Visit This Underrated Caribbean Island For Incredible Water Adventures
With so many sunny destinations to choose from, like popular hotspots such as the Bahamas and Jamaica, and faraway lands like the Maldives or the Seychelles, it can be tough to choose the perfect island getaway. If you want to get off the beaten path and head to a seriously underrated beach destination in the Caribbean, look no further than Anguilla.
Anguilla might be frequently overlooked for other Caribbean islands, but this best-kept secret is a perfect getaway for those seeking some sun. Best known for some of the Caribbean's best beaches, the magnificently, almost too-good-to-be-true waters of Anguilla are just as beautiful to look at as they are to flip your fins in. Home to a double reef system and plenty of offshore cays, Anguilla is simply a water lover's paradise. The fun certainly doesn't stop in the water, though, as this Caribbean island has a little bit of everything for all types of travelers.
What to do in Anguilla
Anguilla is tiny, at only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, but don't let its size fool you: There's plenty to see and do. There are 33 beaches to choose from, but locals and visitors alike swear the best ones can be found at Scenic Shoal Bay East.
There's plenty of good diving and snorkeling in Anguilla too, but for a more unique experience in Anguilla's waters, take some time to learn about the country's large production of salt, once a huge export for the country. Home to 17 saltwater ponds, Anguilla's salt has great historical significance that can best be learned through a local by taking a tour, where you can actually dig for salt.
Anguilla is also a surprisingly spectacular foodie destination. The national dish is pigeon peas and rice, a pretty straightforward, yet tasty dish, that is often served alongside grilled fish, goat, or chicken. For more refined flavors, head to the annual Anguilla Culinary Experience, an epicurean festival held in May that highlights food from all around the globe and showcases why Anguilla is consistently deemed the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
With Anguilla being fairly small, you might be wondering the best way to get around to all these activities. Go for a Moke rental, an open-air vehicle that's similar to a golf cart, but way more stylish, especially if you go for a popular pastel color.
Where to stay and when to go
Your vacation can only be properly enjoyed if you have proper accommodation, and luckily Anguilla has some of the best of the best. The Four Seasons Anguilla is the epitome of treat-yourself. If you're traveling with a group, you'll want to utilize their five-bedroom villa directly on the beach. Malliouhana is another luxe property, with the incredible addition to go paddle boarding on crystal clear SUPs. That's one way to see Anguilla's clear waters.
If you're headed here with kiddos, Aurora Anguilla is well worth looking into. In Fall 2023, they will be launching the Aurora Entertainment Park, which will feature a lazy river, a pickle ball court, mini golf, water slides, and even an area with video games and a dance floor with a jukebox.
While simply being in the presence of Anguilla's picturesque waters might be just what the doctor ordered, for an ultimate wellness getaway, head to Zemi Beach House. Their Thai House Spa offers a vitality pool, juice bar, and, of course, treatments ranging from facials to signature massages to body scrubs.
Anguilla has ample weather year-round, but if you want to avoid rainy season, your best bet is to visit anytime from December to April. The busiest time of the Caribbean, in general, is from December to February, which makes sense considering how cold much of mainland USA is during those months. If you want to further avoid crowds, March or April is the best time to visit the island.