The green-list Caribbean island opening its doors to Britain this week
Do you love beaches? I'm talking long white sands, fringed with warm turquoise waters, that never get busy – even in normal, non-pandemic times. Anguilla has 33, including Meads Bay, which is among the finest in the Caribbean. After all we've been through in the past year, a holiday on this small, arid Leeward Island, just 16 miles long with only 15,000 residents, would be unfailingly restorative – and there's much more to enjoy than you might imagine.
For a start, Anguilla is a well-run British Overseas Territory with welcoming overtones -– driving on the left, a day off for the Queen's Birthday, a splendid avenue of mahogany trees planted in 1937 to honour the Coronation of King George VI. At the Heritage Collection Museum in East End, run by local historian Colville Petty OBE, you can learn why the Union Jack still sits in the top left corner of the national flag and how the island had a bizarre 'revolution' in the late 1960s.
In September 2017 Hurricane Irma stormed in with 185mph winds, but it had a silver lining – Anguilla's now-rebuilt luxury beach resorts are in magnificent shape. Flagship five-star properties include Moorish-style Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, which sits beside a perfect crescent of sand in Maundays Bay, and the glamorous, cliff-top Malliouhana in Meads Bay. The island has a golf course with the companion Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa which will suit sporty families and re-opens October 28 following renovations.
Up until April 20, Anguilla had had only 30 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and it has been praised by the World Health Organisation for its “model response” to the coronavirus. A sudden cluster of infections then forced a month-long lockdown which was successfully contained, and the island's borders re-opened on May 25. For the latest health statistics see beatcovid19.ai.
How can I get there?
Fly to Antigua with British Airways from Gatwick, or with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, then connect to Anguilla with TransAnguilla or Anguilla Air Services, which takes 50 minutes. Alternatively, Air France and KLM fly from various UK airports, via Paris and Amsterdam respectively, to St Maarten. From here ferry services to Anguilla take 30 minutes. All travellers need to meet the Covid-19 requirements of these transit countries.
What are the entry restrictions?
From July 1 travellers who have been fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arrival do not need to quarantine. All visitors, including children, must apply for entry via ivisitanguilla.com and submit a negative Covid-19 test result received three to five days before travel – only one type of test is accepted.
When should I visit?
Some hotels and restaurants traditionally close for a period between August and November (the hurricane season), although this year may be different. Prices are highest from mid-December to the Easter holidays, with some dips in between. Temperatures average 27C throughout the year and there are always refreshing sea breezes.
Where should I stay?
Some resorts like Cap Juluca and Cuisinart are isolated, while others, such as those beside the beaches at Meads Bay and East Shoal Bay, have bars and restaurants you can walk to. Tranquility Beach Anguilla is the island's newest hotel and Properties in Paradise has a selection of villas.
What can I do?
It's all about the dream beach and dazzling ocean here, backed up with a vibrant foodie scene that runs from starry hotel restaurants to funky food trucks – expect to dine on superb local fish and lobster. Day-sails to enjoy a boozy lunch on a pancake-size isle are a specialty – make the short crossing to Sandy Island or sail to Prickly Pear Cay aboard Tradition, a 40 year-old hand-crafted sloop. After dark, search for turtles in a transparent kayak fitted with LED lights, then dance under the stars to local rock star Bankie Banx. There is no public transport and taxis are pricey, so consider renting a car for a few days to explore -– you'll need to buy a local driving permit.
How to do it
Seven nights in a gardenview deluxe room at Malliouhana departing August 12 costs from ￡2,619 per person, including breakfast and UK lounge passes, with Elegant Resorts (01244 897587; elegantresorts.co.uk).
Carimar Beach Club has self-catering villas set beside Meads Bay Beach. Seven nights in a one-bedroom beachview suite departing August 2 costs from ￡1,880 per person, room-only, with Tropic Breeze (01752 880880; tropicbreeze.co.uk).
Both packages include British Airways flights from Gatwick to Antigua, connecting flights and transfers.
For more information, see ivisitanguilla.com