Anguilla

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Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

The Valley

Population

12,000

Government

Self governing part of British West Indies

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Languages

English, Leeward Caribbean Creole English

Calling Code

+1264

Nationality

Anguillan

Local name

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Introduction

Rendez-vous Bay Beach

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Though quite small, Anguilla has made a name for itself as a fashionable, luxurious Caribbean destination. Fantastic snorkelling, diving and swimming opportunities, offered by some of the Caribbean's finest beaches, are Anguilla's prime attractions. Travellers can enjoy trips to nearby deserted islets, the waters of which are beautified by amazing coral structures. Being within a ferry ride's distance of populous St Martin, Anguilla is perfectly suitable as a day trip from that island, but Anguilla's fine aquatic treasures make it an excellent destination for those in search of a short, relaxing holiday.

Brief History

Geography

Regions/Islands

Apart from the main island, Anguilla, there are numerous smaller islands, many uninhabited.

Some of these are:

• Anguillita, although rarely visited by tourists, offers some good opportunties for divers and snorkellers.
• Prickly Pear Cays is popular with tourists, thanks to abundant marine and bird life.
• Scrub Island is a privately owned island with some excellent beaches.
• Sombrero, or Hat Island is only really visited by biologists engaged in fieldwork and fishermen.

Cities/Towns

• The Valley
• Sandy Ground is Anguilla's main port.
• Blowing Point Village

Sights and Activities

Prickly Pear Cays

Prickly Pear Cays has some of the best diving on Anguilla. The Cays are basically an underwater cavern, where you can have close encounters with creatures like nurse sharks and barracuda which both swim through rock formations not far from several sunken shipwrecks. There are several daytrip options, either organised or by yourself and activities inlcude snorkelling and diving. Most leave from Sandy Ground.

The Fountain

The Fountain is a famous sight on the island of Anguilla. In this large cave you will find some tracks of the history of this small island. There are 1600 year old Indian rock paintings and it seems that this place was used in the past for religious rituals.

Captain's Bay

Captain’s Bay is located in the northeast of Anguilla. It is a quiet beach to relax and compared to many other beaches there are not so many tourists here. You will find an abundance of tropical fish though. From here, you can see Scrub Island en Little Scrub Island. If it is the Robinson Crusoe experience you want, try and get to Scrub Island, that can be reached from Shoal Bay. The only inhabitants are wild goats and you can makes some fine walks here or just relax even more of course on one of the deserted beaches.

Other sights and activities

• Shoal Bay East - picture perfect beach, great snorkelling and turquoise waters, not crowded
• Dolphin swimming - Dolphin Swimming

Events and Festivals

Weather

Anguilla has a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celcius and average nights around 23 degrees Celcius. Most rain falls between June and October with a change of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting there

Plane

Planes depart and arrive in Anguilla Wallblake Airport (AXA). Trans Anguilla is an air charter serving most destinations in the Caribbean between the British Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Other airlines which fly to and from Anguilla are Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) to Antigua and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands, Winair (Windward Islands Airways) to Sint Maarten and Antigua, Coastal Air to Saint Barthélemy and American Eagle to San Juan on Puerto Rico.

Boat

• Anguilla - Saint Martin vv

In season, ferries operated by the Anguilla Ferry System run between the islands of Anguilla and Saint Martin. They leave daily between 7am and 7pm roughly every 20 minutes between Blowing Point (Anguilla) and Marigot on the French part of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

• Anguilla - Sint Maarten vv

Although it takes a little longer compared to Saint Martin, there is also a convenient route between Anguilla and Sint Maarten directly. Ferries travel between Blowing Point in Anguilla and Philipsburg in Sint Maarten. For more information about prices and schedules of this trip can be obtained by calling (264) 497 6665.

Getting Around

By Car

Getting around by car is usually the best way if you want to explore the more remote corners and don't want to rush too much and enjoy the beaches. There are many international and local agencies at the airport, seaport and the capital The Valley. The main road is tarred and a bit potholed, while gravel roads lead to most beaches. You need a temporary driving permit, which can be bought at the rental agency and remember that driving is on the left side of the road.

You can also rent bikes and mopeds if you want, cheaper and as distances are not that big and the island is almost flat, this is not a bad option either.

By Bus

There are no buses on the island, but taxis can take you almost anywhere. There are also possibilities to rent a taxi for several hours at a fixed price. The drivers double as guides but time is limited and most tours are 2-3 hours maximum.

By Boat

There are no regular passenger services, but many tours that go out diving or snorkelling have boats that take you to some of the offshore islands like Prickly Pear Islands in the west.

Red Tape

Anguilla is overseas UK territory and no visa is required, just a valid passport.

Money

See also Money Matters

The currency of Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, or EC$. It has existed since 1965 and is used by 7 other states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States as well. Only the British Virgin Islands (the nineth member) doesn't use it, but uses the US$ instead. The EC$ is subdivided into 100 cents and has been pegged to the United States dollar at US$1 = EC$2.7 since 1976. The EC$ comes in coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and a coins of 1 dollar. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The country calling code to Anguilla is: 1-264
To make an international call from , the code is: 011

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