages, cranio sacral therapy and foot reflexology massage,
manicures and facials to eyelash tinting and waxing, together with
clinics where alternative therapies are a specialty. |
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Boat Racing – Visitors to the island during carnival
and other public holidays will be able to witness – and possibly to take
part in – Anguilla’s national sport of boat racing. Featuring the
island’s traditional, unique, hand-crafted wooden sailboats, which
create an impressive spectacle when in full sail, the races have taken
place around the island for fifty years and usually culminate in a huge
party! |
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Horseback Riding:
is available at El Rancho Del Blues and Seaside Stable at the Cove where
novice riders and experienced equestrians are welcome. Daily lessons and
hacks along the scenic Gibbons Trails, Cove Bay and the white sand
beaches are just some of the options offered.
Can be arranged through your hotel receptionist. A 2-hour ride will cost
approx. US$70.00 per person.
Golf:
Anguilla’s own Golf Course is open since November 2006 at St. Regis
Resort on the western side of the Island. Please ask your receptionist
for details. Otherwise Golf can be arranged in St. Maarten or Nevis.
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Other Activities
Day Trips
Day trips by plane:
Day trips to the following islands by plane can be arranged (same day
return often by charter plane):
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Nevis
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St. Kitts
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St. Barthelemy
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Saba
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St. Eustatius
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Puerto Rico
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US and British Virgin Islands
Boat trips:
The ferry service to Marigot (French St.Martin) operates between 7.30 am
and 6.00 pm leaving every 30 or 40 Minutes. The last ferry leaves
Anguilla at 6.15 p.m. and Marigot at 7.00 pm. You can also connect from
St. Martin to visit Saba or St.
Barthelemy
for the day.
Daily boat trips from
Anguilla to the offshore cays (Prickly Pear and Sandy Island). There is
a daily boat service to Sandy Island leaving Sandy Ground from 10 am to
4 pm. A local restaurant serving Caribbean style Lunches is open daily
during this time. The return boat fare is US$12.00 per person. As your
receptionist to make the necessary arrangements (reservations
requested).
Scilly Cay, located next
to Island Harbour, is a gem of coral sand and tropical plants. Every day
after 11 am (except Monday) transportation is available at the pier at
Island Harbour to take visitors to Scilly Cay's restaurant where
Lobster, Crayfish and Chicken are served for lunch.
From Shoal Bay East you
can explore the corals and exciting sea life from a glass bottom boat.
Arrangements can be made through the hotels.
Island Tours:
Can be arranged in all hotels. Price starts at US$ 50.00 per couple.
Places of Interest:
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Wallblake Historic House and Catholic Church
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Old Prison Crocus Bay
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Road Methodist Church
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The Fountain at Shoal Bay (temporarily closed)
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Island Harbour Fishing Village
Exploring the island:
Most tourists prefer to rent a car to explore the island by them. Rate
per day starts at US$ 40.00 and goes up depending on the vehicle type.
You will need a temporary local driver's license, which is issued by all
Car Rental agents at US$ 20.00. In Anguilla we drive on the Left
(English)!
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Bird Watching:
The best places for bird watching are Little Bay, Rendezvous Bay and
Crocus Bay. TThe
numerous saltponds around Anguilla provide an inviting habitat for more
than 136 species of birds from Great Blue Herons to Sandpipers and Snowy
Egrets. The second largest pond on the island, Cauls Pond, is important
for migratory shore birds, making it a particularly good area for keen
ornithologists to visit. ‘A Field Guide to Anguilla’s Wetlands’,
published by the Anguilla National Trust, is an ideal companion for
birdwatchers visiting the ponds. |
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Hiking & Nature Treks – miles of powdery white sand
beaches, dramatic cliff tops and tropical rainforest trails provide a
variety of interesting walks for those in search of a leisurely stroll
or a more energetic hike. On the north coast, in particular, there are
tracts of land that remain covered in thick vegetation, providing a rich
habitat for wildlife, while trails through the Katouche Valley allow
visitors to see the best remaining example of a natural rainforest on
Anguilla. Other places of interest include Cavannagh Cave at the end of
the Katouche Valley, originally mined for phosphorous, which today is
home to the likes of bats, crabs and lizards.
Historical Walking Tours – There are two organised
walking tours that highlight the architecture and history of Anguilla.
The first takes in the historic houses of the Lower Valley, the property
now known as Koal Keel, originally a sugar and cotton plantation, as
well as the remains of the old courthouse. The second guided walk
highlights the history of Sandy Ground, home to the Old Salt Factory,
once the island’s best source of income.
Touring Museums & Art Galleries – Anguilla has a strong
and expanding community of artists and visitors are able to see a
cross-section of their work on a guided tour of the island’s art
galleries, organised through the Savannah Gallery. There are also a
number of fascinating museums, including Sydney’s Antique Museum, which
chronicles the history of Anguillian home life and where, occasionally,
visitors can witness Sydney making traditional bush tea and cooking
local Anguillian dishes. The Heritage Museum has a well organized
collection of historical documents and photographs that trace the
islands history.
Shopping:
Anguilla has some boutiques
and a variety of gift shops offering Caribbean mementos, arts and crafts
ranging from silk screen printed goods, wood carvings and handmade
baskets to paintings, t-shirts and books about the island.
Most grocery items can be obtained on Anguilla. St. Martin, a duty-free
island, offers a wide variety of shops and boutiques. In Marigot (St.
Martin), there is a market every Wednesday and Saturday morning offering
fresh fruits, vegetables and local fish.
Anguilla After Dark
Dinning out:
There are a wide variety of cuisine’s to choose from on Anguilla - more
than 60 restaurants. They are spread out through the island.
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Nightlife:
For a small island, Anguilla has a number of nightlife options and
musical entertainment to offer its visitors. Classical pianists and
guitarists, a quiet saxophone, reggae, steel drum and calypso bands are
just a few options. What We Do in Anguilla and Anguilla Life list 'what,
where and when' for night owls. These publications are available from
the Anguilla Tourist Board and most properties.
Some of the popular nightspots are The Pump House (a former salt
factory) with its live Local Music. There are also various beach bars
and restaurants (e.g. the famous Johnno’s) where local bands are
performing mainly on the weekends (reggae, soca, calypso etc.). They
start around 9 pm and play until around 1 pm. There is also live music
on Sunday afternoons at Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground and at the Dune.
Also, The Dune Preserve
is an unique place to relax where Bankie Banks and other musicians from
the island or abroad play music right on the top of the his dune castle.
Tourists as well as locals visit all these places. You will need a car
rental or a taxi to go there, as most of them are not close to the
hotels. |
Nightlife in St.Martin:
On the neighbor island of St.Martin you can find a wider range of
nightlife. Casinos and elegant nightclubs are only a few of the
attractions. However, as the last boat leaves St. Martin at 7:00 pm, you
would have to overnight or you can arrange for a private charter boat.
Festivals and Events
March
27th to 30th, 2008: Moonsplash:
The annual festival showcases Caribbean and international talent at the
Dune Preserve, Rendezvous Bay Beach)
May 9th
to 11th, 2008: Anguilla Yacht Regatta
July 31st to August 10th 2008: Carnival:
Every August the Anguillian Carnival takes place. Two weeks of fun,
nightly shows, boat races and much more activities, which usually begins
on the last Thursday in July
November 13th to 16th, 2008: Tranquility Jazz Festival:
Enjoy the mellow rhythms of jazz set against the backdrop of one of
Anguilla's unique sunsets...great music, great people, great
atmosphere...
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