Anguilla Activities & Attractions

Friends always ask me one thing when I start the count-down to an up and coming Anguilla vacation.

They usually say something along the lines of, "Wow! Anguilla looks beautiful...

But what is there to do for 2 weeks on only 35 square miles of land?"

My reply?

"There are plenty of Anguilla activities...

Sunning & swimming Anguilla beach after beach, cooling off with a tasty Anguilla drink (rum punches are the best!), and the other essential ingredient to a perfect beach day?

Burgers, hot dogs, fish sandwiches, fries... Anguilla beach food!"

And then of course there is my Dad's favorite activity...

Floating on the Caribbean Sea

I usually get a couple of weird looks at this point, "That sounds great, but are those really Anguilla activities? What kind of active attractions are there?"

OK, OK. Laying in the hot sun, drinking a rum punch, and devouring a fried fish sandwich are some of my favorite activities on an Anguilla vacation, but to de-lazify and get the blood flowing again, these are the Anguilla activities at the top of my list...

Anguilla Water Activities

Anguilla Sailing
One of my favorite Anguilla activities, and Yuki's favorite Anguilla activities, is Anguilla's national sport... Anguilla sailing!

When our family moved to Anguilla in August 2008, Yuki found her passion for the sea!

During the year that we lived with our parents in Anguilla, before going to university up in NYC in Fall 2009, Yuki took sailing lessons every week with the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club.

She was scared of tipping over and being submerged in sea water, but she loved being on the sea...

That feeling of freedom, that rush of excitement as you rip down wind!

Me, on the other hand, I'm not much of a sophisticated sailor. I stuck around for one sailing lesson... barely. I just couldn't deal with the structure, and the material. I'm still confused by the term "wind clock." I don't sail like Anguillians sail. I'm certainly not an expert!

But, every time I leave the anxiety of school behind for some rest and relaxation with my Mom and Dad in Anguilla, I call one of my friends who is an avid sailor (and probably the best for his age in the Caribbean! He cleans up at all of the youth regattas in Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barts!).

There is no rhyme or reason to my sailing, we just hop in a Hobie Cat, sometimes we flip, but most days we just have calm leisurely sails.

Anguilla's seas are perfect for sailing, most people will tell you that. The island gets decent breeze, and most days the seas are calm, making for ideal sailing conditions!

There's nothing like cruising along the gentle sea, with just the wind pushing you as the sun gets low in the sky and a sea turtle pokes his head out from below to say hello!... The best part? You really don't need lessons to sail a Hobie Cat. Click here to read more about Anguilla sailing.

Anguilla Snorkeling & Anguilla Diving

Another all time favorite is marveling at the magic of the sea!

Whether you are looking at sea creatures from above the sea in Junior's Glass Bottom Boat on Shoal Bay, or submerged - snorkel in mouth, or have the full Anguilla diving gear...

You will always be in for a treat!

Anguilla has many idea snorkeling and diving cays and coves, filled with lush plants and an abundance of colorful fish.

The sights are more spectacular the further off shore you go, including Tiger Shark sightings (but you have to go about 20 minutes offshore - thankfully!). Anguilla has seven protected marine parks, some closer to shore too, making for great snorkeling and diving experiences.

If you are interested in Anguilla snorkeling, don't miss these pages...

Click here to read more about hidden Anguilla snorkeling spots.
Click here to read more about Anguilla snorkeling and Anguilla diving.

If Anguilla diving is more your speed, don't miss this comprehensive Anguilla dive journal, written by my good friend Kristin Bourne.

Kristin Suited Up and Ready to Dive!
(She's on the left)

Kristin had visited Anguilla for several years before moving to Anguilla permanently in 2010.

Her love and passion for Anguilla inspired her to learn to dive, and truly appreciate every aspect of Anguilla!

Kristin has kept a log of all of her Anguilla dives and diving experiences.

From getting certified, to doing her open water certification, to doing wreck dives and dives at off-island cays... Her journal features it all.

Click here to read Kristin's Anguilla dive journal.

Anguilla Boat Tours & Caribbean Charters

Taking an Anguilla boat tour, or going on a Caribbean charter, on an Anguilla vacation is truly magical. It has the power to transform a trip...

