We are planning a feb. trip (one week) to anguilla and are staying at the madeariman. Everyone says we need a car--we like to walk (walking 2-3 miles to dinner is fine). If we don't rent one ahead of time, will it be hard to get one?

Also, we are thinking of a day trip to st. Barts--good idea?

There are a few places that serve dinner on or near Shoal Bay East but I would get a car for a few days as many of the very best restaurants are on the other end of the island (more like 8-10 miles). If you're going President's Day week, you should book in advance. For the past few years, we have gotten the very best rate from Avis (booked on-line before we got there -- they don't offer the same rates on the island). Also, there are 33 beaches -- you will definitely want to see others!

St. Barts involves a ferry to St. Martin & then a ferry to St Barts or a plane ride. The last time I checked, you had to fly thru St. Martin. Kind of a hassle for a day. The shopping is fabulous but a lot of the stores close for several hours mid-day and the beaches can't compare to Anguilla. We like it there (but prefer Anguilla); it's very pretty but we've never tried to do it in a day.

Thanks--if we are taking the ferry over from St. Marten, where would we pick up the car?

Hi - most of the rental agencies will be happy to deliver the car to you at the hotel. They won't deliver to the ferry but you can take a ferry to your hotel and arrange to have the car waiting for you when you arrive.

Ummm, typing waaaayyyy to fast. I meant taking the TAXI to your hotel, not the ferry. Although, a fun way to get from SXM directly to your hotel is to take a private boat (we love Gotcha) from across the street from the airport. They will take you through customs on AXA and then drop you off on the beach in front of your hotel. A little expensive but well worth it!

We used Bryan's car rental on our trip last May. Ronnie is great to work with. He will drop the car off to you and you can leave it at the ferry on you way home.

www.nancweb.com/bryans/index.php

We stayed at Cap Juluca. Able to walk to a bunch of restaurants. We brought a flashlight and walked 20-30 mins (Altamer, Picante, Smokey's, Mangoe's, Tramanto). Dirt roads are OK to walk - the main road I'd be a little careful. There's not a lot of light and NO shoulders on the road (which makes biking tough!)

If you stay in the West End you will be fine but in your area you need a car.

newyorkergal (and others): Could you comment, please, about snorkeling off the beach at Juluca. Would love to visit that island-- but definitely not if there's not good snorkeling. My impression is that the snorkeling on Anguilla is fairly mediocre (beaches and food terrific). Thank you!

Poss: I find the beaches in Anguilla spectacular, but snorkeling just average. The best snorkeling is Shoal Bay Beach, the other side of the island from Cap. Decent snorkeling on Prickly Pear Cay, but it requires a day trip.
Snorkeling on Anguilla is not like snorkeling in Turks and Caicos, or St. John, or Caymans.

We were at Cap Juluca last week. I think I spotted 15 fish total in the entire area around Pimms. I even went scuba diving in Blowing Rock and Anguillita. Nothing special. I know the white beaches were a big allure for us but I have to tell you - if snorkeling is your main goal, go somewhere else. We were dissappointed. Sand is sand is sand to me. Granted the sand was gorgeous but I found the BVIs to be much classier.

I will tell you that we also did a 1/2 daus trip last week to Schoal (sp?) Bay beach. What a joke. I was the only one still in the water after 30 mins looking for fish. Everyone else got out of the water and went to look for food. The reef was brown. The current was strong. Nothing to write home about. I loved Anguilla and the food but I have to tell you - we are big snorkelers and divers and were VERY disappointed. My DH thought that the BVI was much better.