Anguilla vs. T&C
 

Would you folks mind giving me a compare/contrast of these 2 islands? Which is your favorite and why? After reviewing many helpful posts, both islands seem to be at the top of the list for beautiful beaches (which is why we have it down to these two), so I'm trying to get an overall feel of the differences between the two.

Cheers!

Haven't been to T&C's but Anguilla is my favorite between St. John, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas, Jamaica and St. Maarten. What I liked about AXA was the resorts, beaches and FOOD which was outstanding. And you can take a day trip to SXM shopping in Phillipsburg. T&C's is on my list to do but not at this time. Have fun.

To clarify, I assume when you say the T&C's you actually mean Grace Bay on the island of Providenciales where 98% of the resorts in the T&C's are located. If so here are some comparisons:

Provo - is a flat, scrubby island with one long (11+ miles) white sand beach (Grace Bay) lapped by generally calm torquoise blue waters. The beach has very little natural vegetation. There are a series of resorts, condos and hotels lining the beach stretching out over an area of several miles leaving many more miles of beach virtuallly empty or dotted by sporadic villas. There are a couple of other smaller beaches around the island but few have any amenities and most are accessible only by a 4WD vehicle. The island has a number of restaurants but only a couple are in the same league as you'll find on Anguilla. The island is quiet with very little nightlife. The island is considered "pricey" and because there are an abundance of condo type accomodations it gets quite a number of families. There's some good to very good "off-shore" snorkeling (meaning you need a boat to access the sites) and maybe 2 or 2 areas where you'll find good snorkeling directly off the beach (Coral Gardens, Smith Reef and Malcoms Beach). The near-by islands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, etc. are somewhat difficult to get to and are very sparsely populated.

Anguilla - is also a flat, scrubby island with little natural vegetation. The main draws of this island are it's 35 uncrowded white sand beaches and it's more than 80 different restaurants, some of which are among the best in the Caribbean. Several of the beaches offer access to "off-beach" snorkeling (Shoal Bay East has some of the best on the island) and there are numerous other places accessible only by boat. This island is a short (20 minute) ferry ride from St. Martin which will give you access to an island that has both a French and Dutch flavor as well as an abundance of Duty Free shopping and even more restauurants. The island is a little more difficult to get to than Provo and while families do visit the island there aren't as many as you'd find on Provo.

Hope this helps.

Blamona & Howard C have been to both a number of times and would be your best bet for a good comparision, but here are my 2 cents.
both are flat,dry & scrubby with incredible beaches, probably the 2 best islands for beaches in the caribbean.
both are Safe & friendly.
both offer high end resorts.
no real shopping or town center on either island. it's all about the beaches & good dining on both islands.
differences:
Anguilla: more romantic feel
better suited for couples.
better restaurants & more of a caribbean vibe, resorts are spread out on the island covering numerous beaches.
day trip to ST Martin or ST Barts for incredible shopping & sightseeing.


T&C : better suited for families, has more of an Americanized feel to it. very good restaurants but Anguilla's are even better.
one incredible beach 12 miles long - Grace bay with resorts lined up & down that beach.
better snorkeling.
better water activities.

Grace bay is probably the best beach in the entire caribbean but Shoal Bay east is arguably the 2nd best.

Main differences are that Anguilla is a little less developed and doesn't have as good of snorkeling/diving. But it has better restaurants. Beaches are comparable.

Kristen
who wins for better beaches in your opinion? tough question huh!

That ia a tough one. Grace Bay Beach is longer but Anguilla has numerous great beaches.

But if I were comparing Grace Bay to Meads Bay or Shoal Bay, I'd have to give the very slightest edge to Anguilla. But my husband would probably say Grace Bay (though Anguilla is his favorite island). They are all incredible beaches and the sand is super soft on both islands but Grace Bay sand is the finest I have ever felt. After my baby was done playing in the sand it looked like she was coated in flour :-)

If you'd like I can post the links to my Anguilla & Provo albums and you can take a look at the beaches.

I also responded to your other questions comparing all the islands...

thanks Kristen
Anguilla(cuisinart or cap) would probably be my 1st choice if going w/o kids,however we are going with the kids and are leaning toward Provo T&C and a stay at Beaches the Sands or the Palms resort.
i'm not an AI person but considering beaches for the kids, a fun kids resort & it has plenty to keep them busy, otherwise I would choose the Palms or sands.
so many choices, too little time. lol.