Seeing the island from the sea, being on the water, skimming across that shining turquoise... Something about it changes Anguilla vacations, bringing a new found appreciation for the island and lasting memories.

Every time we have spent a day at sea (which isn't every trip!) we've always recollected fondly, longing to reclaim those moments.

We once would always take to the sea with Shaun and Jeff Webster in their boat, Sea Grape. On a couple of occasions they took us to Little Bay, once they even gave us an entire tour of the island! I am very sad to say that on a grave day in 2007 Jeff died while spear-fishing. Since, Sea Grape has been out of the water. Jeff was a great guy, a warm spirit. He is truly missed.

Now, the top Anguilla boat tour service is Gotcha! We had one of our best Anguilla days ever aboard their spacious, clean, comfy boat, with trusty captains, and dream destinations... Sandy Island, Dog Island, and Little Bay.

Click here to read more about Gotcha! Caribbean charters.

Anguilla Fishing

Here is one that (I regret to say) we haven't done yet!

Anguilla deep sea fishing is a hugely popular Anguilla activity.

Besides doing Anguilla boat tours, Gotcha! also has a fishing boat and does fishing charters regularly. That is Garfield (owner of Gotcha!) in the photo to the left, cleaning his catch of the day. He had a cooler filled with barracuda, hinds, and fish of all kinds!

They take you far offshore, so bring your Dramamine because this could get rough. But they always ensure your safety, and generally bring back a good catch.

The last time I went fishing was when I was 5. And it was ice-fishing. Somehow I think this experience would be different... equally memorable, but I would swap huts on an icy lake for Garfield's boat and the warm Caribbean sun any day!

Anguilla Kayaking

Anguilla beach days are undeniably my favorite way to pass the days in Anguilla!

In terms of food, drinks, beach, and price nothing beats beach days at da'Vida.

In between snacks, drinks, and swims in the sea, a fun activity is kayaking over to Little Bay (kayaks can be rented at da'Vida), just around the bend.

It's about a twenty minute kayak ride, and I would recommend bringing a bottle of water.

It sure did tucker us out, but when the water is still, and the afternoon sun is burning a fiery orange, and you find Little Bay quiet and undisturbed by other boats... It can be one of the most magical moments of your Anguilla vacation!

Just watch out for the surf when you're setting off. ;-)

Adventure Anguilla Sports

SUP on Meads Bay in Anguilla

Photo By: Thierry Dehove

Had enough swimming, snorkeling and sunning?

Never! We love those 3 Anguilla activities! ;-)

Sometimes, though, Yuki and I like to switch things up, and do something that gets our blood racing...

Anguilla has several adventure water sports, from surfing to stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) to kitesurfing, these are some of the most fun Anguilla activities that also let you beat the heat!

Anguilla Land Activities

Anguilla Golf

Anguilla golf is one of Anguilla's fastest growing Anguilla activities!

Back in the day, the only Anguilla golf was Anguilla's "Pitch 'n' Putt", a tiny spot for putting, chipping, and short shots. And today? Anguilla golf sure has expanded.

Anguilla has one main luxury golf course, and there has been talk of a couple of others "coming soon"...

Today, Anguilla's luxury golf course, Temenos Golf Course, is open and ready for business, currently being managed by Cap Juluca...

Facing St. Martin, and right near the sea, Temenos Golf Course offers a unique golfing experience. We haven't played a round here yet, but we took a tour of the Anguilla golf course, and all we can say? It is designed for success! Truly breathtaking.

Anguilla Hikes & Drives

Believe it or not, on this pancake-flat island, there are many rewarding hiking spots.

• Windward Point (in the Anguilla photo to the left)
This was our first hike ever on Anguilla! It's a very easy hike on volcanic rock that is on a very steady, progressive incline. The destination? The very Eastern tip of Anguilla and the light tower at the top of the hill! You can practically see the entire island from this perch.

