Eat, sail, snorkel, save: off-peak Anguilla delivers everything and more
Fringed by 33 sandy beaches and calm, crystalline waters, the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla is only a short boat ride from St Martin or a quick flight from Antigua or St Barts, yet it remains blissfully under the radar. And that's just part of its appeal.
Anguilla perfectly blends small-scale luxury and boutique style with down to earth charm.
It also does laidback leisure beautifully: dine at a roadside barbecue cooked by local families, pop into a friendly beach shack for a rum punch, or lounge on long, empty stretches of soft white sand.
While Anguilla's peak season runs from late November to Easter, the quieter summer months – especially May to August – are an ideal time to visit.
But whatever month you visit, there are excellent offers and savings on resorts, villas and tours. The key is to book directly with local partners: check out Exclusively Yours, Anguilla for deals.
Perched on a bluff above lovely Meads Bay, Malliouhana resort draws a stylish crowd with its tropical chic interiors, terraced infinity pool, hidden swimming cove and beach bar where Anguillians and holidaymakers dance the weekend away to local bands.
On Maundays Bay, the 'Greco-Moorish' villas of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel sit on a sweep of icing sugar sand with some of the best swimming on the island.
Above the peaceful Long Bay Beach, 12-suite Quintessence Hotel dazzles with flower-filled gardens, a spectacular collection of Haitian art and elegant French cuisine.
For a laidback luxury home from home, the Shoal Bay Villas apartments, right on the powdery shores of Shoal Bay East, and the villas at Carimar Beach Club on Meads Bay are self-catered for those who like doing things their way and at their own pace. Luxe hideaways
Secluded private villas dot the island, too. The 7,000 sq ft Villa Alegria, just a minute from Sandy Point Beach, has its own oceanfront terrace, pool, hot tub – and optional private chef.
At the three luxurious Long Bay Villas, colour schemes evocative of Mykonos meet Caribbean views with sea facing private infinity pools, sunny terraces and a long stretch of empty beach.
A star of the BBC's Great British Menu, Anguillian chef Kerth Gumbs is a local culinary hero. Head to Celeste at the Malliouhana resort to try his Caribbean-inspired cuisine, including ceviche prepared table side, grouper with lemon butter, and stewed curried goat with rice and peas.
In Anguilla's West End, family home turned restaurant Sharky's serves up island flavours such as grilled shrimp in coconut lime curry sauce and stir-fried lobster.
At Tasty's in South Hill, owner-chef Dale Carty's conch fritters, seafood pasta and coconut-crusted fish with spicy banana rum sauce attract an appreciative crowd of regulars.
Anguillians love barbecue, and you'll pick up the glorious scent of roadside grills before you see them.
Favourites include lobster and ribs at B&D's BBQ near Malliouhana, run by a local family in their garden.
Jelly BBQ on The Valley Road is known for excellent Johnny cakes (a crispy, dumpling-style fried dough snack) and creamy scalloped potatoes.
For beach shacks, head to Shoal Bay East, home to a string of casual, friendly spots for eating and drinking with toes in the sand.
The margaritas and fish tacos at Olas are the stuff of local legend. Madeariman's lobster pizza goes perfectly with a cold Carib beer or two.
Gwen's Reggae Grill has live music from a scratch band on Sundays, and the mahi mahi sandwich at laidback Elodia's Beach Bar & Grill is a must – and best served with a rum punch on the side.
Over on Rendezvous Bay, larger than life Garvey mans the grill at SunShine Shack, the quintessential Anguillian beach hangout. Order ribs, chicken, lobster or snapper, then lounge on your sunbed to a reggae beat.
There's plenty to discover away from Anguilla's spectacular shores. Renting an open-topped, open-sided Moke from Moke Anguilla is a fun way to explore the island independently.
Sea Blue Excursions offers glass bottom kayak tours, while Scuba Shack AXA provides diving experiences, PADI courses and snorkelling trips. And you can ride gentle Caribbean-bred paso fino horses along the calm shallows of Cove Bay with Seaside Stables.
Salt has been harvested on Anguilla since the 17 th century – discover this heritage on a salt picking tour with Quest Experiences at Road Bay Pond.
Anguilla is surrounded by cays you can visit on day sails. The islet of Scilly Cay, just off the shore by the village of Island Harbour, hosts a friendly, family-run seafood bar and grill where you can kick back by the shore. Prickly Pear Island and Sandy Island offer snorkelling and swimming in waters so clear they hardly seem real, along with several restaurants and beach bars.
But the most romantic way to get out on the sea is aboard Tradition, a beautifully restored classic West Indian sloop, plying the waters of Anguilla on daytime and sunset voyages. Watching the sun sink into the ocean with a champagne cocktail in your hand is a sublime way to toast this beguiling island.
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