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ANGUILLA: Romantic Activities Island Sights & Museums If this is your first visit to the island, invest in an island tour led by one of the tour companies or a taxi driver. Guided island tours are available from most taxi drivers for $40 for one or two people ($5 for each additional person), and they will help give you a good overview of the island. From there, you can rent a car and motor around to the beaches and natural attractions scattered around the island (remember, though, driving is on the left). Anguilla is home to several small museums. The National Trust is currently at work on a museum in The Valley, and several privately owned collections already welcome visitors. The Heritage Collection, Pond Ground, 264-497-4440, is the work of Colville Petty, an authority on Anguilla's rich history. Housed in part of Petty's home, the museum spans the entire range of the island's history, from its Amerindian days to the 1967 Revolution. Couples enjoy the collection of Arawak artifacts, including an Arawak shell necklace; a hollowed conch shell that served as an early drinking vessel; and spindle whorls, used to spin cotton to make hammocks and religious symbols for the Arawaks. This fascinating museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5 pm, and Sunday by appointment. Talking to Colville Petty about the island's history is well worth the modest price of admission. Anguilla enjoys a rich West Indian culture. Have a look at the traditional song and dance with a visit to the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre, La Sirena Hotel, 264-497-6827. A group plays every Thursday night. Call for reservations. Underwater Delights Couples will find many opportunities for snorkeling and there's a marked snorkel trail off Shoal Bay East. Maintained by the National Trust, the site has been mapped and can be easily followed by most snorkelers. Stop by the National Trust office at the National Museum in The Valley or ask your hotel's concierge for a map of this snorkel trail. Laminated for use underwater, the maps are available from the National Trust for a $5 deposit; $4 is returned when the map comes back to the office. To obtain a map, call the National Trust, 264-497-5297. Certified scuba divers can enjoy a look at one of seven wrecks that lie in the waters off Anguilla. Four were sunk in 1990 as part of an ecological program and all the wrecks are intact and upright on the ocean floor. The wrecks include: The
Ida Maria, 60 feet. Deliberately sunk in 1985, this 110-foot
freighter is home to many schools of fish, and Anguilla's famous
lobsters are often spotted here. Anguilla has two dive operations, located in Sandy Ground and Island Harbour. Contact these dive operators for information: The
Dive Shop, The Valley, 264-497-2020; fax 264-497-5125.
Located in Sandy Ground, this is a five-star PADI international
training center. Anguillian Divers Ltd., Island Harbour, 264-497-4750; fax 264-497-3723. Beaches Anguilla's best asset is its beaches. Miles of shining sand pave the perimeter of this island, which is often cited as one of the top beach destinations in the Caribbean (with good reason). The atmosphere at the various beaches varies from playful to placid. Regardless of which beach you select, the mood is friendly. A few beach vendors are found on the island's busiest stretch of sand, Shoal Bay, but even here the sales are very low-key and you'll be able to enjoy undisturbed sunbathing all afternoon. Shoal Bay is a classic Caribbean beach, one of the best in the Caribbean. Nearly chalk-white sand stretches for two miles. Shoal
Bay has the most typical "beach" atmosphere in Anguilla,
with casual eateries sprinkled along the sand. Beach chairs
and umbrellas are rented by the day for a few dollars. This
beach is a terrific choice for a family day of fun in the sun.
Young swimmers generally find the water calm, and snorkeling
is excellent on the northeast end of the beach. Other good beach choices include Sandy Ground, stretching alongside the community of Sandy Ground (a favorite with boaters, windsurfers and water-skiers); Rendezvous Bay, at the Sonesta Anguilla (great for beachwalking); Maundays Bay, at Cap Juluca (also good for beachwalking). One romantic adventure is to take a boat out to one of the many cays and islets surrounding Anguilla. Check with boat operators for a day-trip to Prickly Pear Cays or Sandy Island, both known for their snorkeling, or for a unique experience take a day-trip to one of the uninhabited islands: Anguillita Island, Sombrero Island, or Dog Island. A boat can drop you for a full day's excursion, most departing from Sandy Ground. For information on excursions, call Sandy Island Enterprises ( 364-497-5643; Cheers Charter Boats ( 247-497-8079); or No Mercy charter boat ( 264-235-6283). Shopping Shopping is not one of Anguilla's strong points. A good option is an afternoon of shopping in St. Martin. Take a ferry ride to Marigot, St. Martin for a day at the market. The ferry departs from the village of Blowing Point; the cost is US $10 (US $12 for journeys after 5 pm). There is also a US $2 departure tax. The ride takes 20-30 minutes each way. Travelers should also be sure to bring their passports. Kids of all ages find trinkets, clothes, jewelry, shells, carvings, and other goodies in all price ranges. The market is colorful, fun, and friendly. Anguilla does tempt shoppers with one good opportunity: art. This tiny island is home to numerous artists, both Anguillian and relocated from around the globe, who work in oils, wood, and other mediums. One of the best known is Cheddie Richardson, a self-taught carver who sells his work at Cheddie's Carving Studio on the Main Road in The Cove (near the Sonesta turnoff). Working in mahogany, walnut, and especially driftwood, the artist portrays birds, dolphins, fish, and humans. Other artists on Anguilla include Lucia Butler (specializing in wooden house plaques); Marj Morani (scenes of island life and hand-thrown pottery), Jo-Anne Saunders (sculpture, fabric, murals); Susan Graff (island scenes); Tanya Clark (Japanese woodblock prints); and Courtney Devonish (sculpture and pottery). For more information on Anguilla artwork, contact the Tourist Board on island in The Valley, 264-497-2710. Nightlife Nightlife, to put it mildly, is pretty darn quiet in Anguilla. This island has a lot of things, but a hopping night scene is not one of them. Plan to spend a night over on St. Martin for some casino action, dancing, and shows. For most Anguilla visitors, evenings are spent enjoying a gourmet meal at a luxurious pace, perhaps followed by an after-dinner liqueur or a moonlit walk. Some beach bars and restaurants do offer evening entertainment, however. Here are a few places where you'll find evening fun (double-check with the properties for the night's entertainment before making your evening plans as changes occur frequently). The Dunes Preserve, Rendezvous Bay. No phone. Located on the south end of the island near Sonesta Resort. Reggae musician Bankie Banx plays on Friday nights and during full moons. Johnno's Beach Stop, Sandy Ground, 264-497-2728. From Wednesday through Sunday nights, this hopping beach spot offers live performances, usually starting between 8 and 9 pm (4 pm on Sundays). La Sirena Hotel, Meads Bay, 264-497-6827. On Monday nights, this hotel offers the sounds of a steel drum band at 7:30. Thursday nights mark the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre at 7:30 pm, featuring traditional songs and costumes. Scilly
Cay, off Island Harbour, 264-497-5123. Wednesday, Friday,
and Sundays live music is offered at this offshore cay. Visitors
take a boat from Island Harbour. Return to the Table of Contents
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Lovetripper.com Romantic Travel Guide
