Dar26cod

Is it best to stay on the Caribbean side or the Atlantic side of Anguilla and does it make any difference? The resorts seem to be all over the island. We are looking for a 1 bedroom apt with pool, kitchen, non-smoking and a/c.for not more than $325. or so. We will have a car so it doesnt need to be on the beach. We are swimmers and prefer swimming in a pool. Have been looking at Paradise Cove and Allamanda. All suggestions will be greatly appreciate. Thanks!! You guys are wonderful.

RoamsAround

Anguilla is a unique island in that it is a "narrow" strip of land that is more or less oriented so that the long axis runs from the northeast quadrant to the southwest quadrant. If you look at a map of Anguilla you'll get a good feel for what I described. What this means is only the very small northeastern tip of the island is exposed to the open waters of the Atlantic and if memory serves me correct the shore there is fairly rocky. The rest of the island (where just about all the beaches are located) is lapped by waters that are generally calm since the long axis side that has the northwestern exposure is on the "leeward" side of the island and the long axis side that faces southeast is "protected" from the winds and surf by the island of St. Martin. So the simple answer is it doesn't make too much difference on which side of the island you stay.

MaryD

Depends on when you're going. In late October and into November, there are often large storms waaaay out in the ATlantic. They don't affect the gorgeous sunshine & blue skies but a number of times we have seen 6 and 8 foot waves on the beaches on the Atlantic; the rest of the year they are calm. On the other hand, sometimes in January & February, the Caribbean side beaches get very windy and although the water is nice, the sand can really whip your legs. Most of the rest of the year, the waters of Anguilla are calm & very turquoise (serenity wrapped in blue is the island motto). Of course, if it's rough on "your" beach, you can always go to one of the other 33 beaches. I can't remember if Ocean Terrace has a pool but they're lovely & large. I think the Paradise Coce pool is a lot larger than ALlamanda's but I'm having trouble picturing the Allamanda pool.

BellaClaire

I prefer Shoal Bay EAST.....which is on the Atlantic side....there is a reef - so the water is totally calm and beautiful.....when I've gone to Shoal Bay WEST - it's had seaweed and the waves were a big bigger - if you want calm beautiful water - that's what I would suggest.

alr0495

I prefer the Caribbean side in the winter and the Atlantic side in the summer. It feels breezier on the Caribbean side, which has a nice cooling effect. I just returned from staying on the Caribbean side and the wind was actually a little too strong. To be on the beach at Cuisinart we had sand blowing in our faces. But that's not always the case.

pegpaz

Not sure when you are going, but we stayed at the Cuisinart in March one year and the resort and the beach there were fantastic. My husband surprised me with a trip there for my 50th. Have a great time!

HowardC

Check out www.skyauction.com. Click on Caribbean and then Rest of Caribbean. Paradise Cove has a studio suite package up for auction. Have stayed at Paradise Cove and it is nice. They provide beach chairs and umbrellas to take with you beach hopping. It is not far from Cove bay beach