Sailing in Anguilla
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Anguilla
A flat pancake of an island, Anguilla’s beauty lies in its beaches, underwater life and its people. A collection of tiny islands covering just 35 square miles, Anguilla has a loyal following of visitors who love its exclusivity and laid back atmosphere. Celebrity hideaways and top class resorts in a low level of development make Anguilla the perfect choice for those seeking escape and tranquillity.
Now a self governing overseas British territory, Anguilla successfully rebelled against being bound together with St Kitts and Nevis during the 1980’s in a rather lackadaisical coup. The country has a strong sense of identity, revelling in its local festivals, poetry and music. Sailing is a big part of the local culture with a local boating festival every year and there is fierce but friendly competition between the crews who thrash it out on the sea during the day and party it away each night.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=”” parallax_style=”” bg_image_new=”” layer_image=”” bg_image_repeat=”” bg_image_size=”” bg_cstm_size=”” bg_img_attach=”” parallax_sense=”” bg_image_posiiton=”” animation_direction=”” animation_repeat=”” video_url=”” video_url_2=”” u_video_url=”” video_opts=”” video_poster=”” u_start_time=”” u_stop_time=”” viewport_vdo=”” enable_controls=”” bg_override=”” disable_on_mobile_img_parallax=”” parallax_content=”” parallax_content_sense=”” fadeout_row=”” fadeout_start_effect=”” enable_overlay=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_pattern=”” overlay_pattern_opacity=”” overlay_pattern_size=”” overlay_pattern_attachment=”” multi_color_overlay=”” multi_color_overlay_opacity=”” seperator_enable=”” seperator_type=”” seperator_position=”” seperator_shape_size=”” seperator_svg_height=”” seperator_shape_background=”” seperator_shape_border=”” seperator_shape_border_color=”” seperator_shape_border_width=”” icon_type=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_style=”” icon_color_bg=”” icon_border_style=”” icon_color_border=”” icon_border_size=”” icon_border_radius=”” icon_border_spacing=”” icon_img=”” img_width=”” ult_hide_row=”” ult_hide_row_large_screen=”” ult_hide_row_desktop=”” ult_hide_row_tablet=”” ult_hide_row_tablet_small=”” ult_hide_row_mobile=”” ult_hide_row_mobile_large=””][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1438367202350{padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: rgba(0,32,73,0.42) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,32,73) !important;}”][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][vc_column_text]
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] HIGHLIGHTS
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Quiet, white sand beaches
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Stunningly blue water
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Tiny postcard islands
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Wonderful snorkelling
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Colourful villages with friendly people
- [at_icon icon=”fa fa-star”] Laid back beach bars
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-plane”] FLIGHTS
There is a tiny international airport on Anguilla, (AXA) which is served by LIAT, Winair and American Airlines. Due to its small size, there are oly local flights within the Caribbean area; no long haul flights arrive in Anguilla.
The nearest international long haul airport is St Maarten (SXM), a short ferry ride or flight away.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-anchor”] YACHTING FACILITIES
Anguilla is, so far, refreshingly undeveloped. There are no marina facilities and Anguilla fiercely protects its local waters. Only two natural harbours are designated as overnight stops and we can only anchor; we can expect to spend our nights at anchor under the stars.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-cutlery”] EATING ASHORE
Anguilla has some very exclusive restaurants based in the resorts, and there are also lovely beachfront restaurants serving Italian, French and Caribbean fusion fare.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-glass”] NIGHTLIFE
Overnighting in Road Town is always a fun experience! The Pumphouse grill and restaurant serves good, inexpensive meals and they often have local music which can be a draw for the whole island. A nightcap at Elvis’ Beach Bar will round off the night.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”white”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”7419,7400,7397,7411″][vc_column_text]
About Sailing in Anguilla
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-picture-o”] Location & History, Topography & People
A long, narrow, pancake of an Island, Anguilla’s interior is low level scrub land with salt lakes. One of the northern-most of the Lesser Antilles islands, it is part of the older volcanic chain of islands and it’s real beauty lies in the coasts, beaches and coral reefs. Silky white sand reflects the sky with some of the bluest water in this part of the Caribbean. Super friendly people add to Anguilla’s unique charm and attracts reclusive celebs and a few yachts people, lured by this little known corner of paradise.
