green leisures : trekking and excursions in the Northern Islands
Trails and discovery in Anguilla
Our list includes famous and less well-known attractions alike. Please note
that the trail sometimes takes its distance from the coastline, and in order
to reach beach after beach you will sometimes need to make long and often
quite steep detours. If you’re on Anguilla for the day, don’t even dream
about seeing all there is to see, as there are more than thirty sites and
trails to follow, so try to select the one you would least like to miss. If
you’re of the energetic and curious type, rent a jeep on arrival and plunge
into discovery as soon as possible, don’t waste time! As for us, we began
our island tour by following the coastline right after we disembarked West
of Blowing Point.
Before arriving to Rendez-Vous Bay, stop a while at Sandy Point, a place
widely appreciated by Anguillians due to its white sand and shallow waters.
Rendezvous Bay : : great bay neighbouring Blowing Point, right
after “Cul-de-Sac” of the funny name, a breathtaking deserted beach, with
pretty and discreetly visible hotels and a gorgeous view of Saint Maarten…
the bay is simply magnificent.
Cove : situated right after Rendez-Vous Bay. A long beach with no
hotels, a pretty place to take a rest or have a snack on the seaside,
appreciating the fabulous view of Saint Maarten.
Maunday's Bay : a pleasant, shady beach with fine sand and a
hotel.
Shoal Bay West : : beautiful beach with fine sand, slightly raised,
an ideal point to take plunge into the water from… One of the wealthiest of
all Canadian families, the Bronfmans were so enthralled by this small bay
that they decided to buy a house here. Be careful not to confuse Shoal Bay
West with the famous Shoal Bay.
At this point you can choose to continue your trail directly towards Barnes
Bay, following Albert Hugues Road, or to take a moment and quickly visit
Sherricks Bay, an entirely untamed and deserted beach.
Barnes Bay : a shady beach a bit further off, considered a hidden
pearl of the region that even certain locals don’t know. This might be a
reason why Robert De Niro and Robin Williams –among many others of course-
chose this spot for their holidays…have a look, take a stroll and decide for
yourself.
West End Bay : : composed of two similar parts. As its name
hints, it is situated at the Western tip of the island. The beach here is
rocky and wild, very beautiful but not shaded from the sun. Slightly further
West of this beach, Blolly Ham Bay is also a place to see, although
accessible only by boat.
Meads Bay : the road leads directly through this fabulous beach
of fine sand, with a great number of tourists, hotels and restaurants.
Long Bay : a difficult way leads from Flemmings Market to this
long, sandy beach. A charming place, ideal for a stroll with Him or Her.
Road Bay (Sandy Ground) : One of the most well-known sites on the
island, opposite Blowing Point, close to the village and sheltered from
large waves. In spite of this and the significant number of yachts around,
not many people visit this pretty beach, though the August regattas tend to
attract huge crowds and nights are generally more lively here than elsewhere
on the island. Opposite Road Bay lies the magnificent and uninhabited isle
of Sandy Island, which you can access by boat for a return fare of 6 US$
enabling you to spend the day there without paying a cruising tax.
Inhabitants, yachtsmen and photographers equally delight in this small
island, for more detailed information ask around in Johnno’s Restaurant.
Katouche Bay : : an untamed location, seriously damaged by
Hurricane Luis, an ideal place for snorkelling among its wild rocks. Ask
around for accessibility, as you need to pass by a private way to get there.
Crocus Bay : further down the same road, you will arrive directly
to the island’s capital. In this bay you will find a marine life reserve, as
well as caves, making the bay a modal location for snorkelling. If you’re
interested in spotting turtles, it’s the perfect place to go.
Little Bay : : a small sandy beach edged with a beautiful cliff,
what more could we say? The bay is a nesting place for various birds, in
particular the brown booby, and a small cave can also be explored in the
region.
Limestone Bay : small beach with white sand, easily accessible,
deserted, quiet and pleasant.
Flat Cap Point : the sharp stretch of land separating Little Bay
and Limestone Bay, ideal to access by boat and a great spot for snorkelling.
Black Garden Bay : a small, completely deserted beach of fine
sand; mostly unused by the population, hidden from sight with only few
people around….but quite difficult to access.
Shoal Bay : passing through The Fountain, North Side Road leads
to this most magnificent of all sandy beaches in the region. Traders of the
area take pride in this bay, well-known as one of the most fabulous spots in
the Caribbean…and as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the whole
world! How about that? The sight of the white sand embracing the turquoise
waters of the lagoon is a memorable experience to linger for a long time in
the minds of the visitor. The site actually consists of two parts, and the
further stretch of the beach is known as Upper Shoal Bay. Ideal for the
solitary traveller, but also perfect for couples and families.
b>Island Harbour : a pretty bay but the beach here is rather plain,
although certainly picturesque with the small port of fishermen and coconut
trees which ensure beautiful photographs. The tiny island of Scilly Cay is
accessible from here.
