New York City 5 hrs

Boston 5.5 hrs

Miami 3.5 hrs

Philadelphia 5 hrs

Los Angeles 8.5 hrs

Chicago 6 hrs

Dallas-Forth Worth 5.5 hrs

San Francisco 9.5 hrs

The Valley: The capital of Anguilla, as well as the major cultural and administrative center. In the past few years, the town has added several shopping malls and new government headquarters. A small art gallery, large salt ponds and turn-of-the-century West Indian architecture can also be found here.

Northeast Coast: Visitors who want to access the northeast coast may need a four-wheel drive vehicle, but they'll be rewarded with the isolated beach of Captain's Bay, and the calm waters of Island Harbour.

Northwest Coast: The northwest coast is a dream come true for windsurfers and snorkelers alike. Little Bay boasts spectacular vine-covered cliffs and Road Bay is the best spot to watch the glorious sunset. At Sandy Island, visitors can catch the ferry to Sandy Ground.

Southeast Coast: On the southeast coast, Mimi Bay has reefs that are perfect for snorkeling. Nearby Sandy Hill is a popular base for many fisherman, and Shoal Bay East is one of the prettiest beaches in all of the Caribbean.

Southwest Coast: Lined with coconut palms and home to the popular Maunday's Bay, where the swimming and snorkeling is top-notch. Rendezvous Bay offers a great view of St. Martin.

Anguilla is actually a long, flat coral formation. The highest point is only about 200 feet above sea level. The island's 35 square miles are home to countless limestone caves, bays, coves, and salt ponds. The northernmost of the Leeward Islands, Anguilla is just five miles north of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

The tropical seasons are "Wet" and "Dry," with overall warm and sunny weather year-round. Temperatures average 74° in the Dry season from December to May, and an average of 81° in the Wet season from June to November. The heart of hurricane season lasts from late August to early November, though strikes are rare and there is plenty of advance notice to prepare. When threatened by a hurricane strike, one should expect a 2-day displacement from evacuation to safe return.

Like all Caribbean islands, this is a year-round destination, with some seasons that are busier than others. The most popular time to visit is December through May, when the weather is at its best and the majority of activities are scheduled. The most relaxing time, however, is really from April-November, when the crowds are smallest.

Anguilla is best known for its serene atmosphere and its wide and pristine white-sand beaches. You can lazily soak up the Caribbean sun then swim, snorkle, and scuba dive in clear, warm water harboring a thriving marine ecosystem. Elegance and romance come easily amid the island's many gourmet restaurants, and the long, quiet shoreline.

Beaches: Anguilla's perfect white-sand beaches are among the prettiest in the world. You'll have your choice of long, deserted stretches or social spots lined with bars and restaurants. You can wade carefree in gentle water or skip along white-caps on a windsurfer.

·*Captain's Bay on the northeast coast, is isolated and has a strong surf.

·*Barnes Bay has sheer cliffs covered with creeping vines and is ideal for night dives.

·*Road Bay has clear blue waters spotted with magnificent yachts, and spectacular sunsets to boot.

·*Sandy Island is nestled in coral reefs and has boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

·*Sandy Hill on the southeast coast has fisherman selling their freshly caught fish and lobster right off the boats.

·*Shoal Bay East is one of the area's most beautiful spots, set against sea-grape and coconut trees.

·*Cove Bay on the southwest coast has a little bar that rents floats, umbrellas, and mats.

·*Maunday's Bay is great for swimming and snorkeling.

·*Rendezvous Bay has calm water and a great view of St Martin.

Scuba Diving: Divers love the long barrier reef and crystal-clear waters. At Stoney Bay Marine Park divers can explore an 18th-century Spanish vessel that sank in 1772.

Water Sports: Most resorts offer complimentary windsurfers, water skis, and paddle-boats to their guests. There are also many dive shops that rent various water sports equipment, and the island is peppered with locals renting boats.

Cruises: A wide variety of sea excursions are available, from day sails to sunset sails to moonlight cruises. Cruise on a 35-foot catamaran or a glass-bottomed boat, among others.

Fountain Cave: Discovered in 1979, the Fountain Cave is a dome-shaped cavern that shelters several freshwater pools. It contains petroglyphs on the walls, and a 16-foot stalagmite carved with the image of Jocahu, a Taino Indian god.

Amerindian Mini-Museum: Showcases a small display of Arawak Indian objects. A 4'x 8' oil painting interprets what Big Springs, a nearby ceremonial ground, may have looked like when Amerindians lived there.

Heritage Collection: Get a taste of the island's history with artifacts, old photos, and records from as far back as the Arawaks. Stone tools and ancient pottery shards are on display.

Old Prison: The highest point on the island is this prison on Crocus Hill, at just 213 feet above sea level. In addition to its historic interest, the view is the best on the island.

Wallblake House: This plantation house was built in 1787. Highlights include the impressive woodwork, a vaulted stone cistern, and an outbuilding called The Bakery, where turkeys and hams were baked.

Warden's Place: This plantation Great House was built in the 1790s and now houses a restaurant, though for many years it was the residence of the island's chief administrator.