If snorkeling is part of your daily activities and you compare it to St. John you will be very dissappointed with Anguilla. The need to take a small 30-35ft. tour boat that takes a maximum of 12 snorkelers can get you to some pretty good T&C snorkel spots. A boat that makes 2 30-45 minute stops in a 3-4 hr. outing is $40-$50/person with a few snacks and soda/juice. Considering what your spending over all you really can enhance the trip for less than $250/person and go out 4-5 days (usually better in AM)if you are away for a week.

thanks for all the wonderful responses. We have been to St John and Virgin Gorda...and enjoyed the snorkeling at each. Will we be disappointed with the snorkeling (from the shore) at Anguilla? Also, I read there are 30+ beaches on Anguilla, but how many are worth making the trek to visit?

There's no comparison, the "off beach" snorkeling on Anguilla pales in comparison to what you found on St. John & Virgin Gorda.

As far as the beaches on Anguilla are concerned there are 35 to choose from ranging from Little Bay, which as it's name implies is quite small (but picturesque nonetheless) to Shoal Bay East, which is argueably one of the 10 best in the Caribbean. Most of the other beaches are quite nice especially the more remote ones. For starters, check out Shoal Bay East, Shoal Bay West, Rondezvous Bay, Maunday's Bay, Upper Maundeys Bay, Cove Bay, Meads Bay, Junks Hole, Savanah Bay, Little Bay and Crocus Bay. After visiting those, you'll have 20 more to choose from.

At the end of the day, if beautiful beaches is top on your list, you won't be disappointed in either island. I found both to be very similar (not pretty islands, but gorgeous beaches, great restaurants, pretty quiet, with not much to do but relax). You got some good descriptions from previous posters.

For us, the snorkeling was disappointing in Anguilla, and nice in T&C... and we're not expert snorkelers.

In response to your other post:
-Beaches on both islands are pretty easy to get to, although T&C is easiest.
-It's not complicated to get from SXM to Anguilla but it will take you about 2 hours (taxi-ferry-taxi).

Click on my screen name and you will find my Anguilla and T&C trip reports with pics.

Have been to both over 20 times each. The descriptions above are very accurate. Both are coral islands and are flat and scrubby. NO rain forests. I find coral islands ahve better beaches than volcanic ones. Nice acomodations and restaurants in all price ranges on both. More condo type accomodations with kitchens on Provo. Provo more developed with more resorts. If you do a HowardC search here you can access my trip reports on both islands

I thought Provo had the best beaches anywhere, and went twice.-until I went to Anguilla. Went to AXA 7 times, haven't been back to Provo

We are probably going to visit either Anguilla or T&C in August. Does the location of AXA give us a better chance of good weather in August than T&C?
thanks again for your help!

QUESTION FOR PATSFAN1 OR ANYONE... I loved your comparison of T&C vs. Anguilla. I'm planning a trip for myself, my husband, our 32 year old son and our 7 year old grandson. My husband and I are totally about a perfect beach and a luxury property. Our son and grandson also want a perfect beach but need a resort that offers activities for children and possibly a TV in the room. what property would you recommend? We are all tremendous swimmers!

Ginasquest...

I'd look into Somerset on Provo.

Hopefully Blamomna will respond as she is an expert on Provo and Somerset.

that should say blamona

Have been to T & C once a few years ago and Anguilla twice having gone this June. I will say that out of all my Caribbean travels Grace Bay is the best beach-absolutely blinding white sand and the prettiest water-very long. Shoal Bay east next best. I was disappointed in T & C overall. Too Americanized-felt like US on an island. Poor boat companies, food expensive and so-so, and most of all too much concrete being poured and condos/timeshares being built everywhere. Wouldn't return there unless trip was free. Anguilla on the other hand - true island feel-the friendliest people, lots of beach bars, expensive food or cheap food and fantastic lobster. And you do have the option to ferry over to St. Martin if you desire-we hated it!

thank you so much one4islands for your review! I looked up properties in Anguilla and most are located on meads Bay....... Is there any particular resort you like for luxury and childrens acommodations?