Anguilla Cruise Ship Destination Port

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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. 

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 Weather

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.

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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.

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ports > destinations > Anguilla
 

Anguilla

Sandy Ground Beach

sandy ground anguilla wiki photo

Port Entry Getting Around
Hurricanes Things to Do
News Area Events
Personal Safety Good to Know
Medical Services  

 

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 map

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.

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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

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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.

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Area Events

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. 10am - 11pm. 2013 date: Mar 30 & 31.

Valley Street Festival

This cultural extravaganza at the People’s Market with traditional cuisine, art and craft, Domino Competitions, face painting, live music, games and a cycling competition. 10am - 6pm. 2013 date: May 26

Welches Fest

Welches Fest takes place on the ball field in Welches Village on Whit Monday, a religious and Public Holiday.  Starting around 5:30 am you can have an old-fashioned breakfast of flour pap to start your day.  All things at this fest are of yesteryear including Food, toys and games and music.  530 am - 8 pm. 2013 date: May 27

Anguilla Regatta

Annual 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. 2013 date: Feb 22-24.

Anguilla Day

Anguilla achieved its independence from the joint statehood of St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla on May 30, 1967. Month long celebrations commemorate Anguilla Day. On Anguilla Day, the Around the Island Boat Race, is a race around the island, to and from Road Bay.

Queen's Birthday

Parade at James Ronald Webster Park and cocktails are served in the evening at Government House to invited guests. June 17

John T. Memorial Cycling Race & Valley Street Festival

Annual race held over a two-day period. Participation from regional and international cyclists. 10am - 6pm. 2013 date: July 6 & 7.

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.

J'ouvert Morning, August Monday Emancipation Day

Take to the streets in the Valley at 4:30 am and dance your way down to Sandy Ground to the pulsating rhythms of Anguilla’s superlative Soca Bands.  Boatraces and Beach Party. 4:30 -11:00 pm. August 5.

Grand Parade of Troupes

Revelers from villages all over the island are  joined by visitors from around the Caribbean and beyond for the grand parade through the streets of the Valley.  Colorful costumes depicting cultural and fantasy themes abound, and the winner of the Road March Band competition is announced. 1 - 9 pm. August 9.

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. 2013 date: July 26 - Aug 11.

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