If you think about it, when you travel, you normally see a place from the "inside out." What do I mean by that?

Well, for the rest of this site, we're IN Anguilla... in our car, or in a restaurant, or in our villa -- we're in the island... looking out.

Let's take a different perspective -- lets get off the island... and look at it! And for that, there's nothing like an Anguilla boat tour.

We had come close to doing this a few times in the past, but always felt uneasy. Since it was spur of the moment, we didn't know who which of the many available Anguilla boat tours would be fun, knowledgeable and safe.

But this time, we planned ahead. My dad had received a strong recommendation from Jacquie Rollins (who's husband owns and captains Chocolat -- a sailor should know who the other good captains are!). And also from Claire Devener, publisher of Anguilla Life magazine. And the same name kept coming up...

Everyone seemed to love Shaun Webster of Sea Grape Charters if you want to charter your own custom Anguilla boat tours (click here for more info on how to reach Shaun below).

By the way, Chocolat offers a great day cruise, sailing to Prickly Pear and Sandy Island. We had a wonderful time on this fixed-boat-tour cruise, which includes a fabulous lunch, thanks to Jacquie.

But Shaun Webster will charter whatever kind of cruise you like! For example...

Need a ride to St. Martin? St. Barts? Scrub Island? Or anywhere else, near Anguilla? Shaun Webster and his beautiful boat, the Sea Grape, will fulfill your exploring heart's desire, customizing whatever kind of Anguilla boat tour you'd like.

And that is exactly what my family and I did. We met Shaun at Sandy Ground, my Dad stopping us for the obligatory "hi everyone" photo...

We hopped on board with Captain Shaun Webster, and his friendly "first mate", Clive Wallace.

Unfortunately, the seas were very rough during the last week we were there in March, 2004.

The local people had never seen it blow so hard, nor the seas swell so much for so many days in a row, even though the weather itself was warm, blue-skyed and sunny.

No way we Montrealers were complaining about a little wind. But our planned round-the-island tour was called off.

It was too bad, but Shaun was still smiling and ready to take us on a "reduced" version of what we will certainly do during our next trip to Anguilla... the full round-Anguilla boat tour.

Shaun wasn't going to let the rough waters dampen our spirits.

So, instead of having a whole day outing, Shaun had a modified itinerary planned -- my Dad had already told him that Mom and Yuki were the not the most valiant boaters he would ever meet. Quite the opposite!

As Shaun and Clive were preparing to "cast off" (yes, they really say that!), my Dad (being himself of course!), took a look around the Sea Grape, dragging me along. And now, I'll take you along...

The Boat's "Living Room"
(Go below for a quick drink and/or cool-down.)

The Kitchen


Want to pull an over-nighter?
(Great for a 2-day trip to St. Barts!)

Of course, there's a bathroom, too, should nature call.

Although it's comfy, even luxurious inside (that bed is quite gorgeous!), you'll spend most of your time outdoors, I guarantee it!

Lots of space to sit, both fore and aft. And you can sun-bathe on the deck... or dive off it!

Anyway, I bet you're now wondering, "where did you guys go?"

Well, we departed from the port of Sandy Ground, and then headed west. (Each link on this mini-tour will pop-up a page with a map and description so you can follow along).

First stop: Little Bay. Although the seas around Anguilla were quite rough, the north shore from Sandy Ground to Blackgarden Bay or so is usually calmer. So, while the seas were a bit choppy, even Mom and Yuki were OK.

And when we reached Little Bay, the water was virtual glass... and a gorgeous turquoise... is "turquoisest" an adjective?)... simply gorgeous and peaceful...

When the Anguilla Tourist Board came up with the "Tranquility Wrapped in Blue," it must have been this spot that inspired them.

Perfect for swimming.

Or, in my Dad's case (with a few too many pounds buoying him up effortlessly)... for floating! He jumped off the back of the boat and zoned out in the gentle jostle of the soothing water.

(Shaun told us there were some excellent snorkeling spots nearby, but that the rough seas would reduce visibility. So we left the equipment below deck and just enjoyed the day.)

Although I have this phobia of sharks, the water's invitation won, and I followed my Dad into the water...

 
Meanwhile, on shore, fishermen prepared bait. Others watched for fish, from the cliffs surrounding this perfect "little bay."