Captains Bay : beach with fine sand, though extremely windy with huge
waves to watch out for, quite dangerous for swimming. For easy access, take
the road leading to Windward Point, the beach lies 2.5 km from the trail.
Windward Point : If you did not choose to leave the road in the
direction of Captains Bay, continue straight on until you arrive to the
extreme Eastern tip of the island (the same road leads there and back, a bit
steep towards the end and you will certainly need to walk a while). The site
is undeniably wild; we would especially recommend it to solitary thinkers or
romantic types, as it is not the best place to consider swimming: Bretons
are sure to appreciate its untamed nature! You can catch a glimpse of the
uninhabited Scrub Island, and if your eyesight is good, you may even spot
Saint Maarten and Saint Barths.
Savannah Bay : the beach resembles Martinique’s Cap Macre with
its fine sand, few people, beach restaurant and pleasant sea breeze, though
shade is scarce.
Mimi Bay : accessible on leaving Liberty Road, the beach is apart
and extremely wild and hot. To avoid if your time is running low.
Sea Feathers Bay : still on Liberty Road, this is one of those
areas where the jet set have chosen to build their villas. The beach is
pretty and the sea is calm, but we would advise you to continue on your way
if your time is limited.
Long Pond Bay : untamed, barren, with a rough sea.
Forest Bay : pleasant sea breeze, little sand, coconut trees, but
damage from Hurricane Luis can still be observed.
Corito Bay : : almost entirely deserted, with a sole house to
watch over the bay. The beach is very small, and though its small, shallow
creek is one of the region’s most pleasant spots, we would advise you to
move on if your time is short.
Little Harbour Bay : a tiny harbour of civilisation after all
those deserted beaches. The bay is set back from the road, but the proximity
of the beach is well equipped.
The tour of the island is drawing to its end, you are now approaching your
point of departure. If you have walked too fast and you have plenty of time
left before taking the boat, there are a number of smaller beaches to visit
before arriving to the port of Blowing Point.
Trails and discovery in Saba
Tropical forest here is what beaches are for Anguilla, so the main tourist
attraction of the island is trekking. The most well-known hiking route is to
the top of Mount Scenery, the highest point in Holland, considering the fact
that we are in the same country as Amsterdam.
Green tourism is extremely important for the island in scuba diving and
trekking sectors alike, this is why numerous hiking trails were created
under the responsibility of the Saba Conservation Foundation. Whether you
prefer to arrive by boat or plane (the latter option being simply
spectacular), the general view of the island is a breathtaking experience
you’ll never forget, particularly when the peak of Mt Scenery is enveloped
in clouds: a real Hollywood-style cliché. You will no doubt have the
impression you’re in Dominica (North of Martinique) or Saint Vincent
(Grenadines).
Arriving on the island, you will immediately begin to respect those
hard-headed, tough colonists who never gave up their combat with nature’s
elements. It is unquestionably due to the wild, disconcerting nature of
their island that they nicknamed it “The Unspoiled Queen”. It is true:
inhabitants of the island have never been spoilt and live only with what is
essential even in our technologically advanced days. If you are interested
in climbing Mt Scenery, drop in to the Tourist Office, where they will
supply you with all necessary brochures and detailed maps indispensable for
the trek, as well as with information on other possible walks. Note,
however, that the same problem may arise here as in the case of Mount Pele
on Martinique: view from the summit of the mountain may be obscured by
clouds, not to mention the possibility of rain.
When an island decides to declare its preference for green tourism and scuba
diving, it is obvious that its atmosphere will be far from the hustle and
bustle of Saint Maarten. The most animated town on the island is
Windwardside, which is where you will find the greatest choice of shops and
restaurants.
Trails and discovery in Saint Eustatius
The Orange Fort and Quill Volcano can be visited in the course of one
day, and will reveal the entire history of the island.
The Quill : The peak of this extinguished volcano offers an
exceptional view towards the island and the ocean. However, climbing the
Quill Volcano is only suggested to those in good physical condition.
Windt Fort : An 18th century fort, constructed on the Southern side
of the island, overhangs the Caribbean and proposes a beautiful view of St
Kitts.
Fort Oranje (Orange Fort) : Built in the 17th century to ensure the
island’s defence
Royal Fort : Magnificent view of Orange Bay.
Signal Hill : Summit situated in the centre of the island, with a
lovely panorama of the two small Statian towns, the tiny airport and the
volcano.
Gilboa Hill : A magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, to the North
of the island.
Zeelandia Beach : A beautiful and calm beach, ideal to marvel at the
splendour of the rising sun. (North side).
Lynch Beach : A place to relax and enjoy the calm, or take a pleasant
stroll on the seaside.
Oranjestad Beach : a reminder of days gone by with its ancient ruins
in the sea.
Places to see
History Museum : Oranjestad Town. An 18th century colonial mansion.
Roman Catholic Church : Oranjestad Town
Synagogue : Oranjestad Town. A proof of the importance of the Jewish
community in 18th century St Eustatius.
