Tucked away in the Eastern Caribbean lies the inviting, intriguing and truly incomparable Island of Anguilla.
Considered by many to be one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, spend any amount of time here and it’ll be no secret as to why. Anguilla has become an oasis for solo travellers, couples, families and business travellers alike. Renowned for 33 powder-white beaches, turquoise waters and a culinary scene helmed by some of the Caribbean’s most talented chefs.
However, the truest spirit of the island lives within its people. Proud, warm, and welcoming.
Spectacular sunrises and shimmering sunsets are only part of what make Anguilla so unique. Just step off the beach and into any number of island adventures to experience the other side of extraordinary. Explore the tranquil sea at night in your very own transparent kayak. Enjoy authentic Anguillian entertainment and music festivals. Roam uninhabited beaches by horseback. Or play a round of golf on a breathtaking course overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea.
Luxury and leisure can be experienced by all on Anguilla. From simple to simply spectacular, there are accommodations perfect for every traveller. Whether you choose to settle into a luxury 5-star resort, private villa, condominium residence or the small and intimate Charming Escapes Collection, you’ll feel right at home on Anguilla.
As the culinary capital of the Caribbean, food is at the heart of the Anguillian experience. Blending West Indian, African, French, and British cooking traditions has given Anguilla a gourmet dining scene that’s nothing short of inspired. Reserve your table at one of several haute-cuisine establishments or grab a bite at a relaxed roadside barbecue.
How to get there
Travel to Anguilla seamlessly from many major US cities with easy connections through Puerto Rico (SJU) on Seaborne Airlines. Or connect through St. Maarten (SXM), St. Kitts (SKB)
and Antigua (ANU) to Anguilla’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA). Ferry transportation out of St. Maarten is also a convenient and inexpensive option. You can choose to take the public ferry that departs ten times a day from Anguilla to Marigot Bay on the French Side or one of several private ferry companies operating between Anguilla and the Dutch side of St. Maarten
Anguilla history
Around 4000 years ago, Anguilla was a lush island covered in dense rain forest. It was discovered by Amerindian peoples who came by dugout canoes and rafts from South America’s mainland. They called Anguilla “Malliouhana” which meant arrow-shape sea serpent and they developed villages, farms and ceremonial sites to their gods.
Evidence of these Amerindians as old as 3300 years has been found at the eastern end of Anguilla. Shell axes, conch shell drinking vessels, flint blades and stone objects from the pre-ceramic era have all been uncovered on Anguilla. There is no record of how long this first group of Amerindians lived on the island.
Christopher Columbus sailed by Anguilla is 1493 but never landed. During this time the Europeans changed the island’s name from Malliouhana to Anguilla, for its long eel shape.
Meanwhile, the 1830’s brought the union of St. Kitts -Nevis-Anguilla on Britain’s recommendation — a union protested by the majority of Anguilla’s freeholders. Anguilla was allowed one freeholder representative to the House of Assembly on the Island of St. Kitts and was mostly neglected by the tri-island legislature.
In 1958, St. Kitts -Nevis-Anguilla became part of the Federation of the West Indies. The Federation collapsed in 1962, which resulted in individual constitutions for most islands St. Kitts -Nevis-Anguilla was made an associated statehood, a political decision that sparked the Anguilla Revolution. Anguilla wanted its independence from the state and the proposed union was not a viable option for the island.
May 30, 1967 is celebrated today as Anguilla Day. This day commemorates the repulsion of the Royal St. Kitts Police Force from the island. Britain intervened and a peacekeeping committee was established. Debates over Anguilla’s succession continued to be negotiated for another decade until December 19, 1980, Anguilla became a separate Dependent Territory with some measure of autonomy in Government.
Quick facts about Anguilla
- Language: English
- Government: British Dependent Territory
- Capital: The Valley
- Size: 35 Sq Miles
- Location: Eastern Caribbean
- Temperature: 80 degrees monthly average
- Electricity: 110V
- Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (USD widely accepted)