Anguilla’s water really is this shade of blue!
You’ll find yourself saying this over and over when showing off your vacation photos after a trip to the intimate Caribbean island of Anguilla. Dubbed “Tranquility Wrapped in Blue,” Anguilla is just 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest, and home to over 33 of the world’s most unbelievably beautiful beaches.
Azure waters and uncrowded expanses of white sugar sand combine with balmy breezes, exciting outdoor adventures including world-class snorkeling, diving and golf, a thriving music scene, friendly people, five-star dining and luxurious accommodations like Villa Alegria to create the ideal place to relax, or as the locals say “lime”.
Off the beaten path, but easy to get to
Located just a small step off the beaten path in the British West Indies (18° north latitude and 63° west longitude), the island’s arid climate and flat, dry rocky terrain create a picture perfect desert island and constant mild weather, with nothing to block the cooling Caribbean trade winds.
Anguilla is a short eight-minute flight or 20-minute ferry ride from St. Maarten’s international airport or an easy 55-minute flight from Puerto Rico. Your total travel time depends on where you hail from, but you could leave the East coast in the early AM and be in the Caribbean sun by late afternoon. More about getting to Anguilla>
A safe place with friendly people
The people of Anguilla are extremely welcoming and balance sharing their home and rich culture with visitors, with preserving the island’s natural resources, lack of crime and unspoiled tranquility. Proud of their independence and heritage, locals enjoy celebrating with visitors at island-wide annual events such as the February Moonsplash music festival, May Anguilla Sailing Regatta and Summer Festival/Carnivale.
English is the official language on the island, but Anguillans descend from many other countries including West Africa, China, Ireland, France and Wales.
The people and island are so magnetic, like Villa Alegria owners Neil and Wendy Freeman, many visitors buy or build homes and return again and again. Once you visit, you may find yourself already booking your next Anguilla trip with the scent of sunscreen still lingering on your skin.
Upscale, yet unpretentious
The island’s laid-back attitude, paired with high-end amenities, attracts vacationers from all over the world. You might even find yourself rubbing shoulders with an A-list celebrity or sports icon, as Anguilla offers a break from the spotlight and a chance to blend in with the crowd.
Visitors appreciate the island’s lack of tourist traps, chain hotels and cookie-cutter all-inclusive resorts, and are drawn to its upscale yet unpretentious offerings, unblemished landscape and easy-going vibe.
Anguilla doesn’t concern itself with lots of rules on where to park, what to wear, where to drink, or how old you are (carding is not usual), instead trusting guests to use their own judgment and preferring to treat them as real people. There a few decency rules, such as no nude bathing, which keeps the island family friendly.
The hardest decision you’ll have to make, is where you want to eat
Anguilla is world-renowned for its amazing fresh food and award-winning restaurants. The seafood redefines “freshly caught,” practically jumping out of the water onto your plate, and the vegetables are locally grown with no pesticides, additives or preservatives.
Delectably prepared ocean fish, lobster, crayfish, tender vegetables and succulent barbeque are sure to tantalize everyone’s taste buds and can be enjoyed at a casual beachside shack, at an elegant candlelit 5-star restaurant, or at Villa Alegria under a canopy of stars and prepared to your personal tastes by our optional professional private chef. Onsite chef service is available for guests out of bubble. Restaurant delivery and chef-prepared meals can be delivered to the villa for guests in or out of the bubble.
Villa Alegria owner, Neil is friends with many of the chef/owners around the island for top restaurants such as Tasty’s, Straw Hat, Veya, Blanchards Beach Shack, Barrel Stay and Picante, and can offer recommendations and make introductions. Many of them have cooked for Neil and his guests at the villa. Want to try your own hand at cooking? Load up on fresh produce and seafood (or we can shop for you) and create your own culinary magic in your gourmet kitchen or on the built in barbeque grill. More about Anguilla dining>
The perfect backdrop for your destination wedding or honeymoon
Stunning sunsets, balmy weather and a straightforward marriage license process, make Anguilla ideal for an unforgettable destination wedding or honeymoon. In fact, viewers of NBC’s Today Show chose Anguilla as the winning location for the network’s destination wedding contest and it is a frequent member of the wedding industry’s top 10 lists.
What could be more romantic than saying I do with your toes in the sand on one of Anguilla’s stunning coral beaches, or in a charming historic island church, or on the terrace of our villas as the Caribbean night sky unfolds? Or leave the world behind and escape to Anguilla for the honeymoon of your dreams. Our experienced local wedding planner partners will ensure everything is perfect and that your special day is flawless. And even if you get married at another venue on the island, you will impress your family, wedding party or special guests when you house them at Villa Alegria.
Celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary, bah/bar mitzvah or other special occasion? Villa Alegria can be the backdrop for all your happy memories. More about Anguilla weddings and events>
Anguilla has something for everyone on land and in the sea
When you are ready to leave your lounge chair, Anguilla offers a host of activities for both adults and kids. Choose from world-class golf at the Cuisinart Resort, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, tennis, horseback riding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, fishing, biking, shelling and hiking.
Catch some reggae tunes by the Anguillan Bob Dylan, Bankie Banx while you “mash sand” (aka dance) at what’s been called “the coolest place on earth,” Dune Preserve. You can get your groove on listening to British Dependency, Omari Banks, the Musical Brothers or other chill Anguilla musicians at beach side restaurants nightly. Most watering holes on the island offer a signature rum punch. Find your favorite.
Board a catamaran to the secluded oasis of Sandy Island or Prickly Pear Cay, for an afternoon of ribs, cold drinks and some of Anguilla’s best snorkeling and diving. Novices and experts will marvel at sea turtles, stingrays and exotic fish in every color of the rainbow. Or feel the cooling trade winds on your face aboard a sailboat.
Grab your scuba gear or get certified and explore the island’s underwater world with Special D Diving’s Dougie Carty, who knows all the sea creatures on a first-name basis. Anguilla is home to seven marine parks and offers wall, ledge and wreck dives. Neil is an avid diver and can share tips and his favorite dive spots.
Our concierge is happy to offer recommendations and will take care of all required advance reservations. More about things to do on Anguilla>