| About Anguilla | Accommodations | Beaches | Dining |
| Shopping | Exploring the Island | Sports | Essential Facts |
Water Sports
With the major resorts offering complimentary , facilities such windsurfers, jet skis, paddleboats, and water skis to their guests, Anguilla is just the perfect place for you to try all kinds of water sports. If your hotel lacks these water sports facilities, you can rent it at Sandy Island Enterprises (at Sandy Ground, Tel: 264/772-0787), which also arranges for fishing charters. Island Yacht Charters (at Sandy Ground, Tel: 264/497-3743 or 264/235-6555) rents the 35-foot, teak Pirate powerboat and the 30-foot Beneteau Eros sailboat, and organizes snorkeling, sightseeing, and fishing expeditions.
Fishing
Albacore, wahoo, marlin, barracuda, and kingfish are some the species in Anguilla waters. Johnno’s Beach Shop (Tel: 264/497-2728) in Sandy Ground can help to plan your fishing trips. Alternatively, your hotel can arrange for your fishing trips with a local guide but please agree on the cost before setting out to prevent any misunderstanding.
Golf
Scheduled to open on Anguilla late in 2006 (a year behind schedule), the Greg Norman designed Temenos Golf Club will be part of the brand new St. Regis Residences. This course has the potential to become one of the finest in the Caribbean the day it opens. A second golf course project has at this time been put on hold by the Anguillan government.
Horseback Riding
Scenic nature trails and miles of beaches make Anguilla the perfect place to ride, even if you are a first-timer. Prices start at US$25 to US$35 per hour (US$50 for 2 hour rides) at El Rancho Del Blues (Tel: 264/497-6164).
CruisesA great way to have fun on Anguilla is to cruise to a secluded beach on an offshore cay for a picnic or some snorkeling. Numerous outfitters on the island rent vessels, catamarans and motorboats for these type cruises. Chocolat (at Sandy Ground, Tel: 264/492-3394), a 35-foot catamaran is available for private excursions or scheduled trips. Rates start at about US$80 per person. Anguillan Divers (Tel: 264/497-4750) offers a 10 m (33 ft.) motorboat. |
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Most of Anguilla’s coastline is surrounded by coral reefs and this Caribbean’s island waters are rich in marine life, with sunken coral gardens, brightly colored fish, caves, stingrays, greenback turtles and nurse sharks. With such varied marine life and amazingly clear waters, Anguilla’s makes for excellent diving and snorkeling. Moreover, the government of Angulla has artificially expanded the existing reef system, a first for the Carribean. Weathered and outdated ships are deliberately sunk in carefully selected places to act as nurseries for Anguilla’s fish and lobster population and new dive sites. Stoney Bay Marine Park, off the northeast coast, offers the late 18th-century El Buen Consejo, a 960-ton Spanish ship that sank in 1772, for your exploration. Other great dive sites include Grouper Bowl, with extremely hard coral formations; Ram’s Head, with caves, chutes, and tunnel; and Upper Flats, with definite stingray sightings.
Anguillan Divers (at Meads Bay, Tel: 264/497-4371), is a one-stop, full-service dive operator that will fulfill most of your diving needs. PADI instructors are available, with a two-tank dive costing US$70, plus another US$10 for equipment. Shoal Bay Scuba & Water Sports (at Shoal Bay, Tel: 264/497-4371) has one of the best designed dive boats in the area. Single tank dives start at US$40-US$50, two-tank dives US$65-US$80.