Life’s a Beach, especially when you’ve got over 30 to choose from!
There’s something about a good beach that never gets any less magical, no matter how many you see. I’ve taken in virtually every major one in the world, from Whitehaven in Australia to Rhossili Bay in Swansea (honestly – stunning!), but the sight of golden sand flowing into clear blue sea is still one I don’t think I’ll ever tire of.
Anguilla, a picturesque island in the Caribbean, remains the standout destination in terms of beaches. Not just in the region itself, but in the world. There are at least thirty bays on the island, all of which are more aesthetically pleasing than almost any in the UK. Anguilla is simply stunning beach followed by stunning beach followed by stunning beach, all of them perfect for enjoying a relaxing afternoon out, whether you prefer to sunbathe, snorkel or simply to sit and sip cocktails by the sea.
Image courtesy of Flickr user needoptic
Shoal Bay East
Any discussion on beaches in Anguilla should probably begin with Shoal Bay East. As well as routinely appearing in the Trip Advisor top Caribbean beaches award, Shoal Bay is also extremely popular. And with good reason: it’s simply jaw-dropping, with over a mile of beautiful sand teeming with local culture and luxury property. The other Shoal Bays – though not offering the same level of outright tourism – are also high class beaches. Upper Shoal Bay in particular offers quite possibly the whitest sand in the Caribbean, and Shoal Bay East’s unique pink tinge (caused by the sprinkling of red foram shell) is well worth seeing.
Little Bay
For those who like to be a bit more active, then Little Bay is a great choice. There’s not a huge amount of actual sand in the area, but the snorkeling is simply outstanding, and there’s plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife. Good snorkeling can also be found at both Limestone Bay and the rock and coral reef at Upper Maunday’s in Cove Bay.
Mead’s Bay
If you’re after fine dining, then Mead’s Bay is well worth a look. It’s a stunning beach anyway, but combined with Blanchard’s Restaurant it’s a must-visit. Blanchard’s is a full-on gourmet dining experience, their menu packed full of wonderful flavours. Upper Shoal Bay is also worth another stroll so you can check out Gwen’s Reggae Grill, which has a full bar and barbecue on offer as well as live music throughout the week.
Rendezvous Bay
Of course, after that big meal (wherever you chose to have it) you’ll need to take a nice long walk. Rather unsurprisingly, Anguilla also caters for those who enjoy a decent trek. Rendezvous Bay is a great choice offering a substantial two and a half mile stretch of beach with a lovely bar (the Dune Preserve) halfway across the stretch of sand. Mead’s Bay is also great a walk, at a mile-plus stretch of relatively quiet beach (the last thing you want when trying to have a relaxing stroll is to dodge little kids throwing balls around!).
Finally, the most important thing: partying! Whether you’ve been sailing, snorkeling or simply sunbathing, it’s nice to blow off a little bit of steam at the end of the day. For this, Shoal Bay East is again the king of Anguillan beaches. Here’s a free tip: if it’s where the locals go to party, it’s where you need to be! Break out the barbecue, the cool beers and the live music, and have the time of your life. Life, after all, really is a beach!
Natalie Fitzpatrick has years of experience in marketing luxury properties having worked for many worldwide projects such as Zemi Beach a luxury property development in Anguilla.
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