Anguilla
by Nick MarshallIn July, Island Global Yachting announced plans to build a luxury marina complex at the Altamer resort on Shoal Bay West in Anguilla. The development, due to be finished in late 2009, will become the official entry port to the quiet British Overseas Territory, and will have around 30 megayacht slips out of 101 in total, with a 164-unit resort, duty free shopping and restaurants. Incredibly, this will be Anguilla’s first marina. What can the megayacht crowd expect?
Anguilla is a badly kept secret: elite US style magazines have been cooing for years about the pristine beaches (and these ones really are) the high-end dining and the excellent golf. Two-mile long Shoal Bay East is regularly ranked among the world’s best beaches, while Greg Norman’s 18-hole championship Tenemos Course has some of the best views, greens and service in the Caribbean, with green fees to match (around $400). For dining, CuisinArt Resort and Spa and Cap Juluca are both favored by the jet set, with food that is truly excellent.
However, Anguilla has quietly been wooing a different type of customer altogether: the one who wants to be left alone, wander unperturbed on the beach, maybe even shoot some pool in a bar without ending up in the National Enquirer. While the island cannot match the harbour at Gustavia or the services and air connections in St Maarten, it does tranquil better than anywhere else. When Brad and Jen broke up, they were spotted in Anguilla. When another Hollywood megastar, staying in one of the island’s private villas, fancied a lobster lunch at Scilly Cay, he took the ferry from Island Harbour like anyone else. Staff then scattered conch shells on the island’s helipad to prevent any uninvited paparazzi from dropping in. Ask the owner who else has dined on the idyllic island, which can be hired privately, and your jaw will drop accordingly.
Anguilla has stayed special by refusing to sell out. Much of the land, while dry and rocky, remains undeveloped. You could easily drive through the capital, The Valley, without realizing, but could leave the keys in the ignition if you did stop for a wander. The pace of life is stereotypically slow as Caribbean islands go. Traffic is almost non-existent and local nightlife is generally hosted by whomever’s car has the loudest speakers.
For the sailing community, the area around Road Bay/Sandy Ground offers a stunning anchorage (as is Crocus Bay around the corner) with some great beach bars. It is here than Anguilla holds its regatta in May, the Anguilla Sailing Association runs its Optimist training, and the famous local boat racing kicks off in August. Clearance and Immigration are currently in Road Bay, while the ferry from St Martin docks at Blowing Point.
With the construction of Anguilla’s first marina, and a luxury one at that, this quiet corner of the British West Indies could be in for a dramatic change, but local Anguillians have seen enough of neighboring St Maarten to know about over-development. Instead, the 16 mile-long, 3 mile-wide island should soon be a viable option for the guest who wants to get away from it all, with style.