10 Reasons To Dive Anguilla
This perfect Caribbean island offers divers (and non-divers) a blissful vacation, above and below the waves. For divers, this island is paradise — Anguilla's turquoise waters boast seven marine parks, Dog Island, Prickley Pear, Seal Island Reef System, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System and Stoney Bay Marine Park. It's time to giant-stride in!
The wreck of the Dutch cargo ship the Oosterdiep was deliberately sunk upright, northwest of Meads Bay in 1990, and it makes for an absolutely fantastic night dive, with dozens of turtles cruising around the 150-foot-long ship and posing for pictures. Snapper, jacks, spiny lobsters and a sandy field full of garden eels next to the wreck round out the wreck’s marine offerings.
Nadia Aly
Wreck Central: Anguilla is best known for its wrecks — at least six of them beckon to divers. The Sarah is the island’s largest at 232 feet long, and is home to blue tangs and turtles. shoalbayscuba.com
Nadia Aly
Scilly Cay: This tiny speck of land just offshore of Island Harbour is home to a big party. Every Wednesday and Sunday, Sandra and Eudoxie Wallace fire up the grill and pour a mean rum punch. They don’t say “one and done” for nothing. scillycayanguilla.com
Zach Stovall
Spa Day: Cuisinart is so much more than a kitchen appliance on Anguilla — there’s a hydroponic garden, available for tours to the public, and a spa that will pamper you with a decadent treatment, such as the warmed-seashell massage. Stop by the pool bar afterward for a fresh mango smoothie. cuisinartresort.com
Courtesy Greg Johnston/Cuisinart Gold Resort & Spa
It’s worth the (at times) bumpy ride to Dog Island, an uninhabited spot of land 8 miles northwest of Anguilla. Beautiful coral overhangs and plentiful sea life (look for blacktip reef sharks, rays and eels) make the underwater ride sublime.
Danita Delimont/Alamy
Anguilla’s well known as a foodie destination, and for good reason — over 100 restaurants serve this small island. For an upscale take on local cuisine, try Straw Hat, where curried goat sliders compete with local red snapper crudo for your attention. strawhat.com
Courtesy Straw Hat
If you’re itching for some local culture, charming boutique hotel Anacaona hosts the weekly Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre on Thursday nights, along with a tasty buffet of island-style food. anacaonahotel.com
Rebecca Strauss
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the glorious Anguilla beaches. Shoal Bay East is the island's superlative stretch of sand; Rendezvous Bay offers 2.5 stunning miles facing St. Martin. When it’s time to party, hit Sandy Ground, another lovely stretch and home to the island’s finest beach bars.
Rebecca Strauss