Shopping: Anguilla Arts & Crafts is one of the best places for painted wood carvings, pottery, textiles, and ceramics. The Devonish Art Gallery has works by Anguillan, Caribbean, and international artists. On Saturdays, you can watch artists create pottery. The Boutique at Malliouhana is quite upscale, with jewelry, beachwear, sportswear, evening dresses, bathing suits, and knick-knacks.

Great dining abounds on Anguilla, which is home to several world-class restaurants. You can also look forward to great cooking in a multitude of "islandy" seaside shacks. Almost every place has open-air dining, and many have terraces for dining under the stars. French and Continental cuisine are popular, and Asian influences creeping in as well. Fresh seafood highlights most menus, of course, with favorites like fresh lobster, crayfish, red snapper, whelk, and conch.

Gourmet: Pimms is one the most elegant restaurants on Anguilla, where you dine at candlelit tables overlooking the beach. Some tables are so close to the water that you see fish swimming by! The ever-changing menu features imaginative seafood dishes, often with Asian touches. Specialties include pan-seared tuna with risotto, grilled Anguillan lobster, mustard-rusted grouper, and filet mignon. Maunday's Bay

Highly Recommended: Blanchards is set on a seaside garden pavilion that lets in the ocean breeze. The sophisticated food has a Caribbean flair accented with spices from Spain, Asia, and California. Some of the delicious dishes include Cajun grouper over onion marmalade and swordfish stuffed with leeks and fontina cheese. The rich and creative desserts include cappuccino brownies and a gingerbread box filled with warm bananas and cinnamon cream. There is an excellent and wide selection of wine and fine cognacs. Meads Bay

Local Flair: Cora's Pepperpot is one of the most charming restaurants on the island. Indulge in Cora's rotis, inspired by the roti of Trinidad. The many different varieties are made with minced stuffings of conch, meat, duck, vegetables, or potato. Other local favorites include Anguilla pea soup and steamed and curried goat. The Valley

Romantic: Arlo's wide terrace sits on a cliff 50 feet above the sea. The chef introduces a Mediterranean flair to French and Italian dishes by combining local ingredients with European recipes. Tantalizing entrees includes seafood fettuccine, farfalle with salmon in dill sauce, and chicken stuffed with mushrooms and spinach in a lobster sauce. Lower South Hill

Both locals and tourists head to the beachfront bars to start their night against a stunning sunset, and they stay for the festive local music. Many of the island's hotels also offer fun-filled evening entertainment, such as West Indian parties, barbecues, singers, and musicians.

Palm Grove Bar & Grill: This beachfront locale offers both a terrific restaurant and a happening nightspot. People come from all over the island to dance to live music on the white-sand beach. And fresh-caught lobster, crayfish and shrimp are always on the grill. Junk's Hole Bay

Johnno's Beach Stop: Celebrities and locals alike flock here to dance the night away to the island music - soca, reggae and jazz - by local bands. The open-air setup lets in the sunlight and sea breezes, and you can snack on grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, and fresh fish. Sandy Ground

The Pumphouse: What was once an old salt house is now one of the best barefoot beach bars on the island. The wide front entrance is brightly decorated in colored light, and the bar serves more than 30 different rums. Entertainment includes live reggae and merengue. Delicious food is a sure thing. Sandy Ground

National Cultural & Educational Festival: Celebrates Anguilla's culture with dancing, storytelling, games and music. February

Moonsplash: This 3-day music festival features local performers. March

Anguilla Culinary Competition: The best island chefs and talented amateurs face-off for prizes with their most mouth-watering creations. The real winners are the visitors tasting all these island delicacies! May

International Arts Festival: Artists from around the Caribbean enter their creations in a prize competition. There are also fun workshops. July

Carnival/Summer Festival: This festival brings a week of Calypso competitions, pageants, band contests, and street dancing parties. Boat races are held almost every day. August

The laid-back atmosphere of Anguilla is reflected in its very casual dress code - bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, and sandals. This is appropriate night and day, except in a few of the most upscale restaurants. Also, you may need a light sweater for winter evenings.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Sunburn & Heatstroke: The sun can be harsh, especially in summer, so sunblock and a hat are essential. Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

English is the official language of Anguilla, and locals typically speak with a West Indian accent.

The electricity is 110 volts/60 cycles AC, the same as in the US so you will not need an adapter.

We strongly recommend that you verify the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Entry: A valid US passport is required.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Anguilla Customs: Visitors can bring in the following items duty-free: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and 1.136 liters of liquor or wine.

US Customs: Upon return to the US, visitors may bring in $800 worth of merchandise without paying duty. The next $1,000 worth of merchandise is charged at 10%. Gifts of up to $50 may be sent home duty-free. One quart of alcoholic beverage may be brought in duty-free, as well as 5 cartons of cigarettes.

Anguilla Tourist Office: PO Box 1388, Factory Plaza, The Valley, Anguilla, West Indies, phone 800-553-4939

New York: Medhurst and Associates, 1208 Washington Drive, Centerport, NY 11721, phone 516-425-0900

San Francisco: Soleil International World Trade Center, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94111, phone 415-398-3231