Things to see and do in Anguilla
Attractions in Anguilla
Absorb Anguilla's past at the Heritage Collection Museum
This simple, but neatly presented museum, has displays on Anguilla’s geology, early Arawak past and its British colonial history, right up to the Anguillian revolution and separation from St Kitts and Nevis. The story is told in artefacts such as model boats, shoes made from tyres and local household items such as brooms and irons.
Descend the Pelican Trail to the shoreline below
The Pelican Trail is a wooden stairway that runs down a steep hillside into a tiny enclosed cove known as Pelican Bay. En route you'll find shaded platforms for resting, great views, and snorkelling and glass-bottom kayaking at the bottom.
Explore the island on the Anguilla Heritage Trail
Self-guided by map, explore a series of historic sights that are signposted around the island. They include the Old Valley Well, the Old Courthouse, Wallblake's Plantation House, and the Big Spring Heritage site with its 1,000 year-old petroglyphs.
Find The Fountain in an underground cave
Spend time exploring Anguilla's many grotto-like rock areas and hidden coves, which are dotted all around the island's 30-odd beaches. However, definitely don't miss out on historic landmark The Fountain, a huge underground cave with a constant supply of fresh water at Shoal Bay. Visits can be arranged via the Anguilla National Trust.
Get pampered at a 5-star spa
Several of the major hotels in Anguilla have spas in dedicated buildings, offering an excellent range of treatments, some with products derived from the region. Most permit outside visitors including the Malliouhana Hotel, CusinArt, the Viceroy and Cap Juluca.
Take a day trip to an offshore island
Day trips, with lunch included, are on offer to the beaches of Anguilla's offshore islands. Sandy Island and its beach bar is just 15 minutes from Sandy Ground Harbour and Prickly Pear is 25 minutes away. Scilly Cay, another favourite for lunch, sits in the bay just off the fishing village of Island Harbour.
Test your swing on a championship golf course
Play a round of golf on a 7063-yard, 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. Set overlooking the south coast with lovely views of St Martin, Cuisin Art Golf Club has 13 holes with water features, as well as coastal winds and impenetrable scrub in the rough.
Unwind on beautiful coral beaches
Explore Anguilla's many idyllic, white coral beaches at a leisurely pace. Many of the best, like Rendezvous Bay, Shoal Bay and Road Bay, offer watersports but Crocus Bay and Barnes Bay can't be beaten for peace, quiet and warm cyan seas. Taxi drivers will happily drop you off and collect you later in the day.
Visit Wallblake House, Anguilla's oldest building
Pop into the impressive Wallblake House, a restored plantation house whose foundations date back to 1787, complete with outside kitchens, stables and workers' quarters intact. The oldest building on the island, it is also the only intact plantation remaining in Anguilla. Tours need to be booked in advance.
Tourist offices
Anguilla Tourist Board in the USA
Address: 246 Central Avenue, White Plains,, New York City, 10606Telephone: (914) 287 2400.
Website: http://www.ivisitanguilla.com
Anguilla Tourist Board in the UK
Address: Suite 11, Parsons Green House, 27-31 Parsons Green Lane, London, SW6 4HHTelephone: (020) 7736 6030.
Website: http://www.ivisitanguilla.com