20 Reasons to Take a Summer Vacation in Anguilla

"Tranquility Wrapped in Blue," Anguilla is calm 24x7x365. On the "relaxing richter," its peak season for soothing vibes is summer. The off-season in Anguilla can be split into three periods... May-late August. Late August-October. November-early December. With less traffic to the island in these months (late August-October being an excellent time of the year for those who long for Anguilla-of-yesteryear), comes less "hustle and bustle." No need to make reservations at some of the island's best restaurants. No need to rush to claim your beach chair on the sand. It may be hard to believe, but everything is *that* much more relaxing in summer.

Unlike other seasonal destinations (ex., Cape Cod), Anguilla's hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses stay open for the majority of the off-season. Most businesses only close come late August, re-opening at the end of October (but, even then, not all restaurants and hotels close their doors). From the likes of ultra-popular restaurants Straw Hat and Veya, to the road-side BBQs and food vans, to the charming shops and galleries, you can visit them all almost all summer long. (To stay up to date with closing/opening dates for restaurants, visit: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/off-season.html We will be updating this page as restaurants release their opening/closing dates.)

A relaxing vibe? Check. A plethora of restaurants at your finger tips? Check. What about the #1 thing we all crave when we visit Anguilla? The beaches! Come summer, they are at their very best. With the North Atlantic virtually storm-free in summer months, Anguilla's waters shine and sparkle on. Bump-free rides over from St. Martin, still-water days at the beach. The seas are perfectly placid, and the temperature is just the right type of warm.

... and so, it should come as no surprise that the visibility is extra-clear. Divers and snorkeling enthusiasts take note! Summer is your time to enjoy the clearest waters. Without "ground seas" (more common in winter), there is little disturbance and life under the sea is easy to see.

That also means that boat excursions to offshore cays are more "doable," too. The likes of Dog Island and Scrub Island can be too dangerous to moor off of in winter (due to high seas), making summer one of the best times of the years to enjoy these exotic and uninhabited islands, home to some of the most impressive and little-known Anguilla beaches. This is also the time of the year to take a trip by boat to St. Barths! Calypso leaves weekly and the ride is ultra-smooth in the calm summer months.

Perhaps most breathtaking of all, exploring Anguilla's waters intimately by SUP is best in summer when the ocean is ultra calm. Without strong currents and/or winds, paddling alongside the cliffs that surround Four Seasons on Meads Bay and line the coast of Little Bay is awe-inspiring, with premier business Anguilla Watersports at your side, guiding you every "paddle" of the way. (More on Anguilla Watersports here: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-watersports.html )

The seas sure sparkle something special come summer!

Yep, that is THE Shoal Bay East in summer. Just one example of "summer beach traffic" in Anguilla :-)

The best part of summer in Anguilla? Unlike Miami, temperatures don't skyrocket here in summer. Rarely do days go above 90F, making temperatures comparable to moderate summer days in Canada and the United States. With gentle cooling trades, summer is pleasantly warm while late fall is a touch cooler. (For specific information on the type of weather you can expect during the month you're on-island, visit: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-weather.html (and scroll down to and click on the month you are planning on visiting in).)

Speaking of weather, what about the risk of hurricanes? Hurricane Season officially begins June 1st and lasts until November 30th. Hurricanes, though, only become a more serious threat in September/October. Throughout the summer and late fall, hurricanes are rare.

What about "things to do" when you're in the mood to live it up? Anguilla's summer is in no short supply of festivities! From Valley Street Festival, to the Anguilla Open, to Carnival itself, the events are many. If you're seeking out some "fun in the sun" during your summer stay, plan around these top summer events...

Taking place every summer, the Anguilla Open is a must for golfers. Held at the luxurious CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, boasting an 18 hole Greg Norman designed PGA-style course, it's one of the best in the Caribbean. During the Anguilla Open, CuisinArt offers an excellent "Stay & Play" package to players and why not take a shot at winning a national championship title? ;-)

A historically significant day, Anguilla Day marks Anguilla's separation from St. Kitts. It is celebrated with the ultra-popular Around-the-Island boat race. Skilled sailors hoist the sails of their hand-crafted Anguilla sail boats and race around the entire island. Inland, excitement builds as hundreds of boatrace fans race across the island, seeking the best vantage points to keep track of the boats. The island's national sport, Anguillians take boat racing seriously! Both following the sail boats by car or by boat (many speed boats and "party boats" follow the boats in the water) makes for an excellent way to take part in the fun, ending the afternoon back at Sandy Ground for a big beach party and an evening of celebrations! (More information on Anguilla's unique history of boat racing here: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-boat-racing.html )

August Monday (the first monday in August) is without a doubt one of the most exciting and fun-filled parties in the Caribbean, and the biggest day of Anguilla's Carnival festival (held every year in summer). It all begins at 4am with "Jouvert Morning." People come dressed to impress and party through the streets from The Valley, following their favorite musical bands as they drive down to Sandy Ground, parade-float-style. The rest of the afternoon? It's spent on Sandy Ground at THE massive party. Starting at about 11am, boats from neighboring islands line the harbor 2 and even 3 rows deep. Party-goers flock to the beach as soca artists take the stage and BBQs blaze. The party goes well into the evening and can even trickle over into Tuesday when the music is *really* good.

Calmer than August Monday, August Thursday is also marked with a boat race that starts and ends at Meads Bay. BBQs serving up eats and drinks are in full swing as people relax on the sands, enjoying the lively spirit on the beach and the beautiful sail boats depart and arrive back once again.

August Monday and August Thursday both fall into Anguilla's Carnival. The island's most anticipated holiday, even bigger than Christmas many say. The celebrations and festivities are many, lasting an entire week. From beauty pageants, to calypso contests, to the vibrant Grand Parade of Troupes, Carnival is a special time of the year in Anguilla. A jovial spirit in the air, it's a piece of Anguilla's culture that is not to be missed. (More on Carnival here: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-carnival.html)

From the blissful untouched beaches, to the outstanding dining, to the lively cultural festivals, the reasons to visit in summer are many. One more? It's more affordable than any other time of the year. A cheaper overall vacation begins with the flights. Anguilla's regional hubs (SJU (San Juan) and SXM (St. Maarten)) have flights from major US, Canadian and European cities weekly in the off-season, with lower rates than any other time of the year. (More on how to get to Anguilla here: http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/how-to-get-to-anguilla.html )

On top of lower fares, every transit point in the Caribbean, from Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten to the ferry terminal in Marigot, St. Martin, is far less crowded than in winter, and as a result, are more relaxed, making travel as calm as "back in the day." (The only caveat is during August Monday and the day before and after. Just about everyone in the region heads to Anguilla for August Monday. Be sure to make travel arrangements outside of that date.)

Lastly, summer is the season of excellent accommodation rates. Come mid-April, nearly every hotel/villa on the island drops their rates. Whether a five-star beach front resort or a modest hotel, the price is far lower (up to 50% less) than in winter months.

Beyond the lower rates, many hotels and villas hold outstanding, high-value specials come the off-season, too!