Anguilla or Antigua
Dec 10th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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Antigua has limited snorkeling from shore, and what there is is not fabulous. Moderate, yes. Fabulous, no. I've never been to Anguilla, so I can't make any direct comparisons, but I believe that it also has moderate from-shore snorkeling.
Dec 11th, 2006, 05:27 AM
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Agree with what others say, off-beach snorkeling on Antigua is limited and what there is is nothing to write home about. You need a boat to reach other snorkeling places but they are not among the best in the Caribbean.
On Anguilla there is a nice, but small, snorkeling reef at Shoal Bay East. The trouble is that you'll see everything there is to see in about 30 minutes. There's decent snorkeling off of Little Bay Beach but you either have to climb down a 30 foot cliff on a rope ladder or go by boat to reach the beach. The best snorkeling in the area is off of Prickley Pear Island - there are several tour operators who take day trips (which include lunch) to that island.
You'll find excellent off-beach snorkeling throughout the USVI's and BVI's (especially on St, John and Virgin Gorda), the Caymans and on Bonaire.
On Anguilla there is a nice, but small, snorkeling reef at Shoal Bay East. The trouble is that you'll see everything there is to see in about 30 minutes. There's decent snorkeling off of Little Bay Beach but you either have to climb down a 30 foot cliff on a rope ladder or go by boat to reach the beach. The best snorkeling in the area is off of Prickley Pear Island - there are several tour operators who take day trips (which include lunch) to that island.
You'll find excellent off-beach snorkeling throughout the USVI's and BVI's (especially on St, John and Virgin Gorda), the Caymans and on Bonaire.
Dec 11th, 2006, 06:02 AM
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Which is not to say that both Anguilla and Antigua are great destinations in their own right. If snorkeling is not a high priority on your list, either island can provide ample diversions and pleasures.
Anguilla has those quintessential Caribbean beaches--miles of white sand, blinding turquoise waters. It is also among the best islands for fine dining experiences and upscale villas & hotels. Interior is rather arid and scrubby, less developed. From here you can daytrip conveniently over to St. Martin for lots of duty free shopping, casinos, more action.
Antigua's beaches are lovely but more covelike. The longest beach is just over a mile long. The island is overall less upscale than Anguilla--there are a few fine dining places and a couple of truly upscale hotels. But the topography is very attractive--green rolling hills in the west, more limestone and succulents to the east. It has a wonderful sailing ambience, and you'll find a slightly wider range of activities here. From here you can daytrip easily to most islands in the eastern Caribbean (it's the home base for two regional airlines), but perhaps most notably to sister island Barbuda, which is all about the beach, and to neighboring Montserrat, which is fascinating for a helicopter tour of the still-active volcano. These two islands are much more difficult to reach from any place except Antigua.
Anguilla has those quintessential Caribbean beaches--miles of white sand, blinding turquoise waters. It is also among the best islands for fine dining experiences and upscale villas & hotels. Interior is rather arid and scrubby, less developed. From here you can daytrip conveniently over to St. Martin for lots of duty free shopping, casinos, more action.
Antigua's beaches are lovely but more covelike. The longest beach is just over a mile long. The island is overall less upscale than Anguilla--there are a few fine dining places and a couple of truly upscale hotels. But the topography is very attractive--green rolling hills in the west, more limestone and succulents to the east. It has a wonderful sailing ambience, and you'll find a slightly wider range of activities here. From here you can daytrip easily to most islands in the eastern Caribbean (it's the home base for two regional airlines), but perhaps most notably to sister island Barbuda, which is all about the beach, and to neighboring Montserrat, which is fascinating for a helicopter tour of the still-active volcano. These two islands are much more difficult to reach from any place except Antigua.