• Anguillita
Step carefully! This is one of Anguilla's most nerve-wracking hikes... a narrow path along sheer cliffs of 30-50', nothing but sea below. Though it will have you jangled, it is one of the most rewarding hikes, leading to the opposite end of Windward, Anguilla's most Western tip, with views of Anguillita island. We've nicknamed this one "Deadly Hike," but don't let that stop you! ;-)


• Anguilla Caves
Anguilla is home to many limestone caves that stretch all around the island, weaving in and out of different rockside cliffs that many people have never even explored! The only one we have been brave enough to venture into is "Iguana Cave." First you trek through lush Anguilla rainforest, and then? Onto the dark, mysterious cave... The bats stopped us from going much further than the entrance!

Anguilla drives are a more relaxing alternative to Anguilla hikes. In fact, if you want to see Anguillita Island but want to avoid the "deadly hike," take the drive! Click here to read more about driving to Anguilla's most westerly beach.

Click here to read about another great Anguilla drive in Island Harbor.

And click here to read about our favorite drive along Anguilla's southern shore...

Anguilla Horse Riding

Yes! Riding horses in the sand!

My sister and I grew up in a quiet country town a 45 minute drive from Montreal, Canada. The town was big on equestrian activity, but Yuki and I never really "got into it." My Dad did always promise me a chance to ride a horse. It never happened in "Hudson" (where we grew up), but I'm thinking of cashing in on that promise soon...

Seaside Stables Horseback Riding offers horseback riding right on the beach, rides in the sea, and even rides at night.

Right now, this is #1 on my Anguilla activities to-do list.

Since writing this webpage, we have crossed this item off of our Anguilla bucket list, and wow, was it worth it!

This former "bucket list" item is now one of our favorite Anguilla activities and warmest Caribbean vacation memories. Don't miss Anguilla horseback riding on an Anguilla vacation!

Click here to read more about Anguilla horseback riding Anguilla activities.

Anguilla History

For the history buff in all of us, now you can live Anguilla history! Anguilla has formed an Anguilla Heritage Trail, highlighting the island's top 10 historical sites.

Stop #1? The National Heritage Museum in East End. Stop by and pick up a brochure to begin your historical journey...

Click here to read more about the Anguilla history heritage trail.

Cliffside Water and Dining Fun

Pelican Trail and Water Sports is an innovative new combinationg of activities that takes place along the side of a cliff.

Have Mexican food brought to you...

Head down to sea level for some kayaking, snorkeling, diving, or just float on your back like Dad loves to do...

Do pretty much anything you want (no fishing, though)...

...all in an absolutely magnificent scenic setting.

Anguilla Attraction in The Air!

Air Tour of Anguilla, Anguilla Flights

Searching for one of the most exhilarating feelings that is uniquely Caribbean too?

Climb aboard tiny Caribbean prop planes!...

The first time I flew in one of these planes it sure did make my palms sweat. Talk about a rush! But there is really nothing to fear, especially aboard Anguilla Air Services with Captain Carl Thomas. He only hires the most responsible pilots, and ensures the security and safety of every passenger.

Now, Anguilla Air Services offers complete air tours of Anguilla. Seeing every inch of Anguilla from the sky made my heart flutter. Soaring through the clear sky, turquoise below, and the mountains of St. Martin to your side... It is practically movie magic! I can't recommend the experience enough!

Please click here to read more about this Anguilla airline and Anguilla flights.

Travel to More Caribbean Islands

Anguilla Air Services also offers many Anguilla flights to other Caribbean islands. Our favorite day-trip is over to St. Martin. You can fly, but for day trips most people take the Anguilla ferry for $20 USD/per passenger.

Other favorite islands we've flown to include St. Barts and Saba.

If you have a long Anguilla vacation planned, taking a short trip for a day or two to St. Martin, St. Barts and Saba are sure worth it. You don't have to travel too far to get an even richer flavor for the Caribbean!

Those are our favorite Anguilla activities. Be sure to sign up for my Anguilla e-zine to stay in touch as I add more Anguilla activities to this list.

If you have any favorite Anguilla activities, please share them below. I am always looking for new things to do on Anguilla, and visitors to Anguilla-Beaches.com would love to read them too!

Share Your Favorite Anguilla Activities

Have a favorite beach for kayaking? A secret snorkeling spot? A fun activity? Share your favorite Anguilla activity below, I'll be happy to publish it.

More Favorite Anguilla Activities...

Click below to read more favorite Anguilla activities...

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