Well, you know how my Dad is? Very curious.

So, of course, he wanted to swim to shore and see what was going on. I didn't have the strength to follow him.

And by now, I was thinking about sharks just a bit too much even though Shaun promised none were anywhere near here.

So I returned to the boat while he swam to shore...

See him? He was proud that he made it all the way -- but he wasn't that proud...

He didn't want me to show you the tele-photo shot of him in his bathing suit!

Ha! Ha!
 
After a quick chat with the fishermen, he swam back to the boat, stopping every now and then just to float on the back. He was really at peace, bobbing in the gentlest of sea waves (I promised him "no whale" jokes!).

Once he returned to the Sea Grape, we lingered a bit, the adults quaffing Carib and Guinness beer, Yuki and I with soft drinks. (Shaun supplies them, just ask him if you have any special requests.)

Then my Dad pulled out his shiny new Olympus. Here's our "Little Bay Photo Album"...

Hungry Pelicans


Little Bay Cliffs


ME!

Suddenly... an excited commotion on shore...

While one of the fishermen was preparing the bait, an eel came up on shore. Shaun said it was after the bait!

An eel has razor-sharp teeth, so the fishermen did quite a bit of dancing while they bashed at it.

Exciting! OK, back to the photo album...

Clive & Guinness
(Clive's a really nice guy, with great stories, too.)

Captain Shaun Webster
(Entertaining, fun and I felt really safe.)

No Anchoring in Little Bay
(So the boat just sat and rotated
ever-so-slowly... 360 degree view!

Little Bay Cliffs

After some pictures, enjoying drinks, soaking up some sun and chatting with Clive and Shaun (both very interesting and super-friendly), we headed a little further out, just for fun, to take a look at a few other beaches.

More Little Bay Cliffs, Towards Flat Cap


Flat Cap Cliffs
(Where my Dad played "Fear Factor")

From Flat Cap Point, we set off headed East...

We went out as far as Blackgarden Bay... beyond that, the seas were becoming rather rough, so the plan was to turn around at Blackgarden and return to Sandy Ground from there.

Here's that special perspective I talked about earlier -- looking at Anguilla from "the outside, inward." It was most interesting to see the island from the water. Let's see...

Blackgarden Bay   The seas here were much too choppy to swim in, and by this point, we were all in "gaze mode." anyway.

There are two sparkling white mansions on the East side of this charming little bay (you can barely see the other from the angle of this photo). The beach is hard to reach by land, but is worth the effort.

Limestone Bay   Limestone has that special tone of turquoise. And people waved at us from shore...

We waved back as my Dad snapped a photo. People swimming on Limestone Bay? Gee, I have to stop writing about our favorite places!

Little Bay   Sound familiar? Yes, we were just here 30 minutes ago! But, we were coming back, and to pass up a photo of the whole sweep, from this angle, just wouldn't be right!


Crocus Bay   This is actually just past Crocus Bay. There's a private beach at the end of the bay -- I'm telling you about it only if you promise not to tell anyone else!


Katouche Bay   We were coming around the corner, about to enter Katouche Bay, when Bingo! This great photo angle shows how spectacular the Massara Resort really is, stair-stepped in the cliff of Katouche.


Final Destination: Sandy Ground.   Here's a great view of the Customs and Immigration Center. If we were arriving from St. Martin or St. Barts, we'd have to pass through customs here...


It certainly was a sensational trip... both invigorating and relaxing. The scenery, and beaches, made it wonderful, but you can find that anywhere on Anguilla.

Shaun and Clive made it fun, enjoyable, and truly unique! I can't thank Jacquie and Claire enough for recommending them to us. And, to return that favor, I highly recommend an Anguilla boat tour.

The "outside-in" perspective is a whole new way, a must-way, to see Anguilla. Even if you're sea-shy, Shaun and Clive will take you to the gentlest of spots and take great care of you. To contact them and tell them what you'd like to do and when, just send them an e-mail...

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Update 2006: The Sea Grape is closed! For the time being Shawn and Jeff have taken their boat out of the water.

But good news! My Dad and sister discovered, under emergency conditions, an equally great charter boat company. Click here to read about their adventure and how our new favorite Anguilla boat charter saved Yuki and Dad.