Caribbean Cruise Destinations
The islands of the Caribbean are located in a region southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America
Weather Update
Aletta weakens to Tropical Depression - no threat to land.
Our Home Port is Venice, Florida, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida in Sarasota County.
More Port Calls
Bahamas
Castaway Cay
Freeport
Coco Cay
Half Moon Cay
Nassau
Princess Cay
Stirrup Cay
Eastern Caribbean
Anguilla
Antigua
Casa de Campo
Catalina Island
Grand Turk
Labadee
La Romana
Samana
San Juan
St. John
St. Croix
St. Thomas
St. Maarten/Dutch
St. Martin/French
Tortola
Anguilla News
Anguilla is officially Tsunami ready!
Posted December 26, 2011
Officials from the National Weather Service have recognized the British Territory of Anguilla as the first international TsunamiReady® community.
To earn TsunamiReady® recognition, Anguilla established a 24-hour emergency operations center, developed multiple ways to receive tsunami warnings and alert the public, developed a formal tsunami hazard plan, conducted emergency exercises and promoted public readiness through community education.
"While no community can be tsunami proof, Anguilla now has the tools necessary to minimize the loss of life when a tsunami strikes," said Christa von Hillebrandt-Andrade, manager of the National Weather Service Caribbean Tsunami Warning Program.
In addition to Anguilla, nearly 100 communities have taken the necessary steps to become TsunamiReady® in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Need to know
Hurricanes
Anguilla is situated in an area prone to hurricanes. From June to November, the country may experience strong winds and rains as a result of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, go to our Tropical Storm Update page
Crime
According to the U.S. State Department:
While Anguilla's crime rate is relatively low, both petty and violent crimes do occur. There has been an increase in youth gang activity, but this is mostly limited to local village centers and there have been no known incidents involving tourists.
Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.
Medical Services
There is only one hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital (telephone (264) 497-2551), and a handful of clinics on Anguilla, so medical facilities are limited. Serious problems requiring extensive care or major surgery may require evacuation to the United States, often at considerable expense.
Getting around
Unlike the U.S., traffic in Anguilla moves on the left. The few roads on the island are generally poorly paved and narrow. While traffic generally moves at a slow pace, with the increasing number of young drivers in Anguilla, there are occasional severe accidents caused by excessive speed. Although emergency services, including tow truck service, are limited and inconsistent, local residents are often willing to provide roadside assistance. For police, fire, or ambulance service dial 911.
Taxi rates are fixed (no meters) and regulated by the government. Make sure to negotiate your rate before you leave.
To rent a car you'll need your valid driver's license from your resident country, and $20 to purchase a temporary Anguilla driver's license. Temporary Anguilla driver's licenses are available through car rental agencies.
Bikes are available from about $10 per day, Scooters from about $20 per day.
Ferry
Take the Ferry from Blowing Point to Marigot St. Maarten, about a 20 minute
ride. Ferries leave every half hour from 7:30am - 6:15pm. One way trip costs
$15.00 per person plus a $4.00 departure tax.
Anguilla
Sandy Ground Beach
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Anguilla is located east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in the Lesser Antilles chain. The Island of St. Martin is about a 20 minute boat ride away.
Anguilla consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population.
A British territory since 1980 and part of the British West Indies, Anguilla's population is slightly above 15,000.
Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.
Good to Know
Port of Entry
Blowing Point, British West Indies
Time Zone
AST (UTC/GMT-5 )
Map Coordinates
18.15 N, 63.10 W
Climate and Terrain
Anguilla is low lying, and flat, the land settled on limestone and coral. Anguilla's thin arid soil is largely unsuitable for agriculture, and the island has few land-based natural resources. Anguilla is relatively dry (average 35" of rain a year) and prone to hurricanes.
Average Temperatures
Water: 82° Summer - 79° Winter
Air: 85° Summer - 78° Winter
Things to do and see
Boat Racing
Boat racing has deep roots in Anguillian culture, and is the national sport. There are regular sailing regattas on national holidays, such as Carnival, which are contested by locally built and designed boats. These boats have names and have sponsors that print their logo on their sails. As in many other former British Colonies, cricket is also a popular sport.
Rendezvous Bay
The longest stretch of white sand on Anguilla, Rendezvous Bay is the picture-postcard beach with its transparent water and gentle surf. Palms stud the shore and shrubbery surrounds the few.
Shoal Bay Village
Located on the east end of the island. On the way, stop off at Fountain National Park & Cavern - a popular Arawak Archaeological site.
The Old Fort
At Sandy Hill.
Pitch Apple Hole
Pre-historic Cave.
Wallblake House
Built 1787 and is the oldest plantation on the island. Tour hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am - 2pm.
Island Harbor
Scenic fishing village that is the center of local lobster fishing.
The Elvis Beach Bar
Offers old-school-style Anguilla flavor. The bar is set in a converted Class C racing sailboat and features live music every weekend.
Snorkeling and Diving
Check out our extensive list of great snorkel and dive spots around Anguilla.
Beaches
Check out our extensive list of great beaches around Anguilla.
Area Events
Moonsplash Reggae Festival
Annual March event at Dune Preserve, Rendezvous Bay. (www.bankiebanx.net).
Festival Del Mar
Annual April event on picturesque Island Harbor. A celebration of the sea, the festival includes deep sea fishing contests, boat races, triathlons, culinary competitions, string band music, and more.
Anguilla Regatta
Annual May event hosted by the Anguilla Sailing Association (ASA) and the Anguilla Tourist Board, the Annual Anguilla Yacht Regatta attracts sailors from across the Caribbean and around the world.
Anguilla Day Around the Island Boat Race
Annual event held in May at Road Bay
Anguilla achieved its independence from the joint statehood of St
Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla on 30 May 1967. A boat race around the island, to and
from Road Bay, commemorates this date every year.
Anguilla Carnival
Carnival is a week-long festival that begins the weekend prior to August Monday (the first Monday in August). Carnival includes costumed parades, music and dancing. August Monday is a public holiday.
Anguilla Summer Festival
Anguilla really lets its hair down for the fantastic Summer Festival during July and August every year. Beauty pageants, swim suit competitions, colorful parades, calypso contests, more.
Annual Anguilla Tranquility Jazz Festival
Annual event at Temenos Golf Club, West End. One of the Caribbean's truly authentic jazz experiences. Website
