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While beach-going is the main draw for many of Anguilla's visitors, several other interesting attractions are available to round out a trip to this peaceful island.
Many consider Anguilla's beaches to be among the most beautiful in the world. Its dazzling white sands and turquoise seas attract visitors to this tiny island paradise. With Anguilla's luxury hotels and spas lining the coast, even a lazy day lounging under a beach umbrella can make you feel pampered. Numerous water sports are available if the mood strikes, and certified divers can explore shipwrecks just off the coast.
While Anguilla's dry conditions limit the island's flora and fauna, they do provide the right environment to nurture a natural beauty all its own. Windswept trees sculpted by the prevailing breezes lean permanently to one side. Vividly colored flowers, tropical fruits, and cactus all thrive in Anguilla's climate.
Animal-lovers may be lucky enough to see turtles laying their eggs on the beach, but if not, crabs and lizards also abound. Many bird species live on Anguilla, and migratory birds visit during their travels. Anguillans' fondness for goats means you will likely see some of these friendly animals roaming in search of tasty grass.
Anguilla's small national park features a cave with a natural spring, and a few other small caves and holes dot the island's landscape. In a hole near the shore, the sea crashing up from the bottom creates a dramatic show. And a few beaches display striking stone formations, built by the waves as large pieces of coral wash ashore. To really get in touch with your inner Robinson Crusoe, take a day trip to explore one of the nearby uninhabited islands.
Although much of Anguilla is not developed, you can still get a sense of its history. Several small museums and a few private collectors welcome visitors to view their artifacts. Anguilla's past is full of intriguing stories. There is only one surviving plantation house that shows what life was like in the 18th and 19th centuries. But other historic buildings have also been restored, with some of them now home to small businesses, including a famous restaurant. At the Old Salt Factory, tours demonstrate the inner workings of this once-important island industry.
If you're hoping to burn a hole in your pocket at a casino, you're out of luck on Anguilla. However, travelers with a yen to gamble can take a short boat ride to St. Maarten and hit the casinos there.
Visitors seeking to escape the everyday in a world-class, stunning setting will be thrilled to discover Anguilla.