The island economy was originally based around the salt industry, but this has given way to tourism. Visitors are treated to exclusive resorts, and a getaway-from-it-all tranquillity that just begs time to slow down.
The Anguillan islands, Prickly Pear, Sandy Island, Scrub and Dog Islands are a stone’s throw away; all are uninhabited and the whole area is spectacularly undeveloped and unspoiled. White sand beaches, blue, blue sea and fantastic snorkelling abound.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-exclamation”] Why sail in Anguilla
Much of Anguilla falls under the protection of the Marine Parks Authority and in fact, boats are only allowed to anchor overnight in 2 bays on the main island. Elsewhere, mooring bouys protect the underwater environment, and sailing tourism is low key, and regulated.
From Prickly Pear and Dog Island in the West, to Scrub Island in the East, all of the islands boast white sand beaches, unspoiled reefs and true local Caribbean vibe. Sandy Island is a cool favourite; a small spit of land surrounded by teeming reefs, just one daytime beach bar and a few hammocks make this a perfect escape from reality. How better to spend a few days, soaking up the natural beauty and underwater life, and on many of our trips in this area that’s exactly what we do.
Sailing distances range from 5 to 15 miles between the islands, so a comfortable day sail from place to place, with the usual Easterly trade winds giving a nice reach for much of the time.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-map-marker”] Where we stop and why
Maunday Bay boasts a beautiful strip of white sand, exquisite turquoise water and a 5 star resort in Cap Jaluca; we often stop here for lunch and a swim on our way round to Road Bay. Road Bay is one of the larger “towns” on Anguilla main island and is a necessary Customs and Immigration stop if we’re staying longer than 24 hours. It is also one of the two permissible overnighting bays.
There are a number of nice restaurants within walking distance of the dinghy pier, and no visit to Anguilla is complete without a night cap at Elvis’s Beach Bar. The anchorage is shallow, spacious and well protected, and for the reasons given is also quite popular. Stopping here for the night means setting the anchor and obtaining local help to take a stern line ashore to maintain position.
Day trips from Road Town include the gorgeous Sandy Island, and Dog Island further to the West. We often have the anchorage at Dog Island to ourselves and this stunning Robinson Crusoe island often has pelicans diving for fish and big turquoise rollers fetching up on its white sandy shores. Prickly Pear Island is a popular spot for day trippers coming from St Maarten and is consequently busier during the day time. Snorkelling here is great.
Sandy Island is closest to Road Town and can be quite busy with tourists from the main island on occasion. We were lucky enough to have the whole island to ourselves one Christmas Day and carved our roast dinner in the shelter of the small beach restaurant there! The moorings can get a little choppy but snorkelling is excellent right off the back of the boat.
The other night time anchorage is Crocus Bay, which also has good shelter, but it can be difficult to land the dinghy in the breaking swells and we don’t often spend the night here. Similarly, Scrub Island to the East can only be approached in very settled weather.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-binoculars”] Things to see and do
It’s interesting to walk around the sleepy village at Road Bay and to see the remnant of the salt making industry. The Pumphouse Bar and Restaurant houses the old water pumps and also hosts some of the best live music on the island… people often spill out into the street and come from all over the island!
On the islands, beach combing, sunning and snorkelling are the order of the day.
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-eye”] Special Local Events
Festival del Mar – Easter Weekend
[at_icon icon=”fa fa-flask”] Combines with…
Our holidays sailing in Anguilla typically originate out of St Martin and include St Barth’s.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Our Sailing Holidays that Include Anguilla
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