This series is inspired by a recent question from friends planning a trip to St. Martin. They asked what we would do on Anguilla if we had just one day. Thus, this is the first in a series of suggestions for the islands we have visited as to what we would do if we only had one day to see the best the island has to offer.
Anguilla is located at the northern end of the Leeward Islands chain in the Eastern Caribbean, a short 25-minute boat ride north of St. Martin. It is 17 miles long and 3 miles wide. You won’t see any mountains or rainforest on Anguilla, as it is largely coral and limestone with limited vegetation. However, what it lacks in elevation, it makes up in gorgeous turquoise waters and stunning beaches.
Anguilla is home to some amazing chefs, so it’s hard not to talk about food. Actually, many of our travels revolve around food and drink, and perhaps that is why we return to Anguilla again and again. The best restaurant on the island, in my opinion, is Jacala. Perfect for lunch or dinner. Since we discovered it, we visit at least once every trip.
Want a burger? Or maybe some ice cream with a beautiful view? Head to Blanchard’s Beach Shack. The Beach Shack is the offshoot of the famous Blanchard’s restaurant and is a great place to spend the day under an umbrella.
How about some jerk chicken and some great music? Sunday afternoons at Sunshine Shack on Rendezvous Bay you can catch Omari Banks playing a few sets. It’s easy to spend your entire day there.
You won’t find any shopping malls here like you would see in Cancun or Providenciales. This is a pretty laid back island. Want to pick up a t-shirt or other souvenir? Check out Irie Life!
Want to see a bit of history? Drive east on the main road and on the north side of the road, you will find St. Gerard’s Catholic Church and Wallblake House. When a hurricane damaged the original chapel in 1961, Marie Lake, the last surviving heir of the Wallblake Estate, donated her house and land to the church. The parish met at Wallblake house until the new church was built in 1966. The church is located directly next to Wallblake House, on the north side of the main road driving into The Valley from the west end.
It’s time for the beach! Anguilla has loads of gorgeous beaches to choose from, some more populated than others. If you love the company of others, head to Shoal Bay East. The colors of the water here are unbelievable, the most vivid turquoise water around the island. Shoal Bay East has a variety of places where you can rent umbrellas and water gear to make your beach time more enjoyable. For refreshments, check out Gwen’s Reggae Grill. There you can stake a claim to a hammock and take in the beauty of the area.
Another great choice is Rendezvous Bay, where you can see St. Martin in the distance.
If you’re in the mood for a good beach walk, head over to Meads Bay, a lovely crescent of sand anchored by Malliouhana on the east end, and the Viceroy on the west. Stop by Blanchard’s Beach Shack or Straw Hat for a cool beverage along the way.
You might have a hankering for a more secluded beach, as we did one day during our 2009 trip. We pulled out the SkyView map, free on the island, and found our way to Savannah Bay. The roads are a bit dodgy, but it’s worth the effort. No one was around and we were able to enjoy some lively waves!
The evening is upon us and it’s time for some music. Perhaps Anguilla’s most famous resident, Bankie Banks hosts the yearly Moonsplash Festival, held in spring of each year at his bar, The Dune Preserve. Moonsplash began as a moving music festival with the first concerts on Sandy Island off St. Martin and in St. Barths. In 1995, Moonsplash landed in its permanent home at The Dune Preserve on Anguilla. Over the years, Moonsplash has featured many of the performers who have made the island music we love, including Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Steel Pulse, Buju Banton, and Marcia Griffiths, just to name a few. You can hear Bankie play regularly at The Dune.
Sounds like a great day on Anguilla! Enjoy!
For more on the island of Anguilla, check out our Journal Entries.